War Emblems triple crown?

[Horny Harry]

Can this horse do it?
It seems as if he has been seriously underestimated by the American Public. As I have noted before, people have been saying that he gets things too easy in front...however as Seabiscuit noted before in previous threads, his races have been true tests and that he may go on with it in the Belmont. Only time will tell. Go Boy! Perhaps the americans didnt like the fact that he was sold to people with money before his Derby win?
I like the way that the USA people love thier triple crown. To them it is bigger than Tiger Woods, Americas Cup, Hollywood or the Superbowl. They regard a triple crown victory as the ultimate sporting achievement. It is interesting that this last triple crown play comes on the death of the last triple crown winner, Seattle Slew who won the triple crown 25 years ago.
[ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Horny Harry]

War Emblem might have gotten away with an easy trip in the Kentucky Derby, but he was the main target in a shooting gallery in the Preakness Stakes, and it appears a number of horses will take one last shot at him on June 8 in the Belmont Stakes when he attempts to become the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner.
Proud Citizen, who finished second in the Derby and third after a wide trip in the Preakness, is among more than a dozen 3-year-olds still being considered at this early stage for the Belmont. Another prominent Belmont prospect is Perfect Drift, who finished third in the Derby, then bypassed the Preakness to point for the Belmont. Perfect Drift worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday morning at the Trackside training center in Louisville, Ky.
Essence of Dubai, who finished ninth in the Derby, also is pointing to the Belmont after skipping the Preakness.
Several contenders could emerge from Saturday's Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park, which includes such well-regarded runners as Fast Decision, Puzzlement, and Sunday Break. Neil Drysdale, who trains Sunday Break, won both the Peter Pan and Belmont in 1992 with A.P. Indy.
Other potential Belmont starters include Magic Weisner, the longshot who finished second in the Preakness; Medaglia d'Oro, who finished eighth in the Preakness as the second choice; Sarava, who captured the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard; and the one-two finishers from the recent Lone Star Derby, Wiseman's Ferry and Tracemark.
Possible starters include One Tuff Fox and Table Limit, as well as the Canadian-based Tails of the Crypt, who finished second in Saturday's Marine Stakes at Woodbine. The status of both Azillion and Like a Hero depends on their performances in Thursday's Alydar Stakes at Hollywood Park.
The field is certain to be smaller by the time entries are taken on June 6, as a number of those on the fence figure to drop out. Still, the potentially large field shows that while respect for War Emblem has increased, he is not perceived as invincible.
To Bob Baffert, however, War Emblem has proven "he's pretty awesome."
"There's not a 3-year-old out there who can beat him," said Baffert, War Emblem's trainer. "The only way they can touch him is if he goes backwards on me. As long as he stays healthy and at this level, I'm probably more confident about this Triple Crown than any."
Baffert has been in this position twice before. First in 1997 with Silver Charm and then in 1998 with Real Quiet, he won both the Derby and Preakness. But both Silver Charm and Real Quiet lost narrowly in the Belmont, each finishing second in a bid to sweep the Triple Crown.
"I'm glad I've got another shot," Baffert said. "The third time's the charm."
No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. In the 24 years since then, eight horses have won the Derby and Preakness. But none of the previous seven - Spectacular Bid, Pleasant Colony, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, and Charismatic - could capture the Belmont, too. Point Given also won two-thirds of the Triple Crown, but he failed as the favorite in the Derby before taking the Preakness and Belmont. Other horses who since 1978 have won two-thirds of the Triple Crown are Swale and Thunder Gulch, who won the Derby and Belmont, and Risen Star, Hansel, and Tabasco Cat, who won the Preakness and Belmont after losing the Derby.
Baffert called the Belmont's 1 1/2 miles a "piece of cake." If War Emblem wins the Belmont, he also will earn a $5 million bonus from Visa, which sponsors the Triple Crown.
War Emblem got a Beyer Speed Figure of 109 in the Preakness. He got a 114 in the Kentucky Derby and a 112 in the Illinois Derby.
War Emblem flew back to Kentucky on Sunday afternoon. He will train at Churchill Downs until just three days before the Belmont, mirroring the schedule he had heading into the Preakness, as well as that of Baffert's previous Belmont runners. Baffert won last year's Belmont with Point Given.
Proud Citizen also returned to Churchill Downs with trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Baffert said that in taking over the training of War Emblem in recent weeks, "I feel like Phil Jackson taking over the Lakers.
"Last year, I brought Shaquille O'Neal to the Belmont," Baffert said, referring to the massive Point Given. "This year, I've got Kobe Bryant."
Point Given and War Emblem have given Baffert and Prince Ahmed Salman's The Thoroughbred Corporation four consecutive victories in Triple Crown races. The Thoroughbred Corp. owns 90 percent of War Emblem. Russell Reineman, who sold War Emblem to Salman after the Illinois Derby, still owns 10 percent.
Baffert said War Emblem came out of the Preakness better than he did the Derby, even though the Preakness appeared to be the more physically demanding race because of the sharper early pace.
"He's pretty wild today," Baffert said on Sunday morning at Pimlico. "After the Derby, he was quiet and tired. Today, he's pretty rambunctious."
The Preakness was a much different race than the Derby. There was a hotter early pace, and several horses made runs at War Emblem, but he turned them all back, and galloped out better than anyone.
"When he saw another horse, he started taking off again," Baffert said.
"He didn't steal the Derby. He's just faster," Baffert added. "He's got a lot of gears."
Although the Derby result at first was considered inscrutable, the Preakness showed that the Derby was, indeed, a showcase for the division's best. War Emblem and Proud Citizen, the one-two finishers in the Derby, both ran excellent races in the Preakness despite more difficult circumstances in terms of pace and trip.
"I'm glad Menacing Dennis cleared us pretty quick," Baffert said of the Preakness pacesetter. "It was good schooling for him to let another horse go out there and cruise.
"This horse just needed distance. He's getting better, and he's learning to relax."
SEEKING THE CROWN
YEAR HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER FINISH MARGIN WINNER
1978 Affirmed S. Cauthen Laz Barrera 1st head Affirmed
1979 Spectacular Bid R. Franklin G. Delp 3rd 3 1/2 Coastal
1981 Pleasant Colony J. Velasquez J. Campo 3rd 1 3/4 Summing
1987 Alysheba C. McCarron J. Van Berg 4th 14 1/4 Bet Twice
1989 Sunday Silence P. Valenzuela C. Whittingham 2nd 8 Easy Goer
1997 Silver Charm G. Stevens R. Baffert 2nd 3/4 Touch Gold
1998 Real Quiet K. Desormeaux R. Baffert 2nd nose Victory Gallop
1999 Charismatic C. Antley D. W. Lukas 3rd 1 1/2 Lemon Drop Kid
[
[ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[masun]

