Ryan Roshau for HRND
The dust has barely settled from the recent Breeders' Cup (metaphorically speaking of course, as it was contested on an artificial surface) and year-end honors are now being debated. Zenyatta was brilliant in winning the Ladies Classic. She finished the year unbeaten and will have her share of supporters when Horse of the Year ballots arrive in the mail. World-traveler and American Ambassador Curlin, game as ever, was outkicked in the stretch in the Classic and finished fourth. The effort was valiant but it shouldn't be the final chapter in this terrific horse's career.
Regretabbly, however, the last line of the Curlin story may have been penned in that Santa Anita stretch. This week it was announced that the chestnut will be heading to the breeding shed in 2009 and will not race as a five year-old. The news was expected but nevertheless tough to hear. Owner Jess Jackson has left the window open for one final race for the son of Smart Strike. I for one, hope it happens because it is what Curlin deserves.
The sport's all-time leading money earner (in excees of $10.5 million) is currently in light training at Churchill Downs. "If an appropriate venue and purse are offered,” Jackson said, “we would consider one more race in 2008 for Curlin.” On November 28th, Churchill has carded the $500,000 Clark Handicap. Will this be a possible fit for Curlin? Earlier this summer, Churchill boosted the purse for the Stephen Foster Handicap in a successful attempt to lure Curlin. The big red train rolled home to an impressive victory.
I know economic times are desperate right now and horse racing is suffering right along side everyone else but I would love to see Churchill or a sponsor empty their pockets and raise the purse to $1,000,000 so Curlin gets in the gate. All the greats, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Specatcular Bid and Alysheba all had their crowing moments where they rode off into the sunset in a blaze of glory. Curlin is another in that lineage that deserves a coronation.
We didn't get our Big Brown vs. Curlin matchup and the sport sagged because of it. But the latter is still healthy and needs to go out as a winner and the sport needs to go into winter hibernation on a high note. Curlin has given the sport of kings a great deal and it is time someone in the sport gives something back to the king.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My 'Cup Runneth Over?
Ryan Roshau for HRND
A few years ago the NTRA adopted a slogan "Go Baby Go" to promote its game. After a series of Triple Crown dissapointments and injuries and subsequent retirmentes of its top stars they might want to think about adopting "Oh what might have been".
That theme rings true as 164 horses head toward Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park. One top horse, Curlin, is there while another huge one, Big Brown, is not. A foot ailment forced the retirement of the Derby and Preakness winner and the showdown for the ages that would ultimately crown Horse of the Year was not meant to be. For fans of the sport it serves as another reminder of how fragile and unpredictable this game can be.
This rivalry (even though the two had never met) seemed to have it all. The $10 million horse Curlin who had taken on all-comers, defending his Breeders Cup Classic title against the challenging Superhorse in Big Brown. The owners talked trash all summer. Curlin's connections dodged the artificial surface at first, then warmed up to the thought of it after Santa Anita's new track received rave reviews. It was the unstopable force meeting the immovable object. But then came news of the injury and oh, what might have been.
With the defection of Big Brown the Classic, and several of the other races have lost their luster. The fourteen races, like last year, will be spread out over two days and ABC and ESPN will be altering coverage of the races, a fact that may not sit well with viewers. Arguably the best race of them all, the Ladies Classic, will be run on Friday afternoon further adding to the frustration.
The Breeders' Cup has evolved through the years and many contend not necessarily for the better. In its infancy it promised seven races for $10 million. Five hours of network coverage. Simple and easy for Joe Tip Sheet to follow along. If a filly was strong on the turf she would have to take on the males in the Mile or the Turf. Often, as in the case of Pebbles and Miesque, the filly won out. It was a monumental achievement, worthy of celebration. Now there are seperate races over the green stuff for the distaffers, juveniles and sprinters. There is even a race called the Marathon run at 1 1/2 miles, a dying distance that hardly anyone specializes in these days. The old system wasn't broke but about a decade ago they fixed it nevertheless and for me the day hasn't been the same since.
So why watch? Well, if Curlin can handle the synthetic surface and repeat in the Classic he will boost his career earnings to over $13 million. He will become only the second horse in history to repeat in the Classic, joining Tiznow and he may go down as one of the all-time greats and possibly the Horse of the Decade. Zenyatta will stake her claim for Horse of the Year in the Ladies Distaff and European challengers have the potential to leave their mark on the weekend's card.
But with the artifical surface many horsemen are staying away and some of the races will suffer. The Juvenile, for example, may not set a clear table for next May's Kentucky Derby and synthetic specialists might rule the day igniting a firestorm of excuses for the dirt-lovers. Last year's 'Cup was run on a sloppy surface and with the dreary weather and the breakdown of George Washington it was a sub-par day for the sport. A recovery is needed to end this turmultuos year on a high note.
I will be watching to see how the days unfold. I'll be watching for Curlin but I can't help but think of the what-if had Big Brown not been injured. I'll listen to the commentators (on either network) pine about how this is the greatest day in racing but all along I'll be shaking my head.
For me, the Breeders' Cup is fine but it is merely filler until we get to the springtime.
A few years ago the NTRA adopted a slogan "Go Baby Go" to promote its game. After a series of Triple Crown dissapointments and injuries and subsequent retirmentes of its top stars they might want to think about adopting "Oh what might have been".
That theme rings true as 164 horses head toward Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park. One top horse, Curlin, is there while another huge one, Big Brown, is not. A foot ailment forced the retirement of the Derby and Preakness winner and the showdown for the ages that would ultimately crown Horse of the Year was not meant to be. For fans of the sport it serves as another reminder of how fragile and unpredictable this game can be.
This rivalry (even though the two had never met) seemed to have it all. The $10 million horse Curlin who had taken on all-comers, defending his Breeders Cup Classic title against the challenging Superhorse in Big Brown. The owners talked trash all summer. Curlin's connections dodged the artificial surface at first, then warmed up to the thought of it after Santa Anita's new track received rave reviews. It was the unstopable force meeting the immovable object. But then came news of the injury and oh, what might have been.
With the defection of Big Brown the Classic, and several of the other races have lost their luster. The fourteen races, like last year, will be spread out over two days and ABC and ESPN will be altering coverage of the races, a fact that may not sit well with viewers. Arguably the best race of them all, the Ladies Classic, will be run on Friday afternoon further adding to the frustration.
The Breeders' Cup has evolved through the years and many contend not necessarily for the better. In its infancy it promised seven races for $10 million. Five hours of network coverage. Simple and easy for Joe Tip Sheet to follow along. If a filly was strong on the turf she would have to take on the males in the Mile or the Turf. Often, as in the case of Pebbles and Miesque, the filly won out. It was a monumental achievement, worthy of celebration. Now there are seperate races over the green stuff for the distaffers, juveniles and sprinters. There is even a race called the Marathon run at 1 1/2 miles, a dying distance that hardly anyone specializes in these days. The old system wasn't broke but about a decade ago they fixed it nevertheless and for me the day hasn't been the same since.
So why watch? Well, if Curlin can handle the synthetic surface and repeat in the Classic he will boost his career earnings to over $13 million. He will become only the second horse in history to repeat in the Classic, joining Tiznow and he may go down as one of the all-time greats and possibly the Horse of the Decade. Zenyatta will stake her claim for Horse of the Year in the Ladies Distaff and European challengers have the potential to leave their mark on the weekend's card.
But with the artifical surface many horsemen are staying away and some of the races will suffer. The Juvenile, for example, may not set a clear table for next May's Kentucky Derby and synthetic specialists might rule the day igniting a firestorm of excuses for the dirt-lovers. Last year's 'Cup was run on a sloppy surface and with the dreary weather and the breakdown of George Washington it was a sub-par day for the sport. A recovery is needed to end this turmultuos year on a high note.
I will be watching to see how the days unfold. I'll be watching for Curlin but I can't help but think of the what-if had Big Brown not been injured. I'll listen to the commentators (on either network) pine about how this is the greatest day in racing but all along I'll be shaking my head.
