With only 6 days until the Kentucky Derby and 5 until the Oaks, contenders start to arrive and have their final works! All credit to the photographers who took these photos, none are mine. Part 2 Coming Soon!
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All the KY Derby preps are now over and all the horses head to Kentucky to get ready for the first Saturday in May! Here is my updated Derby List in order ( kinda ) and then my first Kentucky Oaks List.
KENTUCKY DERBY LIST #2 - 4/17/15: 1. American Pharoah 2. Carpe Diem 3. Firing Line 4. Dortmund 5. Mubtaahij 6. International Star 7. Upstart 8. Frosted 9. Materiality 10. El Kabeir 11. Far Right 12. One Lucky Dane ( out of derby ) 13. Mr.Z 14. War Story 15. Itsaknockout 16. Danzig Moon 17. Keen Ice 18. Bolo 19. Ocho Ocho Ocho 20. Stanford * KENTUCKTY OAKS LIST #1 - 4/17/15: 1. Stellar Winds 2. I'm A Chatterbox 3. Condo Commando 4. Birdatthewire 5. Lovely Maria 6. Oceanwave 7. Callback 8. Luminance 9. Eskenforthemoney 10. Angela Renee 11. Forever Unbridled 12. Danessa Deluxe 13. Include Betty 14. Sarah Sis 15. By The Moon 16. Shook Up 17. Maybellene 18. Achiever's Legacy 19. Puca 20. Wonder Gal Please let me know what you think, I love to hear from you guys! There should be one more Derby + Oaks update but I'm not positive yet :) Instagram: @madihmoran_ With only 43 days left until the Kentucky derby, here is my first list of the 20 horses who I think have a good chance at the run for the roses. ( in no particular order)
The next horse to be featured on " The Horse Spotlight " Series is Beholder. Owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, this bay 5 year old mare was born on May 9th 2010 and has earned $3,368,300 total in her 15 starts.
Two Year Old Season: Beholder's first start was on June 28th 2012, in a maiden special weight. She finished 4th behind, Travesura, Renee's Queen, and Executiveprivilege ( the eventual winner ). She tried again on July 22nd, in another maiden special weight but this time Beholder won, breaking her maiden on the second try. Beholder was then pointed towards her first graded stakes, the G1 Del Mar Debutante on September 1st. She had a clean break from the number 9 position and went straight to the lead. the 1/4 mile was run in 22.44 with Beholder as the leader. The bay mare, kept a small lead on the field as the turned for home. The 1/2 mile was run in 45.34. Beholder held on to the lead, but battled it out with Executiveprivilege. In the end it was a photo finish, in which Beholder lost by a nose. The 7 furlong race was ran in 1:23.43. Her next start was a six furlong allowance on October 4th. She won, running the race in 1:09.00. Next for Beholder was the Grade 1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Beholder broke from the number 1 spot and easily went right to the lead. As the field turned for home, beholder held her lead and started pulling away slightly. Executiveprivilege came to the outside and chased Beholder down to the but Beholder hung on and led the field from start to finish to win over Executiveprivilege. The final time for the mile and a 1/16 race was 1:43.61. This would be Beholder's last race of her two year old season. Three Year Old Season: Beholder's first start first start of her three year old season was the G2 Santa Ynez on January 21st 2013. She had a good break on the outside from position number eight. She stayed in the stalking third position until the final turn. She went to the front and held on to finish 2nd to Renee's Titian. Her next race was the G1 Las Virgenes. Beholder went from start to finish leading the field, and won by possible more than 4 lengths. Beholder ran again on April 6th, in the Santa Anita Oaks. Once again Beholder broke clean from the number five spot and led the filed the whole way home to win by a few lengths. next Beholder went to the G1 Kentucky Oaks. Beholder ran a great race and as they turned into the final stretch she took the lead but late coming Princess of Sylmar caught Beholder in the end and beat her by a neck. After her defeat in the Kentucky Oaks, Beholder took a break but came back on September 1st to run in the Torrey Pines. Beholder quickly restored her winning ways, leading the filed once again from start to finish to add another win under her belt. She then went on to run in the G1 Zenyatta on September 28th. Beholder did her usual gate to wire running style and won easily, guaranteeing her a spot in the 2013 Breeder's Cup Distaff. This 3 year old fillies last start of the year would be the G1 Breeder's Cup Distaff on November 1st 