International Racing

Old Skip thought he'd take a crack at the race game. After putting in a bold effort, he thought. "Bugger this for a joke, I'm out of here."

 

The race they all love in the States goes off tomorrow. Of late the Kentucky Derby has seen it's fair share of stars get the biscuits. Two years ago it was American Pharoah and before that, California Chrome, but tomorrow looks as though it might be a bit light on as far as quality goes. The race is wide open with Classic Empire holding sway at 4-1 just in front of both Always Dreaming and McCracken at 5-1. Irish War Cry is 6-1. For what it's worth, I like Always dreaming, and thought J Boys Echo might be of some value.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/35346697/crawford-talking-each-kentucky-derby-starter-in-100-words-or-less

 

One of the premier races on the planet, the Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs today. The winner was the Tod Pletcher trained Always Dreaming ridden by John Velazquez who began well and raced close to the pace on the bog track. He started at 5-1. He's number 5. The tap dancing horse at the beginning was Thunder Snow.

 

Could be wrong however one very good horse beats an OK bunch?

 

After finishing second in three G1 races last year, Lucky Bubbles proved too good on Sunday in the G1 Chairman's Sprint at Sha Tin. Starting at 5-2 he held off the fast finishing 1-1 favourite Mr. Stunning.

 

ALWAYS DREAMING looked imperious, a triple crown winner maybe.............

Well done on getting the winner Cyc

 

Thanks Stick, I get one winner per year.

 

Yep, well done indeed, Cyc. Not sure I've had my yearly winner yet, but I am truly pissed that I missed Winter yesterday in the 1000 Gns. yesterday (must be careful as one gets nailed with the dreaded 'aftertiming' tag), The amount of money loaded on Winter at the beginning of last week, which I understand brought the filly's price down from 33/1 to 8/1 (9/1 eventual SP), was a right old pointer. Don't think anyone on the forum tipped it, not even Stick? Ryan Moore's ride on the stable-companion favourite to finish second was most interesting?

That's digressing. Always Dreaming did it well with an intelligent ride from the jockey. The going description on the last line of the Racing Post 'Full Result' of the race, i.e. "Wet fast (Sealed)" mystified the hell out of me. It looked almost Sloppy to me, but not quite. On dirt, I am not quite sure how they would have described the going in the old days I spent in Canada, 'Slow' possibly, as it was certainly not the very rare 'Heavy'. However, not quite 'Sloppy'. 'Wet fast (Sealed)' is new to me! 'Muddy' would have been the most accurate IMO, but that was never an official description of the ground on a Dirt Track, as far as I can remember.

The main track surface at Churchill Downs is a mixture of sandy loam and natural soil with a clay base, and is regarded as one of the very best dirt tracks in the United States.

 

From what I've just read Swanny, a sealed track has the surface packed down so that the water won't penetrate it. I don't know how they do it, maybe a heavy roller?

 

I suppose in the interests of offshore viewers, we must include the UK races on this thread. Winter's 1000 Guineas win.

 

Thank you Cyc!

Say, would you be kind enough to give me the URL for Racing UK video clips. ATR is no problem, but Racing UK stuff I don't know how to do!

 

I can give you the link to live racing, bull will have do some homework on replays.

http://cricfree.sc/racing-uk-live-stream-2

 

Does this help Swanny?

http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video/

 

Great, thanks very much Cyc, Will archive the last one now.

My software security people have warned me off the Cricfree website. First, it flashed that they had blocked 'phishing' from the site, then, recently, have blocked the whole damn thing altogether. Of course, I can ignore them, but that would be silly as that's what I pay G Data for! That clip you gave is as clear as a bell though, must say.

 

Results section of the Sporting Life is what you need Swanny

 

OK, thanks Stick. That Jockey Club URL from Cyc seems pretty useful too.

 

Thats good but only covers the JC owned tracks.

 

Doesnt everyone have a skybet account?