Tuesday, 09 April 2013 - Slew's Fast Horses

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Somewhere around the late 1980's or early 1990's I sponsored a show jumping class at the USET in Gladstone, NJ during their championship meet. The day was dreary and soaking wet, and when the class was won and the trophy needed to be presented, I was in no mood to slog thru the mud in the pouring rain. What to do? Send my wife!

Which I did, and she went willingly. I couldn't figure out why, but no matter. My shoes were dry, and that is where the matter ended...until 2006, when Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby.

"Do you know who that is?" she inquired of me, referring to the winning trainer, Michael Matz.

"Yeah. That is Michael Matz. He just won the freakin' Derby!"

"Do you remember meeting him?"

"Meeting him? I never met him."

"Except you should have! He was the winner of the class you sponsored at the USET. You know, when you wouldn't leave the VIP tent to present the trophy..."

Cold case...reopened!

I had no idea...never had a clue...that it was Michael Matz who had won that trophy.

January 5, 2013 Race 10 - Michael Matz won the 100K Marshua's River Stakes (G3) with Hard Not to Like (Rocco, Jr.) off an 8 month layoff, a bobble on the backstretch, a long battle with Channel Lady (Pletcher/Castellano) during which she was headed in deep stretch, only to come back and run clear in the final strides. The comment by the trackman was "...would not give up...".

Neither would her daddy, the tough as nails Hard Spun, who won 7 times at 6 tracks. He too would not give up, headed by First Defence during the 2007 running of the Kings Bishop Stakes at Saratoga, he would not stand for it. He reclaimed the lead and fought for the win in the final furlong, finally shrugging off his adversary in the last seventy yards. The race was Saratoga at its best!

As for Channel Lady, she came off that tough beat 34 days later to win the Suwannee River Stakes (G3) on Feb. 9, 2013, turning the tables on Hard Not to Like in a front running win. But back to the Marshua's River: that race was finished in a scorching 5.75 seconds for the final 16th with the 4th split in 23.03. Closing into that fast finish while lacking room to run was the third place finisher Leading Astray (Block/Lezcano), an Ill. bred ATM machine who while slightly overmatched, showed that her 9 for 9 finishes in the money (5 wins) are not to be trifled with. Trained by Chris Block, she continues to work well at Gulfstream Park. We’ll watch Leading Astray going forward.

Hard Not to Like (Hard Spun - Like a Gem, by Tactical Cat)
Channel Lady (English Channel - Queen Supreme, by King of Kings (IRE))
Leading Astray (Belong to Me - Taxable Deduction, by Prized)

See Hard Spun win the King's Bishop at Saratoga in 2007

January 10, 2013 Race 6 - A MSW for the girls 4 & up at a mile. Breaking from post 2, Why Katherine (Attard/Castellano) gained inside advantage and led all the way. The race within the race was between Spring Reason (Sheppard/Rosario) and Flower Mart (Clement/Lezcano) as they fought to catch the front runner who put up final furlongs of 11.54 and 11.86. You try running that fast, Paco. It ain't easy. Or try chasing someone running that fast. That ain't easy either! But here is what intrigues me about this race: the rail was out 84 feet and the run-up was 135 feet. That is 45 yards before they tripped the timer. And 84 feet puts the turf course somewhere around North Miami Beach! I'm wondering if there was an unfair advantage to the inside runner Why Katherine and whether the place and show horses ran a better race than it will look on paper. I'm also wondering what the bettors will think next time when they see that Spring Reason finished 10th in her last (3rd) MSW start. And we know that Mr. Sheppard is never in a rush. It should be noted that Flower Mart was odds-on and Spring Reason was 2-1. With all deference to the wonderful Paul Harvey…

I have a feeling this story ain't over.

Why Katherine (Whywhywhy - Include Katherine, by Include)
Flower Mart (Street Sense - Coronado Rose, by Coronado's Quest)
Spring Reason El Prado (IRE) - Spring Season, by Seeking the Gold)

January 13, 2013 Race 8 - Shug's Devine Luck (Castellano) had just broken her maiden on 12/1/2012 and in this N1X money allowance on the turf, found the lead only to be closely spied the entire way by Nayarra (Motion) and Edgar Prado. The stretch was not kind to her and while Nayarra was fixin' to go by…something strange happened: Inaugurate nipped Nayarra at the wire in a blanket finish while Devine Luck finished 7th by about 2 lengths. The official margin of victory was a neck. Now Mr. Prado has not gone un-noticed of late, with some pundits postulating a resurgence of sorts by this top rider who seems to have had a bit of a slump in recent years. But as any pilot will tell you, unless you are getting good horses times will be tough. And the business is very fickle. For example, it is difficult to imagine looking back, how hard Jerry Bailey had to work to convince the late great Bobby Frankel that Medaglia d'Oro should be his to ride. I’m talkin’ the GREAT Jerry Bailey, not your electrician friend Jerry Bailey. Now, you may have noticed that I have emboldened not just the horse here, but also the rider. Take that as you will. But as I look through these races, I see his name come up on some mounts that look to be poised to do some serious running. I hope so, because he is on Slew's watch list too.

Divine Luck (Ghostzapper - Oh What a Windfall, by Seeking the Gold)
Nayarra (Cape Cross (IRE) - Massarra (GB), by Danehill)
Inaugurate (Empire Maker - Top Mambo, by Kingmambo)

January 24, 2013 Race 9 - A Starter Allowance that has already had 3 horses run on to PLACE in their next start. Won by the Pa. bred Rustler Hustler (Cibelli/Rocco, Jr.) beating the favorite Screenplay (Terranova,II/Castellano), it seems that both Screenplay (2nd) and Chosen Empire (4th) are horses to look for in their next start. Not world beaters by any stretch, but the race was run to a constant beat that went fast at each call, and Screenplay has made a living at the Starter Allowance level. Not so much for Chosen Empire ( Gray/Bravo) who may drop to a straight claiming. Either way, they will merit a long look next time or two out.

