Pick an Apple - Pick a Pair (no I didn't mean Pear) - a series
Posted by Billy at 3/4/2010 9:02 AM 
Categories: Kentucky Derby
Tags: Kentucky The Triple Crown French Bulldog Handicapping Triple Crown Horse Farms Thoroughbred Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs Stallions Horse Racing Lexington Facebook Jockeys trainer
Categories: Kentucky Derby
Tags: Kentucky The Triple Crown French Bulldog Handicapping Triple Crown Horse Farms Thoroughbred Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs Stallions Horse Racing Lexington Facebook Jockeys trainer
It's March 4th. I woke up this a.m. with a migraine - on the couch because the snoring in the bedroom was unbearable. I'm a light sleeper when it comes to noise as it is and if I get woke up by sound - I'm awake and usually not impressed. I moved to the couch with my French Bulldog Beau to get some peace and quiet.
I started this blog a week ago at the suggestion of my friend Margaret Layton and just haven't really found the story in it. Until I woke up this morning.
It sounds like Spring outside - and with the blinds closed it almost looked like it could be. The sun was shining (not my favorite for a migraine) and I could hear a lone bird chirping. I remember when that sound used to piss me off - and now somehow it makes me smile, even with a migraine.
Of course - I didn't start rewriting this entry until the migraine was nearly passed. I can't even think of focusing on such with all that pain - especially when it would please me most to cut out my eye that was throbbing. What allowed me to have this moment was that I can't sleep with that pain - and I must find somewhere else to concentrate my mind - besides the spinning, nausea and pain. I took the drugs and put the aroma therapy pillow that I heated up in the microwave - almost to scalding, branding pain - on my face and began breathing in and out. During that process the Kentucky Derby started entering my head.
As you may or may not know I've been struggling to find the passion off and on that once consumed my entire being when it comes to horse racing. Part of the issue for me is that after being actually in the world as more than a fan, as an employee, a breeder, an owner, a businessman (wow - I've once again called myself a man - I still feel like a boy), a supporter, etc. - I know more than before and I can't just go by blind love and excitement.
Growing up picking a Derby horse to honor and cherish up to (and hopefully beyond) the first Saturday in May was fire like. I daydreamed in class about it. Sure that may be the reason I graduated with a 2.7 GPA - but don't think I'm average (or ignorant) - I'm realizing now that I was bored. By now - if you EVER thought of me as average - you must be one hellacious whack job.
I used to pick my Derby horses mostly because of their sire. I spent countless hours each week following certain stallions progeny so that I could cheer them on down the road. I would make notes of where sons (and daughters) of Affirmed, *Caro (IRE), (my favorites) were running - the races, the tracks and the possible next race. As they would impress (or not) I would remove them from my list. Always having a favorite no matter what the result.
I could not pick a horse with a bad name. A name that would best be suited for a $5k claimer or gelding. Which is why horses like Demons Begone, Lil E Tee, would never make my list (besides not being in love with their sires - for no particular reason). One of those I was right - the other - clearly wrong. But to me - to pick a Derby horse is to pick a Triple Crown prospect. Would I want a horridly named horse to go down in history along the classy names like Affirmed, Secretariat, Citation? No - shant.
As I got older (haven't grown up) - and moved to Kentucky to one day fulfill a dream - I started changing my strategy - ALWAYS having Affirmed and sons of *Caro (IRE) in the forefront of the list but also leaning towards horses I worked with as yearlings at Three Chimneys Farm and Jonabell Farm. As well as offspring of stallions at those farms. The list began to grow when I began working for The Bell Group - dropping Three Chimneys stallions and adding those of farms we did advertising for - like Claiborne Farm, Pin Oak Stud, and others.
Gone were the days of picking for pure fanatic passion. One way or another my picks became by association. By the time I started my business I was picking more because of what the end result could do for a client (because it really doesn't do shit for me). When Derby day came and went - I felt less than enthralled most of the time because I had picked a horse that most often didn't measure up - and picked because of someone else's need - not my excitement. Now - don't get me wrong - it is more than exciting to be this closely involved in the world of Thoroughbred racing and actually have a connection somehow to a Derby starter.
How many kids from New Mexico can say they know the owner or worked with a horse that ran in the Kentucky Derby? Probably more than you think - but overall - not many.
After a while I've come to realize that part of my lack of passion is my own fault. Not that of being to attached. I want everyone I worked for/with to win at some point. You know in a field of 20 even THAT is a hard task to complete. After Mine That Bird came along for me last year - the first time I've been emotional over a Derby win since Winning Colors - I've been put back in my own drivers seat. Sure that was cheering on a connection - but not for the same reasons as cheering on Monarchos (sire stood at Pin Oak Stud) and Giacomo (sire stood at Jonabell).
So here it is March 4th, 2010 and I don't have a Derby horse to cheer on as yet. So this series is my way of finding that horse. I will look back at who I've picked since Bold Ego and Pass the Tab in 1981 to 2009 Mine That Bird, Chocolate Candy, Mr Hot Stuff and Friesan Fire - and why I chose them. The series will wrap up with my 2010 probables - mixed with handicapping and passion.
Feel free to chime in along the way with who you like and why - and take note - I'm not going to approve your comment if it's something childish like "he was pretty" or "because she was a filly" - I want more than that - and I will NO LONGER bother with approving comments that attack the racing industry.
I started this blog a week ago at the suggestion of my friend Margaret Layton and just haven't really found the story in it. Until I woke up this morning.
It sounds like Spring outside - and with the blinds closed it almost looked like it could be. The sun was shining (not my favorite for a migraine) and I could hear a lone bird chirping. I remember when that sound used to piss me off - and now somehow it makes me smile, even with a migraine.