1978 Affirmed S. Cauthen Laz Barrera 1st head Affirmed
1979 Spectacular Bid R. Franklin G. Delp 3rd 3 1/2 Coastal
1981 Pleasant Colony J. Velasquez J. Campo 3rd 1 3/4 Summing
1987 Alysheba C. McCarron J. Van Berg 4th 14 1/4 Bet Twice
1989 Sunday Silence P. Valenzuela C. Whittingham 2nd 8 Easy Goer
1997 Silver Charm G. Stevens R. Baffert 2nd 3/4 Touch Gold
1998 Real Quiet K. Desormeaux R. Baffert 2nd nose Victory Gallop
1999 Charismatic C. Antley D. W. Lukas 3rd 1 1/2 Lemon Drop Kid
From a purely punting point of view, it makes more sense to bet against WE. Looking at the above table, since 1978 to 1999, of the 8 horses which tried to capture the Triple Crown, only one succeeded. OTOH, all the doubters are now convinced that WE will win and so the price will no doubt be very short.
[ May 21, 2002: Message edited by: masun ]

[Horny Harry]

Bob Baffert never heard of War Emblem six weeks ago. In 19 days, he and his newfound friend will attempt to do what hasn't been done in 24 years — win the Triple Crown.
Photos
AP Photo
Slideshows
AP Photo
Preakness Stakes Race
"There's not a 3-year-old out there that can beat him," said Baffert, who twice before came agonizingly close to training Triple Crown winners.
This time, he thinks War Emblem has what it takes to get the job done.
"This guy keeps throwing it into gears and goes like the tank's never empty," he said of his latest Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner. "There's nobody faster than him. He just goes."
Baffert first set eyes on the jet-black colt April 6. The white-haired trainer was in the paddock at Santa Anita Park, watching the Illinois Derby on TV.
"I never heard of that horse until he won," Baffert said Sunday morning, about 14 hours after War Emblem won the Preakness Stakes by three-quarters of a length over long shot Magic Weisner. "I thought, `Wow!' We were watching Repent and that horse just kicked and I said, `Man!' And Repent ran a hell of a race."
Five days after War Emblem won the race by 6 lengths, the colt landed in Baffert's barn thanks to good friend Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman, who shelled out $900,000 for a 90 percent interest.
War Emblem proceeded to duplicate the win with another gate-to-wire victory, this time in the Kentucky Derby. Then, he rated off the lead and won the Preakness, proving he's not a one-dimensional horse.
In the Belmont Stakes in New York on June 8, he'll try to become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978.
Baffert is confident, and came close to a guarantee of victory.
"I don't want to jinx myself," he said, "but I'd start getting my room reservations and everything."
Can War Emblem cover the 1 miles, longer than any 3-year-old has ever run?
"Piece of cake," Baffert said.
So this is the winner, right?
"You all have been waiting for that super horse," he said. "You've got him."
Baffert is well-versed in Triple tries — with Silver Charm in 1997 and Real Quiet in 1998. Both won the Derby and Preakness but lost the Belmont — Silver Charm by three-quarters of a length to Touch Gold and Real Quiet by a nose to Victory Gallop.
War Emblem is different. Unlike Silver Charm and Real Quiet, he loves to run in front, and he wasn't pooped after the Preakness like Silver Charm and Real Quiet.
"As long as I keep him healthy and at this level, then I'll probably feel stronger about this Triple Crown then I've ever felt about the other two," Baffert said. "The only reason it will be tough is if between now and then he were to go backwards on me."
Now that trainer Nick Zito's duo is out of the Belmont — Straight Gin sustained a career-ending injury in the race and Crimson Hero was seventh, he'll be rooting for a Triple Crown. He said War Emblem has everything in his favor, but anything can happen.
"He shouldn't get beat, but that's what happens," Zito said. "Why did Real Quiet look like he was home free? Why did Silver Charm get beat? It happens."
This will be the fourth Triple try in six years. In addition to Baffert's third attempt, trainer D. Wayne Lukas' Charismatic nearly pulled it off in 1999.
The Belmont challengers have started lining up. From the Preakness, Lukas' Proud Citizen will try again after finishing second in the Derby and third in the Preakness.
"I know you all want to see a Triple Crown," Lukas said, "but I'm going to try and spoil your dream."
Magic Weisner, trained and owned by Nancy Alberts, is under consideration after his impressive effort.
"I will wait and see how Magic is in three or four days," she said.
Essence of Dubai, Perfect Drift and Sunday Break are the top names among non-Preakness runners. Others include Azillion, One Tuff Fox, Puzzlement, Sarava, Tales Of The Crypt, Tracemark and Wiseman's Ferry, the New York Racing Association said.
Perfect Drift was third in the Derby and Essence of Dubai, owned by Godolphin Racing, was ninth.
Puzzlement and Sunday Break are set to run in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday.
If War Emblem pulls off the triple, it would seem only fitting the feat comes on the 25th anniversary of Seattle Slew's Triple Crown — and a month after Slew died. His death on May 7 left racing without a living Triple Crown winner for the first time since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first to win the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.
"Now that there's no Triple Crown winners alive — maybe that's what it took," Baffert said, "I don't know if that had anything to do with it. I'm just glad I get another shot at it."
Mickey Taylor, who owned Slew, will be at Belmont cheering on War Emblem.
"For racing, it would be nice to have another Triple Crown winner, especially with Slew passing away," Taylor said. "It would be sweet for the thoroughbred industry."

