Holy Bull (GIII)

                                                                               Hansen

Two-year-old HOY, Hansen is ready to make his debut as a three-year-old. Today he takes his undefeated record to the one turn, one mile (GIII) Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The morning-line favorite at 6-5 has only five other challengers to contend with. On paper his competition looks to be Consortium and Algorithms who are both coming off a 1-2 finish in an allowance race here at Gulfstream just last month. Both are running in their first graded stakes race and looking to make an early splash onto the Derby Trail.

Holy Bull (GIII)
1/29 Gulfstream Park @ 4:45 EST

4) Hansen: 6-5

Proved he can go wire to wire with the best of the best in the 1 1/16 mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Already a tough horse to run down, cutting back to the mile distance will make it even that much harder.

6) Algorithms: 5-2

First time going a mile, the son of Bernardini has the pedigree to go the distance.

2) Consortium: 3-1
First time going a mile, the son of Bernardini has the pedigree to go the distance.

                                                                                                                                                                     

2012

                                                                  2012 Kentucky Derby


Congratulations to the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom for being crowned three-year-old Champion! Also, congratulations goes out to Hansen as he beat out Union Rags to be named two-year-old Champion. Hansen, the winner of last years Breeders' Cup Juvenile already has the odds stacked against him as the 2012 Kentucky Derby Trail gets underway. No horse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile has ever been able to win the Kentucky Derby.

Now that last years awards have been handed out, we can solely focus on 2012 and what is in store. There are a new crop of three-year-olds that are ready to attempt to run into horse racing history. Over the next four months, across eight states and with 20+ graded stakes races, everyones eyes are set on who will fill those 20 coveted spots in the gate come the first Saturday in May.

Santa Anita kicked off the season with the first graded stakes race on the Derby trail. Out of Bounds pulled off the upset over Baffert's Secret Circle, in the 1 mile, Sham(G3). With many more stops to make, this year is sure to bring more anticipation and excitement, as well as uncertainties and disappointments along the way. Let's hope this year has more answers than questions and more excitement than disappointment.

It is never too early to pick out a Derby horse and follow him/her on their path to the Derby. If you are feeling really lucky, put a future wager on your favorite horse. Just don't become too attached, too soon because no matter how good a horse is or how good their pedigree says they are, they to need a little luck just to make it to the starting gate on Derby Day.

2012 Kentucky Derby Trail

2011 BC Rundown

                                Drosselmeyer

This years Breeders' Cup brought excitement, upsets and continued chaos in the run for Horse of the Year as well as three-year-old champion. The stage was set for Havre De Grace, Flat Out and Game On Dude to take down this years Classic as well as leave Churchill with a lock on the Eclipse Award. All three left with disappointment instead as 14-1 Drosselmeyer came charging down the stretch to edge Game On Dude and capture his first graded stakes win since last years Belmont Stakes. It is now anyone's guess who will claim the award this year.

With Horse of the Year honors up in the air, the three-year-old division isn't any closer to naming a champion after they were outclassed by their older competition in the Classic. If Stay Thirsty, Ruler On Ice or Uncle Mo could have pulled out a victory, they certainly would be be crowned three-year-old champ. Now, Animal Kingdom is back in the picture and could take home the award since none of his foes stepped up and separated themselves in his absence.

The two-year-old champ is down to Hansen and Union Rags, with Hansen most likely leading the race by a nose after that exciting Juvenile race.

As the 2011 racing season comes to a close we are left with more questions than answers. What if Uncle Mo would have had a healthy three-year-old campaign? What if Animal Kingdom wouldn't have gotten clipped at the start of the Belmont? It is going to be interesting to see who claims Horse of the Year honors and who will emerge as three-year-old champion.

Marathon - Afleet Again


*Had Birdrun and Giant Oak as both finished in the money. A.U. Miner pulled up and Meeznah did not take to the dirt well at all. 


Sprint - Amazombie


*Had Amazombie and Jackson Bend as they went 1-3. Euroears and Giant Ryan just didn't fire. 


Dirt Mile - Caleb's Posse


*Hit the exacta with Caleb's Posse and Shackleford. Just missed the Tri as Trappe Shot came in fourth.


Juvenile - Hansen


*Hit the Trifecta with Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause. 


Turf Mile - Court Vision


*Had Turallure, Gio Ponti and Goldikova as they all finished 2-3-4. Court Vision spoiled the ex and tri.


Classic - Drosselmeyer


*Had Drosselmeyer. Havre De Grace and Flat Out came up short finishing 4-5. Stay Thirsty couldn't compete.

Breeders' Cup Picks

The end of the 2011 horse racing season is all but coming to a close this weekend as the Breeders' Cup has finally arrived. There are two full days of horse racing as the top horses take to the turf and dirt at Churchill Downs. Come Saturday we will know who the best turf/dirt, sprint/mile horses are as well as who the winter-book favorite is as the top two-year-old's go head to head in the 1 1/16 mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Championships close out Saturday night under the lights with the famed 1 1/4 mile Breeders' Cup Classic. There are several three-year-olds that will try their luck against the older competition as one looks to come away as three-year-old champion. Horse of the Year honors will most likely also be determined as Havre De Grace looks to make history and become the third female in a row to win the award. The Classic usually lives up to its billing and certainly should be an instant horse racing classic.

Saturday, Nov. 5th


Marathon: 1 3/4 Miles


11.) A.U. Minor 3-1

1.) Birdrun 7-2

5.) Giant Oak 9-2

3.) Meeznah 12-1

Sprint: 6 F

5.) Jackson Bend 7-2

1.) Euroears 4-1

2.) Giant Ryan 8-1

7.) Amazombie 5-1

Dirt Mile: 1 Mile

2.) Shackleford 7-2

9.) Trappe Shot 3-1

5.) Wilburn 4-1

8.) Caleb's Posse 5-1

Juvenile: 1 1/16 Mile

7.) Creative Cause 7-2

10.) Union Rags 2-1

5.) Hansen 10-1

4.) Drill 8-1

Cup Mile: 1 Mile

1.) Goldikova 7-5

5.) Gio Ponti 4-1

6.) Get Stormy 15-1

13.) Turallure 8-1

Classic: 1 1/4 Mile

2.) Flat Out 6-1

3.) Drosselmeyer 15-1

10.) Havre De Grace 3-1

9.) Stay Thirsty 12-1

*Make sure to Box all your Exotics....