Arlington Million Day in Photos

Saturday was a banner day for emerging top turf sire Kitten’s Joy (El Prado - Kitten's First, by Lear Fan). First, son Big Blue Kitten (out of Spent Gold, by Unaccounted For) won the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (Gr. I) at Saratoga Racecourse, then 850 miles and 20 minutes later, sons Admiral Kitten (out of Reachinforthestars, by Grand Slam) and Real Solution (out of Reachfortheheavens, by Pulpit) headed the Kitten conquest of Chicago by winning the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. I) and Arlington Million Stakes (Gr. I), respectively.

As an interesting pedigree side note, the winners of the other two major stakes on Million Day at Arlington Park, the American St. Leger Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes (Gr. I), were both by Dansili, who--like Kitten's Joy--is a paternal great-grandson of Northern Dancer.

The weather on Million Day can sometimes be a toss-up (as is typical for the Chicago area) but on Saturday, one couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

Wifeonthewarpath in the paddock before the Hatoof Stakes (Division 1).

 

The very handsome Dandino (GB) in the paddock prior to the American St. Leger.

Also handsome was Wigmore Hall (IRE), one of the truly international racehorses on the Million card.

Dandino (GB) proved that pretty horses can run by winning the American St. Leger over Suntracer (5).

Admiral Kitten, Rosie Napravnik up, in the paddock prior to winning the Secretariat Stakes.

Heavy favorite Marketing Mix in the paddock prior to the Beverly D. Stakes. She was very poised...

...as was Dank (GB)...

...but Gifted Girl (IRE) kept her handlers on their toes!

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens (on Marketing Mix) is right at home on a horse. Gary came out of retirement in January and has been having a successful year to date.

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Dank (GB) ran away with the Beverly D., leaving Marketing Mix in her wake.

The paddock came alive prior to the Arlington Million. Familiar faces were here, including that of 9-year-old Rahystrada, a local favorite. He won the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III) last time out.

There were newcomers too, including the beautiful Side Glance (GB).

Mull of Kullough (IRE) takes in the paddock crowd.

Little Mike, Joel Rosario up, won the 2012 Arlington Million (under now-retired jockey, Ramon Dominguez). He was attempting to become the only back-to-back winner of the Million.

In a thrilling finish, The Apache (SAF) headed Real Solution at the wire but was disqualified to 2nd for interference. Side Glance (GB) was 3rd.

The Apache (SAF) getting hosed down after the Million.

Real Solution, Alan Garcia up, in the Arlington Million winner's circle.

Owner and breeder Ken Ramsey takes his turn wearing the garland. Ramsey also bred Kitten's Joy and stands the stallion at Ramsey Farm in Kentucky.

Remembering Winter Memories

Her race is a song of suspense—and with a final dramatic chord, victory! Then comes the lilting chorus of her gallop out, her head and ears high in triumph, her body long with reaching strides, her silver-tipped tail streaming like a banner. Spellbound, you can only marvel at the explosive display of power and grace that just played out on the stage of turf before you.

Winter Memories. Rarely has a horse so captivated me, so inspired me. Even her name alone reached into my soul and breathed fresh life into my muses. Each of her race entries was an invitation to a brilliant one-song performance, a gripping tale of drama and suspense. Despite her turf-churning turn of foot, winning did not always come easily to the Gray Lady. But no matter—there was another performance waiting in the wings, another chance to gallop out in glorious victory. Until one day.

Last Friday, August 9, marked one year since Winter Memories retired. To say the announcement of her retirement was a disappointing surprise is an understatement. On July 28, 2012 she had handily won the Diana Stakes (Gr. I) at Saratoga and with the Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Turf in her sights, she seemed destined to conquer the female turf stage. But it was not to be. With a heavy heart, I grudgingly accepted her retirement as reality—after all, it’s a part of racing. A few days after her retirement was announced, Winter Memories went home to Darby Dan Farm to take her place alongside her dam, Memories of Silver, in the farm's prestigious broodmare band.

The curtains had closed and the lights were dimmed but to my delight, I was granted an encore. On a lovely mid-October morning my husband and I visited Winter Memories at Darby Dan.

Not yet integrated with the broodmare band, Winter Memories was stabled in a small barn not far from the main stallion barn. We awaited her presence outside the barn in the morning sun and crisp fall air, and I held my breath as the groom walked into her stall. And then there she was—the songstress of the turf, she with the most explosive turn of foot I’ve ever seen, the Gray Lady herself.

The groom led her out and circled her into position. Head high, she sized up my husband and I before stepping to and fro, antsy, the racehorse in her peeking through. Patiently, the groom positioned her again and she settled into a high-headed gaze, surveying the horizon before her. The sky was a beautiful blue, the leaves of the trees were on the brink of bursting into color, and the rising sun touched Winter Memories with golden light.

Thank you for the memories, Winter.

DRF announcement of Winter Memories' retirement

Complete video compilation of Winter Memories' races (the 2011 Garden City is my favorite):

Sept. 3, 2010: Saratoga, Maiden Special Weight, Finish: 1
Oct. 3, 2010: Belmont Park, Miss Grillo Stakes (Gr. III), Finish: 1
Nov. 5, 2010: Churchill Downs, Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Gr. II), Finish: 2
Apr. 21, 2011: Keeneland, Appalachian Stakes (Gr. III), Finish: 1
May 30, 2011: Belmont Park, Sands Point Stakes (Gr. II), Finish: 1
July 27, 2011: Saratoga, Lake George Stakes (Gr. II), Finish: 1
Aug. 21, 2011: Saratoga, Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes (Gr. II), Finish: 4
Sept. 17, 2011: Belmont Park, Garden City Stakes (Gr. I), Finish: 1
Oct. 15, 2011: Keeneland, Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup Stakes (Gr. I), Finish: 4
May 5, 2012: Belmont Park, Beaugay Stakes (Gr. III), Finish: 1
June 9, 2012: Belmont Park, Longines Just A Game Stakes (Gr. I), Finish: 2
July 28, 2012: Saratoga, Diana Stakes (Gr. I), Finish: 1

Weekend Recap: The Jim Dandy & Haskell

As the dust from the Triple Crown trail settles, we look to see who can hold form and who can improve, possibly landing himself on the ballot for Eclipse champion three-year-old colt.

Palace Malice before the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April, in which he finished 2nd.

The 1-1/8 mile Jim Dandy Stakes (Gr. II) at Saratoga had a field of Triple Crown warriors, as well as a few that bypassed that brouhaha altogether. The latter included Code West, who had won the Matt Winn (Gr. III) at Churchill Downs on June 15. Palace Malice proved that his win in the Belmont Stakes was no fluke and took the Jim Dandy under a strong hand ride from Mike Smith. Per trainer Todd Pletcher, he will be pointed towards the Travers Stakes (Gr. I) at Saratoga on August 24.

Code West before the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs in June.

Also run at 1-1/8 miles, the Haskell Invitational Stakes (Gr. I) at Monmouth Park had shaped up to be the race of the weekend. Also featuring several Triple Crown warriors, the field included Preakness Stakes (Gr. I) winner Oxbow, Verrazano (winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (Gr. I)), Vyjack (winner of the Gotham Stakes (Gr. III)), and Golden Soul (2nd in the Kentucky Derby (Gr. I)).

Verrazano had finished a disappointing 14th in the Kentucky Derby after chasing the suicidal pace set by Palace Malice. He returned to the races June 16 in the Pegasus Stakes (Gr. III) at Monmouth Park, facing Itsmyluckyday (2nd in the Florida Derby (Gr. I) and Preakness Stakes). A contest between the two horses never manifested, as Verrazano cheerfully seized the lead and ran away to a 9-1/4 length win. Itsmyluckyday was pulled up on the backstretch and later diagnosed with a pelvic fracture.

As I've liked both Verrazano and Oxbow since their debuts, I wasn't sure who I wanted to win the Haskell. Oxbow is as tough as they come, but when Verrazano is good, he is very, very good, and nothing less than a runaway train can stop him.

As he had in the Preakness Stakes, Gary Stevens guided Oxbow to the lead as Verrazano settled into a stalking position behind him. The veteran jockey is a master on the lead, but would it be enough? I carefully watched Verrazano and noted his loose ears and clean, free stride. Then I saw it--his rider, John Velazquez, glancing under his arm. He had a lot of horse and was waiting for the right moment to let Verrazano go!

At the half-mile mark, Stevens glanced over at Velazquez as Verrazano pulled alongside Oxbow. Power Broker, Rosie Napravnik up, then made his bid for the lead. It was happening! My husband grabbed my arm as Velazquez told Verrazano, "Go." The big dark bay colt moved forward smooth as silk and goosebumps rolled over my skin. His ears relaxed in the wind, Verrazano moved to a comfortable lead then, under urging from Velazquez, opened up a greater lead with no discernable effort, winning by a record 9-3/4 lengths.

As of today, he's officially earned a 116 Beyer for the race, and trainer Todd Pletcher says Verrazano will also point towards the Travers Stakes, which is very exciting. Unfortunately, Oxbow suffered an ankle injury in the Haskell and will be sidelined for an undetermined time. I hope to see him return to the races later in the fall.

You can watch Verrazano's performance in the Haskell Stakes here or below.

Rahystrada and his groom

Another racing blogger asked if he could post my image of Rahystrada and his groom after the Arlington Hcp. (Gr. III); you can see the image here.

You can see the rest of the photos I took that day here.

And I have some photos of Limerick, too!

After attending Million Preview Day at Arlington Park, my husband and I stopped at the barn to tend to Limerick. I took advantage of having the camera with me and took some pics of her (and my husband!)

I also took some photos of other horses nearby.