Left at the Gate's Alan Mann blogs for NTRA

If you're not reading Alan Mann, you're probably not a serious racing fan

Alan Mann, long the title holder for best horse racing blogger, began blogging for the Breeder's Cup folks a few weeks back, in addition to keeping up his mainstay blog Left at the Gate. If you read Crist's or Illman's blog at drf.com and want to know what inspired them, it's Alan's slice of the blogosphere. Few have done it longer and nobody does it better.

John Henry was loved by all

John Henry, dead at 32
He stands for something that we so envy in today's game. He was tough, as in his duel with The Bart, and had stamina not just to go a route of ground, but to race at the top of the game at a shockingly advanced age. He was the first horse I was aware of, and will always hold a special place in my heart.

New Basset Hound on the Block

Finally the innerweb has expanded it's cannon of blogs embracing the nexus of blues and horse racing. Ernie Munick waxes equine and blusical at his recently launched blog. Craft shines through in his writing which reminds me how enjoyable noncommercial prose can be. I knew to expect good things when the gorgeous classicist, noted author and armchair handicapper Mandy Keifetz offered her endorsement. NY racing fans may recognize the Keifetz name as her brother has campaigned many useful horses including the G3 Affectionately winner Austin's Mom. The bee hive of witty, talented folks with engrossing ideas and novel ways to communicate them is, along with the food & art & racing, a great draw of New York.

Super Likit Update

Super Likit returned to action last week. After an offensive first after the claim outing, she turned things around and briefly flashed an impressive turn of foot nearing the wire to nose out the odds-on favorite for third. Check the chart (pdf warning).

Horsemen Turn Up When Least Expected

While taking a little R&R from the track in Kauai, I ran into trainer Eddie Truman on a hiking trail through a remote part of the island. Eddie too is taking a little break from the racetrack. We're pictured here looking ridiculous on cliff's edge over looking Waimea Canyon.

Super Likit Disappoints

Last week Super Likit ran a lackluster race. Even though we thought it a tough spot for her to win since it was too short and there were a coupla nice fillies with backclass in there, I was very disappointed with her effort. She just didn't do much running. Worse yet, Jockey Barrington Harvey said she was trying. I hope we don't discover that is the pinnacle of her abilities. Jamey said she came out of the race find and didn't find anything awry. Since we don't have any other explanation, Jamey might try taking the blinkers back off next time.

Tapeta Coming to Golden Gate Fields

While Bay Meadows is running in the South Bay, Golden Gate Fields is installing the synthetic surface Tapeta on it's east bay racetrack. Tapeta was developed by Englishman Michael Dickinson and you can read all about it on their website.

The new Eire, PA track Presque Isle Downs was the first to install Tapeta. You can read wonderfully comprehensive coverage--from horsemen's impressions to track biases at Valerie's Foolish Pleasure blog.

Recent Acquisition

While Movement is enjoying some R&R at what I can only assume is a 5 star resort given the day rate they're charging, I have dipped into the owners account once more. On August 18th we claimed Super Likit (pictured left with budding horseman Troy Thomas) out of a 4k condition claimer where the filly finished a game 2nd.

I'm blessed to be in partnership with long time owner BJ, and first time owner Alex--great gentlemen, both. BJ, or Bob James as you'll see him listed regularly in the past performances, is one of the most enthusiastic owners you could ever meet. The long time racehorse owner brings a wonderfully contagious energy and lust for the game every time he graces the grandstand.

Alex too has a history with horses, growing up in Northern England where he took in days at the races at Doncaster Racecourse. I got to know Alex shortly after moving to the west coast, and I have been pestering him furiously for years to go in on a horse with me. It wont be long now before I find out if he curses my name or sings my praises for railroading him into this shaky endeavor.

Super Likit is entered in the 2nd race on Friday at Bay Meadows. She drew the 4 hole and will be adding blinkers in the five and one half furlong affair to be contested over the main track.

Forster takes shot in east coast graded stake

I, personally, as well as the entire worldwide staff of the Tote Board Brad blogging empire, would like to wish friend of the blog, Grant Forster, and his colt Brother Bobby the best of luck in Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Grant commented on the race and his colt saying,

Bobby has returned from his farm vacation reinvigorated and is training as though ready to take on the world. The field is not a soft one but that should not be expected of a race who can boast to having had such winners as Carry Back, Bold Ruler, Nashua, Spectacular Bid, Spend A Buck, Alysheba, and Ghostzapper, among others.

Bobby finished 2nd to Lawyer Ron in the Oaklawn Handicap at 39-1. I'm pulling for equally generous odds on Saturday.

Lage records 1,000th win

Big ups are due trainer Armando Lage after notching his 1000th career win on Monday.