For me, the Breeders' Cup is fine but it is merely filler until we get to the springtime.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wasn’t it great in 2008?
Ryan Roshau for HRND
Every year the scene is the same. The dust has barely settled on the racetrack and you notice horse trailers in the barn area loading up the equine athletes with an agenda of heading for home. Many will be turned out for the season and it’s a right they have earned because they and their connections all made this 2008 meet a rousing success.
As I see this picture unfold every year I can’t help but hear the distant strains of Auld Lang Syne in my mind. Here in the barn the horses are anonymous; unrecognizable without silks or a saddle cloth number. I wonder who they are and how they did out there on the track. I’m happy for the winners but I can’t help but feel for those who just missed. They say football is a game of inches but horse racing is truly the sport where dreams and heartache are separated by the smallest of margins. Flat-footed at the break, carried out wide on the turn, shut off at the rail; all can spell defeat in the cruelest of fashions.
Races involving photo finishes this year seemed particularly brutal. Two or more horses running their hearts out, giving their connections and supporters a thrill only to wait in silence to see if their number is the one that is posted. Owners and their families wait to walk into the winner’s circle while two horses are circled around and probably wondering what all the fuss is about. I encountered this experience in the meet’s middle weekend when North Dakota-bred maidens Manny Ray and Cody’s Escape hit the wire together in a six furlong contest. You can see the tension on the faces of those involved and the seconds of waiting seem like hours. Minutes earlier the crowd of 2,500 was watching a thrilling, action-packed event now all of their eyes are trained on an inanimate tote board waiting for it to do or say something. This time, the story had a happy ending for both sets of connections as the result was a dead heat. Anxiety is replaced by relief and that bewildered look is captured for posterity in the winner’s circle photo. As a fan or a bettor you are put through the ringer. I can only imagine what the experience feels like for an owner, breeder, trainer or groom.
Some Surprises…Trainers seem to specialize in their areas. Some are better with youngsters, some with claimers, and usually one is either a quarter horse or a thoroughbred specialist. It was unique therefore to watch Bob Johnson win three races in one weekend with thoroughbreds. Johnson’s abilities as a quarter horse trainer are undeniable and even though he is merely “dabbling” in the thoroughbred game to help out some friends he is proving that a good trainer is a good trainer, no matter the breed. The same can be said for Dave Bernhardt who won a few with quarter horses when he normally sticks to thoroughbreds.
The quarter horse racing, particularly in stakes events continues to meet and exceed expectations. The fields comprised for races like the Min Dak Futurity, Red River Derby, Northern Plains Series, and the ND Bred QH Derby and Futurity were among the best in the upper-Midwest. Whatsmore, the races themselves backed up the quality of the fields as they truly were the most exciting seconds of the entire meet.
Some “Sure Things”…With new horses, new jockeys, and a few new owners every year it still amazes me how things tend to hold to form here at the Horse Park. The competition is incredible and fierce but the same “streaks” remain in tact. Do you have a horse to win the Northern Plains Derby or Futurity? Well, you better ask Bob Johnson know about it first. Do you have your eye on the Derby or Futurity for an Open-company quarter horse? You might want to check if Tom Maher’s in town. Or maybe you have a four, five, or six year-old North Dakota-bred thoroughbred who can win some stakes races. Does Dave Bernhardt have one in the race? OK, how about a two or three year old quarter horse who was bred in the Peace Garden State. Ever heard of a couple of guys named Wisdom and Hanson?
Now it’s clear these guys aren’t going to win every race mentioned above but because of their commitment to bringing the best horses they have to Fargo you know you have to go through them to get to the winner’s circle. You know you’re doing something right when it’s “news” when they don’t win a race they are supposed to. I take my hat off to their abilities as horsemen. Their consistent success makes the meet all the more entertaining.
The Takeaway…Like many of us, I love fast horses. As much as fast horses thrill me I appreciate and applaud a young fast horse all the more. If there is one race that stands out it would have to be the Trials of the ND Bred Futurity on an obscure Friday night, August 22nd. This race was the third match-up of the meet between juveniles Rockinrollin Nolan and Shake Em Diva. Each had bested the other in their two previous meetings but on this night one left no doubt about who was the best and who was the fastest. Shake Em Diva and jockey Jerry Vaughan’s dramatic move on the outside proved to be the memory of the meet. That orange blur on top of that grayish-white filly was enough to practically sway the trees. Dave Wisdom and Vic Hanson’s would go on to win the ND Bred QH Futurity on Labor Day with another rousing finish but that terrific run in the Trials by Shake Em Diva truly shook me to the core. With three wins in four starts over five weekends, her durability is a testament to trainer Vic Hanson and his staff. She did enough this meet to make her my runaway choice as Horse of the Meet.
Until next August, I’ll see you when the horses return.
Every year the scene is the same. The dust has barely settled on the racetrack and you notice horse trailers in the barn area loading up the equine athletes with an agenda of heading for home. Many will be turned out for the season and it’s a right they have earned because they and their connections all made this 2008 meet a rousing success.
As I see this picture unfold every year I can’t help but hear the distant strains of Auld Lang Syne in my mind. Here in the barn the horses are anonymous; unrecognizable without silks or a saddle cloth number. I wonder who they are and how they did out there on the track. I’m happy for the winners but I can’t help but feel for those who just missed. They say football is a game of inches but horse racing is truly the sport where dreams and heartache are separated by the smallest of margins. Flat-footed at the break, carried out wide on the turn, shut off at the rail; all can spell defeat in the cruelest of fashions.
Races involving photo finishes this year seemed particularly brutal. Two or more horses running their hearts out, giving their connections and supporters a thrill only to wait in silence to see if their number is the one that is posted. Owners and their families wait to walk into the winner’s circle while two horses are circled around and probably wondering what all the fuss is about. I encountered this experience in the meet’s middle weekend when North Dakota-bred maidens Manny Ray and Cody’s Escape hit the wire together in a six furlong contest. You can see the tension on the faces of those involved and the seconds of waiting seem like hours. Minutes earlier the crowd of 2,500 was watching a thrilling, action-packed event now all of their eyes are trained on an inanimate tote board waiting for it to do or say something. This time, the story had a happy ending for both sets of connections as the result was a dead heat. Anxiety is replaced by relief and that bewildered look is captured for posterity in the winner’s circle photo. As a fan or a bettor you are put through the ringer. I can only imagine what the experience feels like for an owner, breeder, trainer or groom.
Some Surprises…Trainers seem to specialize in their areas. Some are better with youngsters, some with claimers, and usually one is either a quarter horse or a thoroughbred specialist. It was unique therefore to watch Bob Johnson win three races in one weekend with thoroughbreds. Johnson’s abilities as a quarter horse trainer are undeniable and even though he is merely “dabbling” in the thoroughbred game to help out some friends he is proving that a good trainer is a good trainer, no matter the breed. The same can be said for Dave Bernhardt who won a few with quarter horses when he normally sticks to thoroughbreds.
The quarter horse racing, particularly in stakes events continues to meet and exceed expectations. The fields comprised for races like the Min Dak Futurity, Red River Derby, Northern Plains Series, and the ND Bred QH Derby and Futurity were among the best in the upper-Midwest. Whatsmore, the races themselves backed up the quality of the fields as they truly were the most exciting seconds of the entire meet.
Some “Sure Things”…With new horses, new jockeys, and a few new owners every year it still amazes me how things tend to hold to form here at the Horse Park. The competition is incredible and fierce but the same “streaks” remain in tact. Do you have a horse to win the Northern Plains Derby or Futurity? Well, you better ask Bob Johnson know about it first. Do you have your eye on the Derby or Futurity for an Open-company quarter horse? You might want to check if Tom Maher’s in town. Or maybe you have a four, five, or six year-old North Dakota-bred thoroughbred who can win some stakes races. Does Dave Bernhardt have one in the race? OK, how about a two or three year old quarter horse who was bred in the Peace Garden State. Ever heard of a couple of guys named Wisdom and Hanson?
