Saintland Triple Crown - Everything Thread

by **Saintland** » Wed May 01, 2013 8:51 am

Welcome to the first Saintland Triple Crown. 79 horses from 14 nations will compete for the elusive Triple Crown. No horse has won the Triple Crown in 50 years and this year's Triple Crown will likely feature the deepest field of entrants ever to enter the Triple Crown. For the first time ever, horses from outside Saintland are allowed to enter, with the field restricted to a limit of 10 horses per nation. The horses will be split into groups and each group will be required to enter a prep race to qualify for the Triple Crown. The top 5 finishers at each prep race will qualify for all 3 Triple Crown races. Horses that DNF in a Triple Crown race will be considered injured and unable to continue in the competition.

List of Competing Horses

Schedule

May 5: St. Lucas Derby - St. Lucas Grounds, St. Lucas, Saintland (8 furlongs)
May 6: Est’uakii se Tronjheim -Stadii se Rucii Jasandr, Tronjheim, Andossa Se Metrin Vega (9 furlongs)
May 7: Darmeni Derby - Liverpool County Race Course, Darmen (13 furlongs)
May 8: Take Me Higher Derby - Brattleboro Raceway, Cassadaigua (10 furlongs)
May 11: Saintland Derby - Holy Grounds, St. Ioannes, Saintland (10 furlongs)
May 13: Briskness Stakes - Royal Race Course - St. Petrus, Saintland (9 furlongs)
May 15: Grueling Stakes - St. Paulus Downs - St. Paulus, Saintland (12 furlongs)

Cutoffs will be at 11 PM US Eastern Time.

OOC Thread (Formerly signups) Keep purely OOC discussion in the OOC Thread

by **Saintland** » Wed May 01, 2013 8:52 am

St. Lucas Derby

Righteous Indignation - Saintland
Speedy Fish - Schmiegelland
Margaret Lies - Cassadaigua
He Who Shall Not Be Named - The Sova Empire
Pegleg’s Ghost - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Sanctified - Saintland
Zorba - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Divorced - German-Spanish Empire
Harry - Alorianistan
Central Hardeners - Subramani
Sparkling Twilight - The Camel Society
Take Me There - Cassadaigua
Sly Bardero - Karditan
Icy Pete - Beldonia
Pony Troublers - Subramani
Burning Rainbow - Darmen
Dumb Luck - Equestrian States
Spoiled Brat - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Escape Dragons - Darmen

Est’uakii se Tronjheim

Invisibility - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Hägar the black - Kriegiersien
Average Pete - Equestrian States
Southern Intellects - Subramani
Bridesmaid - Karditan
Eastern Classics - Subramani
Faithful Moon - Darmen
Majestic Bubble - Cassadaigua
Lady of the Lake - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Flaming Blonde - Cassadaigua
Tribal Racers - Subramani
Caballo Pero - German-Spanish Empire
Most Fatal Horror - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
ButterSky - The Camel Society
Gunner - Alorianistan
Caelum Bound - Saintland
Avenging Angel - Saintland
Red Woman - Darmen
Constantinus Rex - Saintland
Graceful Saint - Cassadaigua

Darmeni Derby

His Royal Highness - Darmen
Northern Brave Hearts - Subramani
Mark Kiss - Beldonia
Ogrillon - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Rear Back - Equestrian States
Cinnamon Velvet - The Camel Society
Jerusalem - Saintland
RaindowSunshine - The Camel Society
King without End - Darmen
Hanz - German-Spanish Empire
Fortunate Light - Darmen
Aran Gunnar - Karditan
Patriarch - Saintland
Sun Pigs - Darmen
Horse With No Name - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Ocean Music - Cassadaigua
Corrigan - Cassadaigua
Axe - Alorianistan
Subramani Monarchs - Subramani
Leaping Kruizdeen - Schmiegelland

Take Me Higher Derby

Higher then Rushmore - Cassadaigua
Sparkling Cider - Karditan
Duke of Earl - Darmen
Sacrum Via - Saintland
Radioactive Girl - Darmen
Worldcup Fiftyone - Cassadaigua
Western Riches - Subramani
Fall Guy - Beldonia
Buttercup RosePetal - The Camel Society
Vita - Saintland
His Royal Majesty - Saintland
Grey Magic - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
Courtneys Baby - Cassadaigua
Federal Champs - Subramani
Dead Weight - Karditan
Sack o' Bricks - Equestrian States
Army Craziers - Subramani
The Square Root of 25 - The Sova Empire
Politically Correct - Kriegiersien
Monster Magnet - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega

Draw by Random.org's List Randomizer, with modifications for balance

by **Andossa Se Mitrin Vega** » Thu May 02, 2013 2:00 pm

Horse Racing. Nothing like it in the world. Beautiful horses. Arrogant jockeys. Wealthy owners. For the select few that can afford to breed and raise their own, this part of society takes on a life of its own. Now add to that fact that even the marginally wealthy, and at times upper middle class, can also get into the game if they are willing to make huge risks on acquiring a horse of their own. And then add the fact that even the common man can live on the fringes of this elite society as he places his hopes (and his money) on horses he rarely knows but little about. This is the life of horse racing. This is the life of the Triple Crown.

And now things are going global once again as Saintland has opened the door for this series of races that will wind its way to the Saintland Triple Crown.

