May. 9, 2009 - Hi everyone!!
I have news for everyone! I AM CHANGING BLOGS!!!! You can find my NEW BLOG at
www.homeschoolblogger.com/Janakkaena
Also, I have now reached 300 comments on this blog!! I thank all of you who have commented and made my blog popular!! You all rock, and I hope to see you on my new blog!! I will still mostly post about horses and horseracing, just to warn you, lol. If you're an HSB user and you have a fellow friend named Janakkaena and you were friends with Lacy, it is really me adding you on my new account, so please add me!!
Thanks again to everyone who supported my blogging efforts from the beginning and many thanks to all my loyal commenters =]. Oh, I forgot to add that I WILL NOT be deleting this blog; I am friends with myself on both my Janakkaena account and my Lacy account, so you can still navigate back and forth to them.
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May. 9, 2009 - Well isn't this great? (NOT!)
Well, looks like we've got a filly in the Preakness. Of all fillies, Rachel Alexandra. Yes, you heard me right: Rachel Alexandra.
She was recently purchased by Jess Jackson (Curlin's majority owner) for an undisclosed amount. The details of the sale were also undisclosed at the time I last checked. She is now moving to the barn of Ausmussen, who was Curlin's trainer, and will be running in the Preakness as her first race against the boys. Chances are pretty good for her; she won the Kentucky Oaks by a resounding 20 lengths and her Beyer shot to 108. Here's the reeeally bad part: Her jockey was Borel. And Mine That Bird's jockey was also Borel. Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby, but his Beyer topped at 105. Borel chose to ride Rachel Alexandra, so now Mine That Bird kinda sorta maybe DOESN'T HAVE A JOCKEY!!!!
I'll keep you updated when I find out more.
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May. 4, 2009 - Let's go 50-1!!!
Yeah for Mine That Bird!!! The 50-1 longshot beat everyone!!
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May. 2, 2009 - AGH!!!!!
Agh!!!! These freaking derby horses keep dropping like flies!!! Now NTRA is reporting that I Want Revenge is scratching. These stupid horses are supposed to be the best in North America!! And what do they do?? Drop dead or get career-ending injuries every 2 freaking seconds!!! I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY LONGER!!! THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH!!!! Ugh!! It would be easier just to race some freaking shetland ponies!! They at least can make it a week without dying or whatever!!! This is unbearable!!
Although, come to think of it, the best colts in North America are the ones running this afternoon, because they haven't had to scratch!! So really the whole prepare-for-derby-day thing is really a disguised survival of the fittest test!! The horses who are the best won't scratch!! Random info: Friesan Fire is the betting favorite at 9-2.
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Apr. 30, 2009 - *Starting Lineup*
Heyy guys here's the starting lineup:
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1: West Side Bernie/30-1
2: Musket Man/20-1
3: Mr. Hot Stuff/30-1
4: Advice/30-1
5: Hold Me Back/15-1
6: Friesan Fire/5-1
7: Papa Clem/20-1
8: Mine That Bird/50-1
9: Join In The Dance/50-1
10: Regal Ransom/30-1
11: Chocolate Candy/20-1
12: General Quarters/20-1
13: I Want Revenge/3-1
14: Atomic Rain/50-1
15: Dunkirk/4-1
16: Pioneerof The Nile/4-1
17: Summer Bird/50-1
18: Nowhere To Hide/50-1
19: Desert Party/15-1
20: Flying Private/50-1
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And there's your starting lineup, folks. I think this is the most horses we've ever had who are 50-1... we've got 5 this year. We've got 2 horses by Sky Mesa, 2 by Smart Strike, and 2 by Birdstone. The horse with the best bloodlines in this year's Kentucky Derby is without a doubt Chocolate Candy. That colt has got it all when it comes to blue blood *whistles*. Worst bloodlines... I'm gonna say I Want Revenge. Now, I'm only saying that the horses he's got (with the exception of Mr. Prospector, Fappiano, Never Bend, and the A.P. Indy line) most of his pedigree was very unsuccessful. I mean, seriously, even I, the pedigree geek, haven't heard of Roy, Fitzcarraldo, Stall Only, Cipayo, Adlibber, Lacydon, Mr. Brick, and most of the others in his pedigree. However, he has NO INBREEDING, which (if you've read this blog before you know my opinions on inbreeding) I think is absolutely fabulous, that a horse who made it to the top has no inbreeding.