2013. Beholder broke great and settled into third behind the leaders, in the far stretch she moved up to second. She made her move around the final turn and lead the field into the final stretch. She pulled away from the small field to win by a few lengths under Gary Stevens! Four Year Old Season: Beholder only ran 3 times in her four year old season due to injury and sickness. She made her first start of the year in the Santa Lucia on April 20th 2014. Beholder broke clean and went into the second position behind the leader. She stayed there until they hit the quarter pole and she took the lead easily. Around the final turn she pulled away to win by about 5 lengths. Next Beholder ran in the G1 Ogden Phipps Handicap on June 7th. She would be running against her main rivals Close Hatches and Princess of Sylamar. Beholder had a great break but didn't seem to be running like herself. She finished 4th and soon after the race it had be announced that beholder had a deep gash in her left hind pastern. After months of healing Beholder returned to the track on September 27th 2014 to run in the G1 Zenyatta. Breaking from the number 4 position, Beholder had a great break. She stayed in the thrid position for most of the race before slowly inching up to the lead. around the final turn, she took the lead and won over Tiz Midnight, guaranteeing her a spot in the Breeder's Cup Distaff again. Beholder was scheduled to sell in the 2014 Fasig - Tipton November sale after the Breeder's Cup, but a sudden fever kept Beholder out of the BC Distaff and pulled her from the Fasig - Tipton Sale. - I talked to Eric Gustavson, who works for Spendthirft Farm, over email, about their champion mare. Q: What is Beholder's running style? A: Beholder is an incredibly talented runner, but she does have a favorite style, which is to be on or close to the lead. She has won many races from both circumstances. Q: Are you happy with her health wise? As I understand she had a fever in October. A: We are thankful to say she has a clean bill of health, following the fever she had in mid October. Q: What are the plans for her future? A: Our plan for Beholder, with our trainer Richard Mandella, is to aim for the Breeders Cup Distaff in Keeneland at the end of October and schedule her backwards from there, primarily in Grade 1 races. Q: How do you think beholder would have done if she ran in the Breeder's Cup Distaff? A: We are confident that had Beholder been healthy for the Breeders Cup, she certainly would have given the winner, Untapable, a run for the money. Beholder loves the track at Santa Anita and is not in the habit of getting beat there. Q: What is she like around the barn? A: Beholder is pretty sweet around the barn. Richard loves her. She is a bit of a bear, however, in the saddling paddock before races, where she can get pretty wound up. Q: Does she enjoy running? A: Beholder loves to run! Thoroughbreds are herd animals, and it's instinctual for them to run and to want to. Like everything else, some are just better at it than others, and she is exceptional. Q: When do you think Beholder will return to the track? A: Our girl is back at the track just jogging now, preparing to start up with more serious training soon. She is doing great, and we are hopeful for a big 2015 with her Q: Anything else you would like to add about Beholder? A: Mr. Hughes, our owner, had originally planned to sell Beholder in the Keeneland November sale immediately following the Breeders Cup race. This was a tough decision, because we all love her so much, but because she is so valuable, Mr. Hughes thought from a business standpoint, the farm couldn't afford not to sell her. When she came up with the fever, she was scratched not only from the Breeders Cup, but also from the sale, because we thought it unsafe for her to travel. What a blessing in disguise that was, because now we get to run her for another year, and who knows-maybe we won't sell her and she will be the star of our broodmare band next breeding season. Thank you to Eric Gustavson for answering all my questions about one of my favorite racehorses, Beholder. As of now Beholder is being trained by Richard Mandella, and she is jogging on the track prepping for her 5 year old season. Good Luck to Beholder and the rest of the Spendthrift Stables horses in 2015! - Madi Moran @madimoran_ on instagram
The next horse to be featured in " The Horse Spotlight " series is Mr.Z. Owned by Zayat Stables, the chestnut colt born on January 12th 2012, had raced 8 times and has earned $499,726 just in his two year old season.
