I Want Revenge drills for the Wood Memorial (G1)

[northernsoul]

Ms. Northern Soul has placed I Want Revenge as her #1 Ky. Derby pick, and she can be eerily prescient about these things. I believe the race will be on NBC this Saturday.

http://ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=38507

Gotham Stakes (G3) winner I Want Revenge completed his final serious workout in preparation for the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Aqueduct.

The Stephen Got Even colt breezed 5 furlongs in :59.80 on Sunday at Hollywood Park under regular rider Joe Talamo. The drill ranked third of 28 timed moves at the distance.

"It was good, just a nice breeze," said Jeff Mullins, who trains I Want Revenge for owner-breeder David Lanzman.

I Want Revenge, ranked third in the THOROUGHBRED TIMES Road to the Triple Crown poll, powered to an 8 1/2-length romp in the Gotham Stakes on March 7 at Aqueduct in his first race on a traditional dirt track.

[Justpat]

1. He drew the one hole in the Wood.

Story at http://www.nyra.com


He looks like a total standout in this race.

[northernsoul]

2. Which means he will be massively overbet

I'm going to use him as a free bingo square for an exacta with Imperial Council and probably as part of a daily double or maybe even a pick 3.

[bread_and_roses]

3. Well, I am excited about today's races

We have The big, beautiful Pamplemousse in, the exciting I Want Revenge, and while not a hot prospect, I like Giant Oak so am looking forward to that race too. Also interested in Al Khali, as I enjoyed watching Medaglia D'Oro race. I was never an Empire Maker fan so am rather hoping that neither Imperial Council nor Pioneer of the Nile win. Besides, I'd like to see Dunkirk in the Derby, so am hoping Imperial Council finishes up the track (while safe and sound, of course) on that basis too.

[aaronbees]

7. Same here

I'm really interested in how the Santa Anita Derby goes down with The Pamplemousse facing Pioneerof the Nile, whom I also like. Mr. Hot Stuff and Chocolate Candy are legit threats. But I think I've become pretty enamored of the Mousse - something in how he moves and works over the track immpresses me. I think he's a pretty smart horse too. I'd love to see him beat that pedigree, and I think he's got a great shot today.

Trifecta picks:
SA Derby - Pioneerof the Nile, Chocolate Candy, Mr. Hot Stuff
Wood Memorial - I Want Revenge, Imperial Council, West Side Bernie
Illinois Derby - Perfect Song, Giant Oak, Musket Man

** edited picks after learning about the Mousse scratch **

[bread_and_roses]

24. You had the Tri in SA - Congrats! That Hot Stuff is some eye candy - I was picking

him after I saw him in the post parade, despite a name I don't care for. Looks like you weren't doing too shabby in the others two races, either - had four of the remaining six.

Despite not cheering for Pioneer of the Nile I have to admit, he looked strong in that race - looked like a deserving win to me, it not being the pace they wanted and all? He's a handsome colt, too.

[aaronbees]

33. Had some good picks, but pretty chalky

Mr. Hot Stuff is gonna get in the winner's circle someday soon I think. He's gorgeous too. I really like Pioneerof the Nile and don't quite get why he doesn't get more credit; it must by the synthetic angle, but his poppa did just fine on dirt so I think he'll handle it just fine. He's not too flashy and workmanlife; I don't mind that one bit!

[two gun sid]

4. Big day of racing!

I Want Revenge looks to be the only logical choice in the Wood Memorial. That means he'll probably get beat, LOL. Out west we've got The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof The Nile and Chocolate Candy. That should be a good race. I like The Pamplemousse but, Pioneerof The Nile is gonna be tough, I think. The midwest circuit has Giant Oak, Musket Man and Toccet Rocket at Hawthorne in the IL Derby. I was a big fan of Toccet and would like to see one of his sons do well. Toccet was so mismanaged by his goddamn owner it makes me sick when I think about it.

Good Luck to all. Do not miss the Bayshore today. Very deep field of horses going 7f. It'll be exciting.