Now it’s clear these guys aren’t going to win every race mentioned above but because of their commitment to bringing the best horses they have to Fargo you know you have to go through them to get to the winner’s circle. You know you’re doing something right when it’s “news” when they don’t win a race they are supposed to. I take my hat off to their abilities as horsemen. Their consistent success makes the meet all the more entertaining.
The Takeaway…Like many of us, I love fast horses. As much as fast horses thrill me I appreciate and applaud a young fast horse all the more. If there is one race that stands out it would have to be the Trials of the ND Bred Futurity on an obscure Friday night, August 22nd. This race was the third match-up of the meet between juveniles Rockinrollin Nolan and Shake Em Diva. Each had bested the other in their two previous meetings but on this night one left no doubt about who was the best and who was the fastest. Shake Em Diva and jockey Jerry Vaughan’s dramatic move on the outside proved to be the memory of the meet. That orange blur on top of that grayish-white filly was enough to practically sway the trees. Dave Wisdom and Vic Hanson’s would go on to win the ND Bred QH Futurity on Labor Day with another rousing finish but that terrific run in the Trials by Shake Em Diva truly shook me to the core. With three wins in four starts over five weekends, her durability is a testament to trainer Vic Hanson and his staff. She did enough this meet to make her my runaway choice as Horse of the Meet.
Until next August, I’ll see you when the horses return.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Mid-Meet Musings
Ryan Roshau for HRND
Half of August is gone and that means half of the meet at the Horse Park is history.
The meet has had its valleys but they pale in comparison to the peaks. The weather has been exceptional and it has brought out one impressive crowd after another. Friday nights at the Horse Park continue to be the hottest spot in town and the packed gazebos and lengthy betting and concession lines prove it. Dusk on Friday nights at the Park is a terrific time. How can you top horses parading to the post while a majestic sunset paints the sky off to the left? Add a harvesting combine and you have a postcard summer evening in North Dakota. The Saturday twilight card is a great innovation and it leads to a live concert on track, truly making it a day at the races. Sunday has always been advertised as Family Day but with more events, activities, and exhibits in 2008 it is truly living up to its name.
On the racing side, the meet rolls on and the story lines parallel previous seasons. Bob Johnson and Jake Olesiak are off to hot starts. Dave Bernhardt and Curt Rohweder are ringing up the wins and Vic Hanson and Jerry Vaughan are running very well with the few starters they have. They only race to win as the public and competition know all too well.
The barn area is always a flurry of activity, especially on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings when horses come off the track and trainers dart the grounds on their way to the entry trailer. The scene is a plethora of cell phones, fast writing, and trailer doors opening and closing. It's not the New York Stock Exchange, but it's close. In the midst of all of this activity, leaning against a fence near the paddock are trainers Bob Johnson and Ken Olson and jockeys Jim Beeson and Jerry Vaughan. The four hold court and rib each other about successes and setbacks. There is little doubt there is camaraderie amidst competition here at the Horse Park.
I am always encouraged when a new rider arrives on the scene and this year that pleasant surprise is Don French. The Arizona-based jockey is currently fourth in the rider's standings but he is earning a reputation around the barn as a big money thoroughbred rider. He has eight wins to his name but I expect him to pick up some ripe mounts in the last two weeks and secure another five to ten victories.
On the horse front the best is yet to come. This weekend three marvelous quarter horse races (Min Dak Futurity, Red River Derby, and North Dakota Challenge) will highlight the cards along with the Trials for the North Dakota Bred QH Futurity. If you are a fan of the fastest horses in the world, this is your weekend. Labor Day weekend will decide it all with two thoroughbred stakes and a handful of quarter horse stakes as well. Luminaries Rockinrollin Nolan, Dakota Lane, Hesa Bold Fame, Tiger Jet, Aferds Code Red, and Givem Hell Harley look to make names for themselves in the ensuing weekends.
I can hardly wait to see what is in store.
Half of August is gone and that means half of the meet at the Horse Park is history.
The meet has had its valleys but they pale in comparison to the peaks. The weather has been exceptional and it has brought out one impressive crowd after another. Friday nights at the Horse Park continue to be the hottest spot in town and the packed gazebos and lengthy betting and concession lines prove it. Dusk on Friday nights at the Park is a terrific time. How can you top horses parading to the post while a majestic sunset paints the sky off to the left? Add a harvesting combine and you have a postcard summer evening in North Dakota. The Saturday twilight card is a great innovation and it leads to a live concert on track, truly making it a day at the races. Sunday has always been advertised as Family Day but with more events, activities, and exhibits in 2008 it is truly living up to its name.
On the racing side, the meet rolls on and the story lines parallel previous seasons. Bob Johnson and Jake Olesiak are off to hot starts. Dave Bernhardt and Curt Rohweder are ringing up the wins and Vic Hanson and Jerry Vaughan are running very well with the few starters they have. They only race to win as the public and competition know all too well.
The barn area is always a flurry of activity, especially on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings when horses come off the track and trainers dart the grounds on their way to the entry trailer. The scene is a plethora of cell phones, fast writing, and trailer doors opening and closing. It's not the New York Stock Exchange, but it's close. In the midst of all of this activity, leaning against a fence near the paddock are trainers Bob Johnson and Ken Olson and jockeys Jim Beeson and Jerry Vaughan. The four hold court and rib each other about successes and setbacks. There is little doubt there is camaraderie amidst competition here at the Horse Park.
I am always encouraged when a new rider arrives on the scene and this year that pleasant surprise is Don French. The Arizona-based jockey is currently fourth in the rider's standings but he is earning a reputation around the barn as a big money thoroughbred rider. He has eight wins to his name but I expect him to pick up some ripe mounts in the last two weeks and secure another five to ten victories.
On the horse front the best is yet to come. This weekend three marvelous quarter horse races (Min Dak Futurity, Red River Derby, and North Dakota Challenge) will highlight the cards along with the Trials for the North Dakota Bred QH Futurity. If you are a fan of the fastest horses in the world, this is your weekend. Labor Day weekend will decide it all with two thoroughbred stakes and a handful of quarter horse stakes as well. Luminaries Rockinrollin Nolan, Dakota Lane, Hesa Bold Fame, Tiger Jet, Aferds Code Red, and Givem Hell Harley look to make names for themselves in the ensuing weekends.
I can hardly wait to see what is in store.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Week One at the Horse Park one to remember
Ryan Roshau for HRND
Opening Night came and went for the sixth time but it still takes your breath away to see the grounds teaming with racing fans. 4,000 strong, possibly more headed out to the track to see live racing return to Fargo. Old friends reunited, stories of past races were accounted and above all the burning question of "who do you like?" So many of the Horse Park's loyal fans look forward to this pseudo-holiday and with good reason. It's great to see the place active again and filled with whoops and hollars and trifecta shoulda-woulda-couldas when the tote board lights up official.
One of my favorite races year after year is the North Dakota Bred Futurity which usually kicks off the first weekend. The field is scattered with a horse or two who has made a start but for the most part it is loaded with those who are testing the waters for the first time. I can't recall another race during the meet that awakens such a sense of hope. No one knows what they have and for many of these breeders and owners they might be looking at the best one they ever had. At this stage of their career who knows? For Leigh Backhaus and Sons "the one" may have arrived in the form of the gallant race winner Drawin Bullets. We'll see how he does from here now that he has the Futurity win under his belt.
Why Down on Brown? While the Futurity caught the attention of many racing fans in Fargo another race on the east coast caught the attention of racing fans throughout the nation. Big Brown returned to the track and ran gamely to capture the $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. The Derby and Preakness winner had to grind it out down the lane to catch a supposed B-team horse who was loose on the lead. Critics say he's not the same Big Brown but I'm not convinced. The Triple Crown campaign is a gruelling and taxing endeavor and it often leaves horses spent. Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Funny Cide, and even the almighty Curlin last year have struggled in their first start back after the Triple Crown. Big Brown showed a dimension he never has before; winning with a gritty effort. I wish he would run in the Travers Stakes but it looks like a trip on the turf might be his next start. I expect him to move forward off of this effort.
