Horse Racing questions and answers

[str]

Behind the scenes video

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/MyMovie130_1725465752700/MP4/MyMovie130_1725465752700.mp4

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Clair de Lune '22 Update[/COLOR]

We stopped in at Bonnie Acres yesterday morning to check in on your Omaha Beach filly. She has really blossomed and filled into her frame during her time off from training.
She is currently doing eight minutes on the treadmill daily, and her workload will continue to increase every few days until she reaches 20-minute sessions.
Enjoy the video above.

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/b...5412551755.mp4
[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Caldera Workout Report
[/COLOR]
Caldera turned in another strong this morning at Oak Ridge Training Center, breezing his second three-eighths in :37.30. He went on to gallop out a half-mile in :49.79. Farm trainer Dave Scanlon remains extremely pleased with what your colt has shown at the farm, stating, “He makes it look so easy.”
While this son of Liam’s Map has plenty of tests ahead of him, we couldn’t be happier with what we are seeing and the feedback we are getting to this point.

I missed these the other day. Nice reports on both. No news is good news at this stage of the game for both.

[str]

Looks like a decent spot for Deterministic.

I would expect him to run well.

Thanks JBEX.



Couldn't get the post of yours about this to attach. ?????

[JBEX]

batts ..quite a few things about "caldera" fit my selection criteria besides him being by liam's map (deterministic)..will be interested to see him run


side note: a classmate of my brother does a great sinatra .. "caldera sinatra" you tube



.

[batt33]

all excellent points and I get from the issues DM had that 2 turns can sometimes be a problem ..at least initially anyway

yes at a mile probably going to be a bit slower earlier and as you said seemed to be well within himself close to the pace


I've learned to appreciate this a lot through you that you can't replace race conditioning with training..he had to do that off a long layoff and should be given credit for that especially at that distance

and of course larry colmus saying "and finishing fast" lol

have a hunch when those higher fee 2yo's get running in '26 and '27 there might be some really nice horses amongst them

thanks str

side note to others (told str) .."deterministic" will be running in the "new kent county va derby" at colonial downs tomorrow ..1 1/8 miles turf ..$500k purse

it's R10 @ 6:15

Thanks for the reminder! been side tracked with a few things... ugh...

[batt33]

batts ..quite a few things about "caldera" fit my selection criteria besides him being by liam's map (deterministic)..will be interested to see him run


side note: a classmate of my brother does a great sinatra .. "caldera sinatra" you tube



.

Haha on the side note is that a sign ? Hopefully!

[JBEX]

Haha on the side note is that a sign ? Hopefully!

actually the dam is "send me on my way"

can't be a coincidence





.

[str]

batts ..quite a few things about "caldera" fit my selection criteria besides him being by liam's map (deterministic)..will be interested to see him run


side note: a classmate of my brother does a great sinatra .. "caldera sinatra" you tube



.

Haha on the side note is that a sign ? Hopefully!

actually the dam is "send me on my way"

can't be a coincidence





.

Oh, man. That's good stuff.

Most likely no coincidence at all.

[batt33]

Nice!

[batt33]

all excellent points and I get from the issues DM had that 2 turns can sometimes be a problem ..at least initially anyway

yes at a mile probably going to be a bit slower earlier and as you said seemed to be well within himself close to the pace


I've learned to appreciate this a lot through you that you can't replace race conditioning with training..he had to do that off a long layoff and should be given credit for that especially at that distance

and of course larry colmus saying "and finishing fast" lol

have a hunch when those higher fee 2yo's get running in '26 and '27 there might be some really nice horses amongst them

thanks str

side note to others (told str) .."deterministic" will be running in the "new kent county va derby" at colonial downs tomorrow ..1 1/8 miles turf ..$500k purse

it's R10 @ 6:15

Watching the race.... when he got stopped on the far turn ... Manny started to reengage him.... he just kept pumping his arms... (I was thinking well he still has a chance ) He found some room a and closed nicely!

[JBEX]

Watching the race.... when he got stopped on the far turn ... Manny started to reengage him.... he just kept pumping his arms... (I was thinking well he still has a chance ) He found some room a and closed nicely!

looked like he stood up on him a bit prior to coming out of the far turn .. maybe he felt he was moving a little too soon or there just wasn't enough room to get through at that point. ..timed it perfectly and just got up close to the wire..nice ride by manny

[JBEX]

Oh, man. That's good stuff.

Most likely no coincidence at all.

