Name from the past, but still running

[Glimmerglass]

I saw that Danthebluegrassman was retired from racing, see thread -Those Beloved battled tested (http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=90351&page=5) ) who had been a Derby contender back in the day.

As an aside see this "Who knew? Horses eat like horses" from April 2007 (http://www.whas11.com/derbyrace/stories/043007whasmjdChuckDerbyFeedingHorses.24265246.html ) regarding Danthebluegrassman.

In the same "what ever happened to" name connection ... look at Aqueduct Race 5 today where another old name of a one-time "contenda": Mayan King. He challenged briefly and I believe finished last.

Flashback three years ago to when hopes were higher: March 23, 2005 AP "David Cassidy Wants to Win Kentucky Derby" (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151313,00.html)

The 1970s teen idol has a contender in Mayan King, an undefeated 3-year-old who will run Saturday in the Lane's End Stakes at Kentucky's Turfway Park. Cassidy owns the horse with several partners.

"If I could win the Kentucky Derby, there would be nothing on the face of the earth, other than the birth of my son 14 years ago, to compare to the thrill and the high of it," he said Tuesday by phone from Florida.

The colt is named for a street near Cassidy's home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"The day we bought him I thought he was a Derby horse. It's the only time I've ever high-fived anyone in the sales ring," he said. "I've already turned down quite a lot of money for him."

Cassidy, 54, has bred thoroughbreds since the 1970s, when he rose to stardom playing Keith Partridge on "The Partridge Family". He has used a different name because he didn't want to draw attention to his celebrity.

[Glimmerglass]

Another name of 'big' horse that was a well known name but popping up -

Tampa Bay Downs March 21st - Race 10; 4 Year Olds And Up Allowance Optional Claiming (http://www.drf.com/entries/21/eTAM21.html?rn=221115#10) for ($32,000) on the Turf at 5f

Hemingway's Key

Remember him?

This was his turf debut - result? Dead last in a field of 10.

Flashback to the triple crown chase in 2006:

ESPN 5-10-06 "Zito plans to run Hemingway's Key in Preakness" (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown06/news/story?id=2440673&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines). He finished 3rd in that tained Preakness overshadowed by Barbaro's breakdown.

[QHJockee]

Dan's going to be retired to Old Friends. Should be a nice fit for him and they are excited to have him. Bloodhorse had an article I believe

[Glimmerglass]

Dan's going to be retired to Old Friends. Should be a nice fit for him and they are excited to have him. Bloodhorse had an article I believe

Yep, I posted the BH article earlier under the Old Warrior thread :)

[olympicdreams04]

Another battle tested warrior: I've been riding Steppenwolfer lately for trainer Tom McCrocklin down here in Ocala. He's as fiesty and beautiful as ever and seems fit and healthy. To refresher your memories, her ran 3rd in Barbaro's derby.

[VirginiaBred]

Another battle tested warrior: I've been riding Steppenwolfer lately for trainer Tom McCrocklin down here in Ocala. He's as fiesty and beautiful as ever and seems fit and healthy. To refresher your memories, her ran 3rd in Barbaro's derby.

That is awesome!

[Glimmerglass]

Another battle tested warrior: I've been riding Steppenwolfer lately for trainer Tom McCrocklin down here in Ocala.

Very cool and yes I do recall him well and had him as a darkhorse pick for the Derby!

[Toadie's mom]

Another battle tested warrior: I've been riding Steppenwolfer lately for trainer Tom McCrocklin down here in Ocala. He's as fiesty and beautiful as ever and seems fit and healthy. To refresher your memories, her ran 3rd in Barbaro's derby.

Ditto above, that's awesome! He was my partner's Derby pick that year. Let us know when he's going to run again.
I saw a couple of Mayan King's and Danthebluegrassman's better races. Did I miss the reason why Dan is going to Old Friend's? He's awfully young for them ;)
Thankfully I've been able to keep track of my "warrior". After being claimed from us last Oct., she's still running (at Tampa Bay) and has won once and just came in 4th in an allowance race 2wks ago.

[spooked]

My Cousin Matt has been running at Aqueduct this winter. Can't remember which year, but he ran in the Breeders Cup Sprint and I believe he was 2nd or third.

[Glimmerglass]

13-months later he will return to racing: Brother Derek! The 2006 Kentucky Derby favorite returns after a significant layoff.

NTRA 3-25-08 "Brother Derek returns Friday" (http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=31573)

[BD] makes his first start in 13 months Friday at Santa Anita. He will break from the rail going a mile on the main track in a classified allowance that goes as race 7.

Brother Derek has not raced since finishing third in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on Feb. 3 of last year. He underwent minor arthroscopic ankle surgery to clean up bone fragments, and his comeback was delayed after an adverse reaction to a shot.

[dressagetraks]

I was just rewatching the 2006 SA Derby a few days ago. Very impressive by Brother Derek.

[Glimmerglass]

Brother Derek scratched from today's return (http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-spw-insider28mar28,1,4060157.story), slight hoof issue so maybe next week.

[miss_critic]

Not sure if it is posted elsewhere, but Chelokee and Imawildandcrazyguy are running tomorrow (before and after FL Derby)

[Glimmerglass]

Btw - Chelokee won that allowance race on March 29th with confidence so maybe he'll be back for a solid 4-yr old season.

I happened upon something mentioning Birdbirdistheword today and wonder if he ever resurfaced again after the implosion on the way to the Kentucky Derby in 2007.

Yep, he did race again in 2007: December 29th in the $100k Pete Axthelm Stakes at Calder. He finished 6th which compared to his prior efforts was 'better'. Previously he was on 5/4/07 in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes finishing 7th and before that on 3/31/07 in the Florida Derby 7th .....

He still has over $700k in earnings to his name which is more then 95% of all his peers.

[Glimmerglass]

I happened upon something mentioning Birdbirdistheword today and wonder if he ever resurfaced again after the implosion on the way to the Kentucky Derby in 2007.

Yep, he did race again in 2007: December 29th in the $100k Pete Axthelm Stakes at Calder. He finished 6th which compared to his prior efforts was 'better'. Previously he was on 5/4/07 in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes finishing 7th and before that on 3/31/07 in the Florida Derby 7th .....

He still has over $700k in earnings to his name which is more then 95% of all his peers.

And just to add - 'the Bird' surfaced today and won!

Churchill Downs May 10, 2008 7th race at 1 1/16 Miles (http://drf.com/entries/10/eCD10.html?rn=315702#7) Allowance Optional Claiming ($80,000)

[Glimmerglass]

And just to add - 'the Bird' surfaced today and won!

Churchill Downs May 10, 2008 7th race at 1 1/16 Miles Allowance Optional Claiming ($80,000)

Maybe he's found his form again - as he ran a second time this month and this time on the turf at Churchill Downs. While he didn't win May 24th's Grade 3 Louisville Handicap (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/SPORTS08/805250594/1002/SPORTS) at 1 1/2 mi, he did take a 3rd and only a neck away from 2nd.

An amausing aside with Brass Hat and his jockey Calvin Borel, who came from dead last to finish a very closing 4th:

Jockey Calvin Borel took the blame for Brass Hat's defeat, repeatedly saying, "I left him too much to do."

"We tried to call you on your cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail," Brass Hat's owner, Fred Bradley, joked to Borel, referring to the crawling pace.

[miss_critic]

Has Perfect Drift been mentioned anywhere this week? He looked better Monday than he has an a long long while!

[johnnysauntie]

I've been getting updates on Drifty in my virtual stable. He's had some solid works but I can't recall dates/time. But one was a bullet, I do believe.

[miss_critic]

Perfect Drift raced on MONDAY. In the Shoemaker!!!!!!!!!! He was great. Finished 4th, full of run and IMO could have been at least third if he didnt balk at the gap or get slightly checked. A VERY tough spot to come back in. He really deserves a thread of his own.

[Sing Mia Song]

Dan's going to be retired to Old Friends. Should be a nice fit for him and they are excited to have him. Bloodhorse had an article I believe

A friend of mine tried to buy him as a regional stallion prospect, but the owners weren't willing to negotiate. I guess the tax incentive to send him to Old Friends was better. No harm, no foul--it all worked out well for all involved. My friend got a particularly nice stallion, and Dan gets to play in the sunshine for the rest of his days!

[BasqueMom]

Interesting--just took a look at Danthebluegrassman's pedigree and he is a grandson of
Grey Dawn as is my Basque (Basque Fantasee).

[Glimmerglass]

He just won this afternoon out in the boondocks (no disrespect, but ..) of Ruidiso Downs in southern New Mexico:

Going Wild wins the Zip Pocket Stakes at 5F (http://drf.com/results/29/rRUI29.html?rn=319022#8) a race for a purse of just $19,800. Going Wild went off at 2/5. This was his second consecutive stakes win at that track.

Name sounds familiar?

The one-time D. Wayne Lukas trainee was a 2005 Kentucky Derby runner (http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2005/derby_coverage/derby_entrants/going_wild/) who finished 18th that year to winner Giacomo. He also ran in the Preakness and dueled with Scrappy T for a time then finished last. He skipped the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, but still raced that day instead against the monster Lost In The Fog in the Grade 2 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07PLM60PT2w&feature=related).

Still out there plugging away.

[spooky01]

I was at Saratoga last week and My Cousin Matt ran in a $16k claiming race and ran last. So sad to see him running at the "bottom". He did look fabulous though. And I have the picture to prove it! Hopefully, after earning over 1 million, his new (he has been claimed a few times over the last few starts) will do the right thing for him. He was stunning in the paddock, all class with his game face on.

[Freebird!]

Anyone know what happened to Bet On Sunshine? He was one of my favorites....

[Toadie's mom]

Anyone know what happened to Bet On Sunshine? He was one of my favorites....

Says on pedigreequery that he's retired at Hermitage Farm.

[Toadie's mom]

Perfect Drift raced on MONDAY. In the Shoemaker!!!!!!!!!! He was great. Finished 4th, full of run and IMO could have been at least third if he didnt balk at the gap or get slightly checked. A VERY tough spot to come back in. He really deserves a thread of his own.

Not a great picture but here's one of Perfect Drift and me if interested (in him, not me :lol:).

http://s267.photobucket.com/album/ii295/learfan/?action=view&current=perfectdrift1.jpg

[Glimmerglass]

He just won this afternoon out in the boondocks (no disrespect, but ..) of Ruidiso Downs in southern New Mexico:

Going Wild wins the Zip Pocket Stakes at 5F (http://drf.com/results/29/rRUI29.html?rn=319022#8) a race for a purse of just $19,800. Going Wild went off at 2/5. This was his second consecutive stakes win at that track.

With that victory on Aug 29, 2008 6-yr old Going Wild (Golden Missile - Pola by Strawberry Road) makes his career 32 starts 6-6-5 $411,700; he previously started and won the $50k Free Sprits Handicap on June 22nd.

I had forgotten that Golden Missile is now standing at Milfer Farms (Unadilla, NY) and is the leading active sire in NY State based upon progeny earnings. His stall is near the still unoccupied stall of the late Spectacular Bid ...

[Glimmerglass]

Steppenwolfer ran today at Belmont in a 7F allowance turf race (8th) he never went past 3rd and finished 4th.

[beanie&boomer]

I've been really tickled to see Wanderin' Boy running strong at age 7. He's a horse that has overcome a lot of adversity and just hangs in there. Second to Curlin is no slouch! I wonder if he'll run in any of the Breeders Cup races?

It's doubly fun for me because I have his 1/2 brother Mt. Vidmore (Mt. Livermore x Vid Kid, ex Pleasant Colony) as a sporthorse stallion in Maryland. Maybe there will be more racing interest in him if people notice Wanderin Boy.

[Glimmerglass]

Running yesterday - with the same poor results due to a lack of interest, I'd guess - and noted on HRTV by the commentators "a good candidate for someone to claim and retire":

Water Cannon (http://drf.com/results/03/rLRL03.html?rn=137433#4) - finishing last in the 4th race (a 1-mi for $9k claim) Jan 3, 2009 Laurel Park.

A flashback to almost five years ago when in 2004 Water Cannon was big threat for the Preakness (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2004/May/11/Albert-aims-high-with-Water-Cannon-in-Preakness.aspx) after having won the Federico Tesio Stakes.

[Texarkana]

Running yesterday - with the same poor results due to a lack of interest, I'd guess - and noted on HRTV by the commentators "a good candidate for someone to claim and retire":

Water Cannon (http://drf.com/results/03/rLRL03.html?rn=137433#4) - finishing last in the 4th race (a 1-mi for $9k claim) Jan 3, 2009 Laurel Park.

A flashback to almost five years ago when in 2004 Water Cannon was big threat for the Preakness (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2004/May/11/Albert-aims-high-with-Water-Cannon-in-Preakness.aspx) after having won the Federico Tesio Stakes.

Water Cannon is still running???

*faints*

[Calico]

Brass Hat is back this year as an 8-year old http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/48622.htm

So sad about Wanderin Boy :(

[olympicdreams04]

Oh dear lord. Poor Water Cannon. Tony Dutrow had him for a brief stint in his barn when I worked for him and the poor guy was out of his mind with unhappiness. He more or less jogged backwards all the time and he would just spin and spin and spin in circles. Over and over again, the whole way around the track. He was so miserable, but such a sweetheart on the ground. Never truely dangerous on the track, just spun like a top. I hope he gets claimed to a good home.

[Texarkana]

Oh dear lord. Poor Water Cannon. Tony Dutrow had him for a brief stint in his barn when I worked for him and the poor guy was out of his mind with unhappiness. He more or less jogged backwards all the time and he would just spin and spin and spin in circles. Over and over again, the whole way around the track. He was so miserable, but such a sweetheart on the ground. Never truely dangerous on the track, just spun like a top. I hope he gets claimed to a good home.

He wasn't the picture of happiness when I knew him, either.

Here's to hoping he finds a good home and a new career in the very near future.

[Glimmerglass]

Nolan's Cat just won at Turfway Park (http://drf.com/results/08/rTP08.html?rn=564520#8) in the 8th race by a head in a $11,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 mi. He dug in gamely and closed late.

At 7-yrs old he's still owned by Ken & Sarah Ramsey and if the name sounds familiar he finished 3rd in the 2005 Belmont Stakes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USQePqsqkXQ) Stakes behind Afleet Alex and Andromeda's Hero.

[TouchstoneAcres]

Ball Four , 8 yr old gelding, is in Saturday's San Pasqual with Well Armed, Marchfield, Cowboy Cal, et al.

[Glimmerglass]

It's an absolute disgrace to continue to run this guy: Laurel Park, Feb 20, Race 5 @ 1 mi (http://drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=LRL&CTY=USA&DATE=20090220&RN=5) going off at 60-1 Water Cannon took the lead at the 1/4 mi mark and from there dropped back and back and as he did last month finished dead last.

I'll go on the record in saying the owners should be ashamed :(

[Glimmerglass]

Beating an old drum here but yet again Water Cannon the 8-yr old runner making his 3rd 2009 start at 30-1 odds and again he takes the lead only to finish a well beaten 8th of 11 runners.

March 26 - Race 7 at Laurel Park (http://www.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=LRL&CTY=USA&DATE=20090326&RN=7) @ 1 1/16 Miles (Turf), in for a $10k claim, racing for a $14k purse.

6th was the last paying position for all of $250, so not even $1 for his effort.

He was 0-10 in 2008 and now 0-3 in 2009. Come on *&$% retire the classy guy!

[Barnfairy]

That's sad.

You have to really wonder what people are thinking sometimes.

[Laurierace]

The only thing I can come up with is they are keeping him around to get their starts per stall up. He certainly isn't paying to feed himself.

[Glimmerglass]

By the way did Water Cannon ever get retired? If so, any idea where he went?

[spooky01]

wasn't he on the Derby trail?

He won today at Gulfstream for a 25K tag for M. Maker and the Ramseys.

[laserRob]

Btw - Chelokee won that allowance race on March 29th with confidence so maybe he'll be back for a solid 4-yr old season.

I happened upon something mentioning Birdbirdistheword today and wonder if he ever resurfaced again after the implosion on the way to the Kentucky Derby in 2007.

Yep, he did race again in 2007: December 29th in the $100k Pete Axthelm Stakes at Calder. He finished 6th which compared to his prior efforts was 'better'. Previously he was on 5/4/07 in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes finishing 7th and before that on 3/31/07 in the Florida Derby 7th .....

He still has over $700k in earnings to his name which is more then 95% of all his peers.

Birdbirdistheword persished in a fire couple days ago.

http://www.speakingforamericans.com/story/bird-rip

[CVPeg]

Birdbirdistheword persished in a fire couple days ago.

http://www.speakingforamericans.com/story/bird-rip

How sad - I do remember him. Always hate hearing about barn fires, and very sorry for the connections.:(