Not only does Armando sport a high win percentage--you'll consistently find his name at or near the top of the NorCal standings--it's a rare occasion indeed for a horse to be claimed out of the Lage barn and subsequently prove profitable. This is strong evidence he is not among the successful trainers that became so due to their salesmanship. No, this 1k club member is a serious horseman.

While most trainers fall somewhere in the continuum between aloof and surly, Armando is a bred apart. He is perhaps the most personable trainer on the backstretch. He smiles and greets high end owners and backstretch hardknuckles alike with joy and zeal.

His admirers look forward to joining the trainer along the journey toward his next 1,000 wins.

top, Armando with Russell Baze. right, jockeys' agents Mark North and Bob Hack toast Lage's 1,000th win

Meet the shoer

No one ever says farrier on the backstrecth. When a horse's feet need attention, trainers call their shoer, or for old timers, possibly their plater. Regardless of your choice of terms, it's the same occupation and at Northern California racetracks, that man is Denny Francis. He was kind enough to find some time to talk about his job and a few of the different shoes worn by the racehorses we love.

If you have any questions about horseshoes or a shoers duties, send me a note or leave a comment and I'll ask. If you're feeling particularly ambitions, send a video question a la the recent YouTube presidential debates and I'll splice it in with the response.

**here's a slightly higher res version for those that prefer windows media files.

Angel Felix Tops in Nightcap

Angel Felix, perhaps the most under rated jockey in California, guided the 7-1 Steve Miyadi trained Sunny Wager home in the Saturday Finale at Bay Meadows.

While Felix consistently serves up smart and energetic rides, he is particularly tough in the last race of the day. During each of the last three Fair meets (Solano, Santa Rosa & today at Bay Meadows Fair) he has had one nightcap mount, and has won in each. If you see Angel aboard late in the day, do yourself a favor and make a trip to the windows.

Image courtesy of Bill Vassar

Awaiting Kaenel's return

Kyle Kaenel is currently off all mounts while recuperating from a spill earlier in the summer. Reportedly he cracked a vertebrae, but I've seen him several times since and he is in otherwise fine health and in good spirits. A day or two before his fall I took this photo of him tossing the pigskin with other jockeys in the Stockton paddock.

I've seen this movie before

Movement finished third on Wednesday. Check the chart or the video on calracing.com. I don't want to talk about it.

Movement back in action Wednesday

The filly drew post position 8 in a ten horse field of $8k maiden claimers. The race is carded as the tenth and nightcap. Given the class drop, I expected a softer spot. I still think she can handle this group, but there are a few serious runners in here. Also, there's no telling what the two first time starters have under the bonnet.

Harvey Wins Feature

Jockey displays turf acumen at Santa Rosa once again
Master of the Turf(tm), Barrington Harvey, took the feature today [.pdf warning] aboard the Angelo Tekos trained Private Assets. The previously unraced chestnut colt was pinched a bit at the start after popping out of the one hole. The rail can be a tricky spot for any horse, particularly a first time starter. Expert race rider Harvey panicked not, taking a hold and lying in wait. When hall of famer Russell Baze sent his mount to the lead, apparently prematurely, Barrington found room to the outside and the colt powered home. Save two light taps of the stick, the soon to be star of Mercedes Stables led the field home under a hand ride. No one in Northern California performs better on turf than Barrington Harvey.

The Green Monkey Hype Caravan Revs Up

Regardless of whether the hype is deserved, I'll tune in with interest if and when The Green Monkey debuts. He's the Anna Kournikova of racing. Everyone's interested in them, even if there isn't much actual competing going on.

Thus, do not mistake the July 23, 2007 headline that reads, The Green Monkey Could Swing Into Action at Saratoga with the headline $16m The Green Monkey may make debut at Saratoga from one year and 2 days ago.

Video of My Race Mule

I was gonna buy you a gold tooth, but you don't never smile



While Movement has been garnering most of the attention of late, I also own a small piece of a slow mule. RTR Lost in the Fog, named after the NorCal champion sprinter, lacks his namesake's zip, but never fails to entertain. Here's some video of his last outing. Most will find the Soundtrack--the Junior Wells classic Galloping Horses A Lazy Mule--more enjoyable than vid of a mule walking in a circle and finishing the race in a photo for last. It's still worth a play if you have sound, though.

Movement 4th Again

Movement finished fourth in a solid field of maidens Saturday at Pleasanton. Jockey Barrington Harvey in the irons, pictured.

Not By a Longshot Author T.D. Thornton Q&A

T.D. Thornton, author of the best horse racing book to be published since Seabiscuit, participated in The Blood-Horse's Talkin' Horses series yesterday. It is not to be missed.