Who's In Your Stable? The Top 10 in the RTTR Contest

     It is doubtful they had any inside information, but the folks who are currently in the Top 10 of Stride LIVE’s “Road To The Roses Derby Contest” have certainly distinguished themselves throughout this Kentucky Derby prep season.

      Out of the 20, 730 entries in the RTTR contest, the leader for our league sits at #328 overall.  Keith Cooper’s 221 points are not far from the top either.  The contest leader has 280 points.  There are also four entries that have exactly ZERO points. Not sure how you pulled that off.

      Gary Schneekloth has two entries in the Top 10 and sits in 2^nd and 4^th in the Stride LIVE league. You want a sleeper stable though, look at Sue Kawcyznski’s stable. Sue K. has Archarcharch, Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, The Factor, Toby’s Corner and Uncle Mo. She is tied for 17^th place at 150 points, but is stacked with horses who seem to be running their best.

      For those with a chance to win, interestingly, many have Dialed In and Mucho Macho Man, but only the aforementioned Sue K. has Archarcharch. Hmm. Either way, good luck to everyone. Here is the full Top 10.

League Rank	Score	Stable Name	Player	Hometown
1	221	Zain-in-my-heart Stable	Keith Cooper	cassatt
2	212	Bourbon Bliss Barn	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
3	211	CMCC	Barry Mitchell	Inglewood
4	193	Kelso's Kennel	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
5	182	Rose Oaks Stable	Valerie Klein	Portland
6	179	SmartyAl's Stable	Alfred Hilbert	Eastampton
7	178	Thornridge Racing III	Deborah Slagle	Morrisville
8	164	Niteowl Racing	Ashley Bolsei	LeRoy
9	163	Pajarito	Linda Daly	los alamos
10	160	ChiTown to Derby #2	Thomas Haydock	Mundelein

Talking Mo-Mania On The Derby Trail

Animal Kingdom winning the Vinery Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park

     With 23 days to go until the 137^th running of the Kentucky Derby, it is time to talk about Mo-Mania – and we are not talking about Uncle Mo. We are talking about trainer Graham Motion. The momentum started when Animal Kingdom won the Vinery Spiral, but reached an absolute roar when lightly-regarded Toby’s Corner shocked 1-to-9 favorite Uncle Mo in the Wood Memorial.

     In the thoroughbred racing community, there isn’t a trainer who is more highly regarded by his peers, his owners and his fans.  His slow climb to where he stands now started with Motion’s first stakes winner Gala Spinaway.  He then scored his first Breeders’ Cup win with veteran turfer Better Talk Now. Now, as the recently selected primary trainer for Barry Irwin’s Team Valor, he has two, maybe three legitimate Kentucky Derby starters.

     The 2010 campaign started a little slowly for the Cambridge, England native, but the way it finished propelled Motion to the ranks of elite trainer.  The graded stakes winners started coming during the summer. First there was Check The Label, then Gypsy’s Warning and Shared Account. The biggest victory though came in the Breeders’ Cup.

Trainer Graham Motion

     Shared Account is owned by Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank and his Sagamore Farm.  The mare’s chances of winning the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf might have taken a turn for the worse when she was spooked during a morning workout. Shared Account reared up and dropped exercise rider Heather Craig.  Luckily for all involved, including Shared Account, Hall-of-Fame trainer Bill Mott was nearby. He wheeled his pony around playing outrider and managed to keep the mare from bolting into the distance. Shared Account won the $2,000,000 turf race the next night.

Shared Accounts tries to run during morning workouts.

     It was shortly after this win that Barry Irwin announced that Motion would become Team Valor’s sole trainer. According to Irwin, “Graham is attractive to Team Valor because he has been successful with the kinds of horses we own and in the races we want to win.”  Irwin added, “Also, he is squeaky clean in terms of his record with drugs and he trains at Fair Hill, which we consider to be a huge plus.”  That’s right, while many trainers were racking up suspensions for medication violations, Motion had exactly zero in more than 8,000 starts.

     All Team Valor horses were transferred to Motion and will eventually be stabled at a newly purchased barn at the Fair Hill Training Center.   Among the horses who came Motion was recent Juvenile Turf winner Pluck.

Shared Account (inside, 5) wins the 2011 Filly and Marf Turf.

     That quickly, Motion was able to claim something not even UberTrainer Todd Pletcher could claim – three Breeders’ Cup winners in the barn.  To be fair, Better Talk Now is retired. He is still in the barn at Fair Hill. Better Talk Now gets regular exercise, gets to frolic in the fields and still delights the many visitors who just can’t get enough of “Blackie,” as he is called by the many who love him.

     The training center is but 350 acres of the 5,600 acres that comprise the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area.  The rolling hillside and woods in northeastern Maryland have not only the thoroughbred facility, but it also plays host to steeplechase racing, a nature center, a county fair, 80 miles of hiking trails and is home to the annual Fair Hill International, a upper-level Three Day Event.

Dianne Cotter (right) leads Toby's Corner to the winner's circle.

     In addition to training Pluck and Animal Kingdom for Team Valor, Motion also manages Crimson China and the recently purchased Summer Soiree, the runaway winner of the Bourbonette Stakes. Animal Kingdom and Summer Soiree have already punched their tickets for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively. Pluck had been ambitiously pointed to the Irish 2000 Guineas until bone bruising was revealed during a recent examination. He will have time to recuperate at Fair Hill.

     Crimson China still has to prove himself in the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes this weekend at Keeneland Racecourse. In his first non-turf start Crimson China finished a fast-closing second in the Rushaway Stakes on Spiral Daym but has no graded earnings. According to Irwin, “We hope Crimson China can pull off an upset in the Blue Grass, because like Animal Kingdom he can get the Derby's 10 furlongs and has a better pedigree to handle the dirt.” Irwin is also happy with the path Motion has taken thus far. “Graham has given these two every chance and we are thrilled with the job he has done with them,” Irwin said.

Graham Motion at Santa Anita for morning workouts

     Crimson China will not be highly regarded in the Bluegrass, but Motion is no stranger to longshots.  His first Breeders’ Cup win came at odds of 28-1.  Shared Account scored the second win at 39-1. Then, there was the 2011 Wood Memorial.

     Uncle Mo was being billed as “The Next Secretariat” by many. His legend had grown so large, so fast, that even Sports Illustrated sent a team of photographers to document his coronation in the Wood Memorial.  What the crowd of more than 12,000 witnessed though was, well, very much like Secretariat.  Not since Big Red himself was shocked in his own Wood Memorial effort had race fans seen such an upset.

     It would the Graham Motion trained Toby’s Corner, Dianne Cotter’s homebred son of Bellamy Road, that would deliver the defeat. The win in the Wood vaulted Toby’s Corner to 4^th in the graded earnings list, making him the second Motion trainee to secure a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 7^th.

Summer Soiree winning the Bourbonette Stakes

     The win in the Wood Memorial gave Graham Motion his sixth graded stakes win for 2011, already two-thirds of the way to the 2010 total for Herringswell Stables.  Having Animal Kingdom, Toby’s Corner and Summer Soiree also gives Motion a real chance at winning the elusive Kentucky Oaks-Derby Double.

     According to KentuckyDerby.com, only two trainers have managed to accomplish that feat -- Ben Jones in 1949 and 1952 with Calumet Farms' Wistful/Ponder and Real Delight/Hill Gail, respectively, as well as Herbert J. Thompson in 1933 with Colonel E.R. Bradley's Barn Swallow/Brokers Tip.

Toby's Corner (center) rushes between horses ofr a win in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

     Graham Motion is on a roll in 2011 and most think it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.  Many were stunned when Uncle Mo lost, but the consensus among spectators was that if Mo had to lose, they were glad the winning trainer was Motion.