[Horny Harry]

WORKOUTS FOR THE PREAKNESS
Horse Date Track Dist Time
Booklet May 14 CD 4f :48.60 H
May 6 Kee 5f 1:01.00 H
Apr 30 Kee 5f :59.80 H
Crimson Hero May 14 Pim 5f 1:03.20 B
May 6 CD 5f 1:03.20 B
Apr 29 CD 5f 1:04.00 B
Easyfromthegitgo May 13 CD 5f 1:02.40 B
May 6 CD 7f 1:27.80 B
Apr 29 CD 4f :49.20 B
Equality May 12 Pim 6f 1:13.80 B
May 5 Del 6f 1:13.20 B
Apr 29 Del 4f 1:00.80 B
Apr 21 Del 4f 1:02.00 B
Harlan's Holiday May 14 CD 4f :48.20 B
Magic Weisner May 10 Lrl 6f 1:14.00 H
May 1 Lrl 5f 1:02.20 B
Medaglia d'Oro May 16 Bel 3f :35.00 B
Menacing Dennis May 9 Hol 5f :59.40 B
Proud Citizen May 12 CD 4f 47.80 B
Straight Gin May 13 Pim 5f 1:00.60 B
May 4 CD 5f 1:01.00 B
Apr 27 CD 5f :59.60 H
Table Limit May 11 CD 5f 1:01.60 B
May 4 CD 5f 1:01.20 B
U S S Tinosa May 14 Pim 4f :46.40 H
May 8 CD 7f 1:25.40 H
May 2 CD 6f 1:11.60 H
Apr 26 BM 6f 1:14.60 H
Apr 20 BM 1m 1:36.80 H
Apr 14 BM 4f :48.60 H
War Emblem May 14 CD 5f 1:03.20 B
[ May 27, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Horny Harry]

DOSAGE STATS
http://www.chef-de-race.com/
click on link above for a better view
Also War Emblem article
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/3332808.htm
Fin. Derby PFs
Fin. Preakness PFs
1- War Emblem -61 1- War Emblem -60
2- Proud Citizen -47 2- Magic Weisner -57
3- Perfect Drift -44 3- Proud Citizen -54
4- Medaglia d'Oro -30 4- Harlan's Holiday -48
5- Request for Parole -25 5- Easyfromthegitgo -47
6- Came Home -22 6- U S S Tinosa -19
7- Harlan's Holiday -15 7- Crimson Hero -1
8- Johannesburg -12 8- Medaglia d'Oro +1
9- Essence of Dubai -12 9- Straight Gin +4
10- Saarland -8 10- Menacing Dennis +16
11- Blue Burner +1 11- Table Limit +43
12- Castle Gandolfo +3 12- Booklet +43
13- Easy Grades +18 13- Equality +45
14- Private Emblem +19
15- Lusty Latin +35
16- It'sallinthechase +43
17- Ocean Sound +53
18- Wild Horses
+61
[ May 27, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Seabiscuit]

Many people, especially older folk, are saying they don't want War Emblem to win the Triple Crown as he is not "special" like Secretariat, Seattle Slew of Affirmed. They don't want a Triple Crown win just for the sake of it. Now Seabiscuit often thinks older folk look at the past through rose coloured glasses so he looked up the records of previous Triple Crown winners and guess what? In this case the War Emblem bashers might have a point.
The records of the last 4 Triple Crown winners are quite exceptional (Citation 1948, Secretariat 1973, Seattle Slew 1977 and Affirmed 1978). All 4 were named Champion 2yo Male in their 2yo year and Secretariat was also named overall Horse of the Year as a 2yo. All had established great winning percentages going into their Triple Crown tilt. Seattle Slew was undefeated going into the Kentucky Derby, while each of the other 3 had been beaten no more than twice on the track (Secretariat did lose another in the stewards room). This meant that going into the Belmont Stakes their would have been no real dispute that each horse was the best of their generation. However with War Emblem the situation is quite different. His record as a 2yo was modest (a Maiden win and another win one class above MSW plus a failure on the turf). In his defense he was never fully tested as a 2yo. However he did not have the proven Grade 1 2yo form of recent Triple Crown winners. He also suffered 2 bad defeats first up as a 3yo. This explains the 20-1 price in the Kentucky Derby. So possibly War Emblem's enemies have a point when they say he is not "special".
It is interesting to look at the performance of Champion 2yo Males who win the Kentucky Derby. Based on the American Racing Manual 2001 it seems that Horse of the Year Awards began in the USA in 1936. Since then only 9 Kentucky Derby winners were Champion 2yo Male horse of the year the previous year. Of these 9 horses, 5 have gone on to win the Triple Crown. That is a conversion rate of 55%. In the Preakness and Belmont these horses have won 13 of their 18 races.
On the other hand, since 1937 56 horses have won the Kentucky Derby who were not Champion 2yo the year before. Of these only 3 have gone on to win the Triple Crown. That is a conversion rate of only 5%. In particular they seem to struggle to win the final leg, the Belmont. Since 1937 17 horses who were not Champion 2yo won the Derby and the Preakness. Only 3 out of 17 won the final leg. Of those that were Champion 2yo 5 out of 6 won the final leg with only Spectacular Bid letting the team down (he did finish his career with a phenomenal 26 wins from 30 starts but sadly failed in the Belmont).
Of course the statistical sample is very small and the world has changed a lot since 1937 so perhaps all the above is meaningless. However there is some logic to it. It does seem that Champion 2yos have the best chance of Triple Crown success. Probably because they are horses of exceptional talent but also because the testing 2yo campaign means they are battle hardened veterans by the time of the 3yo Triple Crown. Also, I think, they strike the most fear into their opponents and scare the opposition away. A look at the field average field size for last 5 successful Triple Crown winners who were 2yo Champs indicates they only had to face average fields of 5 horses in the Belmont. However the last 3 unsuccessful Triple Crown aspirants (Charismatic, Real Quiet, Silver Charm) had to face fields on average of over 10 runners in the Belmont. It seems possible that War Emblem may have to face a field of over 10. I am only speculating but it is possible that if your record is not near perfect like Secretariat, Seattle Slew etc, there are plenty of others wanting to show you up as unworthy of Triple Crown success because your record has a few stains on it.
Just to show you can prove anything with stats, one other point that comes up when looking at Triple Crown stats is that wars seem to be good for Triple Crowns. Quite a few Triple Crown winners have won during wars or in the few years immediately after a war. We had Triple Crown winners in 1919, 1941 (USA not in war yet), 1943, 1946, 1948, 1973, 1977 and 1978. The USA was involved in WW1, WWII and Vietnam. That is 8 out of 11 during wartime or just after it. It could be sheer coincidence as the statistical sample is very small. Or it could be that big wars lessen competition as they costly in terms of both men and horses (esp WW1 and WWII). Or perhaps God exists and sends the American people Triple Crown winners to cheer them up in hard times (other TC wins occured in the 30s = Great Depression). Maybe the War on Terrorism will produce a new rush of Triple Crown winners like War Emblem.
One last point with War Emblem. He does not have the great 2yo record of the last 4 Triple Crown winners. However you should never discount change in racehorses. War Emblem has just got a new trainer who perhaps has been the catalyst for a change.