Two Year old Season: Mr.Z started his career on June 28th 2014, in a Maiden Special Weight. He finished first breaking his maiden on the first try. He then went on to the Grade 3 Sanford. Mr.Z broke from the number 5 position to finish 2nd after being behind the leaders around the final turn. The chestnut colt then tried his luck in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at Saratoga on August 10th 2014. Breaking from the number 3 spot in a 10 horse field, Mr.Z finished second behind I Spent It. His next race was the Grade 3 Iroquois. He broke from the number 2 spot in a 9 horse field. Mr.Z lead the pack most of the way before fading after the final turn into the back stretch. He finished 5th. On October 4th, Mr.Z entered the Grade 1 Breeder's Futurity. The chestnut colt finished second to Carpe Diem. His next start was the Grade 1 Breeder's Cup Juvenile. There was a strong field of 11 horse running. Mr.Z broke well from the gate and was in the pack. He pulled up to third and stayed in that position for most of the race before fading after the final turn into the backstretch. He finished 5th. Mr.Z next race would be the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot on November 22nd 2014. After breaking well from post position number 3, Mr.Z went right for the lead but then settled in third right behind the leaders. He took the lead around the turn into the final stretch with Ocho Ocho Ocho. Mr.Z finished second by a head. His last start as a three year old would be the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity. In a field of 5, he broke clean from the 4th post. He went right to the lead with Firing line and Dortmund. He kept a narrow lead over Firing Line. The first quarter was run in 21.98. Mr.Z kept the lead heading into the final stretch. He battled for a win with Dortmund and Firing Line as they came down to the wire. It was a photo finish and Mr.Z ended up third. I talked with Mr.Z's owner Justin Zayat over email and asked him a few questions about his great chestnut colt. Q: What is Mr.Z's running style? A: Mr.Z is a very versatile horse. he can be close to the pace or sit a couple of lengths off. Q: Are you happy with the way he is running? A: Yes, he has been running with the best two year olds all year and has run extremely well. He got unlucky with a couple of nose defeats. Q: What are you plans for the future? A: We plan to race him in the Smarty Jones Stakes ( Today; 1/19/15 ) Q: What is Mr.Z like around the barn? A: He is a very high energized colt. he does everything right. Knock on wood we haven't had a bad day with him. Q: Do you think he has a good chance to make it to the Kentucky Derby? A: Yes! I am hopeful he can make it. I know he has talent. Q: How do you think he will do this season? A: I think he is sitting on a very big season. He gained a lot of experience as a two year old and has a great foundation under him so I am hopeful he will progress nicely from 2 year old to a 3 year old. Q: Does he like to run in the mud/slop? A: He has trained well in it but he has never run a race over a track like that so it is still a question mark until he does it. Q: Does he enjoy running? A: He absolutely LOVES to train and run. He comes out of his races bucking and squealing. We tried to back off of him after the Los Alamitos Futurity but within 4 days of his break he was already tearing down the barn. - My Opinion: Mr.Z is a great colt with a lot of experience from his two year old season. I really like him and hope that he can get some more wins and make it to the Kentucky Derby in May. He has a lot of talent and has run against some of the best two now three year olds in the 2014 season. Mr.Z is entered in the Smarty Jones stakes, today ( 1/19/15 ). It is Race 8 at Oaklawn Park. So good luck to him and all his connections today and for the rest of his 3 year old season. - Madi Moran @madimoran_ on instagram
El Kabeir was born on March 18th 2012. In 2013 he was purchased by Patrice Miller, an agent for Zayat Stables at the Ocala Breeder's Sales Company 2013 August Selected & Open Sale of Yearlings. El Kabeir was purchased for $250,000 and was sent to go train under John P. Terranova II.
