Remote Possibilities

"Wow! How did you get that shot? It looks like the horse is going to run over you!"
The short answer is "Just stick your camera in the dirt, and fire it with a remote".

Giant Oak (outside) wins the Clark H. at Churchill 10.26.2010. Manual priority, 1/1000 @ f/3.2, iso1250, 200mm

Wendy and I headed out to Stephen Foster Stakes Day at Churchill Downs last Saturday, for what promised to be a nice card and a nice day. After our schedule over the last few weeks, it sounded like fun in the sun.
And me just being me, I wanted to challenge myself to get something a little different... so I brought out the whole kit.

Dr. Ballenger wins at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/1600 @ iso500, f/4.5, +2/3ev, 200mm.

My buddy Alex Evers, a contributor here on CTL Equine, got me started on "remotes" a few years ago. Seeing some of his unique perspectives got me hooked on the possibilities of placing cameras in some unusual spots. Like under the rail at the race track. Or in the starting gate. Or in the overhead trellis at a wedding!

Having the ability to use remotes gives you the chance to get the action from multiple cameras, and therefore multiple perspectives. The photo below frames an iconic backdrop at Churchill Downs.

Dr. Ballenger wins at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/3200 @ iso800, f/4.5, +2/3ev, 50mm

The possibilities are endless. If you can stuff a camera in a spot, you should be able to get a picture from that perspective.

Dr. Ballenger at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/3200 @ iso800, f/4.5, +1/3ev, 15mm fisheye.

Remotes are also great for CYA, (cover your ass). Wendy and I both shot this race hand held as well, she with a 500 on the outside and me with a 300 inside, and went in tight on the #13 horse. Unfortunately for our photos, Dr. Ballenger ran him down at the wire from the outside.

Have I mentioned I'm a "Home run, or Ground Out" kind of shooter? I'm always swinging for the fence. In this case, we both got really nice tight shots... of the second place horse. Ground out. The remotes saved us!

So here's the set-up. Most of the time I will use a set of Pocket Wizards. These units can be set to send or receive a radio signal from another Pocket Wizard.

Pocket Wizard "Multi-Max" in the Receiving camera's hot shoe.

A special cable is required. This one is a Canon '3-pin plug to mini-microphone', with an inline pre-release switch. You can turn the pre-release on to keep the camera "awake" so it fires instantaneously, or leave it off to allow the camera to "sleep".

The other Pocket Wizard can be mounted in another camera hot shoe, and will trigger as the other camera fires, or it can be triggered by hand.
This photo is in our back yard, with the cameras about 3 feet away from each other, but the range for Pocket Wizards is supposed to be 1600 feet. Not too sure I would count on that distance, but they are definitely reliable from the other side of the race track. 

I tend to hold the triggering PW in my left hand, because I don't always want the remote to fire every time I hit my hand held. Plus, I'm usually firing cameras that have different frame-per-second firing rates.














 Here's what the set up looked like last Saturday at the track...
The first photo was taken with the 2-camera set-up. Both are set at 200mm, one is an "innie" and one is an "outie", so I should get a nice tight frame wherever the horses run on the track. Got it with the "outie" this time since the horse ran wide. Did I mention that I missed it with my hand held?

 

 The second photo was taken with the "wide angle" remote. As always, I frame the background (in this case the grandstand), and preset a focal plane for the horses to run through. Notice in the photo info that I set this camera to fire 1 stop faster, 1/3200. The horses are running across the focal plane in the wide angle shot, rather than straight into the camera with the 200mm zoom, so the wide needs to be fast.

The third shot was taken with the fisheye. I used a Magic Arm clamped near the finish line. 

Tip: Do Not clamp to the mirror or any timing devices at the track...lol. 

This Magic Arm and Super Clamp will go about anywhere you can imagine. Like on the starting gate, or the photographer's stand. Or above the trellis at a wedding...

Or under a Steeplechase jump...

Steeplechase at Ky. Horse Park. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/2000 @ iso500, f/4.5, +1/3ev, 16mm.