Rustler Hustler (Ecton Park - Cozzy Temper, by Cozzene)
Screenplay ( Stephen Got Even - Sansa, by Unbridled)
Chosen Empire ( Empire Maker - Choice Spirit, by Danzig)

February 1, 2013 Race 5 - An Allowance Optional Claiming with a tag of $100K and a purse of $65K, this race was won by Barclay Tagg's Beau Choix (Saez) from off a fast pace. This one went on to run 3rd with Castellano up behind the accomplished Data Link on Feb. 23rd in the Grade III Canadian Turf. Upgrade ridden by Johnny V. and trained by Michelle Nihei may have needed this one just a bit. Look for him in his next start, especially if Michelle hikes the class ladder to a soft Grade 3. Conversely, Decisive Moment (Arias/Trujillo), the enterprising pace setter who cut impressive fractions on the lead will need a drop to softer company. He was 14-1 in this affair, but won't be half that in his next start if the others are less than stellar.

Beau Choix (Elusive Quality - Belle Cherie, by Belong to Me)
Data Link (War Front - Database, by Known Fact)
Upgrade ( Saint Liam - Emily Ring, by Fit to Fight)
Decisive Moment (With Distinction - Lady Samira, by Dehere)

February 2, 2013 Race 1 - We will finish up with a scorcher. In this ALwOC for 3 year old fillies on the turf at one mile, Coffee Clique (Lynch/Rocco, Jr.) ran into fast fractions set by Silsita (Pletcher/Valesquez) and then set the after burners on high and finished up in 11.69 for the final panel and 1:34.25 for the mile journey. She was ridden by Joe Rocco, Jr. that day and has won 2 of 3, breaking her maiden at Woodbine in her first try. I love the trackman's comment: "Strong hand ride". Any filly that doesn't need a swat or two to finish up in a sub 12 furlong gets her oats hand delivered by me anytime. She showed quite a turn of foot and is one to keep an eye out for. Also notable was the slow starting Kittens Point (Motion). Ridden by Johnny V. and starting over after a drubbing in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, she broke slowly and was angled out in the stretch, rallying for the place spot while making up significant real estate during the fastest fractions of the race. Again, one to watch for as she finds her legs and confidence.

Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro - Miss Chapin, by Royal Academy)
Silsita (Macho Uno - Naturally Wild, by Wild Again)
Kittens Point (Kitten's Joy - Rendezvous Point, by Kingmambo)

So ends part two of the my Gulfstream Park review. I'm looking at another 6 possible races for the next installment, but that may change as March moves into spring. It must also be noted that almost all of the races cited so far (maybe all?) in these reviews have been on the turf. Now, I love the dirt and do not mean to have a turf bias here. But the impressive fractions and high quality races seem to have been on the turf over the last few months. And if that is what it takes to find my next few money makers, so be it.

That's how I see it. However you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew

Horses To Watch | Meet Reviews

posted on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 23:58:06 UTC

Sunday, 20 January 2013

GULFSTREAM PARK: Looking Ahead in the Rear View Mirror

Sitting here on January 20th 2013 finds us not quite half-way through the Gulfstream Park meet. I won’t get down there this winter and that is a shame. While I preferred the old track with its spacious grandstand and racetrack feel, I do like a few private corners of the new one. Especially when the ocean breeze is right and the sun is out. But the racetrack feels like an afterthought, although Mr. Stronach doesn’t agree. And since it is his money…well, maybe not really his but close enough, I’ll just have to suck it up.

One thing that has not changed however, is that you will find very good horses in and amongst the shops, gaming, and restaurants. We will try to find a few of them in this space.

Slew finds 26 fast races since December 6th of last year. We will look at a few of these races to try and find our next group of horses for the coming months remaining at the Gulfstream meet, and maybe a little bit beyond. We’ll begin with a race that did not make the list.

Starsilhouette ran on December 1st for Michael Maker in a STARTER STAKES for 3 & upward Fillies and Mares on the turf listed that day as firm. The race was not filled with pace as the first 3 splits were run in +24 second times. But she came home in a rush with the last 16th clocked in 5.86 seconds. It must be said that the only other pilot moving with the same degree of purpose was Kendrick Carmouche on the runner up Malibu Yankee. If either one of these horses get some pace and a tiring field next time, they could run over their opponents so be prepared to avert your eyes. But Starsilhouette showed chops when she took off through a seam that opened up when the final turn straightened away and enjoyed a clear path to the winners circle. Watch for these two.

The very next race on that days card produced two next out winners, and on December 22, 2013 in the El Prado Stakes, Nikki’s Sandcastle was one of them. Subsequent to the El Prado, she finished a deceptive 4th in the Ft. Lauderdale. In fact, the El Prado Stakes race produced a next out winner yesterday (01/19/2013) when Teaks North, piloted by John Velasquez paid $19.80 in the Sunshine Millions Turf. I’m still smarting from missing that one, but that is my fault. I procrastinated in writing this summary and that’s what I get. Had I done this last week as I had planned, yesterday would have been a very good day! But I digress.

Teaks North could very well have benefited from a soft turf, but for sure needed his last one having not raced in 11 months. Also worth mentioning is the runner up from the El Prado Stakes, Kharafa. Piloted by Edgar Prado, his inside run was second best but notable none-the-less. Be advised that there were three runners-up that came out of the 12/01 Starter Stakes race won by Nikki’s Sandcastle, all in starter or allowance company. As for Nikki, here is another horse on my list whose daddy is Castledale. Those of you familiar with this space know of my love for Madame Giry, a daughter of Castledale. There is high quality in the Peintre Celebre / Silver Hawk blood to be sure. And Nikki has a history of putting together several good runs, while Teaks North is just beginning his new form cycle. Stay tuned.