Pedigree doesn't give a horse talent, but it can make it harder to be talented, i.e, you're the first filly to run in the Derby since 1999 and you place second only to break both ankles. And you have 4 inbreedings of Raise a Native, a horse who retired to stud after only 3 races because of soundness issues. But never mind. I'm cheering for I Want Revenge, Mr. Hot Stuff, Chocolate Candy, and Friesan Fire. But I'm not against the Birdstone boys; after all, I watched their daddy race *sniffles*.
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Apr. 29, 2009 - Nowhere To Hide
Well, it looks as though there will be 20 horses in the field this year, as Win Willy's spot is being filled by Nowhere To HIde. Here's the lowdown:
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Name: Nowhere To Hide
Color: Bay
Gender: Colt
Pedigree: Vindication x Stirring
Good Lines: Seattle Slew, Hail To Reason (x2), Buckpasser (x2), Northern Dancer (x2), Mint Copy, Mr. Prospector, Deputy Minister, Victoria Regina, Vice Regent, Con Game
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Well, he's got some good lines on him, but he has significantly more inbreeding than I like to see in a horse. On his dam's side, his great-grandparents are: Raise a Native, Gold Digger, Buckpasser, Broadway, Vice Regent, Mint Copy, Buckpasser, Cool Mood. He's got waaaaay too much inbreeding waaaay too close, in my opinion. He's also got Native Dancer twice 5 generations back on his dam's side. His sire's side is pretty solid, with only 2 inbreedings (Hail To Reason). I prefer the Seattle Slew and Hail To Reason bloodlines over Buckpasser bloodlines, although I do like Tom Fool (Buckpasser's sire). I'm OK with Northern Dancer lines, although I do think that they need to diversify a bit; often times you will find 4 or even 5 inbreedings of ND in a pedigree. Mint Copy and Victoria Regina are good, solid mares to have in a female family, and sometimes the female family makes more difference than the male family in a horse's performance, or so I've read.
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Apr. 29, 2009 - Win Willy
These Derby horses are droppin' like flies this year. Now Win Willy is out because of the beginnings of a fracture in his leg. Fortunately they caught it early, so he will be able to heal up and race another day in full health, but he will still miss the Derby. Since there is so little time left until the Derby, a field of 19 is expected, which will be the first time in quite a while for the field to not be at full capacity. If for some reason another horse is chosen to run in Win Willy's place, I will update, but unless something else happens I probably won't be posting til Derby Day.
I also want to say happy birthday to my little brother, who is turning 12 today.
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Apr. 28, 2009 - Atomic Rain
Heyy guys here's the lowdown on the horse who will be running in Square Eddie's place. And it isn't Take The Points, because his for some reason it was decided by heaven knows who that he wasn't running in the Derby.
Name: Atomic Rain
Color: Bay
Gender: Colt
Pedigree: Smart Strike x Paradise Pond (he's our third entry by Smart Strike)
Good Lines: Mr. Prospector, Smarten, Turn-To, Swaps, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Damascus.
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He's got good, solid lines on both sides, with only 2 inbreedings (you'll find Turn-To on both sides of the family, 5 generations back on his sire's female family, and 4 generations back on his dam's male family). I'm an incredible fan of the Smart Strike family--good lookin', fast versatile, crops (turf, dirt, synthetic, sprint, distance, you name it, he's got offspring at the top of it). I also want to mention that Count Fleet won the Triple Crown in 1943, then continued to race AND WIN for 2 more years--he raced until he was 5, which I think is something that should be as common today as it was even 20 years ago.