Say It Ain't So Mo - THE BIG PICTURE

     Like Midshipman, War Pass and Stevie Wonderboy before him, Uncle Mo finally got the taste of Breeders’ Cup history that only Street Sense has managed to avoid. Trainer Todd Pletcher handpicked an easier route to the Derby trying to avoid the post-Breeders' bad karma that has befallen so many. Instead Pletcher, Uncle Mo and owner Mike Repole ran smack into it on Saturday.  The Kentucky Derby trail is not over for Uncle Mo. What is in jeopardy though is Mo’s bid to become only the second horse to win the Derby after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

     This trip along the Derby Trail had had more twists than a Dick Francis novel, and we still have two more major prep races to go.  The Kentucky Derby Top Ten lists so many pundits love to fashion with sleepers and chalky can’t-misses are in shambles.

     On the East Coast, the 1-9 Uncle Mo was upset by a horse who trainer many consider the nicest guy on the planet. While Mo-Mania appears to be on hold, the is a different kind of Mo-Mania gathering steam.  Animal Kingdom already won the Spiral. Graham Motion has two contenders.  If Crimson China fires in the Bluegrass, Graham "Mo-Mania" Motion might have three Derby prospects in his charge.

     On the West Coast, just about everyone is off the Derby Trail Well. Not everyone, but the horses every one considered at the top of the class are on the sidelines. The winner of the Santa Anita Derby, the premier Left Coast prep race, well, he was a maiden less than a month ago. Now Midnight Interlude is in the Top 10 in earnings himself and has secured a spot in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.

     There are few things certain on the Derby Trail after this weekend.  What is certain is the weekend that just passed is usually filled with great racing and Saturday was no exception.

     With the help of Eclipse Sportswire photographers, talk a look at the scene from across the country. No slideshows this time, just big photos. THE BIG PICTURE. 

The Next Seattle Slew?

Uncle Mo wins the Timely Writer (Stuart Browning/Eclipse Sportswire)

     Shortly after The Factor cruised home with a 6 ½-length win in the Rebel Stakes, the debate started all over the internet about whether he was the real deal.  The conversation then quickly devolved on places like Twitter into a vehement argument attacking the credentials of The Factor or Uncle Mo and just about every other Kentucky Derby contender.

Mucho Macho Man wins the Risen Star (Jonathan Bachman/ESW)

     At first glance, the resumes of both horses are solid. Uncle Mo is the reigning Horse of the Year in the Juvenile Division. The Factor set one track record and came within a breath of two others while increasing his distances this year.  Depending who the source is, they are likely to occupy the #1 and #2 spots in Derby Top Ten lists of most pundits.

     Then you have the rest of the top contenders in the likes of Mucho Macho Man, Soldat, Flashpoint, Anthony’s Cross, Riveting Reason Premier Pegasus and Stay Thirsty.  To parse out which horse is better this time of year is downright confusing.  Every horse is barely three years old – some a little more, some a little less. They are all developing at different rates and have the potential to be vastly different animals later in the Triple Crown trail.

The Factor wins the Rebel Stakes (Bob Mayberger/Eclipse Sportswire)

     Can anyone really prognosticate this, now?  Is there a point to doing it beyond having something to write?  The only real story is which twenty horses end up in the starting gate on May 7^th.  If recent Derby’s have proven anything, the race is open to the best horse for that day, in those conditions, in a race that develops in that particular way.

     All one needs to do is look at Mine That Bird. He won, but it had little to do with the horse.  That was a superior ride, practically a theft, by Calvin Borel. Look at Lookin’ At Lucky last year.  Based on the rest of his three-year-old campaign and the trip he had in the Derby, it can easily be argued he was the best horse and should have won – but the inside post killed him. So, the best horse doesn’t always win. What happens if Uncle Mo gets the 1-box and The Factor gets the 20-box? What then?