Race number 5 on 12/14/2012 was a MSW for two year old fillies at a mile on the firm turf. And while the first two finishers, Dancing For Glory and Manuka Honey duked it out in deep stretch, first time starter Tanzspiel ridden by John Valesquez and trained by Roger Attfield ran a professional debut. More to the point, she did her best running in the two fastest splits of the race which were run in 11.86 and 11.57 as the two final timings. This is pretty fast, folks. Now, you can’t have one of these write-ups without looking at at least one maiden special. That is where the future gold is hiding. And both the winner and runner up ran very well and showed heart down the stretch. But Tanzspiel will look a bit distant in the charts next time out while still running as a maiden. If the common wisdom gives you 3-1 or better, a long look is in order.

We will finish up on December 29th, 2012 in race # 9 with Bill Mott, Pam and Martin Wygod and Floral Romance. I see why, after breeding her...they kept her! After breaking her maiden at Belmont in her first try, she really looked special handling first level allowance company at Gulfstream Park. With Joel Rosario up, she broke awkwardly and sort of idled through the first half mile. But moving 5 wide, and around the far turn no less, ate up the competition running away in a final furlong of 11.83 for the 1 1/8 mile race. I’m putting a check mark next to her name in Slew’s database, and I am sure you will see her on Slew’s lists sometime in the near future.

There were certainly other races to look at, but we will stop here. Maybe another Sunday afternoon will afford me the time to review a few more, but I think we may have a good foundation using the four listed above.

Finally, congratulations to Wise Dan and his connections. A worthy winner of the Horse of the Year award presented last night at Gulfstream Park.

That’s how I see it. However you see it, good luck and good ‘capping!

- Slew http://SlewsFastHorses.com

Horses To Watch

posted on Sunday, 20 January 2013 18:38:28 UTC

Sunday, 30 December 2012

2012: SLEW IN REVIEW

No matter where you look, the last days of each December bring with them a review of some sort. Art, science, horse racing, current events, failed apocalypse reports, who got married, who got un-married, and so on.

So I kind of thought I would join in the fun.

Here then, is the first annual (and maybe last annual) Slew in Review. I will look at a few of the horses that did us proud. And made us money. Most of the notes and original posts for these runners can be found in my blog (which you are reading).

***************
Madame Giry - I first came to know the Madame on 6/7 in Belmont's 6th race, where she was the place horse that day in a MSW affair for the girls on the turf. I immediately put words to paper and proclaimed my love for her, writing that she was my horse of horses from the Belmont spring meet. She rewarded me with 5 straight wins including 2 at the Spa, 1 at Belmont's fall meet, and the big one at Keeneland.

The Madame helped make this a very nice year. I'm hoping for more in 2013.

Wandering Kitten - Spotted at Belmont Park on 7/5 wandering thru the stretch in the 4th race. She wandered into second place that day in impressive fashion. She was noted as a Key horse off of that race and was next spotted winning at the Spa on 8/23. She next wandered into an 11th place finish at CD on 11/3. We will be looking to see where she wanders next...

Lily The Pink - Showed her true colors at Saratoga on 8/1 in race #4 in winning a blanket finish over Divine Luck, Cerce Cay and Evening Garden. Divine Luck went on to win as a key horse out of this race on 12-1 at Gulfstream Park, while Lily went on to Keeneland and won on 10-12 as the first part of the Madame Giry 2K Pk3 that sealed my season.

Noble Tune - This melody of motion was seen cruising to a professional victory at the Spa on 9/3 in the day's opening race. Four horses came out of that race to win their next start including Noble Tune, who took a Gr.3 at Belmont. I wrote on 9/7 after his Spa win the following:

"This son of Unbridled’s Song running for the amazing Chad Brown will need to be reckoned with down the road. And that road leads no doubt, to Belmont, Keeneland and Gulfstream Park."

I failed to mention Santa Anita in that sentence. My error. He did show up there, and was the runner up in the Breeders Cup Turf Mile for 2 yr. olds. Not bad. The kid has got some chops!

* * * * * * * * * *

Honorable mention:

Zultanite - Love the name. Could have been a co-star in the Superman comics. Coming from the planet Zultan of course. Well, I just like her, and while she had some stinkers, she helped me at Monmouth Park on June 23. I was asked to accompany a group to Monmouth park that day in a sort of informal handicapping seminar. She did me proud by running behind Dancing Solo and being in the right place at the right time for a cold trifecta with Somali Lemonade. I had given out that trifecta and they all went home with money, thinking how easy this game was. Another win at Belmont on 10/18 paid well. Next year? We'll see.

Revolutionary - I liked the looks of this colt up at Saratoga and while he took some time to break his maiden - he just did that today (12/28/2012) at Aqueduct - we will watch him into the spring and summer. He will certainly mature. Will his talent do the same?

No Silent - I first posted about him way back in March when I saw him place in a maiden at Santa Anita. I loved this guy and since then he has run no worse than 3rd and if I am not mistaken, all his losses combined amount to a single length and a whisker added for good measure. This is a runner, if not a terrific runner-up!

* * * * * * * * * *

To close out this Slew in Review, I look to a few horses that Slew singled over the course of 2012. Horses that paid gobs of money, or just plain paid very well. Most had something in common: they defined what we in this free enterprise system of commerce refer to as the free market. These horses, or at least most of them, were overlays of inexplicable proportions and ignored by the investors to the point of absolute distraction in some cases.

The rules for the horses listed below are simple: they had to be the only horse Slew liked in the race. Only singles are allowed here, with one exception: the last one who was one of three. But he gets a pass.