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You don't see enough older horses racing anymore; most of the ones that race until they're old are geldings or horses who weren't good producers or winners. Except of course the immortal Curlin, who raced until 5 beautiful years of victory then entered stud at Lane's End; $75,000 stands & nurses. Then we have your horses like Raven's Pass and big brown (note that big brown's name is SECOND and NOT CAPITALIZED) who: A.) retire to stud after one big win and are bred to hundreds of mares before turning 4--- OR you have B.) horses who retire BECAUSE THEY CAN'T RUN WITHOUT STEROIDS!!!!!!!! OR WITHOUT MAJOR INJURY!!!! HAVE I RANTED ENOUGH????????
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And then you have the immortal horses like Curlin, *gets faraway, dreamy look* who race, and race, and win, and win, and win, and then retire at a nice older age (although "older" is relative in the horse racing world).
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Apr. 28, 2009 - Square Eddie
Well, we've got another horse dropping out of the Derby. This time it's Square Eddie. He aggravated a cannon injury and there's heat at the site, so it's a no-brainer that he's not running. I'll update as soon as I find out for sure who's running in his place, although I'm pretty sure it's going to be Take The Points (Even The Score x Ginger Ginger), since he's next in line as far as graded stakes earnings.
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Apr. 28, 2009 - Join In The Dance
Heyy guys I just found out who is running in Quality Road's place. Here's the lowdown:
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Name: Join In The Dance
Color: Dark bay/brown
Gender: Colt
Pedigree: Sky Mesa x Dance Darling
Good Lines: Seattle Slew, Secretariat x 2, Northern Dancer x 2, Affirmed, Round Table, Halo, Hail to Reason, Buckpasser, Terlingua, Crimson Saint (if you go back to a 6 gen. pedigree you'll also see her sire, Crimson Satan. Terlingua also has a 3/4 sister, Kremlin Secretary.), Storm Cat, Mr. Prospector.
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As you can see, Join In The Dance is not at all lacking for a fabulous pedigree (also note how little inbreeding is in his pedigree, and the bit there is are two very strong horses). I've not seen him run before, and I haven't seen most of the lineup run, so I'll be waiting till I see them step onto the track for their warmup until I start making actual picks instead of random speculations. I'm bummed because there aren't any fillies running. although what with last year and all it might not be the best time to run another filly. Eight Belles placed 2nd and had to be euthanized. In 1999, two fillies ran in the Derby, Excellent Meeting and Three Ring, placing 5th and 19th respectively. Click HERE to see a list of all the fillies who have ever run in the Derby, and some history about Derby fillies.
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Apr. 27, 2009 - Quality Road
Heyyy guys, I just heard that Quality Road isn't running the Derby anymore. His latest quarter crack in his left fore (I think it was left fore... I know his latest crack is in the front anyways) has caused him to favor the leg a lot and he was off training for a few days. Just thought you might want to know that. I'll update as soon as I find out who will be running in Quality Road's place.
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Apr. 26, 2009 - Derby Lineup!!!!!
Heyyy ya'll I found the Derby lineup!! I don't have post positions yet, so you'll have to go with names and pedigrees (they still haven't figured out which jockey is up on some of the horses so I can't list those as of yet. If you want more details on any of the horses, you can google them or look them up on pedigreequery.com).