It seems that the Vegai will not see either of their favorites running in the first race, The St Lucas Derby. Instead it will fall to Pegleg’s Ghost and the beautiful Zorba to get us off to a brilliant start. Pegleg’s Ghost is considered to be the stronger of the two, but we have all seen what Zorba can accomplish when in top form. Both horses will have some work to do as the favorite for the win, place, and show are Margaret Lies, Speedy Fish, and Central Hardeners in that order with He Who Shall Not Be Named given an outside chance. If either could pull off a top three finish it would a huge coup for ASMV. I must also mention that Spoiled Brat is also running in this race but we have little hopes for this horse to more than simply not finish dead last.

We shall get a look at Invisibility in the 2nd race of the series, Est’uakii se Trondheim (Tronjheim Stakes) on our own soil while Ogrillon makes his debut in the 3rd race, The Darmeni Derby

by **The Sova Empire** » Thu May 02, 2013 6:49 pm

Sport's column, "New Bethlehem Mail"

As a nation with 124 on the "Marx-Engels Emancipation Scale" for income equality (good for the top 42% in the world), TSE is not famous for it's horse racing. Others would look to nations such as the Equestrian States, or Karditan for countries that are popular for horses. Not TSE. In fact, before a couple of months ago, only zoos featured the majestic creatures. 4 legs, 1 mission. Get to the finish line before the other horses. A simple goal, yet it inspires such passion rarely seen in sports elsewhere. When the gate goes down, the energy is unmatchable. Go watch one sometime, you'll be hooked.

For those who can't make it to a preliminary race on the outskirts of town, you'll have a chance to watch on TV. The pride of the Empire, "He Who Shall Not Be Named" has never been beat in competition, and will be racing against 18 of the best horses in the world in the "St. Lucas Derby", on tape delay for viewing May 6th. Here is how the ranks look in the race:

1. Speedy Fish - Schmiegelland (100)
2. Margaret Lies - Cassadaigua (100)
3. Central Hardeners - Subramani (100)
4. He Who Shall Not Be Named - The Sova Empire (95)
5. Pegleg’s Ghost - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (85)
6. Righteous Indignation - Saintland (80)
7. Zorba - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (75)
8. Sanctified - Saintland (65)
9. Harry - Alorianistan (57)
10. Divorced - German-Spanish Empire (50)
11. Sparkling Twilight - The Camel Society (45)
12. Burning Rainbow - Darmen (40)
13. Sly Bardero - Karditan (20)
14. Take Me There - Cassadaigua (15)
15. Icy Pete - Beldonia (10)
16. Spoiled Brat - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (10)
17. Pony Troublers - Subramani (0)
18. Dumb Luck - Equestrian States (0)
19. Escape Dragons - Darmen (0)

International ratings are in parenthesis

Out of 19 horses, by ranking alone "He Who Shall Not Be Named" is predicted to finish in the top 5. The race will be held in Saintland for those who have enough cash and interest to see it in person. The "St. Lucas Derby" is held at "St. Lucas Grounds" in "St. Lucas, Saintland". May God bless you all.

by **Cassadaigua** » Fri May 03, 2013 3:05 pm

10 Horses qualify for International Competition - Here’s a look at Four (more will come in future)

It’s been a while since horse racing has been an international affair, and no one really knows what has happened to Carlie Banana, the horse of the year in the previous edition. Carlie’s nation, Lovable Weirdos is only a distant memory at this point. The nation of the year, Delaclava, is no longer participating, and the nation that ran the competition, Newmanistan, also no longer exists. In fact, when you look at the list of nations participating, only Cassadaigua and Andossa se Mitrin Vega can say that they fielded entries three years ago.

You may remember when Take Me Higher captured the prestigious Lovable Weirdos Derby. Now, the champion has three foals looking to do what he was able to do. In fact, some will argue that Take Me Higher has become one of the most accomplished males in Cassadagan history, all species included. Let’s take a look at those three:

Higher Then Rushmore is impeccably bred. Not only is he by Take Me Higher, he’s also out of Kissme ImaDagan, who ran in the Breeders Cup Marathon herself three years ago. He stands at 17.0 hands, with an ideal lumbrosacral. Looking at the horses physique closer, a long humerus and low humerus angle makes it no surprise that Higher Then Rushmore is built for distance. Trainer Kaitlyn Shaffer, who was two horses in the field, tells us, “When you put those two together, this is what you’re hoping for, right away you knew this foal had the potential to be something great. The first time we put him out on the track when he was a yearling, he did 2 furlongs in 23 seconds. Right then we knew he was something special, really, really special.” Shaffer has been asked about these extra out of country races, and whether they may prove to be a mistake for the horse, “I wouldn’t enter a horse that I thought couldn’t handle it.” Higher Then Rushmore is type of horse that likes to assume a stalking position early on, and then pounce on the frontrunners at the top of the stretch.

Shaffer’s second entry, Take Me There, will be more of a longshot for success. Also out of Take Me Higher, this 3 year old colt is more of a sprinter by trade. “Six or seven furlongs is really his max,” said Shaffer, “But he’s shown some improvement in his mile works to date, so I figure I’ll take a shot with him, and if he doesn’t make the primary races, then we can return him to Cassadaigua.” Many believe that the sole purpose for Take Me There in the St. Lucas Derby is to serve as a rabbit for Margaret Lies. More on him in a bit.

