Jan Hoadley's Horse Racing Fan Profile

Eclipse nominees older horses posted on 01/18/2010

Older horses are nominated in the Eclipse awards representing some professional race horses as well as a couple that captured the public’s attention. Nominees for the older male include Einstein (BRZ) Gio Ponti and Kodiak Kowboy while the females are Life is Sweet, Music Note and Zenyatta.

Life is Sweet is a royally bred lady by Storm Cat out of the Kris S mare Sweet Life. She won the Lady’s Classic after what could be deemed a sketchy year of second in the Milady G2, third in the Hollywood Gold Cup G1 before two fourths. However, three of those four “not wins” were against winter Zenyatta.

Music Note, third to Life is Sweet in the Ladies Classic also stamps an impressive pedigree, by A.P. Indy out of Note Musicale by Sadler’s Wells. She won two of three outs other than the Ladies classic including the G1 Beldame and G1 Ballerina.

Continue reading "Eclipse nominees older horses"
(0 comments)

3 year old nominees posted on 01/18/2010

A look at the award nominations of three year olds holds the probable winner without question. There are but a few names that come up when looking at top three year olds of 2009 and one of those is the Queen of the public.

Rachel Alexandra is heavily considered for Horse of the Year and as such there is little doubt she is also top three year old in the minds of many. A strong campaign over multiple tracks and distances the talented daughter of Medaglia D’Oro has romped over foes both male and female and took on the older males with success as well. It would seem she’s an easy pick for top 3 year old filly and a reasonable pick for top 3 year old as she’s beaten all three colts and is Horse of the Year nominee along with top older female Zenyatta.

Continue reading "3 year old nominees"
(0 comments)

2 year old Eclipse nominees posted on 01/18/2010

Some nice 2007 foals hit the track as two year olds in 2009 and among the best are those nominated for Eclipse awards in the 2 year old division.

The top nominations for colts are Lookin at Lucky, Noble’s Promise and Vale of York while the top fillies nominated are Blind Luck, Hot Dixie Chick and She Be Wild.

Lookin’ at Lucky brings some strong credentials to the table and is among the early hard looks for the Kentucky Derby. A son of Smart Strike out of the Belong To Me mare Private Feeling, he has the classic connections of Mike Pegram (owner) and Bob Baffert (trainer) along with breeding that can get the job done. He went into the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile undefeated with two G1 wins and a G2 win following his maiden win. He ran second in the Juvenile to Vale of York but bounced back with another G1 win in the CashCall futurity at a mile and 1/16 and has earned serious consideration for the award based on performance.

Continue reading "2 year old Eclipse nominees"
(0 comments)

Old Horses posted on 01/13/2010

Whether on the track or off old horses are an adventure into horses. They can be grumpy and have very definite likes and dislikes or go along with whatever is laid out before them. They’re a combination of fragility and hard as nails – and remind us that even nails bend under pressure.

On the track an ‘old horse’ can be 5 or 6 or can be a respected campaigner of 10 or 11 that runs their heart out every time they’re asked and sometimes get the job done. Most if they don’t earn their keep don’t stay on the track, so seeing that 8 or 9 or 10 year old you can figure they’ve earned some war stories.

Their legs may show some signs of battle. They may be a little sore the next day or take a little longer to warm up than the spry two and three year olds. The older horses have learned to entertain themselves and those around them.

Continue reading "Old Horses"
(0 comments)

20 top horses of the decade - thoroughbreds posted on 01/05/2010
There is much reflection at year end and discussion not only of the best horses of the year but also of the decade. The horses that have excited us and been memorable are easy choices. There are others on my list that I feel are deserving of being here for several reasons.
MORE

Continue reading "20 top horses of the decade - thoroughbreds"
(0 comments)