Miscellaneous Monday

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The Derby/Oaks future wager is exactly like buying a lotteryticket—nothing more than a wild-ass chance that you’ve gamble on the righthorse—and judging by my past future wagers, it’s more like the kiss of deathfor a horse’s chances of even making it to the starting gate come early May.So, be forewarned if you are considering Dullahan(26-1) and Avie’s Sense (44-1), as Itook a flyer on them in Pool2 (Pool1 for the Oaks). I’ve already pennedmy thoughts on Dullahan, but thefilly Avie’s Sense came on my radaras an Oaks contender just before her nice runner-up performance in the G3Rachel Alexandra. Yes, the Josie Carroll-trainee is a bit green, but thisdaughter of Street Sense isbeautifully bred for the Oaks distance, being out of the Lord Avie mare Fly for Aviewho not only won the 10-furlong G1 E. P. Taylor over the Woodbine turf, but wasalso a stakeswinner going 12 furlongs.

Looking at the finalodds, I’m now wishing that I’d put something on Battle Hardened (59-1) and MarkValeski (38-1), as well as gutsy filly InnyMinnie (66-1). Not part of the individual choices, Sagamore Farm’s Millionreasonswhy made a spectacular2012 debut at Laurel on Saturday, winning the 7-furlong Wide Country Stakes.Winner of the G2 Matron, she finished just a neck back of My Miss Aurelia in last August’s G2 Adirondack—carrying four poundsmore than the subsequent Eclipse winner. Herconnections indicated post-race that she’s likely for the G3 Comely (April1) and then the Kentucky Oaks (May 4). A daughter of Grand Slam, Millionreasonswhyis out of the A.P. Indy mare In Secure, but much of her damlineperformers were/are sprinters so it remains to be seen if she can get the Oaks’distance.
One that undoubtedly could have is Stephanie’s Kitten, but last week itwas announced that she’ll be aimed for June’s Royal Ascot meet and the G1Coronation Stakes, with a seasonal return planned for the G1 Ashland atKeeneland on April 7. Unlike previous Ramsey horses, this one has a real chanceto dominate her European competition—I’m a big fan of hers.
Another blog favorite headed to Royal Ascot (via Dubai) isAussie mare Ortensia. Once trainedby Tony Noonan, Ortensia’s new trainer Paul Messara plans to contest the AlQuoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup day, and then the G1King’s Stand, avoiding Black Caviar who’ll run in the G1 Diamond Jubilee.
By the way, in case you haven’t been paying attention, thefillies Down Under are rocking this year. Beyond the incomparable Black Caviar, there are also 3-year-olds Mosheen and Silent Achiever, each of whom won G1 open company races this pastweekend: the Australian Guineas and New Zealand Derby, respectively. One of thejuvenile superstars heading towards the Australian Triple Crown is Samaready, who recently captured the G1Blue Diamond Stakes (a race, incidentally, where the top three finishers werefillies), but Gai Waterhouse has the excellent Fastnet Rock filly Driefonteinaimed that way too. It should be an excellent Sydney autumn carnival.
Speaking of great fillies, on Sunday, Eight Belles’ full-brother Unbridled’sWay made his debut for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and owners Darley,finishing a distant (but promising) second in a 6-furlong maiden special weightat Gulfstream. He got a slow start, lollygagged at the rear of the field andthen starting picking horses off coming around the final turn—when it appearshe twisted himself around and gawked at the grandstand! Still, without gettingwhipped, he easily passed all but the winner, and should improve next out(maybe with blinkers?) especially if stretched out farther. Interestingly, he’snot gray.
Last August I wrotea piece on a real grinder, CollectArt, a damline descendent of FoolishPleasure (through his daughter Idyllic’sson Scenic); in a 6-month period heran 20 times, winning six and finishing out of the money only five times. Well,after being sold at Tattersalls last October, he’sre-emerged in Qatar where he won the G3 Invitation Cup last week.
And speaking of grinders, how exciting is it that 9-year-oldAwesome Gem is beingaimed at the $1 million Charles Town Classic on April 14? Honestly, hisappearance would totally be worth the trip there. Road trip anyone?