One of the keys for remotes is setting a focal plane. I pre-focus on a point at which I think the action will occur. Switch the lens off to Manual Focus, so it does not try to Auto-focus during the shot. Then fire on Burst Mode as the action occurs. In horse racing, if I'm preset on the finish line, I'll fire a burst of about 30 frames (at 10 frames per second) as they cross the wire. My goal is to get 2 or 3 frames that are sharp, enabling me to pick good foot position.

Okay, those are some of the basics. There is a LOT to learn about remotes, and a lot that can go wrong. But coming away with a really unique shot is definitely worth the effort. If you want your stuff to look different from everyone else on the sidelines with a camera, give it a try!

To get started you will need, at minimum, 2 Pocket Wizard Plus II and a Release Cable (for Canon). Total investment about $450. An upgrade to the PW's that I like, is the Pocket Wizard Multi-Max.

At big events we "hard wire" the remote cameras using lamp cable, since there is so much radio interference from cell phones and TV transmission, but the Pocket Wizards are good for 90% of the time. 

We love to hear your comments! Or if you have a question, and I will try to answer it.

Photo: Alex Evers.

Capture the Light Equine is pleased to announce our Fall Bluegrass Equine Photography Workshop!
We had such positive response from our Spring Workshop, we are doing it again November 1-3. Conveniently planned for the week before the Breeder's Cup, this class will be limited to 9 participants with 3 EquiSport instructors. We will visit some pretty cool spots in the Bluegrass for equine photography, like Old Friends, Keeneland, Kenny McPeek's training center, and Spendthrift Farm. Check out the details and drop us a line!

"Dialed In - Disconnected"... Derby Top 21 for March 7th.

Wow! What was up with DIALED IN?
Okay, it was his first 2-turn, mile and an eighth race, and against older rivals.
But, Dialed In just couldn't get past the Equestrio, who took a hard right at the wire, drifting out 6 paths. And, Dialed In was getting 7 pounds from the winner, who happened to be his stablemate.
This is our #2 horse on the Kentucky Derby Trail? I don't think so.

Equestrio beats stablemate Dialed In. Photo: Joe Ganley/EquiSport Photos 1/1250th @ f/4, iso 1250, 200mm.

I'm still trying to figure out what Dialed In got out of this race. He rated last of 5 horses off of a pedestrian pace, got a ton of dirt kicked in his face, and just failed to fire when asked.

Trainer Nick Zito was obviously searching for positives, "The horse that beat him isn't a bad horse. It was two turns too; they were older horses; and there was no speed in the race." Zito continued,  "I would have liked to win, but I have to be happy. It was a mile and an eighth over the track. He made the mile and an eighth."
Okay great Nick... he finished the race.  Yet another Derby contender just dropped a few spots.

Julien Leparoux seems intent on seeing the Mineshaft colt through to the Derby.  "We got a trip, a good teaching trip, but there was no pace unfortunately," Leparoux said. "It's horse racing -- he's going to have horses next to him in the Derby, so he's got to learn that.
Hello Julien.... there were 5 horses in this race. You have horses next to you during training hours.


STAY THIRSTY seems to be the only horse staying on form over the past couple of months, and prevailed in the Gotham Stakes (G3) Saturday. I wouldn't call it a brilliant win, but the Bernardini colt has to move up the Derby Trail a few notches, if only because others are moving backwards.

Stay Thirsty wins the Gotham S. Photo: Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f/2.8, iso 1600, 180mm

After breaking poorly, Ramon Dominguez guided Stay Thirsty in mid pack through easy fractions, before taking charge coming out of the turn. "I was very happy with him. He gave me whatever I asked him, and he galloped out very strong, too."

Owner Mike Repole now has 2 of the Top 5 ranked colts including Stay Thirsty's stablemate, Uncle Mo, as the #1 ranked horse. Never at a loss for words, Repole is happy for Stay Thirsty to have some time in the spotlight. "I couldn't be any happier for this horse, because I keep hearing about 'Mo's shadow' and 'stablemate' and this is one of the top six three-year-olds in the country," he said after the race. "Today is all about Stay Thirsty and I think he proved that when you get away from Boys At Tosconova and you get away from Uncle Mo, this is a pretty special horse.