[two gun sid]

5. Look for Hatfield in the Bayshore...

he's a nice son of Proud Citizen.

[aaronbees]

11. Finished 4th, I believe ... nt.

[bread_and_roses]

26. I was trying to remember what it was about Toccet -

I believe it was not too long after I started following racing that he was running, and I really couldn't remember what was teasing my memory - but I think it must have been discussion over the management you mentioned. I wouldn't have understood much back then (not that I get that much now), and so don't remember any details of his career - but the lingering impression was enough to make me hope he did well when I saw the name.

[two gun sid]

27. Dan Borislow was his owner...

he raced the shit out of him as a 2YO. I saw him in the BC Juvenile at Arlington in 2002. He was well beaten from the 13 hole. Borislow sent him back for 3 more races after the BC. As a matter of fact, he raced him 4 times in 8 weeks, including the BC as a 2YO.

As a 3YO he was sidelined before the Derby with bone remodeling of the ankle. He was never the same horse. He did win the Widener as a 3YO.

Borislow kept entering him in races he had no business being in like the BC Turf in 2003. That was probably the most disgusting management decision Borislow made. I think he ended his career in Frankel's barn.

[two gun sid]

6. PP's for today

Santa Anita Derby: http://ntra.equibase.com/eqbNTRAGetFreeFF.cfm?trk=SA&rd=04/04/2009&cty=USA&de=D&rn=6

Illinois Derby: http://ntra.equibase.com/eqbNTRAGetFreeFF.cfm?trk=HAW&rd=04/04/2009&cty=USA&de=D&rn=7

Wood Memorial: http://www.brisnet.com/Promo/Free_PPs/brd_comp.pdf

The Bay Shore: http://www.brisnet.com/Promo/Free_PPs/brd_comp.pdf

[aaronbees]

8. The Pamplemousse scratched

:( Damnit, damnit, damnit.

Possible tendon issue, according to Alex Solis II.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090404/SPORTS08/90404008/1002/SPORTS

[Justpat]

9. I just got home from the Big A

We were third in the fourth race.

It says it is in the fifties but it is cold and windy there today. We had a lot of rain yesterday but the track is in good shape today.


Bay Shore up now.

[Justpat]

10. Capt. Candyman Can did it.

Easy win. Glided by Taqarub with ease.

[aaronbees]

12. Rail Trip at 1/5 wins Santana Mile

That is some horse there. Too bad his jockey, Jose Valdivia Jr., seemed to fall asleep and nearly cost him the race.

[Justpat]

13. OMG.

Revenge walks out of the gate and wins by almost two. How impressive was that??

[aaronbees]

14. That was incredible

Joe Talamo had to maneuver him through a world of trouble. What an amazing win.

[two gun sid]

19. Holy Shit!!!! I Want Revenge is tough and courageous!

I can't believe he slipped through that narrow seam. Unbelievable! What heart that horse has.

[aaronbees]

22. Love seeing that ability to move through horses

I Want Revenge is one tough son-of-a-gun. Exactly what you want to see in a Derby horse. Hard to separate him and Quality Road at the top right now.

[bread_and_roses]

23. They only showed the finish on Tv - but talked about the race -

I'm really sorry they didn't show it - I did get to see him squeak thru that hole, though. I'll have to watch the entire race online - never satisfactory. Glad to see his first dirt win was no fluke, though. Exciting colt!

[Justpat]

15. Hugh upset in the Ashland.

Stardom Bound finished third. Hooh Why won and Gozzip Girl was second. SB did not have her usual electric stretch run.

[Justpat]

18. dammit. I meant HUGE upset.

I have been on DU too long.

:rofl:

[two gun sid]

20. bwahahahaha!!!

I really like that I Want Revenge, Justpat. Unbelievable performance today.

Too bad about Stardom Bound.

[Justpat]

21. Yeah, me too.

You have to have that warrior attitude to be great in this business.

[aaronbees]

16. Pioneerof the Nile wins Santa Anita Derby

After running much closer to the pace and nearly setting it. A little diversity to his game ... I like seeing it. Over Chocolate Candy and Mr. Hot Stuff.