Nice!

as I've mentioned in here many times before I am a believer in positive names ..deterministic (common sire) happens to win the va derby today also ..whole thing is pretty amazing

[JBEX]

when he's parading onto the track at saratoga going for the triple crown

we know who'll be singing ny ny

[str]

looked like he stood up on him a bit prior to coming out of the far turn .. maybe he felt he was moving a little too soon or there just wasn't enough room to get through at that point. ..timed it perfectly and just got up close to the wire..nice ride by manny

Well well, look who is growing up! Deterministic has learned to relax early . After breaking right with the leaders, he settles, in between horses no less, stays calm, waits for instructions from the rider, kicks when asked and runs the last 1/8th of a mile in 11 2/5ths.
I just love it when a plan comes together.
And that slight hesitation around the turn was dictated by the rider. Couldn't tell if he was worried about getting up on heels or if there was some sideways movement. The reigns looked like he might be getting out a bit but I did not see that in the horse. Whatever the case, the horse just waited, and went. Damn that's fun to watch.

Yet another nice horse JBEX.
Great job !

[JBEX]

Well well, look who is growing up! Deterministic has learned to relax early . After breaking right with the leaders, he settles, in between horses no less, stays calm, waits for instructions from the rider, kicks when asked and runs the last 1/8th of a mile in 11 2/5ths.
I just love it when a plan comes together.
And that slight hesitation around the turn was dictated by the rider. Couldn't tell if he was worried about getting up on heels or if there was some sideways movement. The reigns looked like he might be getting out a bit but I did not see that in the horse. Whatever the case, the horse just waited, and went. Damn that's fun to watch.

Yet another nice horse JBEX.
Great job !

thanks str

he really has matured and learned his lessons well..a long way from the peter pan and wood memorial races on the dirt back in the spring where he struggled adapting to two turns at first asking

sure besides innate ability that clement had a lot to do with getting his head right so he was able to do this..did a great job!

will enjoy the victory for now but admittedly a little concerned about how he'd matchup in the breeders cup..with the polar route distances (1m /1.5m) and up against older horses I do not think it's a great fit for him "this year" ..be interesting to see if clement feels the same way


clement also was involved in the dead heat in the va oaks the race before at the same distance
..track record 1:47 flat and the fillies were .15 secs off that ..this was almost to the hundredth/sec 3 ticks faster than the boys and if I did the math right "style points" did the last 1/8th in 11 1/5th..tick faster than deterministic ..manny rode both and if the dead heat counts as a half win he had "6.5" on the day and a 2nd !

[JBEX]

here's my idea and have a hunch you won't agree lol..as I said ,imo,don't think bc grass races are a good fit this year..this horse is extremely unique in that besides being a talented turf runner he was able to win his first two (career) races on the dirt vs very solid company..this includes winning a 2nd leg ky derby prep in his 2nd career start off an about 7 month layoff..his debut was coming way off the pace to win a saratoga msw race as a 2yo @ 7f which is a no slouch win either

understand it might not be clement's opinion that he's badly suited for one of the bc turf races..I would consider trying a listed or grade 3 dirt route for him..let's see now that he's learned his lessons how good (or not) a dirt horse he is..if it doesn't work out give him a breather till next year and continue his path on the turf..I think he may be just as good or better on the dirt than he is on the turf

[batt33]

when he's parading onto the track at saratoga going for the triple crown

we know who'll be singing ny ny

Haha that would be Awesome!

[JBEX]

Haha that would be Awesome!

lots of good karma here and can't wait to see him run ..have a hunch he's going to be a good one

[batt33]

On a side note ... a race still on my bucket list ... I had plans to make it this year.... but due to my son's car breaking down and he needed mine I'm at home...
Ferndale, CA "Humbolt marathon 1 5/8s " 50th running! 3 laps around the bull ring track! 3 previous runners are in the race.
They have been running races there for 128 years... even though it is well isolated from any other tracks.....

https://humboldtsports.com/2024/09/03/ferndale-horse-races-save-the-best-for-last-at-2024-meet/

[batt33]

Doug o'neill shipped a horse up here.... has to be the first time ever..
Race 8 POST Time - 5:47 PM PT C. J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon H.

PP (Race 8) Scratches / Changes / Weather



Free Tools:


$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) $0.20 GOLD STRIKE Super High 5
Ferndale STAKES
Purse $50,000. One And Five Eighth Miles. For Three Year-Olds And Upward. By subscription of $50 to accompany the nomination, $250 additional to enter. Supplementary nomination of $2,000 (includes all fees) by noon, Wednesday, September 4, 2024. With $50,000 Guaranteed, of which 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 12% to third, 6 % to fourth and 2% to fifth. Weights Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Starters to be named through the entry box in the usual manner. High Weights Preferred.