[cheesebeast]

War Emblem still going strong
By MARTY McGEE
From drf.com
http://www.drf.com/crown2002/belmont/news.html
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - War Emblem, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner who next Saturday will bid to become the first Triple Crown winner in 24 years, gave fair warning that he may have saved his best for last when he breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 over a fast track Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Perhaps most impressive was the way he galloped out past the wire. Churchill clockers caught him going another furlong in 13 seconds, while trainer Bob Baffert clocked him going an extra quarter-mile in 26 seconds.
"Today we were just looking to see whether his energy level is still there," said Baffert. "It is."
The workout was the first of two for War Emblem leading up to the June 8 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of racing's Triple Crown. Baffert said the second workout will come again at Churchill on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the weather. War Emblem is scheduled to be flown Wednesday to New York.
Dana Barnes, the California-based exercise rider whom Baffert regularly employs on his top horses, was in for the Wednesday workout. Breaking off from a pony well before the five-furlong pole, War Emblem recorded fractions of 12.80 seconds, 25, and 49 before finishing full of run.
Baffert said War Emblem has maintained his weight, an important factor in his attempt to win the Triple Crown.
"He's getting stronger and stronger," he said. "These horses know when they're great horses, and he has a little attitude now. He thinks that when he comes onto the track, he owns it."
Baffert kidded about his own mental state and, with only 10 days until the race, said: "I'm not a drinking man, but it may be time to start drinking heavily."
This is the third time since 1997 that Baffert will be going to the Belmont with a chance at a Triple Crown. Both Silver Charm (1997) and Real Quiet (1998) narrowly fell short.
"Both of those horses were pretty knocked out after the Preakness because they'd been through such tough races," said Baffert. "This horse, he just seems to be getting better and better.
"I am starting to feel a little pressure. My job is just to keep him together. I don't want to jinx it, but as long as he stays how he is, until I get the saddle on him before the race, I'm going to be pretty nervous."
Baffert said he was unconcerned about which horses, and how many, would run against War Emblem in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. "With Silver Charm and Real Quiet it was different, because they came from off the pace and needed certain things to happen," he said. "This horse just goes right to the front. He just needs to get out of the gate and go."
Baffert said he thinks he understands why a relatively large field of 13 is shaping up for the race.
"People want to be part of a big race like this," Baffert said. "They can always say, 'Hey, I was one of the ones there.' I'm sure they have their reasons."
In other developments Wednesday:
* Sarava, winner of the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico, breezed at Churchill about 15 minutes after War Emblem, going a half-mile in 49.20 seconds under former jockey Patti Cooksey. Later in the day, Sarava, who figures to be a longshot in the Belmont, was scheduled to fly to New York, where he will have his final pre-race workout early next week, said trainer Ken McPeek.
The Wednesday breeze was "good and solid," said McPeek. "He's very consistent right now."
Sarava is owned by Gary Drake of Louisville, who purchased half of the Wild Again colt last year from Paul Roy.
"He was pretty mediocre on grass in England as a 2-year-old," said Drake, a 44-year-old water-filter manufacturer. "I was scared to buy all of him, so I told Paul I'd buy half if he'd keep the other half."
* Request for Parole, another Churchill-based colt, is out of the Belmont with a stress fracture in his front left shin. Fifth in the Kentucky Derby but kept out of the Preakness, Request for Parole was being pointed to the Belmont by trainer Steve Margolis until the injury was detected.
Margolis said the injury probably occurred during a Sunday workout, although it was not until Tuesday that the colt began showing signs of the injury. Margolis said that Dr. Larry Bramlage will perform surgery soon and that he expects to have the colt back racing in the fall.
"It's disappointing," said Margolis, a New York native.
With the defection, the prospective list of starters for the 134th Belmont is at 13. As many as 16 can start.
* Trainer Bobby Frankel said Wednesday that he has not yet committed to a Belmont jockey for Medaglia d'Oro. Frankel initially said that John Velazquez would ride Medaglia d'Oro.
Pat Day, who rode Blue Burner in the Kentucky Derby and Booklet in the Preakness, may be in the line for the mount on Medaglia d'Oro, although Day's agent, Doc Danner, said Wednesday he does not yet have the mount.
Medaglia d'Oro galloped Wednesday under exercise rider Jose Cuevas. Frankel said the horse would work Saturday or Sunday.
* In New York, Essence of Dubai, the ninth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.17 over Belmont Park's main track. With exercise rider Lee Roebuck up, Essence of Dubai went his first quarter in 24.46 seconds and his last three-eighths in 36.71 seconds. The final time equaled the sixth fastest of 24 moves at the distance.
"This work was a lot sharper than his last couple of works," said Tom Albertrani, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "We thought he went really nice today, he finished up and galloped out well. It looks like he's in good shape; we're pretty happy with the way he's training into the race."
Albertrani said Essence of Dubai would work once more at the beginning of next week.
- Sunday Break, the Peter Pan winner, jogged for the second straight day over Belmont Park's main track. Puzzlement, the Peter Pan runner-up, returned to the track Wednesday for the first time since the race, galloping under regular rider Jean-Luc Samyn.
"He gets on him all the time," trainer Allen Jerkens said. "He relaxes with Jean-Luc; Jean-Luc spends a lot of time with him, lets him look around a lot."
- Daily Racing Form's Mike Watchmaker has set a tentative early line of 4-5 on War Emblem, followed by Proud Citizen at 6-1. Sunday Break and Perfect Drift are his co-third choices at 8-1.