And this section by the way, is dedicated to the guy that inspired my "How Do You Use This Crap" page on Slew's website. It refers to the only time a Slew horse should become what I am loathe call them: A pick. But when a Slew single is offering overlay odds like what these horses offered minutes before their respective races: they do become a pick. They define our beloved free market system, paid huge dividends and damned be the chalk eaters! Here we go.

Aqueduct 3/4/2012 Race #4 - Paci di Notte paid a whopping $127.00. The ML was 20-1. That is a $42.00 payout. He was ignored by the public, but not by Slew.

Belmont 5/25/2012 Race 2 - A McCoughtry paid 28.20 on a 6-1 ML. Better than double. I have no idea who this one is, but I would take the additional odds any day.

Churchill 6/24/2012 Race #8 - Halon paid $35.20 on a ML of 8-1. Again, double the ML.

Belmont 6/27/2012 Race $7 - Thomas Hill paid his ML odds at $41.60. Should have taken him when the opportunity arose. May never win again!

Belmont 7/4/2012 Race #6 - A favorite fireworks display for some Slew watchers. Monticello Doll pays $54.00 on a 20-1 ML. Same for her: she may never win again. Should have paid attention back in July.

Saratoga 9/1/2012 Race #12 - Usually a sparse crowd for this late race as most have left for dinner or to be seen at Siros. Those that stayed however, saw this Slew single - A New York Phillie - pay $74.50 off of a 20-1 ML. The pick 6 paid $155,787.00 that day. One ticket. I wonder if it was a Slew watcher?

Woodbine 9/8/2012 Race # 7 - Control was in control and paid $21.90 off of a 4-1 ML. Very nice overlay.

Santa Anita 10/07/2012 Race # 6 - D'princess was a Cinderella that day, paying $55.00 from a 12-1 ML.

Gulfstream Park 12/15/2012 Race # 8 - Joanie's Image was 20-1 on the ML but paid a whopping $109.40 to Slew watchers who bet the single. That's what happens when you spend too many hours in the sun!

And finally, how could we not include this familiar name?

Santa Anita 2/4/2012 Race #6 - I'll Have Another paid $88.60 on his way to immortality.

And so we find ourselves closing out 2012 and on our way to 2013. I would say that this year was interesting, unpredictable, wonderful, horrible, and anything else you could think of...but then why bother? It was like every other year in the history of man. Well, maybe not. Because we are still here but weren't supposed to be. I mean, did anyone (other than me) consider this:

That the guy who was in charge of making the Mayan calendar simply took a Starbucks break and got accidentally run over by whatever ran you over back in those days? Did anyone even consider that? Or is it far more plausible for supposedly intelligent human beings in the 21st century to think that a random rock, travelling through ga-zillions of square light-years (forgive me, Albert) of empty space for bazillions of eons will somehow find a direct hit on our tiny little speck of space dust we call home?

Because an ancient civilization ran out of paper and couldn't finish the year 2012?

Are you freakin' kidding me?

Well, I want those Einsteins in the next pick 6 pool I decide to play! And for the rest of you...

A happy, healthy and profitable 2013! For ALL 365 days of it...or until the Aztec calendar runs out!

- Slew

Whatnot & Opine

posted on Sunday, 30 December 2012 03:54:57 UTC

Monday, 17 December 2012

THE LOOK OF EAGLES

I came late into the fold of thoroughbred horse racing. My entrance was not as a 9 yr. old rail-bird, introduced to the Sport of Kings by a program toting dad, but rather by accident. My wife, who was an equestrian all her young life until a disastrous accident derailed her Olympic show jumping career, wanted to try a restaurant in Saratoga Springs.

A restaurant. In Saratoga Springs. Can you imagine?

How we came to find the racetrack I do not recall, but we did. The next thing I knew, I was caught up in the Sunday Silence - Easy Goer duels of 1989, and I was hooked.

By 1995 I was an avid fan, although where the game was concerned I was still a neophyte. Summers were now spent shuttling between home and Saratoga. The Fall was dedicated to riding the rails to Beautiful Belmont Park. And then a wonderful racehorse named Cigar caught my attention…and the attention of millions of others, by not losing for what seemed like forever. We were at the Breeders Cup that year to witness the exclamation point that punctuated a fabulous season by an incredible athlete.

Permit me a brief digression:

Occasionally, the debate as to how good he was still rears its ugly head.

To those who still wish to measure him…shut up.

You cannot measure heart. Or the heat of the light bulb when it goes on in a racehorse’s head. He was a specimen rarely seen in ANY sport, and all he did was what fans and media alike cry out for each and every year:

He carried the sorry state of the Sport of Kings on his back from sea to shining sea for two years.

End of digression.

By 1996 we had been attending the Breeders Cup each year from I don’t remember when and Woodbine was to be no exception. The small but venerable race course was a wonderful host, and the threat of a cab drivers strike deterred no one. We sat in bleachers erected for the event just around the top of the stretch. You could look into the eyes of the runners as they came around the final turn, nostrils flared in preparation for their powerful stretch run, and for the first time, I heard for myself the awesome sound of thoroughbred horse power.

The trip began with an omen which needless to say, I ignored. My wife is the one who really knows horses and horse flesh. She has provided me with many insights and winners over the years…when the mood strikes her, of course. From our early days at Saratoga - before cell phones - where she would signal me from the paddock while I stood at the edge of the second floor clubhouse and watched her with my binocs, to just the other day when she popped into the living room, took a quick look at the post parade on the TV, and gave me a $30 horse…that I did not play, she just knows from a lifetime of experience. Well, on this day, as we were checking in at the gorgeous Royal York Hotel, she looked to her left and at the front desk standing next to us, and checking in at the same time, was Chris McCarron.