1	1	Shot of a Lifetime (CA)		9/G		K Kellenberger	122	J L Gilmour	12/1	12/1
2	2	Mucino (KY)		4/G		C Figueroa	124	D F O'Neill	2/1	2/1
3	3	Mount Pelliar (KY)		6/G		M King	121	G Greiner	8/1	8/1
4	4	Druidic (CA)		4/G		E Garcia	124	D W Baker	5/1	5/1
5	5	Sea of Liberty (CA)		8/G		J E Rodriguez	121	J L Gilmour	10/1	10/1
6	6	Enos Slaughter (CA)		7/G		C Herrera	126	M Trujillo	4/1	4/1
7	7	Honos Man (KY)		8/G		L Camacho-Flores	124	F Rodriguez	10/1	10/1
8	8	Lord Wimborne (IRE)		8/G		F Monroy	122	J Ramos	9/2	9/2

Owners: ; ; 1 - Sue M. Gilmour ; 2 - Mercado Racing LLC ; 3 - Renee Greiner ; 4 - Robert Traynor ; 5 - Gustavo Ponce ; 6 - Nancy Salas-Ibarra or Floriberta Trujillo ; 7 - Leon Scott ; 8 - M & J Ranch
Breeders: 1 - Rob Creighton; 2 - Don Alberto Corporation; 3 - Edward P. Swyer & Allen Stable, Inc.; 4 - Robert Traynor; 5 - Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Shapiro; 6 - Nick Alexander; 7 - Welrob Stables LLC; 8 - Lynch Bages Ltd
Pedigrees (Sire - Dam, by Dam Sire): 1 - Many Rivers - Penuche Royale , by Chapel Royal ; 2 - Nyquist - Indian Tale , by Tale of the Cat ; 3 - Declaration of War - Hurrican Source (IRE) , by Hurricane Run (IRE) ; 4 - Boisterous - Shared Image , by Rocky Bar ; 5 - Boisterous - Seekitana , by Unbridled's Song ; 6 - Grazen - Rule the Storm , by Tribal Rule ; 7 - Afleet Alex - Sharons Song , by Badger Land ; 8 - Canford Cliffs (IRE) - Arctic Freedom , by War Chant ;
Early Scratches: Western Cape; Sugar Beets

[batt33]

I know one trainer from way way back in the day..... He used to work our horses in the morning.... Doubt he even remembers me haha .... but I root for him...#4

[batt33]

Fun race! 2,4,7,8,5

[str]

On a side note ... a race still on my bucket list ... I had plans to make it this year.... but due to my son's car breaking down and he needed mine I'm at home...
Ferndale, CA "Humbolt marathon 1 5/8s " 50th running! 3 laps around the bull ring track! 3 previous runners are in the race.
They have been running races there for 128 years... even though it is well isolated from any other tracks.....

https://humboldtsports.com/2024/09/0...-at-2024-meet/

The laps around the bullring stuff helped me with my fascination of horse racing when I was a teenager. I wrote about it in here previously. Charlestown had a steady climb from 1 1/16th with a finale on closing night of a two mile race. It was like a 2-3 month series adding a 1/16th or 1/8th each week or two. It was very cool. Never forget the lady inside the rail near the finish line holding up cards on how many laps were left so the riders didn't get confused. Lolol. It was fascinating. Also, usually very cold in December closing night and sometimes snowing.

I wish I had more time, I would key word search in here for that post. Give it a shot if interested.

Thanks Batt.

[str]

here's my idea and have a hunch you won't agree lol..as I said ,imo,don't think bc grass races are a good fit this year..this horse is extremely unique in that besides being a talented turf runner he was able to win his first two (career) races on the dirt vs very solid company..this includes winning a 2nd leg ky derby prep in his 2nd career start off an about 7 month layoff..his debut was coming way off the pace to win a saratoga msw race as a 2yo @ 7f which is a no slouch win either

understand it might not be clement's opinion that he's badly suited for one of the bc turf races..I would consider trying a listed or grade 3 dirt route for him..let's see now that he's learned his lessons how good (or not) a dirt horse he is..if it doesn't work out give him a breather till next year and continue his path on the turf..I think he may be just as good or better on the dirt than he is on the turf

I get exactly what you are saying. The pressure from the owners as well as the racing offices will be tough to deal with. Dreams are free and I get that but the trainer has to choose and way all the various scenarios both good and bad. It is obvious the Clement picked that last spot at Colonial. Will the let him do so again? They should but... those darn dreams can get in the way sometimes. So we shall see.
The biggest problem with your thought is that it is a little to matter of fact and practical. Not flashy, just practical. Like I said, Clement picked that last spot, will everyone let him do that again?