[imaufo]

Four get final drills
By JAY PRIVMAN
Horsephotos
War Emblem pauses during training hours on Monday morning at Churchill Downs. He was scheduled to ship to New York on Wednesday.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Sunday Break and Puzzlement, the first two finishers in the Peter Pan Stakes, Preakness runner-up Magic Weisner, and Artax Too, who figures to be the race's longest shot, all turned in their final workouts on Monday morning for Saturday's 134th Belmont Stakes, in which Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner War Emblem will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.
Sunday Break and Puzzlement worked at Belmont Park, Magic Weisner at Laurel, and Artax Too at Aqueduct. They are among 12 horses who are expected to be entered on Wednesday morning, when post positions will be determined for the Belmont. The Belmont has a conventional draw, in which posts are picked blindly, unlike those at the Derby and Preakness, in which a representative of each horse selects his post in the second stage of a two-step process.
The expected field was firmed up in the past two days. Tracemark, the runner-up in the Lone Star Derby, will bypass the race. In addition, two final riding assignments were determined. Bobby Frankel made official what had been expected, naming Kent Desormeaux to ride Medaglia d'Oro. And Jose Santos, who won the Belmont in 1999 with Lemon Drop Kid, was named as the rider on Artax Too, replacing Norberto Arroyo Jr.
War Emblem on Monday had a routine gallop at Churchill Downs with his regular exercise rider, Mick Jenner. Trainer Bob Baffert watched from the grandstand. "All good," Jenner said afterward. "All systems go."
War Emblem was scheduled to have his final Belmont workout on Tuesday morning. War Emblem is scheduled to fly to New York from Kentucky on Wednesday, on a charter that will include Belmont challengers Perfect Drift, Proud Citizen, and Wiseman's Ferry.
The track should be fast for the Belmont. It was gorgeous at Belmont Park on Monday, with a high temperature of 71, and a slight breeze. According to the National Weather Service, rain showers are forecast for Wednesday, and thunderstorms on Thursday, but the rain is expected to blow through Thursday night, leaving ideal conditions for Friday and Saturday. The forecast for Saturday's card is for a high of 74 degrees, with plenty of sun.
The Belmont purse is $1 million, but War Emblem stands to earn far more. A sweep of the Triple Crown is worth a $5 million bonus from Visa, the Triple Crown sponsor. Prince Ahmed Salman's The Thoroughbred Corporation owns 90 percent of War Emblem. Russell Reineman has the remaining 10 percent. No horse has swept the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.
If 11 challengers face War Emblem, he will have met 40 rivals in the three Triple Crown races, which would be a record for a Triple Crown winner.
One of the leading threats to War Emblem could be Sunday Break, who figures to be anywhere from the second to fourth choice in the race. He worked at 5:45 Monday morning, with his regular exercise rider, Marcelino Olguin. Sunday Break was given an official clocking of 1:02.22 for five furlongs, though trainer Neil Drysdale said Sunday Break worked six furlongs, and galloped out an additional furlong.
"He was just breezing, six furlongs in 1:16, galloping out in 1:29," Drysdale said. "He just galloped around there. He's fit."
Sunday Break is coming back on just two weeks' rest, having won the Peter Pan on May 25. That was his first start since finishing third in the Wood Memorial on April 13. Sunday Break was in Kentucky for the Derby, but was excluded from the field - when more than 20 horses were entered - because of insufficient earnings in graded stakes races. Since then, according to Drysdale, Sunday Break has grown stronger, particularly in his back end.
"He's coming around really well," Drysdale said. "He's just developing. I would think he'd continue to improve during the rest of the year. The Peter Pan helped him along."
Koji Maeda, the Japanese businessman who owns Sunday Break, will be at the Belmont and thus see his colt race for the first time. Maeda came to the Derby, even though he knew Sunday Break might be excluded.
Puzzlement, who finished one length behind Sunday Break when second in the Peter Pan, worked 1 1/8 miles for trainer Allen Jerkens. Jerkens said he wanted to make sure Puzzlement was fit for the demanding 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont. Puzzlement was timed in 1:55.02 with jockey Jean-Luc Samyn aboard.
"We wanted to go the first three-quarters nice and easy and try to make him finish up the last three-eighths," Samyn said. "I pushed on him from the wire to the mile and three-eighths pole, and he did that perfectly. He was blowing the way you want to see a horse blow after a nice work like that."
Puzzlement wore blinkers to keep him focused on his task. Jerkens said he usually works Puzzlement in company, but he did not want to put another horse in his barn through a workout of that length. Puzzlement never has worn blinkers in any of his races, and he will not wear them in the Belmont.
Magic Weisner worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Laurel, his home base. His owner and trainer, Nancy Alberts, said Magic Weisner would be sent by van from Maryland on Friday.
Artax Too, a recent allowance winner at Belmont, also worked five furlongs. He was timed in 1:00.20 with Santos.
"I was very impressed with him," said Santos, who will be riding Artax Too for the first time. "He did it nice and easy. He's a big horse. He has a stride and a half in him. He's very rateable. He does what you want."
Sunday at Churchill Downs, Proud Citizen, who was second in the Derby and third in the Preakness, worked five furlongs in 1:00 with exercise rider Stacey Maker.
Also on Sunday, Like a Hero worked a half-mile at Belmont Park in 49 seconds with exercise rider Andy Durnin. Like a Hero most recently won the Alydar Stakes at Hollywood Park.

[sisyphus]

Don't know much about US racing, so tell me if I've got this wrong- War Emblem has won two 2000m races- Derby, Preakness- on relatively tight courses that suit leaders? He is now attempting to win at 2400m on a big track?
Well what I know about racing in general, take War Emblem out of the frame for the moment, is that the latter isn't a very reliable guide to the former. They are considerably different type of races.
It would be like expecting the winner of a 2000m race at Caulfield to be the winner over 2400m at Sandown. It might happen, but odds are you're better off looking for a different type of horse.