Opening Night came and went for the sixth time but it still takes your breath away to see the grounds teaming with racing fans. 4,000 strong, possibly more headed out to the track to see live racing return to Fargo. Old friends reunited, stories of past races were accounted and above all the burning question of "who do you like?" So many of the Horse Park's loyal fans look forward to this pseudo-holiday and with good reason. It's great to see the place active again and filled with whoops and hollars and trifecta shoulda-woulda-couldas when the tote board lights up official.
One of my favorite races year after year is the North Dakota Bred Futurity which usually kicks off the first weekend. The field is scattered with a horse or two who has made a start but for the most part it is loaded with those who are testing the waters for the first time. I can't recall another race during the meet that awakens such a sense of hope. No one knows what they have and for many of these breeders and owners they might be looking at the best one they ever had. At this stage of their career who knows? For Leigh Backhaus and Sons "the one" may have arrived in the form of the gallant race winner Drawin Bullets. We'll see how he does from here now that he has the Futurity win under his belt.
Why Down on Brown? While the Futurity caught the attention of many racing fans in Fargo another race on the east coast caught the attention of racing fans throughout the nation. Big Brown returned to the track and ran gamely to capture the $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. The Derby and Preakness winner had to grind it out down the lane to catch a supposed B-team horse who was loose on the lead. Critics say he's not the same Big Brown but I'm not convinced. The Triple Crown campaign is a gruelling and taxing endeavor and it often leaves horses spent. Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Funny Cide, and even the almighty Curlin last year have struggled in their first start back after the Triple Crown. Big Brown showed a dimension he never has before; winning with a gritty effort. I wish he would run in the Travers Stakes but it looks like a trip on the turf might be his next start. I expect him to move forward off of this effort.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Waiting on those Nodakers to shine
Derby Watch
I've been wating most of the summer for something to happen with the North Dakota Bred sophomores and I and my curiosity found ourselves at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday for the $17,500 North Dakota Stallion Stakes. In hindsight, it probably should have been named the South Dakota Stallion Stakes as Rapid City based trainer Ardell Sayler finished 1-2-3. Cabooseontheloose won the race by 12 ½ lengths, defeating Boys Will Be Boys and Ram Charger. The only North Dakota-based horse (Manny Ray) finished sixth for the third time in as many starts. The absence of other North Dakota-breds and the cancellation of the North Dakota Derby in early July have left this year a complete mystery.
The leader of the gang, Givem Hell Harley, also ran on the under card in a six furlong Claiming event. The Devron Leingang trainee finished in seventh after starting off the year with a fifth-place showing in late May. The dual-stakes winner remains the most accomplished of the bunch but his form, like many in this group, appears to need some fine tuning.
Here’s hoping Manny Ray and Givem Hell Harley find their stride in time for the North Dakota Bred Derby here in Fargo where stakes-placed charges R Roxy, and Miss Honey Calling will likely be waiting for them.
Still 'Rollin
Rockinrollin Nolan won another stakes race on Sunday with a victory in Assiniboia's $20,500 Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity. The gelded son of American Native triumphed in the Grass Roots Futurity last month at Chippewa Downs and now adds this stakes to owner Robert Wilson's mantle. Ridden by M. Chet Delorme, 'Nolan went from last to first and showed his tail to the field of six covering the 350 yards in 18.20. The NoDak bred earned a 90 speed index for his performance and is certainly one to keep an eye on as the lucrative futurities in Fargo approach.
Best Kept Secret
If you’re like me and cannot wait for opening day you can have a “sneak peek” of the horses by taking in the morning workouts. On July 25th the training track will expand its track hours to 7am-11am. The horses are anonymous but there’s nothing quite like taking in the action from the rail in the early morning mist. The thundering hooves, the athletic action, it holds me over every year until the real thing commences. It truly is the Horse Park’s best kept secret and I encourage you to take the experience in.
I've been wating most of the summer for something to happen with the North Dakota Bred sophomores and I and my curiosity found ourselves at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday for the $17,500 North Dakota Stallion Stakes. In hindsight, it probably should have been named the South Dakota Stallion Stakes as Rapid City based trainer Ardell Sayler finished 1-2-3. Cabooseontheloose won the race by 12 ½ lengths, defeating Boys Will Be Boys and Ram Charger. The only North Dakota-based horse (Manny Ray) finished sixth for the third time in as many starts. The absence of other North Dakota-breds and the cancellation of the North Dakota Derby in early July have left this year a complete mystery.
The leader of the gang, Givem Hell Harley, also ran on the under card in a six furlong Claiming event. The Devron Leingang trainee finished in seventh after starting off the year with a fifth-place showing in late May. The dual-stakes winner remains the most accomplished of the bunch but his form, like many in this group, appears to need some fine tuning.
Here’s hoping Manny Ray and Givem Hell Harley find their stride in time for the North Dakota Bred Derby here in Fargo where stakes-placed charges R Roxy, and Miss Honey Calling will likely be waiting for them.
Still 'Rollin
Rockinrollin Nolan won another stakes race on Sunday with a victory in Assiniboia's $20,500 Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity. The gelded son of American Native triumphed in the Grass Roots Futurity last month at Chippewa Downs and now adds this stakes to owner Robert Wilson's mantle. Ridden by M. Chet Delorme, 'Nolan went from last to first and showed his tail to the field of six covering the 350 yards in 18.20. The NoDak bred earned a 90 speed index for his performance and is certainly one to keep an eye on as the lucrative futurities in Fargo approach.
Best Kept Secret
If you’re like me and cannot wait for opening day you can have a “sneak peek” of the horses by taking in the morning workouts. On July 25th the training track will expand its track hours to 7am-11am. The horses are anonymous but there’s nothing quite like taking in the action from the rail in the early morning mist. The thundering hooves, the athletic action, it holds me over every year until the real thing commences. It truly is the Horse Park’s best kept secret and I encourage you to take the experience in.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Brown Out
by Ryan Roshau
So much for a sure thing.
Hindsight it always 20/20 but it's hard to say we didn't see this coming. This time with Big Brown things were supposed to be different but as the old saying goes, "fools and their money are soon parted."
I thought Big Brown could win and probably should win but I've seen very good horses through the years stopped cold in the Belmont Stakes in their pursuit of the Triple Crown. Everything has to go absolutely perfect in the Derby, Preakness and finally the Belmont. That is a great deal to ask and was it not Meatloaf, the wise sage, who pined Two out of Three Ain't Bad?
The demand for perfection is what makes winning the Triple Crown the toughest feat to accomplish in sports and passing the ultimate test is not (contrary to Rick Dutrow's belief) a foregone conclusion. Time on the track and fitness lost due to the quarter crack, the third tough race in only five weeks, the bad post and high temperatures, all seemed to align against "Brownie". That, coupled with the brash comments by Dutrow and co-owner Michael Iavarone probably meant karma was not standing at the window betting on Big Brown.
Only 20 seconds into the race I had to wince when Big Brown's head flung up high, rank and restrained by jockey Kent Desourmeaux. So much for the perfect trip. When he was carried out wide on the backstretch, it was another bad sign. As they approached the far turn you could see Desormeaux going to work, asking the question of the 1-4 favorite but the big horse provided no answer.
In the aftermath, Big Brown's connections didn't have the answers either. The horse was pulled up promptly as the field entered the stretch and wound up last in the field of nine. There were no physical ailments, only a tired horse who went from a career of beating everyone to a race where he beat no one.
Because of all the earlier mentioned points, I wasn't shocked he lost. An hour before the Belmont a the HRND Belmont Pary I visited with serveral seasoned horsemen (whom I hold in high regard) who voiced their reservations about Big Brown's fitness and the fact that he had rundown in his previous race. We came to a consensus that he will either prove to be the best and win in spite of himself or he would not hit the board. Turns out there was something behind door number two.