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Mine That Bird: Birdstone x Mining My Own
West Side Bernie: Bernstein x Time Honored
Hold Me Back: Giant's Causeway x Restraint
Pioneerof The Nile: Empire Maker x Star of Goshen
General Quarters: Sky Mesa x Ecology
Mr. Hot Stuff: Tiznow x Sweet Damsel
Summer Bird: Birdstone x Hong Kong Squall
Papa Clem: Smart Strike x Miss Houdini
Square Eddie: Smart Strike x Forty Gran
Advice: Chapel Royal x Word O Wisdom
Quality Road: Elusive Quality x Kobla
Dunkirk: Unbridle's Song x Secret Status
Friesan Fire: A.P. Indy x Bollinger
Flying Private: Fusaichi Pegasus x Beautiful Treasure
I Want Revenge: Stephen Got Even x Meguial
Desert Party: Street Cry x Sage Cat
Chocolate Candy: Candy Ride x Crownette
Musket Man: Yonaguska x Fortuesque
Regal Ransom: Distorted Humor x Kelli's Ransom
Win Willy: Monarchos x City Fair
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OK, so here are my notes on a couple horses. First, we have 2 horse by Smart Strike and 2 horses by Birdstone, the only horse to ever defeat Smarty Jones. Next, when I mentioned Square Eddie's dam, Forty Gran, I was not forgetting the "d." Her sire's name is El Gran Senor, and Forty Gran is a play off of that. The horse in here with the most outstanding pedigree is BY FAR Chocolate Candy. On his sire's side are nice, strong runners, and on his dam's side... *whistles then focuses again* well, if you were racing most of the horse's in his dam's pedigree, prepare to eat some serious dirt. Chocolate Candy's dam, Crownette, is by Seattle Slew, out of In Memory. In Memory is by Alydar. Interestingly, In Memory was only bred twice, both times to Seattle Slew, and both foals were fillies, Crownette in 1989 and Aunt Hep in 1990. Aunt Hep raced 5 times and finished off the board all 5 times. Crownette was more successful. Chocolate Candy has a full sister, Smoothe As Candy, who was born in 2007. He also has another full sibling (I don't know if it's a colt or a filly) who is not yet named.
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I'm not making any definite picks, but I like Friesan Fire, I Want Revenge, Quality Road, and Chocolate Candy the best, although I really have reasons to like all of the field, although some are sentimental. I like the Birdstone boys bc I saw their daddy race *sniffs* and I really like Mr. Hot Stuff... he's so small and cute and he tries so hard on the track even though the other colts are so much bigger. Of course I'll be cheering for I Want Revenge, the sweet dear went into my dad's office and commented (well he had to have gotten into your office, daddy, because it's from that server). But, as I said, I like the whole field this year.
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Apr. 26, 2009 - ~*NEW TEMPLATE*~
Heyyy everyone!! I got a new template!! Isn't it awesome?? I took a template off of HSB's pre-made templates, then I replaced the old background pattern with a new one I found. I copy/pasted all my sidebar stuff onto a word document so it got saved. Unfortunately, I kinda missed all my awards, so none of them got copy/pasted =[ But it's OK bc I was running out of space on my sidebar so that cleared up some room.
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I STILL don't know who exactly is running in the Derby bc NTRA has yet to post a list. Uugghh.... but I will let you know who is running if they ever post a list.
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The cross-country clinic went really well. JJ is a very fun pony. I jumped a solid 2'+ at the clinic, which Jessi said is how high I'd been doing at home. I just didn't know I was jumping that high until Jessi told the DC!! The lady doing the clinic said that I need to work on relaxing in my hips and think about landing in my heels after a jump. When I did relax in my hips and land in my heels it went a lot better. The jump I had the most problems with was this red white and blue panel (a panel is a vertical that has a wood panel underneath the pole). It was off a bending line, but I really don't have a problem with bending lines or jumping off turns. It was also up a slight hill, but that wasn't really a problem either since I'm totally OK with hills. The problem was that I wasn't relaxing into the canter quite enough with my seat, but instead was getting over-prepared for the jump. And I was probably also doing my not-so-great trademark: Forgetting to breathe on-course. There have been instances where Jessi has made me sing my alphabet and count so I would have to breathe. But anyways, clinic was really good!! All the girls were really nice and welcoming (well, I only got to meet one girl, bc the others were all from the barn I ride at lol).
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My brother's birthday is on Wednesday!! He will be turning 12. It is also the day Barbaro was born, although with Thoroughbreds, even if they weren't born on January 1st, that is considered their birthday.
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Apr. 25, 2009 - Pony Club!!
Heyyy everyone!! Guess what!! I'm starting Pony Club! I'm going to a cross-country clinic today and I'll be riding the DC's (there is a DC in each club because the DC is the leader of their respective club) Quarter Pony (which is a Quarter Horse in a small package). He is 14hh, black, and his name is JJ. I'm SOO looking forward to it! I'm starting too late to compete in any rallies this year (except maybe games rally), but next year I'll have enough time to get ready if I want to compete in one. I'm going out to the barn around 9, then I'll work or whatever until around 12/12:30 when Jessi, Susannah, Meagan, Colleen, Gordon (horse), Oreo (horse), and I trailer out to the DC's barn, where the clinic is. JJ lives at the DC's barn so I won't have to pay a trailering fee or bring tack or anything.