[JBEX]

I looked at baq and kee stakes schedule..the latter I didn't see what I would consider a good fit so I'll take a couple of guesses at baq

I think if they're going to try a bc race it would be the turf (1.5M) vs the mile ..if that's the case this wouldn't be a bad prep imo

10/5

jockey club derby 3yo @ 1 3/8th's turf g3 race $500k..try a real marathon distance and still avoid older horses ..nice purse ..guess a win or real good performance here they'll probably be going for the bc turf

or for the dirt

10/26

forty niner stakes..3up 1 mile dirt g3 race $250k..won the gotham in start 2 @ this track and distance and it was off an about 7 month layoff..this ironically enough would be 7 weeks ..obviously no breeders cup doing this

personally (if it's turf)I think he's more likely to be a marathon competitor then a miler but needs more seasoning (skip bc this year) to get there..exception would be a good performance in the aqueduct (11f) race I mentioned in which I think he'd probably be a top 2 or 3 choice

..I do think the dirt race mentioned above is a possibility also ..he showed too much promise in his first 2 starts on dirt to abandon the idea imo

[batt33]

The laps around the bullring stuff helped me with my fascination of horse racing when I was a teenager. I wrote about it in here previously. Charlestown had a steady climb from 1 1/16th with a finale on closing night of a two mile race. It was like a 2-3 month series adding a 1/16th or 1/8th each week or two. It was very cool. Never forget the lady inside the rail near the finish line holding up cards on how many laps were left so the riders didn't get confused. Lolol. It was fascinating. Also, usually very cold in December closing night and sometimes snowing.

I wish I had more time, I would key word search in here for that post. Give it a shot if interested.

Thanks Batt.

Looks interesting to read! I will give it another shot to find!

[batt33]

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Straight No Chaser Workout Report
[/COLOR]
Straight No Chaser turned in a stellar final breeze at Del Mar yesterday morning, covering five furlongs in :59 flat. Your son of Speightster breezed under jockey Antonio Fresu who reported he worked “awesome.”
Trainer Dan Blacker had him in splits of :35.03, :46.43, :58.45, and out in :1:10.74. He felt this was one of his best works to date. Straight No Chaser will now ship back to Santa Anita as Del Mar concluded yesterday. He will have two more breezes leading up to the Santa Anita Spring Championship on September 29th but yesterday’s work was is big prep. Switching surfaces again, Dan won’t do too much with him in his breeze next week but will look for something serious again from him in his final work on the 22nd.

https://youtu.be/J1SXARVeCUM

[batt33]

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Caldera Update
[/COLOR]
We are pleased to report Caldera will depart Oak Ridge Training Center tomorrow and transition to D. Wayne Lukas’s barn at Churchill Downs. We will follow up with more once he settles in.

[batt33]

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/IMG3670_1725827478343/MP4/IMG3670_1725827478343.mp4

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Nakoma Update
[/COLOR]
Good news: Nakoma has been cleared by the vet to return to jogging and will get back to work up in Saratoga this coming week. She'll stay there for the time being, and could then either ship to Keeneland or downstate once the Antonucci barn ships out in a few weeks.

[str]

I looked at baq and kee stakes schedule..the latter I didn't see what I would consider a good fit so I'll take a couple of guesses at baq

I think if they're going to try a bc race it would be the turf (1.5M) vs the mile ..if that's the case this wouldn't be a bad prep imo

10/5

jockey club derby 3yo @ 1 3/8th's turf g3 race $500k..try a real marathon distance and still avoid older horses ..nice purse ..guess a win or real good performance here they'll probably be going for the bc turf

or for the dirt

10/26

forty niner stakes..3up 1 mile dirt g3 race $250k..won the gotham in start 2 @ this track and distance and it was off an about 7 month layoff..this ironically enough would be 7 weeks ..obviously no breeders cup doing this

personally (if it's turf)I think he's more likely to be a marathon competitor then a miler but needs more seasoning (skip bc this year) to get there..exception would be a good performance in the aqueduct (11f) race I mentioned in which I think he'd probably be a top 2 or 3 choice

..I do think the dirt race mentioned above is a possibility also ..he showed too much promise in his first 2 starts on dirt to abandon the idea imo

One of the very first things I remember being told was to always train your horse and find a race when that horse tells you to. That was a HOF trainer who was quite old when I was 21. Henry Clark. That was also years before the Breeders Cup came around. And while it is easy for us to say, I would skip this or that, the political pressure as well as owner pressure can be enormous. With all that said, I think I agree with everything you said. I would avoid older horses as long as I could. I would want to have my horse in a spot to continue to win, and by doing so, understanding how to win, and continue on the mental work as long as I could. Easy for us to say and I have little doubt that Clement would disagree. But it does get hot and heavy this time of year when you are winning.
I like your thought process. Good work JBEX.

