DRF.com Blogs: Jay Hovdey http://www.drf.com/blogs/195/feed en Feel the Beat http://www.drf.com/blogs/feel-beat Gary Stevens and Oxbow gave the Preakness field the high hat. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:04:15 +0000 Jay Hovdey 292967 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p><span class="inline-photo"></span></p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/feel-beat" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Sleepers http://www.drf.com/blogs/sleepers If wishing made it so, Orb already would be in the Preakness winner's circle. Fri, 17 May 2013 20:53:18 +0000 Jay Hovdey 292597 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Most followers of the Triple Crown season have been under the impression that Orb’s terse, unlyrical name is inspired by that of his sire, Malibu Moon, which does paint a pretty picture. But not so, and who knew that Dinny Phipps and Stu Janney were big fans of Woody Allen’s earlier work? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAKWKfVcd04">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAKWKfVcd04</a></p> <p>Count your blessings. They could have named him “Orgasmatron.”</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/sleepers" target="_blank">read more</a></p> The Derby Demystified http://www.drf.com/blogs/derby-demystified The Kentucky Derby has become bigger than the sum of its most important parts. Thu, 02 May 2013 20:59:15 +0000 Jay Hovdey 291216 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p><span class="inline-photo"></span></p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/derby-demystified" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Oh Henry http://www.drf.com/blogs/oh-henry Brough Scott's biography of Henry Cecil is a tale for the ages. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:34:36 +0000 Jay Hovdey 290170 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>In "Henry Cecil - Trainer of Genius," biographer Brough Scott describes his subject as having "blacksmith's hands and an artist's face," then goes on:</p> <p>"He is both a complex and a simple man. He can be dauntingly direct one minute and winningly vulnerable the next. But in the early years of the new century the winning ways seemed to have deserted him as a series of sometimes self-induced blows left him a cancer-ridden ember of his glory days."</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/oh-henry" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Private Eyes http://www.drf.com/blogs/private-eyes A little extra security never hurts, but the message is sometimes mixed. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:45:49 +0000 Jay Hovdey 288533 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>The headline in the New York Times read, "Horses Running at Santa Anita Are Under Surveillance," which is interpreted by most readers as, "Trainers Running Horses at Santa Anita Are Under Suspicion," a reasonable interpretation given the general understanding of what it means to be under surveillance. Suspected terrorists are under surveillance. Suspected drug lords are under surveillance. All teenage boys should be under surveillance.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/private-eyes" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Moonrise Kingdom http://www.drf.com/blogs/moonrise-kingdom Take heart America -- you still can win the Dubai World Cup with the right horse. And what a horse. Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:42:24 +0000 Jay Hovdey 287999 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>For those who were confused by the mixed message sent when the strains of the Australian national anthem could be heard on Saturday in the warm desert night, played in tribute to Animal Kingdom's victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, be comforted that you were not alone. Still, it's a catchy tune, and here are the words so when they play it again you can sing along:</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/moonrise-kingdom" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Ramon Come Home http://www.drf.com/blogs/ramon-come-home The Eclipse Awards program was haunted not only by technical glitches and awkward stabs at humor, but by the spectre of leading man Ramon Dominguez lying in a New York hospital. Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:14:39 +0000 Jay Hovdey 282055 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>That huge hole in the Eclipse Awards program on Saturday night at Gulfstream Park belonged to Ramon Dominguez, and nothing anyone could say could make the emotional anguish of his absence go away. Yes, it was good that program host Jeannine Edwards topped the show with an update on his condition.<p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/ramon-come-home" target="_blank">read more</a></p> By Any Other Name http://www.drf.com/blogs/any-other-name The colt's name is Violence. Get used to it. Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:55:07 +0000 Jay Hovdey 279672 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Call it the cringe factor, and thank goodness it still exists, for without it there would be no saving the species.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/any-other-name" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Day 2 and Beyond http://www.drf.com/blogs/day-2-and-beyond Get used to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and Wise Dan at the top of the heap. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 04:26:26 +0000 Jay Hovdey 267431 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Frank Stronach leaned on the railing at the mouth of the Santa Anita saddling enclosure last Saturday afternoon, admiring the horses preparing to run in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf. Stronach is usually a difficult read, but you could tell he was enjoying the view, when suddenly a senior security official began herding the gathered throng out of the enclosure, worried that the Japanese horse Trailblazer would throw another fit.</p> <p>"Sir, would you move back please." This was directed at Stronach. "Sir, please move back."</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/day-2-and-beyond" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Breeders' Cup Day 1 http://www.drf.com/blogs/breeders-cup-day-1 Smith got his record, Gryder got his win, Castellano conducted a clinic on BC Day 1 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:31:19 +0000 Jay Hovdey 267197 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-number-integer field-field-carryover"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> 0 </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>After a year's worth of anticipation and a week of intense finishing touch, Day 1 of a Breeders' Cup always comes down to horses and jockeys. Friday at Santa Anita was no different.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/breeders-cup-day-1" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Pick 'em http://www.drf.com/blogs/pick-em The Hall of Fame voting rules force voters into gaming the system. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:35:35 +0000 Jay Hovdey 247351 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>It's been a tough couple of weeks for anyone who has been an abiding fan of horse racing most their lives, and I'm not just talking about grief over a TV show getting cancelled. Ramon Dominguez, Paco Lopez and Victor Espinoza, three of the game's stalwart performers, were injured recently in action. Racehorse breakdowns have made headline news -- and rightfully so -- but now they have grandstanding politicians along for the ride.<p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/pick-em" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Special Task http://www.drf.com/blogs/special-task The Special Eclipse Award for Rapid Redux is nice. Let's hope it has legs. Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:50:33 +0000 Jay Hovdey 242036 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>No one asked me if I was okay with acknowledging the accomplishments of the claiming horse Rapid Redux with a special Eclipse Award, to be presented on Monday night in Beverly Hills. So sure, why not. A season of 19 wins at any level without a defeat (now 22 straight over three seasons) deserves a nod, and this is a pretty big one, seeing as the 6-year-old son of Pleasantly Perfect takes his place on a list of Special Eclipse Award winners that includes Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay, Sheikh Mohammed, C.V. Whitney and Richard Duchossois.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/special-task" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Crowded House http://www.drf.com/blogs/crowded-house Close your eyes and Santa Anita's opening day felt like the old days, if by old you mean 1994. Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:59:26 +0000 Jay Hovdey 240922 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Math is a long way from my strong suit, but some numbers beg to be crunched. Like these:</p> <p>Figures released on a daily basis by Hollywood Park during its November-December meet of 26 days came out to a daily average on-track attendance of 3,332. Okay then, 3,332 times 26, carry the one, sixteen, ummm, lick pencil tip, carry the one again -- that's 86,832 for the meet.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/crowded-house" target="_blank">read more</a></p> By Acclamation http://www.drf.com/blogs/acclamation Hey Eclipse Award voters -- you CAN have it both ways when it comes to honoring the two most accomplished older horses of 2011. Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:02:54 +0000 Jay Hovdey 240792 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>The most frustrating aspect of voting for Eclipse Award champions is being asked to perform the Solomonic task of chosing between a pair of compelling claimants to a title. Voters have had their fill of this the past three years, dealing with the lofty merits of Curlin, Rachel Alexandra and Blame as they related to the undeniable appeal of Zenyatta. By comparison, King Sol had it easy. One of the "mothers" in the question splitting the baby was a fraud and, in his wisdom, he figured it out. He also wrote some songs.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/acclamation" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Breeders' Cup 92011 http://www.drf.com/blogs/breeders-cup-92011

