Kentucky Derby 144 was captured in smashing fashion by superstar Justify. Good Magic ran a big race to hold second, just over the rail-skimming, fast closing Audible. Here is the NBC Coverage of Justify’s win and jockey Mike Smith’s 2nd Kentucky Derby victory. Does trainer Bob Baffert have another Triple Crown winner in his barn?
Great Horse Racing Videos – Hall of Fame Inductee Heavenly Prize
May 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment
You may have heard. Eclipse Award-winning filly Heavenly Prize has been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The lone contemporary selection from the 10 finalists chosen by the Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee, Heavenly Prize will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public and free to attend.
New inductees in categories selected by separate processes will also be announced soon. The Historic Review Committee choices for the Hall of Fame will be revealed on May 9 and the Pillars of the Turf Committee’s Hall of Fame selections will be announced on May 23.
Heavenly Prize was elected by a nationwide voting panel comprised of 166 racing writers, broadcasters, industry officials and historians. Finalists are required to receive majority approval (50.1 percent) from the voting panel to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
A bay filly bred in Kentucky by owner Ogden Phipps, Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold—Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II) won the Eclipse Award for Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in 1994. She was a Grade 1 winner at ages 2, 3 and 4. Trained by Hall of Famer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey III, Heavenly Prize won the Grade 1 Frizette at age 2 and three consecutive Grade 1s as a 3-year-old: the Alabama, Gazelle and Beldame.
As a 4-year-old, she won four Grade 1s in a row: the Apple Blossom Handicap, Hempstead Handicap, Go for Wand Stakes and John A. Morris Handicap. Heavenly Prize also finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in both 1994 and 1995. She raced once as a 5-year-old, finishing third in the Donn Handicap, which was won by Hall of Famer Cigar.
Heavenly Prize was retired with a career record of 9-6-3 from 18 starts and earnings of $1,825,940. Throughout her career, she defeated the likes of Hall of Famers Paseana and Sky Beauty, as well as multiple graded stakes winners Lakeway, Halo America and Classy Mirage, among others. Eight of Heavenly Prize’s nine career victories were in Grade 1 events. Heavenly Prize was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith for her first eight starts and by Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day for her final nine races.
As a broodmare, Heavenly Prize produced seven winners from eight starters, including the multiple Grade 1-winning turf standout Good Reward. She is also the dam of Grade 2 winner and successful sire Pure Prize. Heavenly Prize also produced stakes winner Cosmic; stakes-placed Distinctively; and Just Reward, whose daughter Persistently upset Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.
Heavenly Prize died in 2013 at the age of 22 at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky.
Great Horse Racing Videos – R.I.P. Jack Van Berg
December 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
We’re sad to hear of the passing of legendary horseman and trainer Jack Van Berg. Jack’s accomplishments are too long and deep to list here, but the first major horse of his that was a favorite of mine was the exciting runner Gate Dancer. The Hall of Fame trainer would parlay that success on the national stage to Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Breeders’ Cup Classic wins with the great Alysheba.
Rest in peace, Jack.
https://youtu.be/P6RFGkD9yFU
Great Horse Racing Videos – Old Latonia Race Track
September 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment
A documentary film by Cam Miller is a fascinating early history on Old Latonia Race Track, which eventually became known as Turfway Park. This film is told through the eyes of former employee James Robertson as he takes us through the glory days and eventual demise of Old Lationa. It’s a must watch, especially for Mid-west horse racing fans.
Great Horse Racing Videos – Songbird
August 31, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The star Songbird has been retired, effective August 31, 2017. Here is one of her many spectacular performances, a replay of the 2016 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita in 2017.
Great Horse Racing Videos – Record-breaking Travers Stakes
August 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The Travers Stakes had been contested 146 previous times at the oldest racetrack in America, Saratoga Race Course. But a fairly unknown runner from the Bob Baffert barn would make this a memorable renewal of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes.
I’m proud to say that I was wise enough to select Arrogate on this day, the last time anyone would get close to double digit odds on the amazing racehorse.
Arrogate ran his final two furlongs in an unbelievable 23.84 and set a track record for 10 furlongs at Saratoga by hitting the teletimer in 1.59:36. “The fastest Travers ever … and a new track record!” ~ bellowed track announcer Larry Columus.
Left in Arrogate’s wake were talented runners Gun Runner, Creator, Exaggerator, American Freedom, and Destin.
Great Horse Racing Video Series – Arrogate Last to First Dubai World Cup
March 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Arrogate breaks dead last in the full field of the 2017 Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Jockey Mike Smith decides it is time to ride him like he rode his old mount Zenyatta, and Arrogate proceeds to put on a show. Gun Runner, hand ridden to the top of the stretch, is no match for the one of the all time greats.
Video courtesy of Meydan Racing.
Great Horse Racing Video Series – 2017 Pegasus World Cup
February 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Arrogate made easy work of a full field of 12 runners, including 2016 Horse of the Year and fan favorite California Chrome. Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Gulfstream Park in FL featured the inaugural running of the 2017 Pegasus World Cup, featuring an incredible $12 million purse.
This race replay includes the post-race conference with winning jockey Mike Smith.
Great Horse Racing Video Series – 2016 Breeders’ Cup Distaff
December 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Beholder vs. 3yo Songbird in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita, the Great Race Place. I was fortunate enough to be there to witness this in person.
As one viewer stated, and I have to concur: “One of the greatest races I’ve ever seen. They’re both winners in my book!”
Great Horse Racing Videos – Turkoman, 1986 Champion Older Horse
December 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
It’s sad to hear that the great Turkoman passed away today at the ripe old age of 34. Turkoman was euthanized due to infirmities of old age Dec. 21 at his residence at E.A. Ranches in Ramona, California. Few horses live past the age of 30.
Turkoman was the 1986 Champion Older Horse and one of his greatest triumphs was in the prestigious Marlboro Cup at Belmont Park. Top racehorse Precisionist was loose on the lead in this field but that didn’t stop this son of Alydar from running him down. Turkoman was trained by California horseman Gary Jones.