Of course - I didn't start rewriting this entry until the migraine was nearly passed. I can't even think of focusing on such with all that pain - especially when it would please me most to cut out my eye that was throbbing. What allowed me to have this moment was that I can't sleep with that pain - and I must find somewhere else to concentrate my mind - besides the spinning, nausea and pain. I took the drugs and put the aroma therapy pillow that I heated up in the microwave - almost to scalding, branding pain - on my face and began breathing in and out. During that process the Kentucky Derby started entering my head.
As you may or may not know I've been struggling to find the passion off and on that once consumed my entire being when it comes to horse racing. Part of the issue for me is that after being actually in the world as more than a fan, as an employee, a breeder, an owner, a businessman (wow - I've once again called myself a man - I still feel like a boy), a supporter, etc. - I know more than before and I can't just go by blind love and excitement.
Growing up picking a Derby horse to honor and cherish up to (and hopefully beyond) the first Saturday in May was fire like. I daydreamed in class about it. Sure that may be the reason I graduated with a 2.7 GPA - but don't think I'm average (or ignorant) - I'm realizing now that I was bored. By now - if you EVER thought of me as average - you must be one hellacious whack job.
I used to pick my Derby horses mostly because of their sire. I spent countless hours each week following certain stallions progeny so that I could cheer them on down the road. I would make notes of where sons (and daughters) of Affirmed, *Caro (IRE), (my favorites) were running - the races, the tracks and the possible next race. As they would impress (or not) I would remove them from my list. Always having a favorite no matter what the result.
I could not pick a horse with a bad name. A name that would best be suited for a $5k claimer or gelding. Which is why horses like Demons Begone, Lil E Tee, would never make my list (besides not being in love with their sires - for no particular reason). One of those I was right - the other - clearly wrong. But to me - to pick a Derby horse is to pick a Triple Crown prospect. Would I want a horridly named horse to go down in history along the classy names like Affirmed, Secretariat, Citation? No - shant.
As I got older (haven't grown up) - and moved to Kentucky to one day fulfill a dream - I started changing my strategy - ALWAYS having Affirmed and sons of *Caro (IRE) in the forefront of the list but also leaning towards horses I worked with as yearlings at Three Chimneys Farm and Jonabell Farm. As well as offspring of stallions at those farms. The list began to grow when I began working for The Bell Group - dropping Three Chimneys stallions and adding those of farms we did advertising for - like Claiborne Farm, Pin Oak Stud, and others.
Gone were the days of picking for pure fanatic passion. One way or another my picks became by association. By the time I started my business I was picking more because of what the end result could do for a client (because it really doesn't do shit for me). When Derby day came and went - I felt less than enthralled most of the time because I had picked a horse that most often didn't measure up - and picked because of someone else's need - not my excitement. Now - don't get me wrong - it is more than exciting to be this closely involved in the world of Thoroughbred racing and actually have a connection somehow to a Derby starter.
How many kids from New Mexico can say they know the owner or worked with a horse that ran in the Kentucky Derby? Probably more than you think - but overall - not many.
After a while I've come to realize that part of my lack of passion is my own fault. Not that of being to attached. I want everyone I worked for/with to win at some point. You know in a field of 20 even THAT is a hard task to complete. After Mine That Bird came along for me last year - the first time I've been emotional over a Derby win since Winning Colors - I've been put back in my own drivers seat. Sure that was cheering on a connection - but not for the same reasons as cheering on Monarchos (sire stood at Pin Oak Stud) and Giacomo (sire stood at Jonabell).
So here it is March 4th, 2010 and I don't have a Derby horse to cheer on as yet. So this series is my way of finding that horse. I will look back at who I've picked since Bold Ego and Pass the Tab in 1981 to 2009 Mine That Bird, Chocolate Candy, Mr Hot Stuff and Friesan Fire - and why I chose them. The series will wrap up with my 2010 probables - mixed with handicapping and passion.
Feel free to chime in along the way with who you like and why - and take note - I'm not going to approve your comment if it's something childish like "he was pretty" or "because she was a filly" - I want more than that - and I will NO LONGER bother with approving comments that attack the racing industry.
I'm convinced that there is no rhyme or reason to the Derby and it's a race I rarely pick a favorite for until the last minute. Last year I was in a very weird place without much opportunity to watch preps or read up on the starters, and when the Derby came on (I was in a break room somewhere under the Magic Kingdom, if you're interested) I didn't have any idea who to follow. My boy last year was Quality Road, and of course. . .
Next weekend I'm headed to the Tampa Bay Derby, and perhaps seeing those horses in the paddock, I'll find my favorite, that mixture of conformation, blood, and charisma that speaks to me. And I'll root for him all the way in Louisville!
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Billy, never fear, I am feeling no strong love for any of the top Derby faves, or any horse. I would love to see Awesome Act do well, but it's his first start on dirt in the Gotham.
Mendip, the stablemate to Vale of York, just made an impressive run at Meydan, and Vale of York (like Regal Ransom) is one I love.
What to do?! I have no favourite yet who steals my heart, whose gutty performance blows me away. I have looked at pedigrees, hoping a favourite sire would appear & nothing yet. Maybe Mendip...this son of Harlan's Holiday who won today, could become a favourite if only he weren't prepping on a synthetic.
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In the past, I tried to come up with my Derby pick early, sometimes for the future pool, sometimes just to have the bragging rights, always with an eye towards the big score.
After last year, where I got myself on Regal Ransom and refused to get off him even when the pace scenario I had projected him taking advantage of him disappeared when Join In The Dance got in the race. Mind you, my second choice, I Want Revenge, scratched out, but I'm holding off as long as I can, at least until the field is actually set.
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