If you can't be on the scene might as well spend Breeders' Cup Saturday getting Monday morning quarterbacking out of the way early.

 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:12:11 +0000 Jay Hovdey 237877 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p> </p> <p><strong>9:00 a.m. (PDT) Saturday</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/breeders-cup-92011" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Nine Nine Nine http://www.drf.com/blogs/nine-nine-nine Wrap him in cotton and store him somewhere safe -- the international game needs a 4-year-old Frankel to pick up in 2012 where he left off in '11. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:31:24 +0000 Jay Hovdey 236356 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Because there is very little chance that most of us will ever be lucky enough to be among the inner circle of an  animal that performs at the level of Frankel, who won for the ninth time in nine starts last Saturday in England, I thought it might be fun to hear from someone in the family. In this case it is the racing manager for Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farm, Lord (Teddy) Grimthorpe. At least, that's what it says on his business card.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/nine-nine-nine" target="_blank">read more</a></p> A Year in a Day http://www.drf.com/blogs/year-day Might as well and get excited about the Breeders' Cup Classic even though Horse of the Year is a done deal. Sun, 09 Oct 2011 01:07:02 +0000 Jay Hovdey 233845 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>I realize it is in the interests of all concerned to frame the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5 as the race that will determine the 2011 Horse of the Year. Understandably, this is the talking point emanating from the informational wing of the Breeders' Cup, since such a theme cultivates energetic pre-event chatter and helps sell tickets. It also perpetuates the self-fulfilling mandate of the Breeders' Cup as THE year-end championship event. If winning the Classic does not confer the ultimate award, what does?</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/year-day" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Hall's Well http://www.drf.com/blogs/halls-well

A salute to the 2011 class entering the Hall of Fame.

 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:15:36 +0000 Jay Hovdey 126552 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>This time of year it rains Hall of Fame inductions, from major league baseball in Cooperstown (Bert Blyleveln entered last month), to the NFL last Saturday night (all hail Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Richard Dent, Chris Hanburger and Les Richter) to this Friday's ceremonies in Saratoga Springs for Thoroughred racing's finest.<p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/halls-well" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Head Down http://www.drf.com/blogs/head-down

The new head-to-head bet offered at Del Mar goes contrary to the spirit of how the game is played.

 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:11:00 +0000 Jay Hovdey 125608 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>Of the $15,715,478 gambled on the races at Del Mar on Saturday through transparently reportable sources, $31,413 of it was bet on the debut of the Head-to-Head proposition offered in the featured Eddie Read. This figure represented 0.19 % of the total pool (okay, let's round up and call it 0.2 % -- looks better), which is just about where it belongs until, hopefully, it is put out of its misery.</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/head-down" target="_blank">read more</a></p> Music to My Ears http://www.drf.com/blogs/music-my-ears

Horse racing gets a call on the Ultimate Playlist of Top 40 sports songs complied by a certain magazine.

 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:39:42 +0000 Jay Hovdey 124621 at http://www.drf.com <div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-blog-author"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item odd"> Jay Hovdey </div> </div> </div> <p>While waiting for the Hollywood Gold Cup horses to take the stage on Saturday, I tickled the keyboard and landed on this headline:</p> <p>"Sports Illustrated's Ultimate Playlist"</p><p><a href="http://www.drf.com/blogs/music-my-ears" target="_blank">read more</a></p>