“That’s your Classic winner!” she whispered to me as I presented my American Express Card. I looked at Chris, looked at her, and promptly forgot the conversation in favor of the frequent flyer points dancing about my head. She still reminds me…when the mood strikes her, of course.

But this story is not about the stone cold silence that filled a stunned track as the Canadian sun was setting, when Alphabet Soup and Louis Quatorze finished just ahead of one of racing’s great heroes. Or about the hair raised on the back of my neck as I heard that trio leaning into the top of the stretch and reaching out in unison for that final gear right before my eyes.

It is really about Ricks Natural Star…and the ‘Look of Eagles‘. What? You have never heard of Ricks Natural Star? And you call yourself a race fan?

I won’t get into the guts of the story about Rick but it was big time in 1996. I will instead, provide you with a link to a Thoroughbred Times story I recently discovered which kind of spawned this tome. Use it.

But I will mention the ‘Look Of Eagles‘. I cannot say for sure that I knew of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1996. As I said, I was still a neophyte. I can say for sure that I had never heard of Pilsudski and in fact, only recently was able to say his name without sounding like the Novocain had yet to wear off! And I certainly had no clue of his finish in the Arc, or of his ability to do what he did in the Breeders Cup Mile that year.

In preparation for the mile, and to get as far away from me as possible - a sullen loser up to that point in the day - my wife dispatched herself to the paddock to assess the entrants and try to help me out. As I recall, it had rained in the days prior and the ground was soft and in some places muddy. I was standing in a long line of bettors fondling the wad of cash in my pocket, looking at my form, and wondering what to do in this mile race. The cue was at a makeshift betting window in a field adjacent to the temporary bleachers where we sat. The ground squished underneath my shoes.

At some point I heard my name being called and sure enough, here was my wife running…on a knee replacement…one that was 12 years and 20 surgeries in the making…running across the muddy field towards me. I cringed with each unsure step, the mud giving way underneath her feet.

“How much money do you have?”

“Why”?

“Because you are going to put it all on number 7. All of it.”

She had seen that blank stare before.

“Trust me. He has the Look Of Eagles”.

The what? What the hell is the Look of Eagles?

And then I realized that my wife had seen in Pilsudski what only she could…and I could not.

My beloved Cigar. I would not have anything left to pay my respects to him, and he deserved my support after what he had done the previous year. And what about lunch?

As we slowly shuffled towards the teller she made her pitch. When my turn at the window came, to her credit, she walked away and left me to my own private torture.

“Two dollars to win on Ricks Natural Star please…”

“Anything else?” I considered the question for a long moment.

“Yes.”

I swallowed hard and then, pulled out all the cash.

As for Rick, you can read about him at the link below. I still have the ticket. It is tucked away in the racing form I used that day. The printing has faded to nothing, as has the memory of this horse and what his selfish owner put him through. But he survived as these noble creatures tend to do, and lives in luxurious retirement without a care in the world. A deserving reward to be sure.

As to the reward for trusting the Look of Eagles, a small portion went to supporting Cigar in his quest for a second Breeders Cup Classic.

Best money I ever spent.

Of course, the winning horse was Alphabet Soup. And the winning jockey?

I forget!

- Slew

Read the story of Ricks Natural Star:

The Story of Rick's Natural Star

See the race:

http://www.breederscup.com/gallery/1996-breeders-cup-turf

Whatnot & Opine

posted on Monday, 17 December 2012 03:53:08 UTC

Friday, 30 November 2012

TVG: MAKING KEVORKIAN A VERB

Hello All!

When I first started Slew back in February of this year, I posted messages on a few racing forums to get the word out. One of them was a strange place which recently was put out of its misery by a merciful sponsor who probably just couldn't stand it anymore:

"The TVG community is closing."

That was the message that greeted me as I clicked a bookmark I had ignored, with good reason I might add, for most of the year.

What took them so long?

Way back in 1994, when I began my professional software career by writing in a little known language subset on an even littler known platform, there was Compuserve. There was no internet, just Compuserve. It was via this online service that I found a forum that was frequented by some 30 or 40 developers using the same platform. They hailed from all around the world and they had found a wonderful shared resource in each other. You might not be able to imagine that even amongst these professionals, some of what took place wasn't always pretty. Tempers could get short with stupid questions. And shorter with lazy ones. But it was there that I learned the fundamentals I needed to continue on into an arena I never imagined I could negotiate. I could not have moved forward without them.

It was also there that I met a colleague and wonderful friend from the UK with whom I am still very close. He was very kind to me in the early days and I told him if my project ever sold, I would hire him. Even with an ocean between us. It did. And I did. To this day his friendship is valued greatly and always will be. At what other time in the history of man could this have happened? In this way?

None.

After several weeks of posting to the TVG forum I began to notice very little increase in interest regarding the daily posts. This was in direct contrast with the other two forums to which I was posting, and I began to wonder about the people who frequented the TVG online nation. Just what were they doing there? I had decided that I would try posting there for 30 days, and if there was no increase in interest in my posts, I would not waste any more of my time. Somewhere around day thirty I posted the following headline:

Go ahead...Keep Ignoring Me

A little experiment in socio-psychology. I was curious as to how many reads it would get, as I was getting about 12 - 15 for each daily post. This one should not have been any different. My thought was that if they were not interested in my racing posts, maybe a headline such as this would bring them crawling out of the woodwork. If it did, I would have no interest in continuing.

Within 2 hours, there was over 130 reads. By the end of the day, close to 200. It was then I knew that I was wasting my time, and stopped posting to the community. These people were not interested in sharing with each other the common knowledge they had, or in gaining new insight into the almost impossible task of handicapping thoroughbreds. In fact, there were more advertisements for Viagra, more backbiting, self-indulging, catty posts than information about the races.