[Seabiscuit]

Sisyphus you are thinking correctly (although USA racing uses yards not metres - and Preakness 1m 3/16, Derby 1m 1/4, Belmont 1m 1/2). You can find that in 1 m 1/2 race the horse best suited to the distance will be underbet as people turn to the horse who has been winning recently over shorter distances but forget the horse might not run the extra trip.
I doubt that War Emblem can run 1m 1/2 at Belmont as well as 1m 1/4 at the other tracks in terms of his speed figure. However he might not have to as there might not be any genuine 1m 1/2 horses in the race. For example, Wiseman's Ferry may still be in the field (I have not checked the last few days). He scored a solid win in lower stakes company at Lone Star the other day. He might be an up and comer but he has the same problem as War Emblem - his running style indicates a longer trip might not suit. Same goes for Medaglia d'Oro. MO also never had a proper 2yo foundation and might be going backwards but his hall of fame trainer seems to think he is OK for this race.
Sunday Break (Japanese owned horse) might be better suited over the 1m 1/2 trip but his last run was a touch disappointing on face value. Trainer might have targeted the Belmont instead so might have been the trough before the peak for those who believe in the bounce theory etc. Issue with SB is can he beat War Emblem even over 1m 1/2?
The other issue Sisyphus is that War Emblem had to face a hotly contested pace in the Preakness. Most of the other front runners ran nowhere. Perhaps the Belmont will not be run at as fast a pace so the stamina test will be not much greater than that for the Preakness. I definitely think that if War Emblem faces a hot pace in the Belmont he will be struggling to finish off the race. However the pace might be slower.

[hall-o-famer]

SB - I will have to watch the Belmont on a big screen in Vegas. Little vacation time.
I follow racing all over the world, but without any great claims to knowing much more than the average Joe. I'm a sports lover.
I also respect that each racing area, whether it be USA, Europe or Australia/New Zealand, all have their top riders and horses and I'm unwilling to enter into a fruitless exchange over which is best.
I appreciate the greats in any field and in any era. There's no defining answer to who was greater or the greatest.
As for our Triple Crown aspirant. Well I think he's great for our racing right now and he's all heart. Might not be worthy of champion status yet, but I'd love to see him win the series.
And I will be busy watching NBA finals, the Tyson fight, the World Cup soccer, US Open golf and Wimbledon tennis over the next couple of months.

[hobbes]

great is great, whenever it was and wherever it was.
agree entirely h-o-f, across all forms of human endeavour.

[Horny Harry]

War Emblem can win Belmont ... but will he?
By Reid Cherner, USA TODAY
Countdown to Belmont
War Emblem will win the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes (6/8)
War Emblem's quest to become the 12th Triple Crown winner brings up two questions — one simple and one complex.
The simple one:
Can he win Saturday's Belmont Stakes?
Yes.
Easily.
Effortlessly.
This is a horse that could break out of the gate rush to the front, step on the gas and leave the field in his rearview mirror.
He has one of the best trainers in the business, his jockey is a rising star that fits the horse perfectly and his front running style allows him to dictate the pace.
Of the six horses since 1987 that have had a chance to win the Triple Crown, War Emblem and Sunday Silence in 1989 seem to be the best bets.
There isn't anything not to like about War Emblem on Saturday.
But now the complex question:
Will he win the Belmont Stakes?
Now we've got some thinking to do.
There are some things that can mess up even "a sure thing."
In no particular order: the trainer, the jockey, the owner, the weather, the track, the distance, and a career day by someone else.
And if the colt doesn't win it won't take more than about 20 seconds for the finger pointing to begin.
In the stretch of the 1987 Kentucky Derby, Alysheba clipped heels and almost went down to his knees. Jockey Chris McCarron in one of the single greatest acts I've seen by a rider, kept Alysheba up and then had him back sprinting for the win.
Five weeks later, Alysheba got into a traffic jam at the Belmont and he finished fourth. The colt's connections spent the next couple of years blaming McCarron, a Hall of Famer, for losing the Triple Crown.
Bob Baffert, trainer for War Emblem, is no stranger to either the Belmont or the Triple Crown chase. He won last year's Belmont with Point Given and has had two horses — Silver Charm in 1997 and Real Quiet in 1998 — who won the first two legs only to be second by the closest of margins in the Belmont.
"If you can win the first two legs, you're a great horse," said Baffert. "You've got to have the luck to get that third leg. You've got to overcome everything, so that means you've got to be the superior horse. The Triple Crown is all about the superior three-year-old of that year."
And the one thing that Baffert doesn't include is what a freak show the Belmont Stakes can be.
When Spectacular Bid loses because he reportedly stepped on a pin before the race, when Sunday Silence gets his doors blown off by Easy Goer, a colt he dominated in the first two races and when Charismatic breaks a leg in the stretch, you know that the Belmont is not the "piece of cake" to win that Baffert described it as after the Preakness.
It is one scary 1 1/2 mile ride in the (Belmont) park. And anyone who thinks otherwise is whistling past a graveyard.
So how do you pick the Belmont winner?
First it should be recognized that because of the odd distance and the hugeness of Belmont's track, this is more of a rider's race than either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness.
Since 1988 the Belmont has been won 11 times by a Hall of Fame jockey.
The problem this year is that the 12-horse field is dominated by riders who have either won the Belmont or ridden regularly at the track.
The jockey with the least Belmont Park experience: Victor Espinoza on War Emblem.
So if the jockey doesn't make the difference than competition has to. But there isn't a horse in the race that doesn't have some kind of black mark against him.
Proud Citizen, the second choice at 5-1, faded to third in the Preakness after getting to War Emblem's flank; Medaglia d'Oro (10-1) threw in a clunker in the Preakness and Sunday Break (6-1) won the Peter Pan but didn't run in the Derby or Preakness. Magic Weisner (15-1), who ran a terrific second in the Preakness, comes off the pace and needs help to set up his finish.
But then there is also things to like. Sunday Break and Proud Citizen love running at Belmont. Essence of Dubai, while another horse from the Arab Emirates who have shown nothing in the Triple Crown, is ridden by Jerry Bailey one of the most dangerous riders in the world. And Perfect Drift has Eddie Delahoussaye who has two wins and second in three Belmont tries.
So it comes down to guessing about performance.
Certainly, War Emblem's fate should be known early. He needs to get out of the gate quickly and not let Wiseman's Ferry dictate the speed of the race.
Baffert knows that it's a fine balance between running your race too early and denying your horse a chance to run his best race.
"This horse is learning to relax a little bit," Baffert said, "but we can't take his game away. The worst thing we want to see is Victor Espinoza fighting him all the way because that would take a lot out of him."
If War Emblem gets early position it is going to be an uphill climb for the rest of the field. But if he gets stuck in the gate or for any reason doesn't get comfortable at the start it probably means racing will wait another year for a Triple Crown winner.
War Emblem is an excellent bet to win Saturday but it would not be surprising that if he loses he could fade out of the money.
If I was betting against the favorite I would start with Proud Citizen and Sunday Break with their stalking style. I also think Medaglia d'Oro has a big race in him and Essence of Dubai could be the surprise entrant.
So lets leave it this way. If War Emblem gets his way early and dictates the pace make it War Emblem, Magic Weisner, Proud Citizen and Essence of Dubai.
If he doesn't, the finish goes: Proud Citizen, Sunday Break, Medaglia d'Oro and Perfect Drift.
click on the link for some audio sounds...
web page USA today (http://www.usatoday.com/graphics/sports/gra/gbelmontcall/flash.htm)
[img]http://www.drf.com/crown2002/belmont/images/waremblem_200_060502.jpg
[ June 06, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]