Looking back on it, I am a little suprised and frankly disappointed by how many industry "experts" jumped on the foregone conclusion bandwagon. Analysist were trying to out-do one another and the discussion became not if Big Brown would win but by how much? TVG became a week-long lovefest dedicated to Big Brown and his pursuit of greatness. Much of their telecast, in fact, was sponsored by IEAH Stable who owns Big Brown. I am all for shining the spotlight on the sport's stars but these guys are supposed to be in the handicapping business and they lost some credibility with me when not a single one of them made it interesting and went out on a limb to pick against Big Brown or at least give us a longshot possibility. By sunset Saturday, their thoughts and opinions layed scattered like so many worthless win tickets on Big Brown.
Now we move forward and hope that on another sunny Saturday we will have the opportunity to see the real Big Brown again. I hope that is the case because I don't want to remember him as the horse who was slowed to a cantor and walked over the wire in his last race. Here's hoping he's healthy and the connections send him out in glory with another race or two. I hope there is at least one more in the Travers at Saratoga in August on the same track where he broke his maiden. That would be a fitting final chapter to the Big Brown story.
But for now we turn the page and maintain that someday, a decade from now or perhaps sooner, a Triple Crown will be won. The right horse will come along and the racing gods will once again smile on some fortunate three year old and those that surround him.
It will happen but when it does, it won't be easy.
So much for a sure thing.
Hindsight it always 20/20 but it's hard to say we didn't see this coming. This time with Big Brown things were supposed to be different but as the old saying goes, "fools and their money are soon parted."
I thought Big Brown could win and probably should win but I've seen very good horses through the years stopped cold in the Belmont Stakes in their pursuit of the Triple Crown. Everything has to go absolutely perfect in the Derby, Preakness and finally the Belmont. That is a great deal to ask and was it not Meatloaf, the wise sage, who pined Two out of Three Ain't Bad?
The demand for perfection is what makes winning the Triple Crown the toughest feat to accomplish in sports and passing the ultimate test is not (contrary to Rick Dutrow's belief) a foregone conclusion. Time on the track and fitness lost due to the quarter crack, the third tough race in only five weeks, the bad post and high temperatures, all seemed to align against "Brownie". That, coupled with the brash comments by Dutrow and co-owner Michael Iavarone probably meant karma was not standing at the window betting on Big Brown.
Only 20 seconds into the race I had to wince when Big Brown's head flung up high, rank and restrained by jockey Kent Desourmeaux. So much for the perfect trip. When he was carried out wide on the backstretch, it was another bad sign. As they approached the far turn you could see Desormeaux going to work, asking the question of the 1-4 favorite but the big horse provided no answer.
In the aftermath, Big Brown's connections didn't have the answers either. The horse was pulled up promptly as the field entered the stretch and wound up last in the field of nine. There were no physical ailments, only a tired horse who went from a career of beating everyone to a race where he beat no one.
Because of all the earlier mentioned points, I wasn't shocked he lost. An hour before the Belmont a the HRND Belmont Pary I visited with serveral seasoned horsemen (whom I hold in high regard) who voiced their reservations about Big Brown's fitness and the fact that he had rundown in his previous race. We came to a consensus that he will either prove to be the best and win in spite of himself or he would not hit the board. Turns out there was something behind door number two.
Looking back on it, I am a little suprised and frankly disappointed by how many industry "experts" jumped on the foregone conclusion bandwagon. Analysist were trying to out-do one another and the discussion became not if Big Brown would win but by how much? TVG became a week-long lovefest dedicated to Big Brown and his pursuit of greatness. Much of their telecast, in fact, was sponsored by IEAH Stable who owns Big Brown. I am all for shining the spotlight on the sport's stars but these guys are supposed to be in the handicapping business and they lost some credibility with me when not a single one of them made it interesting and went out on a limb to pick against Big Brown or at least give us a longshot possibility. By sunset Saturday, their thoughts and opinions layed scattered like so many worthless win tickets on Big Brown.
Now we move forward and hope that on another sunny Saturday we will have the opportunity to see the real Big Brown again. I hope that is the case because I don't want to remember him as the horse who was slowed to a cantor and walked over the wire in his last race. Here's hoping he's healthy and the connections send him out in glory with another race or two. I hope there is at least one more in the Travers at Saratoga in August on the same track where he broke his maiden. That would be a fitting final chapter to the Big Brown story.
But for now we turn the page and maintain that someday, a decade from now or perhaps sooner, a Triple Crown will be won. The right horse will come along and the racing gods will once again smile on some fortunate three year old and those that surround him.
It will happen but when it does, it won't be easy.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Big Brown’s Belmont anything but a foregone conclusion
--Ryan Roshau, NDHP
The Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown is the best three year-old in the world. His brilliant dominance through the first two legs of the Triple Crown have been electrifying. He is the CEO, Head of the Class, and American Idol all rolled into one.
So why should things be any different at 5:27pm on Saturday, June 5th?
Because it’s horse racing and it’s the Belmont Stakes.
The greatest mystery novelists have nothing on the script that the Triple Crown creates year after year. The past thirty years, the Triple Crown trail has been littered with tails of woe so unique that it makes one wonder what could possibly be next. Ten times “the one” has been denied. A safety pin in Spectacular Bid’s hoof, Real Quiet losing by an heartbreaking nose, and a bad break at the gate by War Emblem. Forget about mysteries, these Belmont ballads have been horror stories.
Most racing fans get up and dust themselves off, curse the racing gods, and relish thoughts that someday a horse will come along and make it all worth our while.
And here we go again.
There seem to be two sides to the Big Brown story. There is his boisterous trainer who has rubbed some the wrong way with his overconfidence, and a brash and brassy group of Wall Street Investors-turned thoroughbred owners. Rick Dutrow and Michael Iavarone have spotty pasts and their demeanors throughout this Triple Crown season haven’t exactly warmed the hearts of Americans the way Lucien Laurin and Penny Chenery did in the past.
But then there is this big, beautiful, I can’t-wait-‘til-he-runs-again-because-he’s-so-darn- impressive-to-watch-horse. He is captivating and your mind wanders when you think about what his talents make him capable of doing. His ability to overcome all obstacles and dispatch his rivals leaves you breathless. His record his perfect and he's done everything that's been asked of him, including the impossible. And in the end, shouldn’t that be what it’s all about?
We may be in for another breathtaking performance on Saturday but others, playing the role of spoiler, will line up. The cast of Stage Door Johnnies step up and state their case as to why they have a shot to deny history.
Leading the parade is Casino Drive, the American-bred, Japanese-based chestnut. His dam Better Than Honour seeks a Triple Crown of her own as she has foaled the last two winners of the Belmont Stakes (Jazil in 2006 and Rags to Riches in 2007). He has only two career starts but in his last race he won the Peter Pan Stakes impressively at Belmont when his connections say he was “only at 75%” after his travels from the Far East. Last week, Edgar Prado was named as his jockey. Not only is Prado regarded by many as the most patient and talented rider when it comes to Belmont, but he has also foiled two previous Triple Crown bids in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Pedigree experts will cite that Casino Drive is the best bred for the Belmont’s 1 ½ mile distance. Critics say he can’t achieve such a feat in his third career start. But didn’t they say Big Brown couldn’t win the Derby in his fourth start? Is there room for only one over-achiever this spring?
Four Belmonts in the past five years have been won by horses who ran on the first weekend in May at Churchill Downs in Kentucky then rested five weeks before prevailing in the Belmont. Is this a trend? If so, Denis of Cork and Tale of Ekati deserve a look. Granted, both horses where severely dusted by Big Brown in the Derby but they have been training well and have had the right timing between their workouts. Denis of Cork finished strongly from far back to be third in the Derby but expect him to be a little closer to the pace on Saturday. Tale of Ekati ran fourth in Louisville and he was promptly returned to Belmont Park where he has been training…and waiting. He is 2 for 2 at Big Sandy (Belmont) and his trainer Barclay Tagg now plays the roadblock role after he was denied a Triple Crown of his own with Funny Cide five years ago.