The third Take Me Higher foal is WorldCup FiftyOne. The colt is not only named for Cassadaigua’s most recent World Cup win, he is owned by Rachel Conti, who was a then a 24-year old reserve on that team. “I’ve always loved horse racing. WorldCup FiftyOne isn’t the first racehorse I have owned. But he’s the fastest!” Conti enlisted the services of trainer Jessica Wood for her entry, and Wood is also high on the horse. “WorldCup FiftyOne can beat anyone. He loves to race, and sometimes that energy needs to be harnessed. When we added blinkers, a lot of his gate anxiety dissipated, and that’s when he got on his best form.”

The final horse we’ll cover in this edition is Margaret Lies, who is running in the St. Lucas Derby. This young colt is by Honorable Fortune, who was 3rd in his Breeder’s Cup Classic. Trained by Suzanne Flowers, a small time owner out of Canton, it took a little while for him to break his maiden. Most of the horses in these fields likely broke their maiden very early in their two year old career, but for Margaret Lies was very inconsistent. “He was very random in his ways. Some days, its as if he decided to have a great showing and then others it was as if he just wanted to take an easy stroll.” Late last year, Flowers found his calling, “He broke badly for a maiden event in Rutland, and was 10 lengths off way too early. We were then amazed by his closing kick. Previously, we’ve kept him more in the back, but he really truly wants to be a deep closer in a field.” This would make the logic of Take Me There serving as a rabbit to be all the more likely. If Take Me There can cause the frontrunners to run a faster pace then normal, then Margaret Lies will have an easier time passing the rivals in the stretch as they tire. In his three-year old campaign, Margaret Lies has won all four of his starts.

by **Darmen** » Sat May 04, 2013 1:58 pm

Darmeni Derby just days away, first odds released

Horse                 Nation                 Odds
His Royal Highness    Darmen                 3/1
Northern Brave Hearts Subramani              4/1
Mark Kiss             Beldonia               6/1
Ogrillon              Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 6/1
Rear Back             Equestrian States      5/1
Cinnamon Velvet       The Camel Society      6/1
Jerusalem             Saintland              10/1
RaindowSunshine       The Camel Society      10/1
King without End      Darmen                 10/1
Hanz                  German-Spanish Empire  15/1
Fortunate Light       Darmen                 10/1
Aran Gunnar           Karditan               12/1
Patriarch             Saintland              12/1
Sun Pigs              Darmen                 10/1
Horse With No Name    Andossa Se Mitrin Vega 20/1
Ocean Music           Cassadaigua            30/1
Corrigan              Cassadaigua            30/1
Axe                   Alorianistan           40/1
Subramani Monarchs    Subramani              50/1
Leaping Kruizdeen     Schmiegelland          50/1

One of the strongest fields ever will take part in the 63rd Darmeni Derby in Liverpool. The race will be held on Tuesday, May 7th, and will feature three horses who can be safely expected to advance into the Saintland Triple Crown. The Darmeni Derby favorite, His Royal Highness, who currently has odds of 3 to 1, was bred not too far away from Liverpool, in the suburb of Moneghetti. Two international horses, Northern Brave Hearts from Subramani and Rear Back from Equestrian States, are also strong contenders to take home the crown.

Other Darmeni horses racing on Tuesday include, King without End, Fortunate Light and Sun Pigs. King without End is one of the horses expected to contend for a spot in the three races of the Saintland Triple Crown.

by **Saintland** » Sun May 05, 2013 8:00 pm

Post Positions

1. Harry - Alorianistan
2. Margaret Lies - Cassadaigua
3. Pony Troublers - Subramani
4. Speedy Fish - Schmiegelland
5. Take Me There - Cassadaigua
6. Icy Pete - Beldonia
7. Sparkling Twilight - The Camel Society
8. Sanctified - Saintland
9. Burning Rainbow - Darmen
10. Escape Dragons - Darmen
11. Central Hardeners - Subramani
12. He Who Shall Not Be Named - The Sova Empire
13. Divorced - German-Spanish Empire
14. Pegleg’s Ghost - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
15. Sly Bardero - Karditan
16. Dumb Luck - Equestrian States
17. Righteous Indignation - Saintland
18. Spoiled Brat - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
19. Zorba - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega

St. Lucas Derby Result (8 Furlongs)

 1 Zorba (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)                 1:31.580
 2 Pegleg's Ghost (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)        1:32.147
 3 Righteous Indignation (Saintland)              1:33.103
 4 Speedy Fish (Schmiegelland)                    1:33.317
 5 Sanctified (Saintland)                         1:33.421
 6 Take Me There (Cassadaigua)                    1:33.458
 7 Harry (Alorianistan)                           1:34.274
 8 Sparkling Twilight (The Camel Society)         1:34.343
 9 He Who Shall Not Be Named (The Sova Empire)    1:36.085
10 Dumb Luck (Equestrian States)                  1:37.481
11 Divorced (German-Spanish Empire)               1:38.007
12 Pony Troublers (Subramani)                     1:38.154
13 Sly Bardero (Karditan)                         1:40.427
14 Icy Pete (Beldonia)                            1:41.066
15 Escape Dragons (Darmen)                        1:42.234
16 Spoiled Brat (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)          1:42.598
17 Burning Rainbow (Darmen)                       1:43.017
 — Central Hardeners (Subramani)                        DNF
   Margaret Lies (Cassadaigua)                          DNF

Qualifiers in bold.

by **Andossa Se Mitrin Vega** » Mon May 06, 2013 1:18 am

And that is why we race!