The lineup for tomorrow's big stake was of less interest than my headline challenging the reader to ignore me. Just like a child who is told not to open that drawer, the collective online community could not ignore my post the way they had the previous 30. They just HAD to open that drawer.

What a waste.

But I did have some unfinished business and maybe I can close that circle here. One of the regular posters who also touted picks (and might very well run a fee for service site) had commented on one of my last posts that he had heard of Slew and that he heard good things about what I was doing. I did not have time to answer at first read but I did go back the next day to finish that task, only to find that my post had been removed by a moderator- I guess I was in violation of some rule - and with it, his online name. I never did get to thank him for his comment, but I don't want to have him think I had ignored him.

So: whoever you were, thank you for the kind words. They were and still are much appreciated.

And to the rest of you...

Keep ignoring me?

Slew

Whatnot & Opine

posted on Friday, 30 November 2012 21:10:08 UTC

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Churchill Downs Wrap: Not SOUPER after all

Hello All!

For all the rumors, all the hype, all the innuendo, all the inference that Churchill Downs hammers its track for big races and soups up the surface to have grand times explode onto the tote at their finish...for all that...it might be true!

I say that because the fall meeting just ended and when I went back to see what races I could look at to find my next group of superstars...or maybe I should say SOUPerstars, I was quite surprised at what I found:

Just one race.

One lousy race with splits worthy of Slew's note. That race was run on 11/22/2012 as race #4 on the main track at 1 mile as an AlwOC. There were 4 notable splits in that affair with the front running winner Infrattini (Include - Casa Frattini, by Mr. Greeley) finishing in a slightly geared down fashion in 1:33.31 after clocking 6F in 1:08.83 and running the 7th Furlong in a very nice 11.89 seconds. I certainly hope the owners, Z Thoroughbreds, stuck a winning ticket into the boot of Mr. Rosario because he paid $14.20 while the favorite Rule and 2nd favorite Hamazing Destiny took most of the money. They finished 4th and last respectively with both seeing nothing but the rump of the front running winner.

Two notes about this race. First, the next two horses, Majestic Harbor who made a late bid and Colizeo who wilted in the stretch won't likely see fractions like that again for a while. Second, Infrattini had come out of a race at Keeneland which he won (10/24/2012 Race # 4) and from that race the 3rd place finisher - Wyomia - came back to place in a 150K stake at Woodbine on 11/24. Note 2A: a front running victory without a creditable challenge. Note 2B: a front running victory without a creditable challenge BUT with Mr. Rosario aboard.

That is different than a front running victory without a creditable challenge.

The only other race that caught my eye was a MSW affair run at 1 mile on the turf on Friday, 11/02/2012. In rather stark contrast, the 6 furlong timing was 1:12.15 but the 7th furlong quickened nicely into an 11.48 split and the race finished in a very professional 1:35.60 with Bold Challenger (Exchange Rate - Best Mom, by Chester House) drawing clear in the stretch. He becomes the first next out winner out of his last, a Keeneland affair run on 10/10/2012 at 1 mile as race #6.

That's it! We're done.

I would keep an eye on these two as they move down the road. Probably not for a start or two, but at some point they will come up again. Especially if Infrattini catches a paceless field and retains the services of one J. Rosario, smart thoroughbred jockey.

Keeping an eye on horses as a meet closes is what we do. I just can't believe that out of the entire fall meet at Churchill Downs, there is only one horse per eye!

Not very souper if you ask me. But I guess if we want souper...we'll just have to wait until May!

That's how I see it. However you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

- Slew

Meet Reviews

posted on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 23:44:46 UTC

Friday, 07 September 2012

Slew's Horses To Watch: The Saratoga Turf

Hello All!

Much like the Belmont meet, the Saratoga turf ran quick all summer with the weather, for the most part, being hot and dry. Of 197 turf races run during the meet, only 27 were taken off the grass. In the Adirondacks, they call that spectacular weather.

Let’s begin at the end.

Race # 1 on 9/3 was a MSW for 2 yr. old males at the distance of 1 1/16th miles and was NOT a FHF fast race. But races for maiden 2 yr. old's are where you find your future investments, and Saratoga is the place to find the best two yr. old's. From that race, Noble Tune stands out. After a pedantic pace the last quarter was run in a quick 23.22 and he personally cut the last 16th in a sizzling 5.65 on his way to the wire after splitting horses in deep stretch. This son of Unbridled’s Song running for the amazing Chad Brown will need to be reckoned with down the road. And that road leads no doubt, to Belmont, Keeneland and Gulfstream Park. I should also make note of runner-up Draw Two, who remained covered up until deep stretch, was swung 5 wide and accelerated very well in a short time to win the place photo. The son of Macho Uno (Holy Bull) should be a short price in his next start but if not, I’ll be on it.

A race of lesser note but still interesting was the 5th, a restricted claiming 20K affair on the turf at 5 ½ F for girls. Lea the Punisher was no doubt, placed into this race with intent by David Jacobson, only to have a tough trip while recovering late into fast fractions to pick up the show position. Her history is to disappoint as the favorite, a knock on the handicapping public more than the horse. Regardless, be advised and watch the tote…and consider yourself warned! But between her failure in an off the turf affair 2 back as the favorite, and her 3rd place finish here, she may be a little bit of a price downstate. Just remember that the purses at the Spa were inflated, and the company in these races reflected that. A rise in class this fall may be an illusion, which will likely help our price.

Another maiden affair to keep in mind was run on 9/1 as race #4 and was fast. My eye is on Evening Garden, another offspring of Unbridled’s Song but this time, with the king, Storm Cat on the dam’s side. The rider lost the whip in deep stretch while she attended fast fractions the entire way, and even re-rallied to gain the 4th spot. She was 50-1. I would check out the chart for this race and keep an eye on the top 4 runners.