Another odd statistic lays in the fact that Kentucky Derby winners simply don’t win the Belmont. Only one Derby winner (Thunder Gulch in 1995) has won the Belmont in the last 23 years. If you consider all the Triple Crown busts along the way, maybe there is something in a horse’s form that simply doesn’t carry over between Churchill Downs and Belmont Park.
And then there is “hoofgate”. Big Brown’s quarter crack has received more media attention than the buildup to the race itself. I am not concerned with the quarter-crack. If the trainer and vets say it is good, I believe it. I am mildly concerned with the timing, however and the fact that his action on the track has been reduced to a couple of gallops and only one serious breeze. Reports say Big Brown is full of himself and ready to go and he was a bit rank at the start of his workout. I hope the edge came off of him a bit because if he’s rank early in the Belmont in a race void of any early pace to challenge him, that could prove to be costly.
Big Brown has already shown in his brief and brilliant career that he has the ability to overcome. He does things regular horses simply cannot do. And ultimately, it should be about the fastest horse. Big Brown has push-button acceleration but the strong, steady, sustained move is what it takes to win the Belmont. If he relaxes and responds to jockey Kent Desormeaux at all the right times, we will be in for a coronation. If he regresses or another horse steps up, we could be in for a great stretch run, something Big Brown, dominant in all of his races, has yet to encounter and I for one would love to see what would happen if another horse looks him in the eye.
As fans of racing, setting the table with a Triple Crown possibility is the greatest banquet we can ask for. It is particularly tantalizing this year because more than ever, the signs point to this being the right horse at the right time. He could win, in fact, he should win.
But if history is any indication, please don’t consider this a foregone conclusion.
The Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown is the best three year-old in the world. His brilliant dominance through the first two legs of the Triple Crown have been electrifying. He is the CEO, Head of the Class, and American Idol all rolled into one.
So why should things be any different at 5:27pm on Saturday, June 5th?
Because it’s horse racing and it’s the Belmont Stakes.
The greatest mystery novelists have nothing on the script that the Triple Crown creates year after year. The past thirty years, the Triple Crown trail has been littered with tails of woe so unique that it makes one wonder what could possibly be next. Ten times “the one” has been denied. A safety pin in Spectacular Bid’s hoof, Real Quiet losing by an heartbreaking nose, and a bad break at the gate by War Emblem. Forget about mysteries, these Belmont ballads have been horror stories.
Most racing fans get up and dust themselves off, curse the racing gods, and relish thoughts that someday a horse will come along and make it all worth our while.
And here we go again.
There seem to be two sides to the Big Brown story. There is his boisterous trainer who has rubbed some the wrong way with his overconfidence, and a brash and brassy group of Wall Street Investors-turned thoroughbred owners. Rick Dutrow and Michael Iavarone have spotty pasts and their demeanors throughout this Triple Crown season haven’t exactly warmed the hearts of Americans the way Lucien Laurin and Penny Chenery did in the past.
But then there is this big, beautiful, I can’t-wait-‘til-he-runs-again-because-he’s-so-darn- impressive-to-watch-horse. He is captivating and your mind wanders when you think about what his talents make him capable of doing. His ability to overcome all obstacles and dispatch his rivals leaves you breathless. His record his perfect and he's done everything that's been asked of him, including the impossible. And in the end, shouldn’t that be what it’s all about?
We may be in for another breathtaking performance on Saturday but others, playing the role of spoiler, will line up. The cast of Stage Door Johnnies step up and state their case as to why they have a shot to deny history.
Leading the parade is Casino Drive, the American-bred, Japanese-based chestnut. His dam Better Than Honour seeks a Triple Crown of her own as she has foaled the last two winners of the Belmont Stakes (Jazil in 2006 and Rags to Riches in 2007). He has only two career starts but in his last race he won the Peter Pan Stakes impressively at Belmont when his connections say he was “only at 75%” after his travels from the Far East. Last week, Edgar Prado was named as his jockey. Not only is Prado regarded by many as the most patient and talented rider when it comes to Belmont, but he has also foiled two previous Triple Crown bids in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Pedigree experts will cite that Casino Drive is the best bred for the Belmont’s 1 ½ mile distance. Critics say he can’t achieve such a feat in his third career start. But didn’t they say Big Brown couldn’t win the Derby in his fourth start? Is there room for only one over-achiever this spring?
Four Belmonts in the past five years have been won by horses who ran on the first weekend in May at Churchill Downs in Kentucky then rested five weeks before prevailing in the Belmont. Is this a trend? If so, Denis of Cork and Tale of Ekati deserve a look. Granted, both horses where severely dusted by Big Brown in the Derby but they have been training well and have had the right timing between their workouts. Denis of Cork finished strongly from far back to be third in the Derby but expect him to be a little closer to the pace on Saturday. Tale of Ekati ran fourth in Louisville and he was promptly returned to Belmont Park where he has been training…and waiting. He is 2 for 2 at Big Sandy (Belmont) and his trainer Barclay Tagg now plays the roadblock role after he was denied a Triple Crown of his own with Funny Cide five years ago.
Another odd statistic lays in the fact that Kentucky Derby winners simply don’t win the Belmont. Only one Derby winner (Thunder Gulch in 1995) has won the Belmont in the last 23 years. If you consider all the Triple Crown busts along the way, maybe there is something in a horse’s form that simply doesn’t carry over between Churchill Downs and Belmont Park.
And then there is “hoofgate”. Big Brown’s quarter crack has received more media attention than the buildup to the race itself. I am not concerned with the quarter-crack. If the trainer and vets say it is good, I believe it. I am mildly concerned with the timing, however and the fact that his action on the track has been reduced to a couple of gallops and only one serious breeze. Reports say Big Brown is full of himself and ready to go and he was a bit rank at the start of his workout. I hope the edge came off of him a bit because if he’s rank early in the Belmont in a race void of any early pace to challenge him, that could prove to be costly.
Big Brown has already shown in his brief and brilliant career that he has the ability to overcome. He does things regular horses simply cannot do. And ultimately, it should be about the fastest horse. Big Brown has push-button acceleration but the strong, steady, sustained move is what it takes to win the Belmont. If he relaxes and responds to jockey Kent Desormeaux at all the right times, we will be in for a coronation. If he regresses or another horse steps up, we could be in for a great stretch run, something Big Brown, dominant in all of his races, has yet to encounter and I for one would love to see what would happen if another horse looks him in the eye.
As fans of racing, setting the table with a Triple Crown possibility is the greatest banquet we can ask for. It is particularly tantalizing this year because more than ever, the signs point to this being the right horse at the right time. He could win, in fact, he should win.
But if history is any indication, please don’t consider this a foregone conclusion.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Triple Crown foils have proven lucrative in past
WARNING: The following message may contain information that could make some Big Brown fans uneasy.
Even the heartiest of Big Brown supporters has to be entering Saturday's Belmont Stakes with a bit of trepidation. He is clearly the best in the field on paper and he should win the final leg of the Triple Crown and secure his place in history. However, if an upset is looming, the winner could offer a boxcar payoff so the Belmont could be a great handicapper's race.
How you may ask? Well, if the past is any indicator the Belmont has produced some the biggest returns on win tickets over the past decade. The favorite going for the Triple Crown is often bet down to odds-on (1-1 or less) and others tend to float up in price. Based on his accomplishments over the rest of this year's field, Big Brown deserves to be a 4-5 or 3-5 favorite. But there promises to be thousands of $2.00 win tickets made for those souvenier hounds who hope to make a little extra cash on ebay if Derby and Preakness winner should triumph. As a result, Big Brown could drift down to as low as 2-5 or 1-2. What that does is inflate some other prices of legitmate contenders to some very tempting levels.
Something to consider: The last four times the Triple Crown was on the line (all foiled, of course) the average win ticket for a $2.00 bet was $68.40. Lemon Drop Kid was 29-1 when he upset Charismatic, Sarava was 70-1 when he denied War Emblem, and Birdstone was 36-1 when he collared Smarty Jones. When Funny Cide lost his date with destiny, 2-1 second choice Empire Maker was the winner.