When you go to a clinic in Pony Club, you have to dress a certain way. You wear breeches/jods, a polo shirt (tucked in), a belt, clean boots (they can be paddock boots or tall boots but you should wear clean half-chaps if you're wearing paddock boots), and your hair should be in a hairnet so that all of it stays tucked under your helmet when you're riding. I'm also wearing a lot of sunscreen since we'll be riding out in the open and it will be sunny today. All my stuff matches =] My polo is a light blue from Hollister, my chaps are light blue from Moxie Equestrian, my breeches are tan Devon Aires (from Jessi), and my helmet is a Carbon Gray Tipperary Sportage Plus. I really like being all color-coordinated, as you can probably tell, lol =].
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Apr. 16, 2009 - Kentucky Derby
Hi everyone!! I know you are expecting me to put up a full list of Kentucky Derby entries in this post, but I regret to inform you that, as of yet, I cannot because they haven't announced the lineup yet. If you want to see some colts who are already qualified, I would suggest you go to the NTRA website and look through some articles.
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Although I can't say for sure who will be running in the Derby, I can tell you a few who aren't. First, Midshipman. My early Derby pick was injured and won't be racing until probably this fall or next year.
Second, Old Fashioned. My other early Derby pick suffered a non displaced slab fracture in his knee after running the Arkansas and finishing 2nd. Or was it 3rd? Whatever. But he did just have surgery and is doing very well according to his trainer. They are retiring him because if he tried to come back to racing, he would be too old for the best races and he would be nowhere near as high a caliber as he has been. So he is being retired. His owner isn't sure they are going to stand him; they might sell him as a stallion prospect instead. I think that would be a wise choice, because I don't like to see 3 year olds retired straight to stud. I like to see them retire at 4 or 5 so they can race longer and get a few years on them before retiring to go have lots of babies. Although in Old Fashioned's case, retirement was necessary because of injury (although I still think giving him a year to chill before going to stud would be good).
Third, Big Drama. He isn't injured, and he has enough money to run, but his trainer and owner have decided to run him in the Preakness and not the Derby. Why, I have no clue. If you have a chance to get the Roses, go for it!! Of course, it is their horse and they know him better than I do, so they probably know what they're doing.
And fourth, the Pamplemousse. The Mousse (as he is affectionately called) is having some tendon troubles and is taking some time off.
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Apr. 11, 2009 - Poll Results!!
In order of finish we have:
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Friesan Fire: 3 votes
Pioneerof the Nile: 2 votes
Mafaaz: 1 vote
I Want Revenge: 1 vote
Old Fashioned: 1 vote
Musket Man: 0 votes
Quality Road: 0 votes
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And out winner is Friesan Fire!!
Danica, you are very steadfast in that you will vote for any horse who is related to A.P. Indy, although I would advise a better back-up career than swimsuit modeling. My dearest Queen, it really wasn't a civil war, and I think even letting Mafaaz in the Derby is payment enough for the stupid tea. A parting message: Mafaaz is goin' DOWN. Larry Jones, I'm not sure your whole sympathy vote thing worked, although Friesan Fire did win the poll. It was the breeder's fault that Belles died, because there was to much inbreeding of lame horses to produce a sound horse. Miss Cleopatra, I think maybe the both of us should get together some fine day and write apology l letters to the Queen because of what I said about Mafaaz and the quote "stupid tea" and what you said about her not being allowed on the poll. Baffert, my blog is not a social networking site, I'm sure you could get Danica's e-mail. My darling I Want Revenge, you have very good spelling and grammar for a young horse, or really any horse. But, darling, I'm afraid that some people would be rather upset if we moved KY to NY. My apologies, sweetie. Dutrow, get over it. Your horse is lost probably the most important race of his life because he couldn't run without the freakin steroids. Daddy, yes I do have some odd people commenting, but they must all sneak through your office because the server addresses are all the same. SmartyJones, thank you for being the only normal person to comment; and many thanks for commenting. You rock =].