The St Lucas Derby was held today and took center stage in the world of horse racing. After all, this was the first time in quite a while that the sport had ventured into the international arena of things. And perhaps that is why one of the most anticipated events of all-time proved to be one of the sloppiest, near-catastrophic events of all time. Nineteen horses and jockeys can cause a mess in domestic events. Now have nineteen horses and jockeys where most have never even heard of each other before and things could swing badly very quickly. And that they did.

From the moment the gun went off, it was chaos as horse and jockey alike were bounced and pummeled by each other as far too many of the entrants veered inside in a vain attempt to gain valuable position. Pre-race favorite, Margaret Lies from Cassadaigua, took the brunt of everyone’s mistake as the beautiful horse came up limping and was unable to finish. Another favorite, Central hardeners from Subramani, also have the misfortune of not finishing though the reasons remain a bit of a mystery as both jockey and steed seemed fine following the race’s conclusion.

“Just run straight until you get clear and then move for position.” Arurde Zyb’lynk had heard the advice given over and over by his father. “If you move too early and get tangled up it’s all over” And how true did those words ring today as he guided Pegleg’s Ghost straight down the track as so many of the others moved inside too early. The big, powerful horse was able to shake off the bump from Sly Bardero and surge into the early lead - a lead that would be held for most of the race.

Zorba followed another course. Starting slow, the graceful horse simply did as he was asked and ran well over the first five furlongs. At that point it seemed as if the race as for second with gate seventeen starter Righteous Indignation of Saintland as they both watched the backside of Pegleg’s Ghost. Speedy Fish was there as well, but he was obviously winded from all the early jostling on the inside.

And then, as has often been the case in his career, Zorba turned on the jets. Two furlongs and two full lengths back. One furlong to go and a full length to be made up. And yet there would be no photo finish required as Zorba surged to the lead and easily won by more than half a second.

The shocker was that no horse predicted to place in the top four managed to do so besides Speedy Fish. Now we return to home soil in Tronjheim to see if Invisibility, Lady of the Lake, or Most Fatal Horror can match the results seen here today in Saintland.

by **Cassadaigua** » Mon May 06, 2013 8:36 am

Flowers blasts stewards; threatens lawsuit,

Trainer Suzanne Flowers called the St. Lucas Derby a “disgrace”, and many other Cassadagan trainers and owners threatened to pull their horses from the competition if what happened last night, happens again. The 19-horse field, a field in which can be seen as too large to begin with for this kind of race (this is supposed to only be a prep race), created far too many traffic problems. Add in the fact that this group of jockeys have no experience racing against one another, and there is a recipe for disaster. “Too many horses fighting for position, jockeys not knowing what the hell they are doing. Many of these nations probably have no idea what the word ‘pace’ truly means in a race like this. There was no beauty about what we saw last night, and the safety of the animals has to come first.” Flowers then talked specifically about Margaret Lies, “I want to drag all the fucking stewards into the stall and let them see Margaret Lies this morning. She sustained a right front hoof injury this morning, and might never race again.” Flowers then said if Margaret Lies does not race again, a lawsuit towards track officials concerning negligence may very well be possible, “Definitely, if he can’t race again, there will be a lawsuit. Too much chaos out there was permitted, and they are responsible for the product they put out there. The 11 (Central Hardeners of Subramani) also was pulled up. That was supposed to be a good horse too. This cannot happen again.”

by **Beldonia** » Mon May 06, 2013 1:03 pm

Beldonian Disaster at St. Lucas Derby
by Chris Walters

At least it was over quickly. Icy Pete, a Beldonian horse jockeyed by the squat Jamie Merman, was unable to measure up against the competition at the St. Lucas Derby, the first qualifying race for the races that comprise the Saintland Triple Crown. Blown away by Zorba, the horse that beat compatriot St. Pegleg's Ghost by half a second, Icy Pete, no picture of fitness himself, retreated back to his trailer to munch on some oats.

Merman, fully aware of the fact that Pete isn't one of Beldonia's best horses, seemed to shrug off the loss. "Yeah, it's too bad we didn't win," he said. "But if we had to lose, I'm glad it was by such a large margin. If we had gotten real close and barely missed out, then I would have been under fire because of my weight. People would have accused me of being the thing that kept Pete from the top. But Pete doesn't quite have the game for international competition." Indeed, Icy Pete has only one Beldonian win, and Beldonian horse racing doesn't have much of a reputation.

Icy Pete is owned by the Milner family. The Milners, known for their industrial corporation, merely dabble in horse racing and thus do not produce many top horses.