[two gun sid]

17. Musket Man Scores Illinois Derby

Musket Man took over at the top of the lane and cruised to an impressive two-length victory in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) April 4 at Hawthorne Park. It was the second straight graded stakes victory for the son of Yonaguska , who also took the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) last month.

Now with five wins in sixth lifetime starts and gutsy performances in his last two tries, Musket Man will head to the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) as a legitimate contender. The dark bay colt, who was only a $15,000 yearling, is owned by Eric Fein and Vic Carlson, and trained by Derek Ryan.

Ridden by Eibar Coa for the first time, Musket Man raced mid-pack in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby while Perfect Song, as expected, took the field of 10 through splits of :23.84, :47.67 and 1:12.30 under Mario Pino. His Greatness pressed the pace in second, while Al Khali and Giant Oak were also close up.

As they made their way around the far turn Coa guided Musket Man four-wide into striking position. They easily took over from a tiring perfect Song approaching the eighth-pole and powered through the stretch. Giant Oak was the only threat as they neared the sixteenth-pole, but the Illinois-bred could not get to the winner, who stopped the clock in 1:49.91 on a track labeled fast.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50042/musket-man-scores-illinois-derby

[bread_and_roses]

25. And Giant Oak second!

I presume that means he won't go to the Derby, which is fine by me, but I liked seeing him get a nice second.

I just learned this race that Musket Man was a $15,000 purchase - which puts me on his side. I'd love to see a $15,000 colt win the Derby - less than they paid for Seattle Slew (probably far less if you factor in inflation, which I'm too lazy to go and look up).

[two gun sid]

28. Graded Stakes Earnings as of 4/1/2009

http://www.paulickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/image/pdfs/derby135earn4_1.pdf

[MrPerson]

29. Heh heh - Wood.

[madinmaryland]

30. Nice post, pev.

[Justpat]

31. Jerk. n/t

[two gun sid]

32. Does anyone know if Gary Stevens is working for IEAH?

[aaronbees]

34. Pamplemousse out 6 to 12 months

According to some posts on other boards, Alex Solis II said on TVG the Mousse is out 6 to 12 months. Lesion found on a tendon. Heartbreaking for me. Anyone know much about this kind of injury?

[Justpat]

35. It used to be a career ender.

But we recently had a horse that had stem cell procedure done in a bowed tendon
and he won a Grade III last November.

[aaronbees]

36. I'm glad your horse returned to run well

And hope The Pamplemousse can do the same. He's an exciting horse and I'd love to see him run again if his health allows for it. Damn it, though, I was looking forward to hearing Durkin call his name. But I'm glad they found this injury in the nick of time.

(Edited to add ...) Bloodhorse article: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50056/the-pamplemousse-out-of-kentucky-derby

[northernsoul]

38. Bad news indeed

I had Pamplemousse in my Top 5 for the Ky. Derby. However, I'm always pleased to see a horse's connections place the horse's well-being first. I wish him a speedy recovery.

[two gun sid]

37. Fantasy Foes at Rachel Alexandra's Mercy

She keeps winning so easily, it's difficult to gauge just how good Rachel Alexandra is. Her four rivals in the $245,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park didn't provide any answers April 5.

Jockey Calvin Borel never cocked his whip on the likely Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) favorite in winning the 1 1/16-mile test on the front end, but he'll probably have a crick in his neck from looking over his shoulder in search of any possible threats. There were none as the 1-10 choice Rachel Alexandra scored a near walkover by 8 3/4 lengths for her fourth consecutive win since capturing the Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 29. The final time was 1:43.35 on a fast track.

The one thing missing on Rachel Alexandra's past performances is a grade I win and she should have an excellent shot at taking care of that in the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) on May 1. That is unless trainer Hal Wiggins and owners Mike Lauffer and Dolphus Morrison (L and M Partners) give in to temptation and take a crack at the boys in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) a day later.

Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to ship to Churchill later this week.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50062/fantasy-foes-at-rachel-alexandras-mercy