Race # 4 on 8/22 was an optional claimer for fillies and mares and was run fast late with Adjacent setting all the fractions, and while pressed by a familiar foe in Sylvestris (Ire), was able to accelerate and hold her off by the a neck. Sylvestris stumbled out of the gate and still almost won. Further, Ramon ‘I can win anytime I want’ Dominguez saw fit to ride Sylvestris for Robert Barbara, a rare trainer-jockey combo. If he decides to stick with her in her next start downstate, take a long look.

Lastly, I’ll finish up where I began back in June and July. As I posted back on July 7th, my horse to watch out of the Belmont meet was Madame Giry. She won both her starts at the Spa in impressive fashion and if she continues to move forward, isn’t done winning. In her last start on 8/24 she ran against a horse I had written about back in June, Ballistic Sue. who just came back to win on Memorial Day at Monmouth Park.

From the Saratoga meet, my horse to watch is Revolutionary. A colt by War Pass out of the A.P. Indy mare Runup The Colors, he runs for Todd Pletcher and Winstar Farms. War pass stands for $15,000 but this colt sold for $235,000 and looked the part in his first start. The chart says he was "clobbered at the start and forced hard into MONSIGNOR then checked..." and spotted the field six or seven lengths at the start...as the favorite. No question his price will be short but this horse looks to be a runner, and we are looking towards the future and not just the next race. I have already marked him in my notebook, and he will be a Slew key horse down the road.

Of the 46 races that Slew finds were the fastest of the fast, only 10 were on the dirt. I’m not sure what that will mean for big Sandy, but beginning Saturday September 8th expect more of the same on the turf at Belmont.

That’s how I see it. However you see it…good luck and good ‘capping! - Slew http://SlewsFastHorses.com

Meet Reviews

posted on Friday, 07 September 2012 21:47:45 UTC

Monday, 13 August 2012

Slew's future horse to watch: NO SILENT

Hello all! Back on March 11th, we wrote on our Facebook page about two maiden horses coming out of the Santa Anita meeting that merited attention. One of those horses ran today at Del Mar and was beaten by a nose.

That colt is named No Silent and still merits attention.

By Silent Name (Sunday Silence) out of a War Chant mare (Two Names), No Silent broke his maiden in his 4th MSW race after being beaten a length, head and neck in consecutive races. His 2nd race on 3/10/2012, he was beaten by Achilles who came back to win his next start in optional allowance company. The second horse we spoke about, Late Night Sky, came out of the same race to drop into Mcl company to come out a winner.

No Silent's next race was on May 5th at Hollywood Park where he was beaten a neck by Canuletmedowneasy who went on to win his next start, also in optional allowance company. In fact, there were exactly 4 next out winners from that May 5th race, one being No Silent who next broke his maiden on the 7th of July at Hollywood Park. It is quite possible that the 5TH winner out of that race will be Fable Haven, who ran 2nd in his next start to My Best Brother, who just lost by a nose in the La Jolla Hcp (G II) to Old Time Hockey.

It is a tangled web, isn't it?

The horse is managed by Gary Mandella and has a pedigree of champions, with Sunday Silence being Sunday Silence and War Chant the victor in the 2000 Breeders Cup Mile (he beat my beloved King Cugat that day at Churchill and broke my heart). Today, the only horse that beat him was All Squared Away, who was entered out of the allowance condition and was in for the 80K tag, and the only horse in the race out of conditions. He was not eligible except for the tag because of his win in the G III Lexington back on 4/21 at Keeneland. All Squared Away has outrun his humble Mcl beginnings and is managed by the white hot Peter Miller who is winning at a lights out 27% at Del Mar. In case you missed it, that's THEEEE DEL MAR!

No Silent looks to be a runner and while he only has 1 win in 5 starts, his 4 place showings were of the fighting variety by a combined length and a whisker. This guy can flat out run and compete, is young and still learning, and as a late foal has some development ahead of him. Today's mile race was run in 1:33.43 with No Silent taking over in the lane having run 6F in 1:09.60 plus a tick.

My suggestion is to watch him carefully. Today's race was taxing and I suspect he will be given some time to recoup and clean up his feed bucket. But he is still eligible for first level allowance and while he won't be much of a price next time, he merits a long look and will be a key horse for Slew down the road.

That's how I see it. However you see it...good luck and good 'capping! - Slew http://SlewsFastHorses.com

Horses To Watch

posted on Monday, 13 August 2012 21:45:26 UTC

Saturday, 28 July 2012

THE HASKELL 2012

Exit 105 on the Garden State Parkway takes you right to the Atlantic Ocean, which was made famous by the Jersey Shore, of course! However, one spot to stop and check out on your Jersey Shore vacation en route to the surf, beaches and boardwalks is a landmark erected in 1870. The intention was to bring commerce to an area that was the summer playground for the wealthy New Yorkers looking for an alternative to the Hamptons. The proximity to Manhattan Island made for an inviting and quick trip by ferry or rail. In fact, you can still hear the train between races if you listen closely enough, and you can still smell the surf if the wind is right.

Monmouth Park was a great idea then. It still is.

Since then however, the plant has experienced several capital improvements, with the latest being the erection of lifeguard stands to replace the judges towers that ring the track. In conjunction with that move, the racing committee has also changed the conditions of the 2012 Haskell, Monmouth Park's premier event of the summer, to be a freestyle. However, horses will not be allowed to wear nose-clips.

If the weather on Haskell day is anything like it was for most of Jersey and the surrounding area today, and the sky is once again, as we speak, looking grey, the event will be perfect for Mr. Baffert’s substitute star, Paynter. The Monmouth main track, famous for it’s love of front running speed, is an inviting locale for this all of a sudden budding big-shot in search of a graded stakes win. And so very young and early in his career, no less.