MY COMMENTS... since you stopped by.
This 2 or 3 race training method of getting fresh horses to the Derby is NOT working for most. Everybody seems to be going backwards. Way too much emphasis is being placed on pedigree, 2YO stats, dosage, Beyer figs, hair style..... whatev! Give me a break.
Those who base a Derby contender list based on history and statistics are missing one key ingredient... experience. Horses with little to no 3YO experience are getting knocked off like flies.
If you're going to get in the gate with 19 other strapping young 3 year olds, you better have some battle field experience. Two races at 3 ain't enough experience.

To me, it seems that horses are moving DOWN the list his year, rather than anyone making a move up. No one is racing against strong fields. Last weeks' "also ran" sort of inherits a better spot in the Top 20, as this weeks' "golden boy" gets dusted.

Dialed in is a perfect example of a horse backing up. He was #2  on a lot of lists until now. Zito ran him today to dodge Uncle Mo, and lost in an Allowance Optional Claimer! Who has he beaten so far? Oh yeah... Sweet Ducky.
So now, he moves down the list, and a few "also rans" go past him.

The same could be said for Uncle Mo and Jaycito? They haven't run since last November, but they stay in the Top 5 because other horses get bumped. Jaycito finished 7th in the BC  4 months ago.. and he's 5th in the rankings? Really?
To Honor And Serve dropped to #8 after getting beat by an Allowance winner, Soldat.

This light training regimen (and losing) gives a little more credibility to a horse like Gourmet Dinner, for at least being battle tested. He had more than enough earnings from winning the flukish Delta Jackpot last year.  But, to his credit, he has not dodged the competition, running 3rd in the Holy Bull and 2nd in the Fountain of Youth. Give me a Gourmet Dinner any day over a Dialed In.

All that said, we have yet to see a break out performance like a Quality Road or an I Want Revenge. Maybe by April 3rd we'll finally see a horse race, in the Florida Derby.

"THE WORD" DERBY TOP 21 for 3.07.2011

Rank Horse (Sire)
1 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie)
2 SOLDAT (War Front)
3 MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno)
4 STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini)
5 GOURMET DINNER (Trippi)
6 BRETHREN (Distorted Humor)
7 JAYCITO (Victory Gallop)
8 TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini)
9 ASTROLOGY (AP Indy)
10 DIALED IN (Mineshaft)
11 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway)
12 SWAY AWAY (Afleet Alex)
13 ARCHARCHARCH (Arch)
14 ROGUE ROMANCE (Smarty Jones)
15 ANTHONY'S CROSS (Indian Charlie)
16 TOBY'S CORNER (Bellamy Road)
17 FLASHPOINT (Pomeroy)
18 SILVER MEDALLION (Badge of Silver)
19 WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid)
20 JP'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal)
21 SWEET DUCKY (Pulpit)

All for now... mw.

Noble's Promise takes Leap on Trail

Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos


The Derby is not won in March, but the preps this month do help weed out the pretenders from the contenders.
NOBLE'S PROMISE added his name as a live horse with an impressive 2nd against winning Super Horse, LOOKIN' AT LUCKY, in the REBEL. The eventual winner overcame a near collision on the back-stretch, showed a lot of determination down the lane, and prevailed. Those two will doubtless meet again. DUBLIN held on for 3rd, to add to his dubious record of non-wins.
For you non-believers in ODYSSEUS, the TAMPA BAY DERBY was very enlightening. Even discounted by the track announcer ("Odysseus will have to wait for another day"), the winner regrouped more than once to beat SCHOOLYARD DREAMS by a head-bob. SUPER SAVER, who just needed to race, was a game 3rd. Less than a length separated the top 3.
INTERACTIF, finished 2nd in the SAN FELIPE, but showed more to me than the winner, looking like he wants more. SIDNEY'S CANDY, the wire to wire winner, remains something of a question mark for the Classic distance. 3rd place finisher CARACORTADO kept the Cinderella story alive, barely, for trainer Michael Machowsky.
ESKENDEREYA, who has had the most impressive showing of the year, in the Fountain of Youth, is back Saturday in the FLORIDA DERBY. Look for him to solidify his credentials.

Rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner
1 ESKENDEREYA Giant's Causeway Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Zayat
2/20 GP 1st in Fountain of Youth (G2), 10/4 BP 1st in Pilgrim S.
2 LOOKIN' AT LUCKY Smart Strike Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez Pegram, Watson, Weitman
3/13 OP 1st in the Rebel (G2), 12/19 HW 1st in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 11/7 SA 2nd in BC Juvenile (G1), 9/6 DM 1st in Del Mar Futurity (G1)
3 NOBLE'S PROMISE Cuvee Ken McPeek Robby Albarado Chasing Dreams Racing
3/13 OP 2nd in the Rebel (G2), 12/19 HW 2nd in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 10/10 KEE 1st in Breeder's Futurity (G1)
4 ODYSSEUS Malibu Moon Tom Albertrani Rajiv Maragh Padua Stables
3/13 TB 1st in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), TB 2/17 1st in Allowance by 15 lengths
5 SUPER SAVER Maria's Mon Todd Pletcher Calvin Borel Winstar
3/13 TB 3rd in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), 11/28 CD 1st in Ky. Jockey Club (G2).
6 INTERACTIF Broken Vow Todd Pletcher Kent Desormeaux Wertheimer & Frere
3/13 SA 2nd in the San Felipe (G2), 2/7 GP 2nd in Hallendale Beach, 11/7 SA 2nd in BC Juvenile Turf (G1)
7 AWESOME ACT Awesome Again Jeremy Noseda Julien Leparoux Susan Roy and Vinery Stables
3/6 AQ 1st in Gotham (G3)
8 RULE Roman Ruler Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Winstar
2/13 TB 1st in Sam F Davis (G3), 12/4 FG 1st in Delta Jackpot (G3)
9 DISCREETLY MINE Mineshaft Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano Paul Robsham Stables
2/20 FG 1st in Risen Star (G2)
10 DUBLIN Afleet Alex D. Wayne Lukas Cory Nakatani Robert Baker, William Mack
3/13 OP 3rd in the Rebel (G2), 2/20 OP 2nd in Southwest S. (G3), 11/1 CD 7th in Iroquois (G3), 10/1 BP 5th in Champaigne (G1), 9/1 SAR 1st in Hopeful (G1)
11 CONVEYANCE Indian Charlie Bob Baffert Martin Garcia Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum (Zabeel Racing)
2/20 OP 1st in Southwest S. (G3), 1/16 SA 1st in San Rafael (G3), 1/25 HW 1st in Allow.
12 SIDNEY'S CANDY Candy Ride John Sadler Joe Talamo Jenny Craig
3/13 SA 1st in the San Felipe (G2)
Rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner
13 DROSSELMEYER Distorted Humor Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux Winstar
2/20 FG 4th in Risen Star (G2), 1/31 GP 1st in Allowance
14 SCHOOLYARD DREAMS Stephen Got Even Derek Ryan Jeremy Rose Eric Fein and Anthony Mitola
3/13 TB 2nd in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), 2/13 TB 2nd in Sam F Davis (G3),
15 CARACORTADO Cat Dreams Michael Machowsky Paul Atkinson Blahut & Lo Hi Racing
3/13 SA 3rd in the San Felipe (G2), 2/13 SA 1st in Robert Lewis (G3)
16 MENDIP Harlan's Holiday Saeed Bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin
3/6 MD 1st in Al Bastikiya
17 JACKSON BEND Hear No Evil Nick Zito Jeremy Rose Jacks or Better, Robert LaPenta
2/20 GP 2nd in Fountain of Youth (G2), 1/23 GP 2nd in Holy Bull (G3)
18 ALPHIE'S BET Tribal Rule Alexis Barba Alex Solis Terese McWilliams, Peter Johnson
3/6 SA 1st in the Sham S. (G3)
19 AMERICAN LION Tiznow Eoin Harty Julien Leparoux Winstar
3/13 SA 4th in the San Felipe (G2), 2/13 SA 3rd in Robert Lewis (G3), 11/21 HW 1st in Hollywood Prevue (G3)
20 CONNEMARA Giant's Causeway Todd Pletcher Russell Baze Tabor, Magnier, Smith
2/20 SA 1st in El Camino Real (G3), 1/16 GG 2nd in Cal Derby
21 D'FUNNYBONE D'Wildcat Rick Dutrow Edgar Prado Paul Pompa
2/20 GP 1st in Hutcheson (G2)
22 DAVE IN DIXIE Dixie Union John Sadler Joel Rosario Ike & Dawn Thrash
3/13 SA 6th in the San Felipe (G2), 2/13 SA 2nd in Robert Lewis (G3)
23 AIKENITE Yes It's True Todd Pletcher Alan Garcia Dogwood Stables
2/20 GP 3rd in Fountain of Youth (G2),
24 MAXIMUS RULER Roman Ruler Clark Hanna James Graham D. Benge, C. Hanna, M. Bell
1/23 FG 2nd in Lecomte (G3), CD Allow winner
25 RADIOHEAD Johannesburg Rick Dutrow Edgar Prado IEAH & Pegasus, Burrell & Harvey
2/27 GP 1st in Allow.

RIP Stage Colony... 1987-2009

Photo: EquiSport Photos

EXCERPTED FROM OLD FRIENDS FACE BOOK - It is with a heavy heart that I post this update...for more time with Stage Colony was something that was not meant to be. According to Val's blog, he spent yesterday in the company of his Old Friends family, enjoying treats and being kind to even the smallest of visitors..When I spoke to Michael this evening after reading her post, he mentioned that later in the evening on Saturday, Kent felt he was not behaving just right and so the vet was called for. He was treated for colic and Michael stayed with him, making certain he was up and about, walking him personally. Stage then did all the postive biological things a horse is suppose to do after being treating and it looked like he was on the right road. At 4 AM, however, it was apparent that he was in grave condition and fading fast. The vet pronounced his survival on the ride to the clinic even doubtful and given the circumstances the sad decision was made.
STORY - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Georgetown-KY/Old-Friends/36049309669

A "Sinner" amongst us...Top 25 Derby Contenders & Connections!

Photo: EquiSport Photos/Z. Laskowski

Okay, it's a new month, and a new "Word".
Saratoga Sinner debuts at #10, and what is a "Pamplemouse" anyway?
Stardom Bound makes the list at #7, you can believe IEAH will run her.
Beethoven drops a bunch, after an atypical Calvin Bo-rail trip in the Holy Bull...He'll be back.
Shafted and Poltergeist make the list.

This list is meant for recreational purposes only..."Handicapping from "The Word" may be at your own peril"...

Cheers, MW

Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 2/16 OP Southwest S.
2 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano 2/16 OP Southwest S.
3 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
4 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
5 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
6 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 2/7 FG Risen Star
7 STARDOM BOUND Tapit Rick Dutrow IEAH Mike Smith 2/7 SA in Las Virgenes
8 NOTONTHESAMEPAGE Catienus Wesley Ward Ken & Sarah Ramsey Elvis Trujillo 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
9 HAYNESFIELD Speightstown Steve Asmussen Harvey Weinstein Ramon Dominguez 2/7 AQ Whirlaway
10 SARATOGA SINNER Harlen's Holiday Eddie Kenneally Lally Stable Julien Leparoux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
11 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 2/28 SA Sham S.
12 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo 2/7 FG Risen Star
13 HELLO BROADWAY Broken Vow Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando Edgar Prado 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
14 BIG DRAMA Montbrook David Fawkes Harold Queen Eibar Coa scr from Holy Bull
15 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo in Dubai
16 MIDSHIPMAN Unbridled's Song Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Garrett Gomez in Dubai
17 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado in Dubai
18 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 2/14 GG El Camino Real
19 DONATIVUM (GB) Cadeaux Genereux John Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan Frankie Dettori in England
20 BEAR'S ROCKET Lion Heart Reade Baker Bear Stables Kent Desormeaux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
21 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo
22 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel
23 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Robby Albarado 2/7 FG Risen Star
24 SHAFTED Mineshaft Mark Casse Woodford Racing Patrick Husbands 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
25 POLTERGEIST Tapit Donnie Von Hamel Kindred Thoroughbreds Clifton Berry