Mark Kiss will be the next horse to race for Beldonia; he will be participating in the Darmeni Derby. One of the best horses in Beldonia, most of the nation's hopes for winning the Saintland Triple Crown are on his muscular shoulders.

by **Saintland** » Mon May 06, 2013 8:18 pm

Post Positions

1. Gunner - Alorianistan
2. Avenging Angel - Saintland
3. Faithful Moon - Darmen
4. Bridesmaid - Karditan
5. Most Fatal Horror - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
6. Caballo Pero - German-Spanish Empire
7. Caelum Bound - Saintland
8. Invisibility - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
9. Southern Intellects - Subramani
10. Average Pete - Equestrian States
11. Tribal Racers - Subramani
12. Majestic Bubble - Cassadaigua
13. Flaming Blonde - Cassadaigua
14. Constantinus Rex - Saintland
15. Hägar the black - Kriegiersien
16. Red Woman - Darmen
17. Eastern Classics - Subramani
18. Graceful Saint - Cassadaigua
19. Lady of the Lake - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
20. ButterSky - The Camel Society

Est’uakii se Tronjheim Result (9 Furlongs)

 1 Southern Intellects (Subramani)               1:45.91
 2 Invisibility (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)         1:46.02
 3 Bridesmaid (Karditan)                         1:46.08
 4 Average Pete (Equestrian States)              1:46.14
 5 Eastern Classics (Subramani)                  1:46.27
 6 Lady of the Lake (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)     1:46.94
 7 Caballo Pero (German-Spanish Empire)          1:47.02
 8 Faithful Moon (Darmen)                        1:47.18
 9 Flaming Blonde (Cassadaigua)                  1:47.22
10 Majestic Bubble (Cassadaigua)                 1:47.64
11 Caelum Bound (Saintland)                      1:47.77
12 Most Fatal Horror (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)    1:47.88
13 Gunner (Alorianistan)                         1:48.08
14 Constantinus Rex (Saintland)                  1:48.39
15 Red Woman (Darmen)                            1:48.53
16 Tribal Racers (Subramani)                     1:48.84
17 Avenging Angel (Saintland)                    1:49.69
18 ButterSky (The Camel Society)                 1:50.28
19 Graceful Saint (Cassadaigua)                  1:56.38
 — Hägar the black (Kriegiersien)                    DNF

Qualifiers in bold.

by **Kriegiersien** » Tue May 07, 2013 6:20 am

Schoenwetter Herald

Kriegiersien shocked about race.

The Saintland Triple Crown getting more in more in discredit. After Cassadaiguas Margarete Lies couldn't end the race in the St. Lucas Derby Result, there was much protest and threats of a law suit from the Cassadaiguan side, because of the brutal, overfilled race.
When in the Est’uakii se Tronjheim, the Kriegiersien top-notch Hägar the black stumbled and wasn't able to come up and finish, his jockey raged in anger.
"I was hit in the face by another jockey. I swear it was one of the lads from Saintland that damned mother[censored]", sweared Sven Badluck while cleaning his glasses he had forgotten in the race.
Both rider and horse seemed to have survived the race.

"At least it is nothing a good knacker couldn't work with", said a veterinary of the team.

No one else of the officials of the Kriegiersien team wanted to comment the race for now and the President of Kriegiersien stated that this "..is not a reason to declare war. Yet."

by **Saintland** » Tue May 07, 2013 8:06 pm

Post Positions

1. His Royal Highness - Darmen
2. Northern Brave Hearts - Subramani
3. Patriarch - Saintland
4. Subramani Monarchs - Subramani
5. Mark Kiss - Beldonia
6. Rear Back - Equestrian States
7. Ogrillon - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
8. Hanz - German-Spanish Empire
9. Aran Gunnar - Karditan
10. Ocean Music - Cassadaigua
11. Fortunate Light - Darmen
12. Cinnamon Velvet - The Camel Society
13. Axe - Alorianistan
14. RaindowSunshine - The Camel Society
15. Leaping Kruizdeen - Schmiegelland
16. King without End - Darmen
17. Sun Pigs - Darmen
18. Horse With No Name - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
19. Jerusalem - Saintland
20. Corrigan - Cassadaigua

Darmeni Derby Result (13 Furlongs)

 1 Northern Brave Hearts (Subramani)              2:38.43
 2 Mark Kiss (Beldonia)                           2:39.53
 3 Rear Back (Equestrian States)                  2:42.93
 4 Fortunate Light (Darmen)                       2:42.95
 5 Orgillon (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)              2:43.01
 6 Jerusalem (Saintland)                          2:43.14
 7 Cinnamon Velvet (The Camel Society)            2:44.43
 8 Sun Pigs (Darmen)                              2:44.44
 9 Horse With No Name (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)    2:44.70
10 King without End (Darmen)                      2:45.13
11 Subramani Monarchs (Subramani)                 2:45.29
12 Axe (Alorianistan)                             2:46.03
13 Leaping Kruizdeen (Schmiegelland)              2:46.13
14 RainbowSunshine (The Camel Society)            2:46.25
15 Patriarch (Saintland)                          2:47.01
16 His Royal Highness (Darmen)                    2:47.13
17 Corrigan (Cassadaigua)                         2:47.23
18 Ocean Music (Cassadaigua)                      2:48.13
   Aran Gunner (Karditan)                         2:48.13
20 Hanz (German-Spanish Empire)                   2:48.79

Qualifiers in bold.

by **The Sova Empire** » Wed May 08, 2013 1:13 pm

Dissapointing finish for "He Who Shall Not Be Named", "The Square Root of 25" races next

HWSNBN finished 9th, 4 positions away from qualifying for the Triple Crown. The disappointment in the loss is most clearly seen in the ranking position of those who beat HWSNBN.