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Stay tuned for my next poll and thanks for voting!!!
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Apr. 8, 2009 - New Poll
Here is this week's poll. The question is "Who do YOU think will win the Kentucky Derby this year?"
Here's the lineup:
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Old Fashioned: Unbridled's Song x Collect Call
Mafaaz: Medicean x Complimentary Pass
Friesan Fire: A.P. Indy x Bollinger
Pioneerof the Nile: Empire Maker x Star of Goshen
I Want Revenge: Stephen Got Even x Meguial
Musket Man: Yonaguska x Fortuesque
Quality Road: Elusive Quality x Kobla
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So there's your lineup. Voting is open until Saturday, at which time I will announce the winner and change my profile pic to one of the aforesaid winner. Thanks for voting!!
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Apr. 4, 2009 - Poll results!!!!
Here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for!!!
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Curlin: 5 votes
Raven's Pass: 1 vote
Big Brown: 1 vote
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And.... (drum roll)....Curlin is our winner!!! Curlin is by Smart Strike, out of Sheriff's Deputy. He earned $10,501,800 in his career on track. He stands at Lane's End (which is also where his sire stands) and his fee is $75,000, payable when foal stands and nurses. HIs first breeding was to Maggy Hawk, dam of the remarkable Afleet Alex, whose majority owner is Jess Jackson, also Curlin's majority owner.
Thanks for voting!!
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Apr. 3, 2009 - Poll standings so far...
Hi ya'll. Here are the standings:
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Curlin: 1 vote
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Raven's Pass: 1 vote
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Big Brown: 1 vote
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K.D: methinks that maybe you are just a teensy bit bitter, and technically geldings can't stand at stud for obvious reasons. Although sometimes when a mare is retired to be used as a broodmare, they do call it being retired to stud. But anyways, since it was entirely Big Brown's fault, I gave you 2 votes, one for Curlin and one for Raven's Pass. Champion Trainer R.D: YOU'RE A MANIAC!!!!! BIG BROWN IS THE WORST HORSE EVER TO SET FOOT ON THE TRACK!!!!!! HE COULDN'T RUN WITHOUT ANABOLICS OR WITHOUT HIS FEET FELLING OFF!! THAT'S WHY HE WAS RETIRED!!!!!! BECAUSE OF HORSES LIKE HIM THE RACING AND BREEDING INDUSTRY IS GETTING A BAD NAME!!!! *sticks tongue out and crosses arms defiantly* So there!!! *sticks tongue out and crosses arms defiantly again*.
Again, the voting is open until tomorrow, when I will announce the winners and change my profile pic to one of the winner. And if some....hmm.... uh..... person votes for Big Brown, I WILL NOT change my picture to a picture of Big Brown. Ha and so there and all that. Hmph.
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Apr. 2, 2009 - Poll
Hi all, sorry I didn't get this poll up sooner. You have until Saturday to cast your vote on the "which sire retired last year has the most potential at stud?" poll.
Here's the lineup:
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Curlin: Smart Strike x Sheriff's Deputy. This outstanding horse had an amazing track career. His first breeding was to Maggy Hawk, dam of 2005 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex. Stands at Lane's End (which is also where his sire stands), $75,000 stands and nurses.
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Big Brown: Boundary x Mien. HAVE I EVER MENTIONED HOW MUCH I CAN'T STAND THIS HORSE OR HIS TRAINER??????????? UGH UGH UGH!!!! Stands at Three Chimneys, $65,000 stands and nurses.
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Raven's Pass: Elusive Quality x Ascutney. Won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic at age 3 and was retired right after said win. Over 140 mares fromaround the world booked to him for this year. Stands at Kildangan Stud, Co., in Ireland, approx. $55,200 in American dollars, probably stands and nurses.
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So there it is!! Like before, I'll change my profile pic to one of the winner and you have until Saturday to vote. Thanks!!