Will another long shot in the 30-1 range steal the scene this year? The odds are against it, certainly, but there is little or no value in backing Big Brown and it might be worth a thrill to take a look at a long shot in Saturday's race who might add his name to the long list of spoilers.
Even the heartiest of Big Brown supporters has to be entering Saturday's Belmont Stakes with a bit of trepidation. He is clearly the best in the field on paper and he should win the final leg of the Triple Crown and secure his place in history. However, if an upset is looming, the winner could offer a boxcar payoff so the Belmont could be a great handicapper's race.
How you may ask? Well, if the past is any indicator the Belmont has produced some the biggest returns on win tickets over the past decade. The favorite going for the Triple Crown is often bet down to odds-on (1-1 or less) and others tend to float up in price. Based on his accomplishments over the rest of this year's field, Big Brown deserves to be a 4-5 or 3-5 favorite. But there promises to be thousands of $2.00 win tickets made for those souvenier hounds who hope to make a little extra cash on ebay if Derby and Preakness winner should triumph. As a result, Big Brown could drift down to as low as 2-5 or 1-2. What that does is inflate some other prices of legitmate contenders to some very tempting levels.
Something to consider: The last four times the Triple Crown was on the line (all foiled, of course) the average win ticket for a $2.00 bet was $68.40. Lemon Drop Kid was 29-1 when he upset Charismatic, Sarava was 70-1 when he denied War Emblem, and Birdstone was 36-1 when he collared Smarty Jones. When Funny Cide lost his date with destiny, 2-1 second choice Empire Maker was the winner.
Will another long shot in the 30-1 range steal the scene this year? The odds are against it, certainly, but there is little or no value in backing Big Brown and it might be worth a thrill to take a look at a long shot in Saturday's race who might add his name to the long list of spoilers.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Cover-All Pavilion to be a new feature at the North Dakota Horse Park!
Horse Race North Dakota and NorthStar Cover-All are pleased to announce their partnership in the new “Cover-All Pavilion” to be constructed on the grounds of the North Dakota Horse Park racetrack in Fargo, North Dakota.
The 40 foot by 160 foot structure will house the Horse Park pari-mutual betting and race day concessions as well as provide a year-round venue for Horse Park activities such as horse shows, clinics, snowmobile races and other public events. Since opening for live racing 5 years ago, the North Dakota Horse Park has rented a temporary tent structure to serve as a betting and concession area but as Horse Race North Dakota General Manager, Heather Benson, put it, “It is now time to expand what we can do and when we can do it by putting a year round building in place. “This building will not only be home to our betting and concessions areas during the race meet, it will allow us to offer vending booths to horse-related businesses and a place to have speakers and events throughout the year,” said Benson.
The building was made possible by the partnership with NorthStar Cover-All, the local Authorized Dealer of Cover-All Building Systems. As a named and sponsored building on the Horse Park grounds, which attract over 50,000 yearly visitors, Cover-All receives the benefits of target marketing through this new venue to display their product while the Horse Park was given a significant discount to make the project a possibility on the non-profit corporation’s limited budget. “We obviously see the potential in coming together on this so we worked hard to ‘sharpen our pencil’ in regards to pricing this project,” said Troy Jurek of NorthStar Cover-All. “We had to make this work because I already told my daughter about it and she is very excited [to go to the races],” said Ben Fox of NorthStar Cover-All.
The 40 foot by 160 foot structure will house the Horse Park pari-mutual betting and race day concessions as well as provide a year-round venue for Horse Park activities such as horse shows, clinics, snowmobile races and other public events. Since opening for live racing 5 years ago, the North Dakota Horse Park has rented a temporary tent structure to serve as a betting and concession area but as Horse Race North Dakota General Manager, Heather Benson, put it, “It is now time to expand what we can do and when we can do it by putting a year round building in place. “This building will not only be home to our betting and concessions areas during the race meet, it will allow us to offer vending booths to horse-related businesses and a place to have speakers and events throughout the year,” said Benson.
The building was made possible by the partnership with NorthStar Cover-All, the local Authorized Dealer of Cover-All Building Systems. As a named and sponsored building on the Horse Park grounds, which attract over 50,000 yearly visitors, Cover-All receives the benefits of target marketing through this new venue to display their product while the Horse Park was given a significant discount to make the project a possibility on the non-profit corporation’s limited budget. “We obviously see the potential in coming together on this so we worked hard to ‘sharpen our pencil’ in regards to pricing this project,” said Troy Jurek of NorthStar Cover-All. “We had to make this work because I already told my daughter about it and she is very excited [to go to the races],” said Ben Fox of NorthStar Cover-All.
New ADW signs with Horse Race North Dakota!
News Announcement
May 21, 2008
For immediate release:
Horse Race North Dakota/North Dakota Horse Park racetrack is pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement with Silks Corporation, a division of Sungold International Holdings Corporation, to operate a new online Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) site “racingtheworld.com”. As part of their festivities planned for Belmont Stakes day on Saturday, June 7, they will be introducing the new website and its affiliate magazine, ThoroughbredStyle, to the public.
As part of the agreement with Silks Corporation, a designated portion of the handle will go directly for purse enhancements at the North Dakota Horse Park. “This will be one of the first ADW’s that gives directly back to the horsemen” explained Heather Benson, General Manager of the North Dakota Horse Park. “Just as some states use racinos or card rooms to build their purses and breed funds, in North Dakota we have put in place a structure where our ADW’s become an integral part of the overall health of the horse racing and breeding industry”. The North Dakota Horse Park hosts a live race meet each summer for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred horses in Fargo, North Dakota. The track boasts some of the largest average field sizes in North America and attracts upwards of 50,000 people over its 16-19 day race meet.
May 21, 2008
For immediate release:
Horse Race North Dakota/North Dakota Horse Park racetrack is pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement with Silks Corporation, a division of Sungold International Holdings Corporation, to operate a new online Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) site “racingtheworld.com”. As part of their festivities planned for Belmont Stakes day on Saturday, June 7, they will be introducing the new website and its affiliate magazine, ThoroughbredStyle, to the public.
As part of the agreement with Silks Corporation, a designated portion of the handle will go directly for purse enhancements at the North Dakota Horse Park. “This will be one of the first ADW’s that gives directly back to the horsemen” explained Heather Benson, General Manager of the North Dakota Horse Park. “Just as some states use racinos or card rooms to build their purses and breed funds, in North Dakota we have put in place a structure where our ADW’s become an integral part of the overall health of the horse racing and breeding industry”. The North Dakota Horse Park hosts a live race meet each summer for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred horses in Fargo, North Dakota. The track boasts some of the largest average field sizes in North America and attracts upwards of 50,000 people over its 16-19 day race meet.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time for Agonizing Anticipation
Is it June 7th yet?
So begins the most agonizing wait in all of sports. Counting down to the Kentucky Derby is tough but waiting for the Belmont Stakes when it Triple Crown is on the line is down right unbearable. I’m checking websites everyday. How is Big Brown doing? Will he get to the big race healthy? How does his competition look?
Because of the soft lineup Big Brown faced in the Preakness the Triple Crown countdown started earlier than usual the year. His easy trip down the lane in Baltimore sent a signal that Big Brown’s Belmont could turn out to be the happy ending we’ve been waiting 30 years for.
I love this sport and I know what at Triple Crown will mean to the game. But in most years, I keep my feelings in check when it comes to a horse sweeping the “big three”. I’m a positive individual but if there’s one thing I learned about this game is the fact that it is not for widows and orphans. Belmont can and often has been Heartbreak Hotel.
In my racing lifetime I have seen eight chances come and go. My first cruel date with destiny was as a 12 year-old fan of Alysheba in 1987. In front of my adoring eyes, he won the Derby and Preakness in dramatic fashion. He was on Good Morning America and the front page of the USA Today. Surely he would win the Belmont and become a household name. Not so fast. One of the best racehorses of the decade finished a weary fourth, dusted 15 lengths by Derby and Preakness runner-up Bet Twice.