1st: 20 points below
2nd: 10 points below
3rd: 15 points below
4th: 5 points above
5th: 30 points below
6th: 80 points below
7th: 38 points below
8th: 50 points below

TSE looks forward to next race, where the long-shot "Square Root of 25" will be racing in the "Take Me Higher Derby" in Brattleboro Raceway, Cassadaigua. The field:

1. Higher then Rushmore - Cassadaigua (100)
2. Worldcup Fiftyone - Cassadaigua (100)
3. Western Riches - Subramani (100)
4. Sparkling Cider - Karditan (95)
5. Duke of Earl - Darmen (80)
6. Sacrum Via - Saintland (71)
7. Radioactive Girl - Darmen (60)
8. Vita - Saintland (54)
9. His Royal Majesty - Saintland (52)
10. Fall Guy - Beldonia (50)
11. Buttercup RosePetal - The Camel Society (50)
12. Grey Magic - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (40)
13. Dead Weight - Karditan (20)
14. Courtneys Baby - Cassadaigua (10)
15. The Square Root of 25 - The Sova Empire (5)
16. Monster Magnet - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega (5)
17. Federal Champs - Subramani (0)
18. Sack o' Bricks - Equestrian States (0)
19. Army Craziers - Subramani (0)
20. Politically Correct - Kriegiersien (0)

By rankings alone, it would be suggested that a top-10 wouldn't be feasible. However, if anything is like last race, you can expect a few long shots in the top 10. After all, a horse only ranked 15 very nearly qualified. Only 1 triple-digit ranked horse made it in the top-9. So anything is possible, tune in tonight to see if TSR25 can make TSE proud.

by **Beldonia** » Wed May 08, 2013 1:16 pm

Mark Kiss Nearly Takes It
by Chris Walters

After a poor performance by Beldonian horse Icy Pete in the St. Lucas Derby, the jet black Mark Kiss, also of Beldonia, played it cool throughout the duration of the Darmeni Derby and nearly took the race, settling for second and a spot in the Triple Crown races. Jockeyed by George Goodtree, an immigrant from Haggardsarg who recently became a Beldonian citizen, Mark Kiss was poised and near the front for the entire race. He never held the lead, but a steady gallop was all he needed to put himself in a fine position to compete for the Triple Crown.

Goodtree was, predictably, quite pleased after the race. "Very happy to see Mark Kiss win," he said in broken English. "Best horse in Beldonia. Gonna win some more races now." The experienced jockey has a fine record in both his native Haggardsarg and Beldonia, his relatively new home. This next step to international competition is only natural.

Mark Kiss is widely regarded as the best Beldonian horse racing today, nearly capturing the Beldonian Triple Crown last year. To capture the Saintland Triple Crown would cap an outstanding career that may not go on for much longer.

by **Saintland** » Wed May 08, 2013 8:00 pm

Post Positions

1. Sacrum Via - Saintland
2. Army Craziers - Subramani
3. Politically Correct - Kriegiersien
4. Vita - Saintland
5. Monster Magnet - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
6. Radioactive Girl - Darmen
7. Fall Guy - Beldonia
8. Courtneys Baby - Cassadaigua
9. Sack o' Bricks - Equestrian States
10. Sparkling Cider - Karditan
11. Grey Magic - Andossa Se Mitrin Vega
12. Worldcup Fiftyone - Cassadaigua
13. Duke of Earl - Darmen
14. Western Riches - Subramani
15. Buttercup RosePetal - The Camel Society
16. His Royal Majesty - Saintland
17. Federal Champs - Subramani
18. The Square Root of 25 - The Sova Empire
19. Higher then Rushmore - Cassadaigua
20. Dead Weight - Karditan

Take Me Higher Derby Result

 1 Worldcup Fiftyone (Cassadaigua)            1:59.80
 2 Sacrum Via (Saintland)                     1:59.94
 3 Duke of Earl (Darmen)                      2:00.01
 4 Radioactive Girl (Darmen)                  2:00.05
 5 Western Riches (Subramani)                 2:00.29
 6 Sparkling Cider (Karditan)                 2:00.31
 7 Courtneys Baby (Cassadaigua)               2:00.43
 8 His Royal Majesty (Saintland)              2:00.53
 9 Army Craziers (Subramani)                  2:01.92
10 The Square Root of 25 (The Sova Empire)    2:02.20
11 Vita (Saintland)                           2:02.45
12 Fall Guy (Beldonia)                        2:02.46
13 Federal Champs (Subramani)                 2:02.64
14 Higher then Rushmore (Cassadaigua)         2:02.64
15 Dead Weight (Karditan)                     2:05.29
16 Sack o' Bricks (Equestrian States)         2:09.41
17 Politically Correct (Kriegiersien)         2:11.52
18 Buttercup RosePetal (The Camel Society)    2:12.58
19 Grey Magic (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)        2:24.00
 — Monster Magnet (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)        DNF

Qualifiers in bold.

Post Position Draw for the Saintland Derby

1. Eastern Classics - (Subramani)
2. Mark Kiss - (Beldonia)
3. Fortunate Light - (Darmen)
4. Pegleg's Ghost - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
5. Rear Back - (Equestrian States)
6. Worldcup Fiftyone - (Cassadaigua)
7. Righteous Indignation - (Saintland)
8. Bridesmaid - (Karditan)
9. Duke of Earl - (Darmen)
10. Orgillon - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
11. Invisibility - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
12. Average Pete - (Equestrian States)
13. Northern Brave Hearts - (Subramani)
14. Sacrum Via - (Saintland)
15. Zorba - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
16. Sanctified - (Saintland)
17. Western Riches - (Subramani)
18. Speedy Fish - (Schmiegelland)
19. Southern Intellects - (Subramani)
20. Radioactive Girl - (Darmen)

Official Announcement

If any horse has a DNF during the Saintland Derby or the Briskness Stakes and is unable to continue in the Triple Crown, the horse's home nation may enter a replacement that entered a prep race, but failed to qualify, in that horse's spot for the remaining Triple Crown races. We hope that participating nations will take advantage of this, in the unfortunate event that it is necessary to withdraw one of their horses from competition.