[Horny Harry]

http://a1112.g.akamai.net/f/1112/492/7D/www.wired.com/news/reuters/photos/images/mdf166325.jpg

[cheesebeast]

Belmont Stakes reports for Saturday are now online at Brisnet.com! Not only is the Triple Crown on the line, but Belmont Park has put together an incredible wagering menu for the undercard. There's a $1 million Pick-6 guarantee, a $500,000 Pick-4 guarantee, as well as numerous Daily Double wagers. Wouldn't it be great to be holding a "live" Pick-6 or Pick-4 ticket as WAR EMBLEM attempts to become the 12th Triple Crown winner?

[Horny Harry]

War Emblem, attempting to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner and the first since Affirmed in 1978, drew post position 10 for Saturday's 134th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York. In addition, the Kentucky Derby and
Preakness Stakes winner was installed as the even-money morning line favorite in the field of 12 entered for the "Test of Champions."
By: Jo Adams - Thursday, 6 June 2002

[imaufo]

"I know a lot of people felt, well, it's not the fair way to come into a Derby, but believe me, this is my livelihood, this is how I make my living," he said, the clear meaning being that he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth with so many mouths to feed, in the sense of both family and employees.
His benefactor was even more clear. Asked if it was right to "buy the Derby," the gregarious Prince Ahmed's eyes got wide. "Everybody buys the Derby!" he said. "Because you have to buy a horse. Isn't that buying? If you tell me who’s going to win, I’ll buy it again."
If the Derby is two minutes of excitement surrounded by a hundred thousand parties, and let's just say it is, and the most exclusive of those parties is in the Winner's Circle, where Prince Ahmed dedicated his victory to the Saudi people, adding "and I love you guys in America," then the least exclusive one is mere steps away, in the infield.
There, $40 gets you into a very different scene, one where silk dresses and elaborately feathered hats give way to a uniform of shorts, T-shirts (or not, for boys), sunburned skin and glassy eyes.
"It's a nice post-exam party weekend," said Jenna Foppiani, a 21-year-old junior at Vanderbilt University, shortly after ignoring the sixth race on the Jumbotron screen that looms over the backstretch. Foppiani, who drove up from Nashville with her friends after finals for the second straight year, said the massive post-9/11 security, which put the kibosh on all cans and bottles and filled Churchill Downs with uniformed cops and soldiers, hadn't affected the scene much. The mostly college-age kids had shown plenty of ingenuity in sneaking things in, she said. As if to emphasize her point, a college boy behind her stumbled over a chair, staggered to his feet and toppled over again.
"People seem more clothed this year," Foppiani said, noting that it was still relatively early in the day, though the weather was pleasantly warm. "Possibly later on in the Derby the clothing will fall. I don't know."
But a mere minutes later, about two and a half hours before Derby post time, a probation officer from Florida revealed her ample breasts, and then her thong underwear, to a crowd of boys who rewarded her with Mardi Gras-style beads. That sort of thing hadn't been as much in evidence this year as usual, according to several fans. So why'd she do it?
"Just for the hell of it," she said. "I'm 32, I'm gettin' old, nobody knows me here, you know. We're on vacation. We're having a good time." Asked what she likes about the Derby, she said, "The drinkin', the bettin', watchin' the horses, it's all good. I like to see the famous people hanging out up on Millionaires' Row."
Everybody likes to see famous people. Trouble is, all those polished, sweet-smelling rich people in the grandstand look vaguely like B-list celebrities. Is that guy on a soap opera I don't watch, or is he just a tan guy in a nice suit?
A man leaning over the paddock rail before an undercard race had the same problem. Holding his camera up to the various swells milling around, he yelled, "Any of y'all famous?" Nobody was. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, in a white suit as bright as this cloudless spring day, wouldn't make his appearance in the paddock until Derby time.
At the post, none of the 18 horses about to run the Derby were famous either, outside the small world of thoroughbred racing experts. If the wise guys, unimpressed by the slow pace and lack of intrigue, are right, even Saturday's winner won't be famous for long. But War Emblem has already done plenty for those who picked him to win, including, presumably, that security guard who helped Espinoza navigate the newly locked-down Churchill Downs Saturday morning.
"He said, 'The only reason I take you is: only if you win,'" Espinoza said. "I said, 'Don't worry about it. You'll be all right. It's 20-1. You'll make plenty of money.'"

[sisyphus]

I'll go for Medaglia d'Oro because I think he'll be suited by the track and distance, and I often pick up that brand of coffee, when it's on special. Cheap and unexceptional, but I'm not a coffee snob.

[Horny Harry]

Good tipping htere Sissypus...your capuccino horse paid big odds the place and show!
War Emblem denied
By MIKE WATCHMAKER
http://www.drf.com/crown2002/belmont/images/sarava_200_060802.jpg
Horsephotos
Sarava wins the 134th Belmont Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park.
Elmont, N.Y. - Sarava shocked a huge crowd at Belmont Park, not to mention a nation that for at least one day was full of racing fans, by outgaming Medaglia d'Oro through the stretch and winning Saturday's Belmont Stakes as the second longest shot on the board at 70-1.
War Emblem, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness who was bidding to become America's 12th Triple Crown winner, stumbled badly at the start, and never really recovered. He made a run to challenge for the lead late on the backstretch, but was soon out of gas and wound up eighth in the field of 11.
Sarava, meanwhile, had only notched his first stakes win on the Preakness undercard in the Sir Barton Stakes. But, he prevailed by a half length after 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.71. Sunday Break was 9 1/2 lengths behind Medaglia d'Oro in third.
Sarava paid $142.50 to win and triggered an exacta worth $2,454.
War Emblem's defeat continued the frustrating recent run of failures to sweep the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. He became the fourth horse in the last six years to lose the Triple Crown in the Belmont, and of those, two others were also trained by Bob Baffert, Silver Charm (1997) and Real Quiet (1998). War Emblem is also now the eighth horse to fail to sweep the Triple Crown in the Belmont since the last time the Triple Crown was actually swept, by Affirmed in 1978.
NEW YORK -- Ken McPeek's week didn't start well, but it ended with the biggest victory of his fledgling career.
Four days after being fired as trainer of Kentucky Derby favorite Harlan's Holiday, McPeek saddled 70-1 shot Sarava to a stunning upset in the Belmont Stakes.
"I'm pinching myself, of course. Who wouldn't at 70-1?" said McPeek, whose colt spoiled the Triple Crown hopes of Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, who faded to eighth.
Sarava returned $142.50, the largest payoff on a $2 bet in the Belmont's 134-year history.
"I'm totally surprised," McPeek said. "We just didn't know how good he was, course nobody did. He proved himself."
When favorite War Emblem stumbled and nearly fell coming out of the gate, McPeek said, "I thought we got a chance."
Bob Baffert, War Emblem's trainer, congratulated McPeek, whose barn at Churchill Downs is a short walk away.
"Good for Ken. That's great," Baffert said. "He's been through a lot and he gets to at least taste it."
McPeek got his first jolt of the week Tuesday when he was fired by Jack Wolf, owner of Harlan's Holiday. Wolf moved the horse to Todd Pletcher's stable.
Wolf said he wanted the horse closer to Saratoga, where he and his wife recently bought a house. McPeek is based in Louisville, Ky., although he plans to bring his horses to Saratoga in August.
"I found out Tuesday afternoon and he left the next morning," McPeek said. "I'm a little confused why he left, but I don't need to worry about that. I'm not going to look back."
Sarava's victory capped an up-and-down Triple Crown season for McPeek. He saw his top contender, Repent, get injured in the Illinois Derby, a race won by War Emblem, who was little known at the time.
"Losing Repent was the big blow, but we got beat by a pretty nice horse," McPeek said.
His No. 2 contender, Harlan's Holiday, went off as the highest-priced favorite in Derby history, and faded to seventh. The colt tried again in the Preakness and was fourth. He didn't run Saturday.
So McPeek went deeper into his barn and came up with Sarava, who made his graded stakes debut in the grueling 1 1/2-mile Belmont.
"We had a lot of things coming together on this horse and we took a shot," he said.
McPeek, who turns 40 in August, was near tears in the winner's circle. He kept one arm wrapped firmly around his wife, Sue, who successfully battled cancer two years ago.
"Most of all, I've got a wonderful wife," he said.
Sue gave birth to their first child, Jennifer, while she was ill.
"If we've shown resilience, it's because we've had a lot of support from friends and people we don't know," she said.
McPeek, who sports a shaved head and moustache, spent Derby week hobbling around on crutches after breaking his foot playing in a pickup basketball game.
"My foot still hurts," he said, grinning.

[Horny Harry]

The 134th Belmont will go into history for several reasons: the crowd was a record for a horse race - and possibly for any sports event - held in New York; Sarava's $US142.50 ($242.25) return on a $US2 bet to win - odds of better than 70-1 - was a record for the Belmont; and War Emblem's finish was the worst by a horse trying to win the crown.
But the event inevitably will be remembered less for what won it than for what lost it. War Emblem became the eighth horse to miss a triple crown by losing the Belmont since Affirmed became the 11th "three-peater" in 1978. By next spring, the triple crown drought will have matched the 25 years between immortals Citation and Secretariat.
http://smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1022982798843_2002/06/09/10spt_racing.jpg

[Horny Harry]

War Emblem lines up as favorite for Breeders Cup
War Embelm, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, is the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday's $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Post positions were drawn Wednesday morning at Arlington Park, site of the eight races
that comprise the Breeders' Cup world Thoroubred Championships.
http://a1112.g.akamai.net/f/1112/492/7D/www.wired.com/news/reuters/photos/images/mdf166325.jpg
The 3-year-old Private Emblem colt, owned by The Thoroughbred Corp. and trained by Bob Baffert, is looking to clinch Horse of the Year honors in his final start before retiring to stud.
The top three morning line choices for the Classic are all
3-year-olds familiar to those who followed this year's Triple Crown. Second choice in the Classic went to Travers Stakes winner Medaglio d'Oro (7-2), followed by Pacific Classic and Santa Anita Derby winner Came Home (4-1).
Wednesday's post position draw also answered the burning questions regarding which races Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien would enter his European stars in. Rock of Gibraltar, winner of seven consecutive Group I races overseas, was entered in the Mile, leaving Hawk Wing, who finished first
or second in several of Europe's most prestigious Group I races this year, to represent the stable in the Classic. It will be the Woodman colt's first try on dirt for the connections that just missed with Giant's Causeway under similar circumstances two years ago.
The 19th Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, consisting of eight Grade I races with purses and awards totaling a minimum of $13 million, will be held at Arlington Park in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill. It will mark the first time that the Championships have been held at Arlington and in the Midwest.
News courtesy of Lone Star Park Race Club
By: Racenet - Thursday, 24 October 2002
[ October 24, 2002, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]