Dishing the Dirt – January 2022
New Monthly Posting on Racing News and Upcoming Events
Pegasus World Cup
On January 29th at Gulfstream, Todd Pletcher faces Brad Cox in the Pegasus World Cup. While Knicks Go will be dropping down in distance, Life is Good will be adding an extra 1/8 to his last amazing win. Both will be vying for that lead spot which makes this edition of the Pegasus extremely intriguing.
As the history of the Pegasus/Don Handicap reveals, Knicks Go has every advantage under the sun for this race and the writing seems to be already set in stone. A missed opportunity for two shining stars that should be taking a gate in this race are Flightline and Americanrevolution. They both have exactly what it takes to give Knicks Go a run for his money.
Shadai Stallion Station, Tokyo
Champion Le Vent Se Leve becomes the #1 most sought-after sire at Shadai covering 223 mares in his first season. His sire, Symboli Kris S. was euthanized after a bout with Laminitis at the same breeding farm a little over a year ago and
Le Vent will carry on the torch of those powerful qualities. Japan’s 2018 Champion Dirt Horse is a bargain with a breeding fee of only $13,527.00, while his neighboring mate, Nadal, commands over double at $36,072.00. As much as Nadal proved himself on the track, he was no match for the incomparable Le Vent Se Leve, both in performances and chart. Surely those fees will double after Le Vent’s offspring hit the tracks.
The Baffert Saga
Bob Baffert and his defense team will appear in court on January 24th to argue against charges of “conduct detrimental to horse racing, the health and safety of horses and the business operations of the NYRA.” With the untimely death of the colt at the center of the controversy, Medina Spirit, Baffert and his team will walk into that courtroom with an aura of evil personified.
The victim card and the tube of ointment will appear to be a circus act and hopefully the judge and the panel will see it that way as well. Meanwhile, Baffert continues to reveal a stream of slow-paced lead runners with absolutely no other jockey on the field with a desire to overtake that slow lead.
Luxembourg
Aiden O’Brien’s newly minted 3-year-old superstar, Luxembourg, winner of two Derby preps on turf, is already cast as the favorite for the Epsom Derby which will be held in June and Luxembourg’s Derby trials in the Spring will undoubtedly reveal a true champion in the making. Aiden O’Brien has won this race 7 times.
Charlatan
Multiple Grade 1 Winner Charlatan will be standing at Hill ’n’ Dale Xalapa in Paris Kentucky beginning 2022 with a stud fee of $50,000. This is only confirms the absolute bargain price of $16,000 for Le Vent Se Leve in Japan.
Futures Pool Two
Kentucky Derby Futures Betting for the second pool will be held from Friday noon, January 21 through Sunday January 23rd, closing at 6pm. A full analysis of the 23 listed contenders will be posted prior, along with an analysis of the Pegasus which will be held the following weekend.
The Lecomte Stakes
Leading freshman sire of 2021, Gun Runner, will see his son Pappacap headline the Lecomte Stakes held on January 22. Casse has a good record here, with winners War of Will and Enforceable in recent years. A nice performance here should see him following in War of Will’s footsteps with a gate in the Risen Star the following month.
Trip to The Derby 2022
If either of Not This Time’s colts, Epicenter or Simplification, secure enough points to take a gate in the Kentucky Derby, I will be heading to Louisville this year. If anyone is interested, please send an email through the website. A breeding farm or two in Lexington on the way back would also be on the itinerary.
In Memory
2021 was a year that saw the loss of too many great thoroughbreds. The most publicized was Medina Spirit, the 3 year old champion who died suddenly after a 5f work-out. Of equal importance, we lost the Champion and gifted sire, Galileo. Preakness Star, Bernardini and the famous Goldikova. Owendale, Zenden and Azari.
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