'Pure Clan' back to Lakin from IEAH

Pure Clan at Churchill Downs. 11.24.2007
Horse Racing Photos: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley

Lakin reacquires Pure Clan from IEAH
Daily Racing Form, Mary Rampellini, HOT SPRINGS, Ark.
Lewis Lakin, breeder of Pure Clan, said Monday night that he has bought back a majority interest in the millionaire filly from IEAH Stable and Pegasus Holding Group in a private deal that closed over the weekend, making him the sole owner. Lakin originally sold majority interest in Pure Clan to IEAH last February.
Rest of the story here... http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=101320&subs=0&arc=1

Benny the Bull...back on Track!

Benny The Bull, with Edgar Prado up, wins the Sunshine Million Sprint at Gulfstream Park. 1.26.2008 (Horse Racing Photos - EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley)

Daily Racing Form - By Mike Welsch, MIAMI BEACH, Fla.
Michael Iavarone said Benny the Bull is on the farm in Ocala but will likely rejoin trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s stable in April with the hopes of returning to the races in July.
"We're targeting a late-summer campaign, with our main goals the Breeders' Cup Sprint and hopefully to get him back to Dubai again for the Golden Shaheen the following spring," said Iavarone.
Full story here... http://www.drf.com/news/article/101301.html

Square Eddie, Old Fashioned...Showdown in the Dirt!

Square Eddie, photo EquiSport Photos/JB Faulconer

Old Fashioned, photo EquiSport Photos/Dianne Boothe

From the Daily Racing Form - ARCADIA, Calif. - Square Eddie, second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in October and the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday, will make his first start on a conventional dirt track in the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 16.
Full article here - http://www.drf.com/news/article/101190.html

Should be a great preview for the rest of the trail. Maybe the beginning of a long term rivalry between Square Eddie and Old Fashioned?
Cheers, MW

A Pamplemousse?..#10 this week in "The Word", Top 25 Derby Horses w/connectio

The Pamplemousse makes a debut at #10 this week after a nice win in the San Rafael.
Square Eddie not the best horse? Does he need dirt?
Chocolate Candy wins the Cal Derby. Against who?
Patena continues to train well after a 2nd in the Lecomte.
Taqarub wins 3rd in a row with 8+ win in minor Stakes.
Stardom Bound in the Derby? Count on it with IEAH.

"The Word" - Derby 2009 Contenders 1.20.2009
Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 Old Fashioned Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 2/16 OP Southwest S.
2 Beethoven Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
3 PioneeroftheNile Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
4 Square Eddie Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano
5 Big Drama Montbrook David Fawkes Harold Queen Eibar Coa 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
6 Stardom Bound Tapit Rick Dutrow IEAH Mike Smith 2/7 SA in Las Virgenes
7 Midshipman Unbridled's Song Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Garrett Gomez in Dubai
8 Vineyard Haven Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado in Dubai
9 Notonthesamepage Catienus Wesley Ward Ken & Sarah Ramsey Elvis Trujillo 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
10 The Pamplemousse Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis at Santa Anita
11 Friesan Fire AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 2/7 FG Risen Star
12 Haynesfield Speightstown Steve Asmussen Harvey Weinstein Ramon Dominguez
13 I Want Revenge Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo in Dubai
14 Chocolate Candy Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 2/14 SA El Camino Real
15 Donativum (GB) Cadeaux Genereux John H. M. Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan Frankie Dettori
16 Patena Seeking the Gold Josie John Sikura, D. Dilalla Robby Albarado
17 Giant Oak Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo at Fairgrounds
18 Capt. Candyman Can Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux at Palm Meadows
19 Coronet of a Baron Pure Prize Eoin Harty Darley Alan Garcia
20 Break Water Edison Lemon Drop Kid John Kimmel Eli Gindi Alan Garcia at Payson Park
21 West Side Bernie Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
22 Well Positioned Awesome Again Pat Reynolds Paul Pompa Javier Castellano at Gulfstream Park
23 Charitable Man Lemon Drop Kid Kiaran McLaughlin W. K. Warren Jr Alan Garcia at Palm Meadows, recovering
24 Taqarub Aldebaran Kiaran McLaughlin Shadwell Alan Garcia
25 Munnings Speightstown Todd Pletcher Tabor, Magnier, Smith John Velazquez

On the "Also Ran" List
Cribnote
Flat Out
Danger to Society
Brother Keith
Stimulus Plan
Free Country
Theregoesjojo

Cheers, MW

R.I.P. 'Indyanne'...