- King Paulus XV

by **Saintland** » Sat May 11, 2013 7:58 pm

Saintland Derby Result

 1 Rear Back (Equestrian States)              1:58.96
 2 Bridesmaid (Karditan)                      1:58.98
 3 Worldcup Fiftyone (Cassadaigua)            1:59.10
 4 Western Riches (Subramani)                 1:59.30
 5 Radioactive Girl (Darmen)                  1:59.74
 6 Zorba (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)             1:59.78
 7 Duke of Earl (Darmen)                      1:59.82
 8 Speedy Fish (Schmiegelland)                1:59.97
 9 Average Pete (Equestrian States)           2:00.04
10 Eastern Classics (Subramani)               2:00.15
11 Sacrum Via (Saintland)                     2:00.25
12 Sanctified (Saintland)                     2:00.36
13 Pegleg's Ghost (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)    2:00.41
14 Northern Brave Hearts (Subramani)          2:00.42
15 Righteous Indignation (Saintland)          2:00.47
16 Invisibility (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)      2:00.50
17 Mark Kiss (Beldonia)                       2:00.64
18 Orgillon (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)          2:00.69
19 Fortunate Light (Darmen)                   2:11.59
 — Southern Intellects (Subramani)                 DQ

Post Position Draw for the Briskness Stakes

1. Zorba - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
2. Sanctified - (Saintland)
3. Bridesmaid - (Karditan)
4. Orgillon - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
5. Average Pete - (Equestrian States)
6. Mark Kiss - (Beldonia)
7. Northern Brave Hearts - (Subramani)
8. Invisibility - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
9. Western Riches - (Subramani)
10. Eastern Classics - (Subramani)
11. Southern Intellects - (Subramani)
12. Radioactive Girl - (Darmen)
13. Fortunate Light - (Darmen)
14. Duke of Earl - (Darmen)
15. Pegleg's Ghost - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
16. Rear Back - (Equestrian States)
17. Speedy Fish - (Schmiegelland)
18. Righteous Indignation - (Saintland)
19. Sacrum Via - (Saintland)
20. Worldcup Fiftyone - (Cassadaigua)

Official Announcement

Despite the disqualification, Southern Intellects will be permitted to compete in the Briskness Stakes.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Rear Back from the Equestrian States on winning the Saintland Derby after the closest finish in the history of the Saintland Derby. I will be in attendance at the upcoming Briskness Stakes to see if he can win the second leg of the Triple Crown.

- King Paulus XV

by **Equestrian States** » Mon May 13, 2013 6:54 pm

Rear Back had always been one of the tallest in his classes. Sure it had its drawbacks, namely having to duck to pass safely under lower doorframes, but the advantages were incredible. Not once after middle school was the massive earth pony confused for a child by adults, nor did he ever have any difficulties seeing over those in front of him in crowds. Being seen as mature, strong, and impressive by his peers had always been a given. But now, standing in the gate in Saintland, Rear Back felt something he had rarely experienced in the past few years.

He felt short.

It was odd not being able to look down on his competitors. Granted, most of the time Rear Back was merely one of the Equestrian States’ finest distance hoofrunners and was facing other sapient ponies, but was now facing a bunch of non-speaking drooling horses and should expect there to be some differences. However, it was still irritating to not have an advantage, but instead a disadvantage because of his height.

But it only got worse from there. Not only did the human-supremacists who organized this little series of race pit him against some of the largest horses out there, but they also felt that his being intelligent gave him an “overwhelming advantage over his non-sapient competition.” What a load of crap! Not only did he have to move his shorter legs faster, but now he would also have to carry a heavy weight on his back. It seemed only all too likely that this was how humans intended to humiliate him. No wonder the Sports Council had been reluctant to let him compete. These Sanctii were a bunch of speciesists with an absurd grudge against any and all things Equestrian.

His first taste of the competition had been a couple weeks earlier in Darmen, where he’d barely eeked out third place by utter determination not to finish behind too many of his unintelligible challengers. That had been a nightmare of a race. The weight had definitely done its job to slow him down, keeping him far behind the leaders. It simply wasn’t fair that he was forced to bear such a disproportionate weight. But he’d kept silent; shouldering his burden alone.

Back to Saintland. Land of the “godly” Sanctii and their overly-confident royal family and pestering news media that refused to call him a pony, but insisted upon calling him a “talking horse.” A talking horse! Was there any greater insult to a pony of sapience? Even the speciesists who enslaved and slaughtered innocent beings referred to ponies as creatures of reasonable intelligence. And after the pony nations of the world had taught them a lesson in enforced friendship, they were even more reluctant to insult their fellow beings.