On August 14th 2014, El Kabeir ran second in his first ever career start, a Saratoga Maiden Special Weight. He tried again on August 30th in another Saratoga Maiden Special Weight and was able to win by a few lengths, breaking his maiden on the second try. Next El Kabeir was targeted towards the Grade One Champagne Stakes. He was looking for his first graded stakes win. The day of the race, October 4th, there was a muddy track at Belmont Park. The grey colt finished fourth. He next tried his luck in the Grade 2 Nashua. El Kabeir finished 2nd to Blofeld. From New York, El Kabeir went to Kentucky for the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He won by a head over Imperia. El Kabeir headed back to New York to run in the Grade 3 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. Along the way, El Kabeir put in some great workouts. On December 28th, 6 days before the Jerome, El Kabeir breezed 4 furlongs at Belmont Park on a fast dirt track finishing in 48.55. On January 3rd El Kabeir won the Grade 3 Jerome Stakes in the rain/snow. He is now headed towards either the Withers or Gotham at Aqueduct. I talked to Justin Zayat, of Zayat Stables and asked him a few Questions about El Kabeir over email. Q: What is his personality like? A: El Kabeir is always a high energized colt. He always is full of himself and happy. Recently he has been learning how to contain his energy which is what we been trying to teach him. Q: What is his running style like? A: He used to be a horse who wants to be on the lead and go wire to wire but we've been seeing as we stretch him out more and more he is relaxing more. Q: How did he come out of his last race ( the Jerome )? A: He came out of the Jerome in very good order. Ate up all his dinner and was a happy horse the day after. Q: Do you think he can make it to the Kentucky Derby? A: I believe if he keeps running the way he is now and progressing in the right direction he will be a Kentucky Derby colt. Q: I heard El Kabeir had a workout on grass. Did he like the surface better? A: We think he can run on dirt or grass. He trains about the same on both. Q: What are your plans for the future? A: We have many options for races but right now I am looking at the Withers or the Gotham. My Opinion: I really really like El Kabeir. He is probably my favorite 3 year olds right now and is definitely on my derby list. He seems to be growing up more. I feel like he had great potential and that with every race he shows us how good he really is. This colt is one to watch out for and I hope to see him in run in person in the future. Good Luck to El Kabeir as he starts his three year old season! What are your thoughts on El Kabeir? - Madi Moran @madimoran_ on instagram It was a quite a great day of racing. There were many great perforances put in by many amazing horses!
I would like to start with Bobby's Kitten's win. In the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint, it looked like No Nay Never was going to win but Bobby's Kitten rallied for a fast win, beating No Nay Never by a neck. The race was ran in a total of 1:12:73. Also Undrafted, rallied for a fast third. Next I want to talk about Take Charge Brandi's win in the Juvenile Fillies. Going off at 62-1, Take Chrage Brandi paid $125.40, which is the highest price of any Juvenile Fillies winner. The race was ran in 1:45:95 with Top Decile second and Wonder Gal third. I am definitely going to keep an eye out for this filly! Texas Red, pulled off a 13-1 upset, winning by 6 and a half lengths. This horse was truly incredible. He came from dead last to pull of the win over Carpe Diem. Coming off of a third place finish to American Pharaoh in the FrontRunner, Texas Red demolished the field. I am certainly going to keep watching this colt. The race was ran in 1:44:91. Last but not least I would like to talk about California Chrome and Bayern. Bayern ran an incredible race. After a rocky start, he over came it to beat Toast of New York by a head. Bayern is a beast, a great all around horse. Every time he is doubted he comes back to win! California Chrome, one of my favorite racehorses in the whole wide world did well. He stayed with the leaders and Victor did a great job of keeping him back, but Bayern and Toast of New York inched him out. I am so proud of him for staying up there throughout the entire race. He ran very well and I hope we will see him run again next year. Shared Belief was bumped badly badly coming out of the gate. It was interesting to watch Mike Smith keep him out of the way. It makes me think that the race would be different in some way of that had not happened in the beginning. All the horses in this years Breeder's Cup ran great! All the races with very thrilling. We saw some amazing talent this weekend. I would like to congratulate all of the winners on there amazing performances and for all their connects who made this possible. Great job to everyone, it was a fabulous racing weekend. Follow me on instagram @horseracing2014 Today is the second day of The 2014 Breeder Cup. Yesterday there were many strong performances. My favorites would be by Untapable, Hootenanny and Lady Eli. The Breeder's Cup fields are looking good and today is the last day until next year.
Here are my choices for the BC Races today! Juvenile Win: Daredevil Place: Carpe Diem Show: Upstart 4th: Mr. Z Turf Win: Main Sequence Place: Hardest Core Show: Telescope 4th: Finnegain's Wake Sprint Win: Fast Anna Place: Palace Show: Secret Circle 4th: Rich Tapestry Turf Mile Win: Tornando (IRE) Place: Trade Storm Show: Seek Again 4th: Obviously (IRE) Juvenile Fillies Win: Angela Renee Place:Wonder Gal Show: Cristina's Journey 4th: Take Charge Brandy Filly/Mare Sprint Win: Artemis Agortera Place: Sweet Reason Show: Judy the Beauty 4th: Little Alexis or Stonetastic Turf Sprint Win: No Nay Never Place: Bobby's Kitten Show: Sweet Swap 4th: Silentio Filly/Mare Turf Win: Stephanie's Kitten Place: Emollient Show: Abaco 4th: Just the Judge (IRE) BC Classic Win: California Chrome Place: Tonalist or Shared Belief Show: Candy Boy or Toast of New York 4th: Cigar Street or Zivo Please enjoy my choices and let me know what you think! Follow me on instagram @horseracing2014 Pennsylvania Derby day was probably one of the best days of my life. So many things happened. It was such an incredible experience and I am so happy to be able to share it with you all. The day started at 10 am, so as soon as gates opened, right away I bought a California Chrome pin. I then went to look around the track because I had never been to Parx before. As the morning continued on my picture was taken multiple times by many different people. I was featured on the Parx Facebook page, Chromie's Paddock on facebook, Jennie Rees's Twitter (@CJ_Jennie), and many more. It was very lovely to meet and be interviewed by Jennie Rees. She was so nice and kind. Jennie, being an amateur videographer, made an amazing video, featuring me in one part. The video can be found on The Courier Journal website. Everyone at Parx was very nice and kind. The set up of the track was very perfect, the paddock was right by the track and the winner's circle was very close by, making things easy to get to. I spent a majority of my day at the paddock, taking pictures of the gorgeous thoroughbreds and waiting for Untapable and California Chrome to come so I could get a front rail spot (which I was able to do). I met up with Averie Levanti, whom I had met on Haskell Day. We talked for a few minutes, before she had to go. I was able to ask her about Princess of Sylmar, and why she was retired (by the way Happy retirement Princess!). Before, I waited at the paddock for 4 or 5 races, I was able to meet Steve Coburn and his wife. They were both so kind to me and told me they adored my poster. Mr.Coburn even signed it! It was such an amazing opportunity to meet them both. I was also able to meet Nick Martinez, a retired jockey who does very amazing paintings. His oil paintings were so very realistic looking. You can see some of his paintings on his website, www.nickmartinezart.com. I stood at the rail of the paddock for many races, to make sure I got a front rail view when it was time for the Gallant Bob, Cotillion, and PA Derby. I had liked Fast Anna for the Gallant Bob. While the horses walked circles around the paddock I took as many pictures as I could.
Finally after weeks of preperation I am ready to launch my very own blog! It will be about horse racing and there will be updates almost every week. Some blogs will be about races, and other may be about breeding, or sales.
Horse racing has been a passion of mine for almost 6 years. It all started with Big Brown when he won the 2008 Kentucky Derby. I followed him until the end of his career. My next horse racing star was Mucho Macho Man and Shackleford. Both were the highlight of racing for me. I still follow the journey of Mucho Macho Man, who has sadly been retired. Throughout the year I have found a special racehorses that meant a lot to me, but Mucho has meant the most. My passion for racing these days is because of 5 very amazing thoroughbreds, California Chrome, Untapable, Fiftyshadesofgold, Wicked Strong, and still none other than Mucho Macho Man. Each horse has its own special quality that I just love about them. I have been lucky enough to see Untapable in person and cheer for her with my huge sign. This weekend (September 20th) I am very fortunate to be seeing her again and I will get to see California Chrome in person for the first time. Expect a huge blog post after that! Horse racing is a big part of my life and I can't wait to share my journey with all of you! I would like to thanks Averie Levanti for inspiring me to start my own blog after read her own blog "31 Lengths" on Horse Racing Nation (www.horseracingnation.com). I would also like to thank @shopping_for_barbaro (on instagram) for coming up with my blog's name. And with that said I present to you "The Final Strides" By Madison. |
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AuthorHello, my name is Madi. I have been into horse racing since 2008 and have been active in the sport ever since. Archives
August 2015
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