Since then, I have carried an air of skepticism when a horse heads to the Belmont with an eye on wearing the crown. Something in the back of my mind always told me this final test of the champion wouldn’t be as easy as all the experts said it would be. This is the toughest task the game has to offer. To run and win at a mile and a half after you had just won two of the toughest races of your life against the best your generation has to offer.
Quite often, racing fans have been punched in the gut when it comes to the Belmont. We are naturally disappointed but I always thought the long delay only strengthens the game, and I keep telling myself we have to wait for the right horse. The one. It would make it all worth it when he gets here.
So is now the time? Is Big Brown the one? Is this the one we’ve waited 30 years for much like another generation in the early 70’s waited for Secretariat to break a then quarter-century drought? All signs (more than any of the other aforementioned attempts) point to this finally being the year. Why? I think the biggest key is the fact that this could be the first Triple Crown winner who didn’t have to “compete” in the Preakness. Kent Desormeaux asked Big Brown to run for about an eighth of a mile and then went back to wrapping him up. He could have exploded and put on a show winning by 15 in track record time but the jockey knew the ultimate goal was having a fresh horse in three weeks. Funny Cide and Smarty Jones shattered the competition in Baltimore and they may have left too much on the track. As a result, they weren’t the same in the Belmont.
Another factor is Big Brown’s disposition. The media swarm, the large crowd of screaming fans will in all probability not be a factor. His ability to stand back and take it all in is practically legendary. Above all, he has won all of his races easily and has displayed his class over all of his foes. If he shows his usual push-button acceleration, he doesn’t appear to have a major challenger in this field.
Or does he? As if we didn’t have enough drama leading up to the Belmont there is the story of Casino Drive. The mystery horse from Japan is impeccably bred to get the Belmont distance and he is out of Better Than Honour, the mare that has produced the last two Belmont Stakes winners (Jazil and Rags to Riches, respectively). On May 10th, Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park by five lengths, dominating his competition the way Big Brown has been dominating his. Desourmeaux rode Casino Drive that day and has been offering hints that Big Brown will have a major challenger in the Belmont if the lightly-raced Casino Drive runs to his ability. Are the planets aligning for another spoiler? Another Belmont bust?
That’s right; we have to wait to find out.
We’ll be reading the stories of confident trainers and expert predictions. Sportcenter highlights and Today Show interviews. Enjoy the build up and the agonizing ecstasy that comes with it.
The Belmont is dubbed as “The Test of the Champion”. With the long distance, grueling campaign, fresh competition, and unique track surface, Big Brown faces the toughest exam of his life. Now we all have to wait for two weeks to see if he will pass it.
So begins the most agonizing wait in all of sports. Counting down to the Kentucky Derby is tough but waiting for the Belmont Stakes when it Triple Crown is on the line is down right unbearable. I’m checking websites everyday. How is Big Brown doing? Will he get to the big race healthy? How does his competition look?
Because of the soft lineup Big Brown faced in the Preakness the Triple Crown countdown started earlier than usual the year. His easy trip down the lane in Baltimore sent a signal that Big Brown’s Belmont could turn out to be the happy ending we’ve been waiting 30 years for.
I love this sport and I know what at Triple Crown will mean to the game. But in most years, I keep my feelings in check when it comes to a horse sweeping the “big three”. I’m a positive individual but if there’s one thing I learned about this game is the fact that it is not for widows and orphans. Belmont can and often has been Heartbreak Hotel.
In my racing lifetime I have seen eight chances come and go. My first cruel date with destiny was as a 12 year-old fan of Alysheba in 1987. In front of my adoring eyes, he won the Derby and Preakness in dramatic fashion. He was on Good Morning America and the front page of the USA Today. Surely he would win the Belmont and become a household name. Not so fast. One of the best racehorses of the decade finished a weary fourth, dusted 15 lengths by Derby and Preakness runner-up Bet Twice.
Since then, I have carried an air of skepticism when a horse heads to the Belmont with an eye on wearing the crown. Something in the back of my mind always told me this final test of the champion wouldn’t be as easy as all the experts said it would be. This is the toughest task the game has to offer. To run and win at a mile and a half after you had just won two of the toughest races of your life against the best your generation has to offer.
Quite often, racing fans have been punched in the gut when it comes to the Belmont. We are naturally disappointed but I always thought the long delay only strengthens the game, and I keep telling myself we have to wait for the right horse. The one. It would make it all worth it when he gets here.
So is now the time? Is Big Brown the one? Is this the one we’ve waited 30 years for much like another generation in the early 70’s waited for Secretariat to break a then quarter-century drought? All signs (more than any of the other aforementioned attempts) point to this finally being the year. Why? I think the biggest key is the fact that this could be the first Triple Crown winner who didn’t have to “compete” in the Preakness. Kent Desormeaux asked Big Brown to run for about an eighth of a mile and then went back to wrapping him up. He could have exploded and put on a show winning by 15 in track record time but the jockey knew the ultimate goal was having a fresh horse in three weeks. Funny Cide and Smarty Jones shattered the competition in Baltimore and they may have left too much on the track. As a result, they weren’t the same in the Belmont.
Another factor is Big Brown’s disposition. The media swarm, the large crowd of screaming fans will in all probability not be a factor. His ability to stand back and take it all in is practically legendary. Above all, he has won all of his races easily and has displayed his class over all of his foes. If he shows his usual push-button acceleration, he doesn’t appear to have a major challenger in this field.
Or does he? As if we didn’t have enough drama leading up to the Belmont there is the story of Casino Drive. The mystery horse from Japan is impeccably bred to get the Belmont distance and he is out of Better Than Honour, the mare that has produced the last two Belmont Stakes winners (Jazil and Rags to Riches, respectively). On May 10th, Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park by five lengths, dominating his competition the way Big Brown has been dominating his. Desourmeaux rode Casino Drive that day and has been offering hints that Big Brown will have a major challenger in the Belmont if the lightly-raced Casino Drive runs to his ability. Are the planets aligning for another spoiler? Another Belmont bust?
That’s right; we have to wait to find out.
We’ll be reading the stories of confident trainers and expert predictions. Sportcenter highlights and Today Show interviews. Enjoy the build up and the agonizing ecstasy that comes with it.
The Belmont is dubbed as “The Test of the Champion”. With the long distance, grueling campaign, fresh competition, and unique track surface, Big Brown faces the toughest exam of his life. Now we all have to wait for two weeks to see if he will pass it.
--Ryan Roshau
Friday, May 16, 2008
Track Manager Notes
The year is starting to shape up for Horse Race North Dakota.
Sunday May 11, I ventured to Aberdeen, S.D. to attend the races at the Brown County Fair Grounds. After a deluge of rain that canceled Saturday's card, Sunday card went with a bang. A large crowd was in attendance.
While I was at the races, I contacted owners and trainers, encouraging them to come to Fargo for our 5 week meet. I was not able to contact everyone and will return next week. Now for the really good news: I received stall apps. for 198 stalls while there. Everyone I talked was excited about coming to Fargo for the races. Of course the most mentioned reason was the quality of our racing surface. We are known as the people with the racing surface that is "kind to the horses."
I discussed our plans for the building project that is in place to replace our tent, and the positive response was overwhelming.
I am looking forward to greeting the owners, and having our barn full of horses for the 2008 race meet.
Sunday May 11, I ventured to Aberdeen, S.D. to attend the races at the Brown County Fair Grounds. After a deluge of rain that canceled Saturday's card, Sunday card went with a bang. A large crowd was in attendance.
While I was at the races, I contacted owners and trainers, encouraging them to come to Fargo for our 5 week meet. I was not able to contact everyone and will return next week. Now for the really good news: I received stall apps. for 198 stalls while there. Everyone I talked was excited about coming to Fargo for the races. Of course the most mentioned reason was the quality of our racing surface. We are known as the people with the racing surface that is "kind to the horses."
I discussed our plans for the building project that is in place to replace our tent, and the positive response was overwhelming.
I am looking forward to greeting the owners, and having our barn full of horses for the 2008 race meet.
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