[JBEX]

One of the very first things I remember being told was to always train your horse and find a race when that horse tells you to. That was a HOF trainer who was quite old when I was 21. Henry Clark. That was also years before the Breeders Cup came around. And while it is easy for us to say, I would skip this or that, the political pressure as well as owner pressure can be enormous. With all that said, I think I agree with everything you said. I would avoid older horses as long as I could. I would want to have my horse in a spot to continue to win, and by doing so, understanding how to win, and continue on the mental work as long as I could. Easy for us to say and I have little doubt that Clement would disagree. But it does get hot and heavy this time of year when you are winning.
I like your thought process. Good work JBEX.

thanks str

I realize that it's easy for me to say and there's big money involved but if i was the owner I'd follow the instructions of clement .. as I said before that turf marathon at aqueduct really is a nice setup and if he runs well there you almost have to take a shot imo ..you would have a better idea how he handles it and i would think needed conditioning to attempt it

[str]

thanks str

I realize that it's easy for me to say and there's big money involved but if i was the owner I'd follow the instructions of clement .. as I said before that turf marathon at aqueduct really is a nice setup and if he runs well there you almost have to take a shot imo ..you would have a better idea how he handles it and i would think needed conditioning to attempt it

I would leave it to him as well but it doesn’t always happen.
Whatever the case you are looking at it from a trainers view and it is a totally different view isn’t it? Now think if you did this everyday while watching over those horses train and eat and a bettor can’t understand why you didn’t bet your 4-1 shot. Your mind is a hundred miles away from thinking that but they swear you are really betting and just not telling anyone. Lolol.
The typical gambler can’t imagine what you are doing by not cashing bets and your mind is looking 3 weeks forward.
It is an insight that most fans just don’t think about or experience. I’m so glad you are doing this with some horses not just for myself but so other bettors can see that there are other ways to look at things and other jobs that need to be done during the day at the track.
I can’t tell you how many people still think I was hiding my bets . After a while you just give up trying to tell people what’s what.
I know you get it with all the work you put in reading condition books. Multiply that times a boatload of horses and there aren’t enough hours in the day.
Good job doing this .

[batt33]

Good Comments STR and JBEX!

[JBEX]

Good Comments STR and JBEX!

thanks batt

I enjoy the post race speculation and hearing str's feedback on it .. part looking at this from the perspective of the connections and some handicapping as to what spot might make the most sense next..of course I don't know the inside scoop but there's enough info to make an educated guess imo


glad to hear caldera is headed to churchill..be plenty of opportunities there and kee over the next 3 months. big purse msw races there are like stakes races imo..winning or running well in them can really propel a horse in the right direction

[str]

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Straight No Chaser Workout Report
[/COLOR]
Straight No Chaser turned in a stellar final breeze at Del Mar yesterday morning, covering five furlongs in :59 flat. Your son of Speightster breezed under jockey Antonio Fresu who reported he worked “awesome.”
Trainer Dan Blacker had him in splits of :35.03, :46.43, :58.45, and out in :1:10.74. He felt this was one of his best works to date. Straight No Chaser will now ship back to Santa Anita as Del Mar concluded yesterday. He will have two more breezes leading up to the Santa Anita Spring Championship on September 29th but yesterday’s work was is big prep. Switching surfaces again, Dan won’t do too much with him in his breeze next week but will look for something serious again from him in his final work on the 22nd.

https://youtu.be/J1SXARVeCUM

[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Caldera Update
[/COLOR]
We are pleased to report Caldera will depart Oak Ridge Training Center tomorrow and transition to D. Wayne Lukas’s barn at Churchill Downs. We will follow up with more once he settles in.

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/b...5827478343.mp4
[COLOR=rgba(77, 76, 76, 0.9)]Nakoma Update
[/COLOR]
Good news: Nakoma has been cleared by the vet to return to jogging and will get back to work up in Saratoga this coming week. She'll stay there for the time being, and could then either ship to Keeneland or downstate once the Antonucci barn ships out in a few weeks.

The Straight No Chaser workout was fine. The gallop out was even better IMO. They get so much out of that when they are fit enough. Obviously, he is.

Caldera: sounds good.

Nakoma: All you could hope for. Baby steps on the way back. And I'm sure that will be the game plan.

[str]

Good Comments STR and JBEX!

Thanks Batt.

Anyone can talk about the old days or training or whatever. But helping a fan understand the reality of a trainers day and mindset can help let that fan see the full picture. At least I hope it does.