The race was moments from starting now. Rear Back attempted to shake all other thoughts from his mind but those that he needed to run a good race. The signal was sounded and the gates (another idiotic invention of the humans, thinking he wouldn’t understand the meaning of a pistol shot or bell) flung wide to release their occupants onto the dirt track. Rear Back kept with the herd, making sure to conserve some of his strength. The humans beside him beat their mounts to encourage speed, sometimes coming dangerously close to hitting Rear Back’s own side: yet another human travesty for his list. Yet on the earth pony galloped, passing horses with agility and short bursts of speed.

As the race entered the final two turns, Rear Back looked ahead, sighting the horse the humans called Bridesmaid distancing itself from its Dagan challenger. Pouring on as much speed as he could, the earth pony closed on “Worldcup Fiftyone”. The ugly human rider tried to hold off the shorter Rear Back, but with the knowledge the pony had picked up in his days as a runner in the “Running of the Leaves” outside Whitetail, Rear Back dashed before the horse. Kicking up dirt behind him, Rear Back strained against the heavy saddle which he felt the full weight of to go even faster. With but a single stretch ahead of him, the once orangish-yellow earth pony now turned brown by dirt and mud surged toward the Karditani horse in front.

Only a hundred feet or so to go now. Rear Back drew alongside the larger Bridesmaid then, as the finish loomed before him, put in one last heave to pass the animal. They said it was brilliant. A race for the history books. Rear Back preferred the word exhausting. It had taken an obscene amount of effort to make it to the finish line standing, much less in front of the others. As he walked from the track, Rear Back gave a nod the smattering of ponies in the overdressed, overwhelmingly human-dominated crowd, some of which lifted aloft flags while others hoisted signs calling for an end to the barbaric practices associated with the human-perverted “sport” of “horse racing.”

It had been a race to remember for Rear Back, for it was a result that would be far from easy to replicate in St. Petrus.

by **Saintland** » Mon May 13, 2013 8:00 pm

Briskness Stakes Result

 1 Mark Kiss (Beldonia)                       1:45.32
 2 Duke of Earl (Darmen)                      1:45.35
 3 Northern Brave Hearts (Subramani)          1:45.48
 4 Zorba (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)             1:45.74
 5 Sanctified (Saintland)                     1:45.75
 6 Righteous Indignation (Saintland)          1:45.85
 7 Radioactive Girl (Darmen)                  1:45.94
 8 Average Pete (Equestrian States)           1:46.12
 9 Western Riches (Subramani)                 1:46.27
10 Speedy Fish (Schmiegelland)                1:46.30
11 Pegleg's Ghost (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)    1:46.37
12 Southern Intellects (Subramani)            1:46.39
13 Bridesmaid (Karditan)                      1:46.56
14 Sacrum Via (Saintland)                     1:46.65
15 Orgillon (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)          1:46.82
16 Invisibility (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)      1:47.03
17 Eastern Classics (Subramani)               1:47.17
18 Worldcup Fiftyone (Cassadaigua)            1:47.55
19 Rear Back (Equestrian States)              1:47.60
20 Fortunate Light (Darmen)                   1:49.52

Post Position Draw for the Grueling Stakes

Duke of Earl - (Darmen)
Mark Kiss - (Beldonia)
Zorba - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
Fortunate Light - (Darmen)
Worldcup Fiftyone - (Cassadaigua)
Sanctified - (Saintland)
Eastern Classics - (Subramani)
Orgillon - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
Southern Intellects - (Subramani)
Western Riches - (Subramani)
Pegleg's Ghost - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)
Sacrum Via - (Saintland)
Bridesmaid - (Karditan)
Average Pete - (Equestrian States)
Northern Brave Hearts - (Subramani)
Rear Back - (Equestrian States)
Speedy Fish - (Schmiegelland)
Radioactive Girl - (Darmen)
Righteous Indignation - (Saintland)
Invisibility - (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)

Congratulations to Mark Kiss of Beldonia for winning in another photo finish. The final cutoff will be 2 days from now.

by **Saintland** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:00 pm

Grueling Stakes Result

 1 Radioactive Girl (Darmen)                  2:22.18
 2 Western Riches (Subramani)                 2:22.22
 3 Average Pete (Equestrian States)           2:22.33
 4 Southern Intellects (Subramani)            2:24.36
 5 Bridesmaid (Karditan)                      2:24.50
 6 Sanctified (Saintland)                     2:24.77
 7 Eastern Classics (Subramani)               2:24.79
 8 Righteous Indignation (Saintland)          2:24.88
 9 Rear Back (Equestrian States)              2:24.91
10 Northern Brave Hearts (Subramani)          2:24.93
11 Orgillon (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)          2:25.13
12 Pegleg's Ghost (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)    2:25.22
13 Sacrum Via (Saintland)                     2:26.24
14 Mark Kiss (Beldonia)                       2:26.53
15 Zorba (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)             2:26.56
16 Duke of Earl (Darmen)                      2:26.90
17 Invisibility (Andossa Se Mitrin Vega)      2:27.92
18 Worldcup Fiftyone (Cassadaigua)            2:28.04
19 Speedy Fish (Schmiegelland)                2:28.84
20 Fortunate Light (Darmen)                   2:29.05

Congratulations to Radioactive Girl from Darmen on winning the final leg of the Saintland Triple Crown. Commiserations to the 76 horses that did not win a Triple Crown race.

Saintland Triple Crown - Everything Thread

Saintland Triple Crown - Everything Thread

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