Having had success in the Grade 3 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on a sloppy and sealed track with a 100 Beyer figure in only his third start, and having shown no distance limitations by making every pole in the Belmont a winning one…except the most important one that is, this son of the original and very awesome Awesome Again looks to have both the weather and the competition playing to his strengths.

While Jerry Hollendorfer’s Nonios presents a very strong form cycle, a dirt track is something that he has yet to experience. And at a morning-line of 7-2, I’m not sure surprises in the form of wet clumps of dirt being kicked in your face is the way you envision your relaxing trip to the Jersey Shore. Even on a workday.

Dullahan is an interesting sort. His job application presents quite a bit of experience in graded stakes races. Seven to be exact, with wins in both the Breeders Cup Futurity as well as the Bluegrass Stakes. Both at Keeneland. Both on the phony stuff that looks like dirt. But these are smart horses. You cannot fool them, and he has yet to win on the stuff your mother told you not to get on your best Sunday go-to-meeting clothes. Did you listen?

Nope! And look where it got you!

But back to Dullahan. While he has a limited but vocal fan club, as does Snookie by the way, I’ve never been convinced. Certainly not today. Not on this track. Not in this race. Maybe some other time. A good presentation today, and maybe we see him in the Travers? I’d take another look there.

Gemologist has much going for him. First, Todd Pletcher. Second, Todd Pletcher. Third, a win on a wet track. If they go back to running at or near the lead, as it appears this race will allow them to do, he should hound Bejarano and Paynter all the way around the track. Can he pass them when it counts? That question will be answered sometime around 6:18.50 PM eastern time. I say no.

Handsome Mike, son of Scat Daddy and running for Doug O’Neill and Mario Gutierrez is in fairly deep here. After all, this ain’t no beauty contest, as the winner will be determined on the racetrack. Note to Handsome Mike: good looks don’t cut it at this level pal.

Finally, there is Stealcase. Running for Mark Casse with Mr. Bridgemohan in the irons, this horse is actually a single on my Slew’s Fast Horses listing for this race and should show some chops today. Experience in all the important departments: dirt, wet track, graded stakes – he was only a neck behind Paynter in the Derby Trial – and a tractable running style that should keep him about mid-pak through the entire swim meet, he seems like a reasonable exacta partner. Especially if his odds drift up thanks to Mr. Pletcher.

In a race that might very well feature more of a chance for a deep water rescue than equine drama, odds will dictate whether you bet on the participants order of finish, or whether you bet on which swimmer gets the most style points.

Wet or dry, I’m looking at Paynter / Stealcase if the exacta is reasonable. If not, the best bets of the day will be the world famous hotdogs at Max’s in Long Branch, just a furlong or two from the track, and a long and slow ride home on the Parkway.

And at the end of the day, if I’m all wet…I hope it is from the weather! Enjoy the racing and as always…good luck and good ‘capping!

Slew

Race Analysis

posted on Saturday, 28 July 2012 22:03:18 UTC

Saturday, 07 July 2012

Slew's Races to Watch: The Belmont Turf

The turf at Belmont Park has been running fast. Very fast. But fast in a curious way, because it doesn't appear to be restricted to only the better grade of race. I'm seeing rather fast times across the entire spectrum of races. And since it is the horse that runs fast and not the turf, and with Christmas in August fast approaching (Saratoga), I pay attention.

For example, on July 5th, the fifth race on the turf for 3 yr. old's was a 60K Starter Optional Claiming won by Quantity in 1:40.70. The final quarter was run in 23.71 and the last 16th in a strong 5.96 seconds. One race prior, a high level Maiden Claiming race was run on the inner turf course for 3 & up at the same distance. And while the shape was a bit different (slow early) based on the inner course configuration, the resulting finishing times were curious when compared to each other.

The Maiden Claimer ran the final quarter in 22.54 and the final 16th in 5.81. Both faster then the more accomplished 3 yr. old horses one race later. What raised my eyebrows even higher was a comparison to race 8 on the same day. Race 8 was another 1 1/16th turf affair also run on the inner. That race was won by Street Game, who's been running against some nice foes. That race saw the final quarter run in 22.64 and the last 16th run in 5.80 seconds.

So while the 8th is a race to watch, so then is the 4th. Dominguez rode Last Starter to a nice win while in for 45K in a 50K claimer. If she goes to Saratoga, she will be facing some tough allowance company or claimers (and winners) worth much more. The place horse, Wandering Kitten ridden my Rosie Napravnik had a trip true to her name and with a straighter course would have made a better impression on the charts. She lost by 2 lengths as the slight favorite and may also show up at the Spa. But she will be a maiden still and probably a favorite given the troubled trip. The next two were separated by less than a length. Watch for Lion Prince in a paceless race if he is the only front runner. He was five lengths behind the winner which won't look good in the PP's. But considering the swift closing fractions, and the general swiftness of the turf course, that might work out just fine if the company is the right kind next time out.

As for horses to watch, I would keep an eye on the winner of the 7th, Madame Giry. Winning her MSW in fine style after being risked in a 65K MClm race, she has a pedigree that gives her license to be a good racehorse. By Castledale, she has the Nureyev blood. Her grand sire Peintre Celebre, won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in which he broke the track record by more than 3 seconds. She had not shown precocity in her 3 prior MSW races but that may just be her taking a bit longer to learn the game. She was a late (April) foal and may need a bit more time. But on the 6th she was spotted well, she got a field she could handle and more importantly, stayed in easy striking position with little effort and understood what to do when it was time to do it.

So however you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

Slew

Meet Reviews

posted on Saturday, 07 July 2012 21:43:06 UTC