Indyanne (Indian Charlie), Robby Albarado up, wins the Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3) at Keeneland 10.04.2008mw ( Horse Racing Photos by EquiSport Photos )

R.I.P. 'Go Between'...

Go Between, Miguel Mena up, red cap, wins the Fayette Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. 10.27.2007mw (Horse Racing Photo: EquiSport Photos)

Ky. Derby Trail...Square Eddie tops "The Word" 1.11.2008

Photo: EquiSport Photos

The Word...Kentucky Derby Trail 1.11.2008
Friesan Fire jumped into the mix with a nice win in the Lecomte. Nice to see Larry Jones with a couple of strong contenders.
Just a quick summary of my prognostications and observations for the week. Feel free to add your 2 cents!
1 Square Eddie
2 Old Fashioned
3 Beethoven
4 Midshipman
5 Vineyard Haven
6 Big Drama
7 PioneeroftheNile
8 Haynesfield
9 Notonthesamepage
10 Friesan Fire
11 I Want Revenge
12 Donativum (GB)
13 Giant Oak
14 Capt. Candyman Can
15 Coronet of a Baron
16 Break Water Edison
17 Chocolate Candy
18 West Side Bernie
19 Well Positioned
20 Charitable Man

Ky. Oaks Trail 1.11.2008
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress
8 Just Jenda

Ky. Derby Trail 1.04.2009 "The Word"

Old Fashioned (Unbridled's Song), Ramon Dominguez up, wins the Remson S. (G2) at Aqueduct 11.29.2008db ( Horse Racing Photos by EquiSport Photos/Dianne Boothe )

Here's the rundown as I see it, in order. Purely speculative and unscientific. Neither 'Pioneerof the Nile' nor 'Haynesfield' really impressed this time out, so their position is relatively unchanged.
The Lecomte is this weekend, and could bring some new contenders into the mix. Square Eddie runs back in the San Rafael S. Jan 17 at Santa Anita.
I'm starting to get a few pictures on the website... http://www.equisportphotos.com/gallery/6981546_RBDHb

Kentucky Derby Trail 1.04.2009
1 Old Fashioned
2 Square Eddie
3 Beethoven
4 Midshipman
5 Vineyard Haven
6 Donativum (GB)
7 Big Drama
8 PioneeroftheNile
9 Giant Oak
10 Haynesfield
11 Coronet of a Baron
12 Notonthesamepage
13 I Want Revenge
14 Capt. Candyman Can
15 West Side Bernie
16 Break Water Edison
17 Chocolate Candy
18 Well Positioned
19 Charitable Man
20 Munnings
21 Cribnote

Kentucky Oaks Trail 1.04.2009
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress

Kentucky Derby Trail '09 - Beethoven

Beethoven (Sky Mesa), Calvin Borel up, wins the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs 11.29.2008mw (Horse Racing Photos by EquiSport Photos)

Kentucky Derby Trail '09 - "The Word"

Okay, so it's 3 degrees out this morning, and I'm pretty sure the poly-track is frozen. But I'm not going to go check.
Another New Year is upon us, and of course, as we keep the fireplace fed, we ponder the first Saturday in May. Everybody is having a birthday in a few days, so here is my first look at the group of new 3 year olds. In order.

Kentucky Derby '09
1 Midshipman
2 Vineyard Haven
3 Old Fashioned
4 Square Eddie
5 Beethoven
6 Donativum (GB)
7 PioneeroftheNile
8 Big Drama
9 Giant Oak
10 I Want Revenge
11 Capt. Candyman Can
12 West Side Bernie
13 Chocolate Candy
14 Bittel Road
15 Azul Leon

Kentucky Oaks '09
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress