TVG's Nancy Ury Endorses Tote Board Brad for NTRA Commercials

Last night on Lady Luck, the all female hosted racing show on TVG, they solicited emails about viewers' most exciting summer racing moments. [click the play button above] Of course Movement's debut was my moment. My Faulkner-esque comma splices, coupled with high school newspaper quality prose, tripped up Priscilla Hojiwala as she read it. Nonetheless, Nancy Ury suggested I submit the letter to the NTRA so that they can put me in a commercial. Flattering, but I have a face much more suited to blogging.

Text of my email to TVG:

To: mail@tvg.com
From: Tote Board Brad

Subject: best racing experience this summer

My best racing experience this summer was the day my filly Movement, the first and only yearling I have ever bought who is now a 2yo, debuted at the Bay Meadows Fair on August 19th. She set the pace and finished 2nd in a bottom level maiden claimer, but the vocal cord shredding thrill of her running, and even leading at all but the last points of call was perhaps the most ecstatic moment of my life. The rush was more potent than any drug, but common cliches can not begin to describe the excitement I felt. Nothing beats horse ownership for distilled raw excitement.

Tote Board Brad

News & Notes

- Movement is back in training and I hope to see her jog tomorrow morning.

- Delta Slam, Movement's 3yo half brother by Grand Slam (out of Delamere, of course) appears to be back in training. He has not been seen since the fall, but was a 145k Barrets purchase and finished second in a maiden special weight last year. I'd like to see this fella go out and impress. He has had 5 works in September, most recently a 5 furlong breeze in 1:00 & 2/5ths at Turfway yesterday.

- Did you see the 2nd at Oak Tree today? The field in this 40k maiden claimer looked weak enough that Movement might have compared favorable with these. I haven't thought of her as a filly that could compete at the big tracks down south, but I think she could have handled this bunch [chart - pdf warning]. The final time for the mile was a pokey 1:39 & 3/5ths, and the place horse was 6 lengths back! And, these were boys! The purse was $22,000, though. Even 20% of that will cover the van ride and a good bit of feed. Readers: Let me know if I'm showing delusions of grandeur. This is the same chump talking that nominated her to the Del Mar Debutante.

Snap!

Pictured left, Move-ment's sil-houette cast against a barn on a typical morning on the back-stretch.

Pictured below, Movement keeps it real, telling me how to get my crunk on.

Other Notes
If you haven’t already read it on FormBlog (and if not, why not?) check out Dan Illman’s comment [4th comment after the post] about the prospect of running Movement long over the weeds.

I gotta say, those lads at DRF.com could use an information architect like nobody’s business. I had to explain how to both sign up for an account and then how to navigate to Dan’s blog several times to several people, in some cases unsuccessfully. And these are not computer illiterate folks.

Where to Next?

We're entertaining the idea of running Movement (pedigree) long on the turf next. For one, the division is rather weak in NorCal. Also, there's a possibility that this filly is actually a plodder, that has a bit of early foot. Although she wasn't going to catch the winner in her last, she wasn't going to let any one get by her, either. If you watch the video, you'll see that when Baze's mount tries to make a run, Movement digs in, and the third place horse made up ground as Bourdeiu geared down on Movement nearing the wire. All this is just a theory and may not be based on any sound reasoning. I got a little input from Alan at Left at the Gate, but I'd like to hear some strong, opinionated comments from everyone on this. What do you think?

Give the People What They Want
About half of my readership is hardcore horse racing fans and the other half know little about the game, but come here for the personal interest story of me and my filly. For the latter, I know I do a poor job of explaining racing nomenclature (as some of you have pointed out), but you also know that I always answer your emails. For a primer, check out Tim Wooley's FAQ. Also, if you're interested in the thought process of expert handicappers as they try to pick winners, check out FormBlog by Dan Illman [free subscription required] of the Daily Racing Form. Dan, one of the classiest guys in racing (not saying much) was even kind enough to note Movement's strong effort last week.

Vodka Asserts Superiority
Although I'm a Gin man, myself, with a hat tipped to Sue of Post Parade I have to honor Make Mine Vodka in winning a N1X at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday in impressive fashion. Chad Schvaneveldt is seen here drawing off. His mount went on to win by four lengths.

Movement's 2nd Start

Movement runs in a 6 furlong 20k Maiden Claiming race at Golden Gate Fields on 9/20/2006.

Inspired by John of Not to the Swift, I've added video of Movement's 2nd race.

Race Day Redux

In addition to Movement's strong showing, the other highlight of the day for me was meeting Gulfstream & Hollywood Park announcer Vic Stauffer. He owned the winner of the 2nd race trained by Rene Amescua and I ran into him as he was returning to the backside. I congratulated him on his win, and told him about my horse and blog. It was refreshing and ego building for him to seem genuinely intrested in my story. Many horse people are not people people. Vic was charming and engaging, even as I was distracted by race day jitters resulting in a palsy of verbal stumbling.

Response to Commenter Questions
- NorCal Day rates generally range from $55 - $70. After starter expenses, Movement earned about 4 weeks of training with this 2nd place finish.

- We're very happy with her effort at the 20k maiden level yesterday and plan to run her back again with this company. If she doesn't run in to a Lage or Miyadi freak again, or a 'Dorf dropper, she should be able to win at this level with a similar effort. Those are still a lot of ifs, but we're having fun along the way.

- Yes, that was me in the paddock sporting my race day stingy brim.

Movement Best of the Rest Once Again

Movement ran an excellent race [chart - pdf warning] coming in second again. I am very pleased with her effort. She showed a lot of heart and she also showed that she can rate, which we didn't know if she would ever do. [Pictured left - Movement's jockey Jorge Bourdeiu & trainer Jamey Thomas in the walking ring before the race.]
[Picture above - Movement eyes the camera beneath the Northern California sky.]
She stumbled at the start and gave up a couple lengths, which could have been a blessing in disguise. The horse that went on to win was the best horse, and her trainer Steve Miyadi acknowledged as much. Had we popped out of the gate clean and gotten into a speed duel with his horse, Movement wouldn't have one the battle, and they may have both finished up the track. Worse yet, our filly could have come out of such a duel demoralized, but as it was she sat off the pace in third, then put away that horse. When Baze's mount came to her, she would have none of it, and dug in. She showed so much heart out there.

She came out of the race extremely tired. No one can accuse this horse of being lazy. She left it all out there on the track. She was still cooling out an hour and a half after the race. I think she's going to sleep well tonight.

Movement Running Today

My filly Movement will try to break her maiden in her second start of her racing career today. She was installed as the morning line favorite at 5/2 in a wide open affair, which goes off at 3:15 PDT as the 6th race on the Golden Gate Fields card.

She has enough early foot such that she should break on top and set the pace. The question will come in the lane when we find out if she can hold on. There are some serious racehorses in this group and it's a tough spot to graduate in.

Nonetheless, this is what Chuck Dybdal, who has picked her to place, had to say about her in the Form:

Movement draws the rail after a solid debut try in which she set the pace before being passed in the lane. She finished six up on the third-place finisher. Barn is good in the second start, and it's a plus that she gets a boost up the class ladder.

From the closer look section, Art Gropper had this to say:

Solid debut effort as she showed good speed and held very well despite the solid early fractions, finishing 6 lengths clear of the show finisher; good work for this 10 days ago and the trainer shows good win numbers with freshened runners; the rail draw can be tricky for a young horse as she broke from easier post 9 for debut; looms a dangerous rival despite the raise in price.

I hope these fellas know what they're talking about.

Average Horseplayer Called to Account

Double Edged Sword Wastes No Time Cutting Both Ways

Your Average Horseplayer (YAH), who just yesterday announced he has been granted press credentials to cover the Breeder's Cup, has already been called out for playing fast and loose with journalistic standards.

YAH was accused of misquoting Ray Paulick, Blood-Horse Editor-in-Chief. It's not quite what DailyKos saw when after Blackwater security personnel were killed in Fallujah in 2004 he wrote [comments section]

Let the people see what war is like. This isn't an Xbox game. There are real repercussions to Bush's folly.
That said, I feel nothing over the death of merceneries. They aren't in Iraq because of orders, or because they are there trying to help the people make Iraq a better place. They are there to wage war for profit. Screw them.

Kos offered both defense and mia culpa in a subsequent post.

I think Paulick's genre of prodding from the establishment will only help to improve horse racing blogs. Mr. Paulick's balance of coax and command will likely cause YAH to either produce sourcing or print a correction. Furthermore, a year ago no one would have noticed if any horse racing blog had made assertions that Ray Paulick supports legalizing horse meat consumption and expanding horse slaughter, that Dan Illman opposes televising all stakes races and supports lowering standard jockey weights, or that Mike Watchmaker bets chalk to show.

Things are looking up.

TBA Blogger Gets Full Press Credentials to Breeder's Cup

I've never heard of a blogger getting a press pass to the Super Bowl or to the World Series, but Your Average Horseplayer has secured a press pass to the biggest day of horse racing. He will cover the Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, with purse money in excess of $20 million, as a fully credentialed member of the press. As a fellow blogger, I'm beaming with pride.

Movement to Race Wednesday 9/20

Movement will be entered in a $20,000 maiden claiming affair contested at 6 furlongs over the Golden Gate Fields main track this coming Wednesday. Her past performance will look like this clip below from the also eligible list of the Fairplex race she did not get into. (click to enlarge)

It's a tough spot for her, and we considered running her for $12,500 again where Jamey is rather certain she can win at a shorter distance. However, we wanted to get the excitement of another race before we risk losing her. From a business standpoint, the better choice would have been to run her for a lower claiming tag, but we're spending money to have fun.

Movement Update

The filly did not draw in to either of the 4 furlong races at Fairplex. Also, my assessment in my last post was off base, as I had not read the race conditions terrible closely. They were not the same conditions, but the Friday race was open to all and Saturday's was for fillies only. Even so, she was the 2-1 second choice in the Form, even against the boys. It's nice to see the lass get a little respect. So, we're still looking for a race for her--either something similar down south, or a 6 furlong race at Golden Gate. Either way, she should get a start in the next 10 days.

Yesterday I visited Movement and got a chance to chat ponies with her exercise rider Jessica (left), another exercise rider Jennifer (middle), and Jamey (right).

Movement on Also Eligible List

Movement is entered in a $32,000 maiden claimer (pdf warning) at Fairplex on Friday. The race is the fourth on the card. There were 26 entrants trying to get into the race and we drew the last spot on the also eligible list. Since only 8 can go in a half miler at the bullring, half the field would have to scratch for her to get in. Essentially we've got a snowballs chance in the Inland Empire.

The good news is that the same race was written as a substitute for Saturday. Will they card the same race back the next day? Anywhere else that just wouldn't happen, but it's fairplex and their #1 goal is full fields and this race would be guaranteed a full field. On the other hand, if there's a two turn race that will draw 10, they would probably favor that since ~4 furlong races can handle a max of 8 starters If they don't have a two turn race with 10 to go, though, they very well might do this. I'm hoping.

And This Showcase Can Be Yours If.....

No report yet on Rod Roddy's witty repartee after the hammer fell, but one of Barker's Beauties has apparently raised the ire of Princess Haya for salaciously eyeballing His Highness.

Despite the High drama, a Kingmambo colt still coaxed $11.7 million out of Sheikh Mo's coin purse. Accusations that the Maktoum family is cornering the high end thoroughbred market a la the Hunt brothers may have some merit. One substantial difference between Eclipse award winning breeder Nelson Bunker Hunt (pdf warning) and Eclipse award winner Sheikh Mohammad is that the latter's endeavors will not likely end in financial ruin, and in fact are a needed shot in the arm for the horse racing industry. In this sense, the Maktoum family is far more Calumet than Hunt brothers. I'll take horses over silver any day.

Session Top 5 Buyers

Buyer: John Ferguson
#: 16
Total: $29,660,000

Buyer: Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd
#: 9
Total: $4,740,000

Buyer: Nobutaka Tada
#: 3
Total: $3,700,000

Buyer: Mike Ryan, Agent
#: 9
Total: $3,330,000

Buyer: Todd Pletcher, Agent
#: 1
Total: $3,200,000

These are the results from the first day of the Keeneland Sale. For those of you that don't know, John Ferguson is the bloodstock agent for the ruling family of Dubai's Godolphin and Darley operations. Shadwell is also part of the Dubai juggernaut, directed by Sheikh Mohammed's son brother Sheikh Hamdan. (ONe of Sheikh Mohammed's sons, who has campained top horses such as Henny Hughes, is Sheikh Majid).

Movement's 1st Work Since Debut

Everyone's favorite dark bay two year old filly worked three furlongs at the sleep depriving hour of 6:15 a.m. Sunday morning. She went in 36 & 3/5s, good for the 4th best time at the distance. She looked good, or what I saw of her. It was dark and from my vantage point I couldn't see the 3/8th pole as it is obstructed by the tote board & infield shrubbery if you stand at the beginning of the clubhouse turn. I picked her up again around the wire, and she didn't seem particularly taxed from the effort.

We're looking for a race for her now, but nothing is set yet. There is a bottom level maiden claimer at Fairplex that looks very appealing at 4 furlongs, but that race will probably be oversubscribed and tough to get in to. Other than that, we're stuck with 6 furlongs in NorCal. We could go for 12,5 and probably win. She might get claimed at that price, but that's also probably fair compensation for her. We could try her at 20, where she wouldn't get claimed, but that just may be too tough of competition. Like everything else in this game, one never really knows until the race is run, though.

In other observations, have you noticed the retooling of Equibase.com?

Da Goat Loves the TBA

Today I became the fourth member of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance to be graced by Sir Goat's interviewing skills.

These fine Allies' interviews and their blogs can be found here:

Jason of Up on the Roof and his Da Goat Interview
Patrick of Saratoga 06 and his Da Goat Interview
Patrick of Pulling Hair and his Da Goat Interview

Funny Cide Indeed Loved, Despite Major Shortcoming

Yes, people still turn out en masse for a champion like 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, even though he's lost a step or two.

I must admit, despite my attempts to the contrary I am a bit of a Funny Cide fan. It wasn't love at first sight. He had to over come a major obstacle. That he isn't a superhorse like Man O' War or Secretariat? No, that's not it.

Before he came along, I could regularly tease New Yorkers that more horses bred in the great state of Missouri, my home state, had won the Kentucky Derby than had New York breds. The two states are now tied, of course.

What, you don't remember Elwood in 1904?

Armchair Handicapper

As I've said before, I much prefer to make my wagers at the track than via Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) providers like XpressBet and TVG. With the Bay Bridge closed and The City soon to be inundated with hung over Burners, I'll make a few plays from home today so to avoid hearing 50 variations of this conversation: "Did you stay for the burn?" "Yeah, but I was off the grid, bro!"
Were there an option like the lucky folks of Chesapeake, VA, are afforded, I'd likely be there, though. In fact, I think there's a Chevy's on the Embarcadero near where Friday night some skilled welders made a minor addition to one of the enormous art installations along the Bay to honor Burning Man. (To save John The Elder from having to navigate his aluminum walker over to his Funk & Wagnall: Yes, that is a bong).
Inspired by The Head Chef of Racing Saratoga Daily, and wanting a little Latin flare, I walked to Yick's, my Racing Form purveyor and continued on to Taqueria Menudo for a big bowl of, well, menudo, and a little handicapping. Next, I collected the ingredients for a pineapple peach salsa from Casa Lucaz. I'll roast the habaneros and one of the Jalapenos but the rest go in chopped, crisp and raw. I headed back to my hovel after a productive outing that never took me more than 3 blocks from my front door. And, at 14 limes for a dollar, I've got enough to make plenty of Singapore Slings, with mezcal on the side.With yesterday's Palomar in the rearview, now I can sit back, watch the races and wait for the next CHRB cover up scandal.
In a couple weeks I'll do something similar during the sale, but I'll incorporate a box of wine to piss off billionaire horse owner and wine maker Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson.