California Stakes @ Hollywood Downs + Japanese Derby (later tonight)
After watching last night's episode of Blinkers off on TVG, I was REALLY looking forward to seeing Heatseeker run. With a measly 4 horse spread after one scratch, it could have made for an uncertain and strange race. Heatseeker came in a close second to Tiago at Oaklawn, so I was looking forward to another showdown between these two talented horses. My money was on Heatseeker, however. Partially intuition and partially based upon the jockey, Rafael Bejarano (my favourite jockey in the SoCal circuit and ranked 5th nationwide in terms of earnings).
Heatseeker won by several lengths (Tiago placed), so it looks like we'll see him running in the June 28th Hollywood Gold Cup. Yay!
Tonight is the 3.1 million Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby); post time = 2:40am EST. Four other big purse races will be broadcast live as well. Aside from differences in pre-race protocol, one of the annoying trends I've observed in Japanese racing is having WAY too many horses in a single race (typically 18). Another point is the broad expanse of talent in a given race. You'd expect only highly graded horses in a big stakes race like the Oaks or Derby, right? But there is a huge difference between the capabilities of the horses. You've got fantastic speed horses next to mediocre horses alongside really questionable horses. All in the same race! It makes for an extremely uneven field and is almost impossible to watch without irritation. While I'm watching the Tokyo Yushun regardless (and trying to deepen my limited understanding of Japanese thoroughbred racing), I find it difficult to make my picks and would seriously hesitate to actually put money down on any of them. Having limited information on the horses doesn't alleviate the problematic situation either.
There are "tentative plans" for Sheepshead Bay Handicap winner Mauralakana to run in the Beverly D. Stakes August 9th @ Arlington Park. I certainly hope this proves true! I'll be there rain or shine for the Arlington Million and the Secretariat Stakes, in addition to the Beverly D. Three Grade I stakes in one day? How could I miss that? ^_^*
Now: back to Psychology reading and homework! :P
Heatseeker won by several lengths (Tiago placed), so it looks like we'll see him running in the June 28th Hollywood Gold Cup. Yay!
Tonight is the 3.1 million Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby); post time = 2:40am EST. Four other big purse races will be broadcast live as well. Aside from differences in pre-race protocol, one of the annoying trends I've observed in Japanese racing is having WAY too many horses in a single race (typically 18). Another point is the broad expanse of talent in a given race. You'd expect only highly graded horses in a big stakes race like the Oaks or Derby, right? But there is a huge difference between the capabilities of the horses. You've got fantastic speed horses next to mediocre horses alongside really questionable horses. All in the same race! It makes for an extremely uneven field and is almost impossible to watch without irritation. While I'm watching the Tokyo Yushun regardless (and trying to deepen my limited understanding of Japanese thoroughbred racing), I find it difficult to make my picks and would seriously hesitate to actually put money down on any of them. Having limited information on the horses doesn't alleviate the problematic situation either.
There are "tentative plans" for Sheepshead Bay Handicap winner Mauralakana to run in the Beverly D. Stakes August 9th @ Arlington Park. I certainly hope this proves true! I'll be there rain or shine for the Arlington Million and the Secretariat Stakes, in addition to the Beverly D. Three Grade I stakes in one day? How could I miss that? ^_^*
Now: back to Psychology reading and homework! :P