     The part of all of this that should make race fans happy is that there is a debate. These are very nice horses that look to be peaking at the right time. They are running solid races in fast times.  Their performances are so outstanding many have even likened Uncle Mo to Seattle Slew. That is rarified air.

Stay Thirsty wins the Gotham Stakes (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire)

     As race fans look at what 2011 will hold, in a year without Zenyatta or Rachel, is it not comforting to know there just might be a big story brewing in the thoroughbred world? Maybe not a Triple Crown. Maybe a great rivalry. Maybe The Factor and Uncle Mo are BOTH that good? Maybe Premier Pegasus can run like his dad?

     At least people are talking, even fighting, to say how good these horses are. Racing needs animated discussion like this to invigorate the fan base, bring in new fans.  Let’s keep these non-fans talking. Maybe we can bring a few news fans into the sport wondering about Uncle Mo or The Factor or whoever. The debate is good.

 

 

Stay Thirsty Scores In Gotham

     Uncle Mo's understudy Stay Thirsty made the most of his chance to play the leading role by stealing the show in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Race Track.  Stay Thirsty took command easily and remained in front for the win, but he lugged in during the stretch drive triggering an objection. Maybe he just wanted to add a little drama for his time in the spotlight. In the end, trainer Todd Pletcher gave a fist pump as the son of Bernardini's first graded stakes win was upheld and owner Mike Repole was able to return to the winner's circle once again.

     Next up for Mike Repole's Kentucky Derby hopefuls will be the 2011 debut of Uncle Mo on March 12th in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park. If all goes well with that start, Repole Stables will be loaded for the Derby. Stay Thirsty's win jumped him into the Top 10 in grades stakes earnings.

     It is unclear where this win will rank for Stay Thirsty when compared to other Derby preps.  This was his first start since finishing fifth in the 2010 Breeders Cup Juvenile, so it was expected he might not be completely fit. The winning time for the 1 1/16-mile race of 1:44.78 wasn't stunning either. Then there is the aforementioned lugging in.

     For Mike Repole, it is one win down in one debut. According to an interview with the The Bloodhorse, trainer Todd Pletcher was ecstatic and thought Stay Thirsty ran huge off the layoff. Now Uncle Mo will return to the spotlight and it is his turn to deliver.

CAPTIONS: Top, Mike Repole leads Stay Thirsty to the winner's circle (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire); Left, Todd Pletcher gives a fist pump as stewards leave the order of finish unchanged (Eric Kalet/Eclipse Sportswire); Right, Ramon Dominguez talks with owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher while awaiting the outcome of an objection (Eric Kalet/Eclipse Sportswire); Bottom, Ramon Dominguez looks under his arm and sees daylight as Stay Thirsty cruises home with a 3-length win in the Gotham Stakes (Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire)

2011 Road To The Roses Fantasy Derby League

        WinStar Farms and Twinspires.com are hosting THE Road To The Roses fantasy horse racing contest.  The prizes for this thing are very nice and the first race that counts isn't until February 26th. So, you have time to enter.  We have started our own league inside this contest.  The League Name is "Stride Road To The Roses" with a League # of 1313038988 and an Activation Code of #4192170078.

     In addition to the prizes being offered in the contest, Stride LIVE will give the winner of our league a DVD with the Zenyatta video in HD. Of course, you have to beat us. Our selections are to the left.  It is kind of tough this time of year. Everyone wants to put Uncle Mo on their list, but who knows how he will run as a three-year-old.  You also have To Honor And Serve on the shelf waiting to make his 2011 debut. So, knowing that Uncle Mo and To Honor And Serve were #1 and #2 made those two pics easy, but the rest were incredibly hard. Had to go digging underground and go surfing to come up with the developing horses that might generate points.  The same can be said for the trainer selection. Todd Pletcher is a given, but after that, who has more than one horse? We went with Baffert because he always seems to get horses ready around this time of year, but he is no guarantee.

League Name: Stride Road To The Roses, League #1313038988, Activation Code #4192170078