Horse Racing Everything Thread--Season Complete

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Welcome to the Thoroughbred Horse Racing season, presented by the Jockey Club of Baker Park, in cooperation with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of Baker Park.

For more detailed information on how to sign up, see this thread:
https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=37071942#p37071942
There is still time to enter, or you can wait and see if it's something you might want to get into.

It's NOT intended that this be a daily RP competition, or even every other day. The schedule will be pretty flexible--the first match day (race day/RP cutoff day) will be Tuesday, May 19, scored around 10:00 pm EDT/0300 GMT Wednesday 5/20.

Initially, there will be approximately 4 races/race meetings for every MD--this will grow to include races for 3yo & 4yo & up entries so that there would probably be 5 or 6 races for every RP cutoff.

The Xkorinate sport file that will be used is the Auto Racing function, Qualifying with 2 laps; this has been recommended by several nations and tested extensively by myself & others.

There will be a range of handicaps that will be applied to horses, that will vary under circumstances. All information related to those assignments will be available to all competitors.
This will have all of the basic info, as well as the RP/handicap bonus sheet, the standings and other nuggets of wisdom you may or may not want to know.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V9n-Kc5B79yyDvrk8oSvfEzgGh3ZVYVezFlIwOsLL90/edit?usp=sharing

The races that will make up the Opening Day:

--maidens, 5 furlongs on turf (no turns) @ White River Racecourse, Endborough, BP (3 Heats)
--maidens, 6 furlongs on dirt @ Tundra Falls Proving Ground, Newmanistan (3 Heats)
--maidens, 5.5 furlongs on dirt @ Stafford City Raceway, Hampton Island (2 Heats)
--allowance, 6.5 furlongs on turf @ White River (2 Heats)

The JCBP will give you all the details on the tracks within the Commonwealth that will host; competitor nations who have approved race dates have the choice to provide as much or little info about their tracks as they wish, and of course this would be graded for RP purposes.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

The first track in Baker Park that will host races is White River Racecourse, located in the suburban area east of Endborough known as White River Township.


The track is an asymmetric oval, with the dirt track located on the inside of the turf course. Racing was first held here in 1913, although the current grandstand and stable areas are from the 1990's and have been updated further since then.



The season runs from early May through the end of August, when the three major Stakes races are held--the Endover Derby on the second weekend of the month, for 3yo's and up, 1 1/2 miles on the Turf; the following weekend sees the Rogers Trophy, for colts & geldings 3yo's and up, 1 mile on the dirt; and the White River Stakes, which closes the season on the final weekend of August, for 4yo and up mares and dams over 1 1/8 miles on dirt.


jockey pool a brief description and a clue as to their riding style.
Rollie Pauley—has a bit of an attitude about his body shape; likes to take the horse to the front and hope it doesn't tire out before the finish line.
Santana Hernando—He speaka da English very well, but talks to his horses in Spanish; sits off the pace and likes to make a charge in the stretch
Ian Stone-Loos—feisty, Irish, could take the advice of his own last name; he'll ride the horse how you ask him, unless he thinks your plan in rubbish.
Fred Falconi—switched to riding after an unsuccessful stint as a race car driver; has one rule that he developed in his previous career: "whatta is behind me, issa not important."
Dean Hoffman—believes in the adage 'spare the rod, spoil the child', so his mount better do as it's told; been known to use the whip right out of the gate.
Reg Astor—English, and very genteel, sees himself going in to training when he's finished; tries to get to the rail as soon as possible, even if it means cutting across the entire field.
Willie Schumacher—proclaimed 'King of the Claimers' for all of the winners he guides early in the card; knows every trick in the book how to get through traffic.
Ken Smallwood—4'9" with an ego twice that size, has an inferiority complex that's made many psychologists very wealthy; draws a lot of foul inquiries, as he's fairly ruthless moving through a field.
Stan Enline—uses visualization techniques to prepare for every mount he gets, though he normally forgets everything when the gates open; uses stirrups so short his knees touch his elbows during a race.
Peter-Paul Murray—laid back, so much so that people are tempted to check if he has a pulse; let's the horse just do its thing, man.
Alice Guthrie—moonlights as security guard, usually smells of patchouli oil; on colts she uses the whip fairly often, on fillies she takes a softer approach.
Mandy Feingold—became a jockey after a stint as a petite size clothes model in ads, she has a serious and genuine contempt for Guthrie; likes to stay with the pace and make a move at the far turn.
Art Decker—stylish and tidy looking in his silks, he's sleek and uncomplicated in the saddle; prefers to get into the lead early.
Carl Ott—this little apprentice hasn't seen a ton of mileage, but rides great and for everyday racing, a solid choice; does as he's told by the trainer, not out to step on anyone's toes.
Sam Bucher—to keep a clear mind, he likes to pop licorice flavored hard candy during the post parade; another rider who likes to ride on the pace.
Cody Schurr—perma-tanned gossip page regular, lots of celebrity friends; for all that, he's a pretty competent jockey, who'll stay on the plan.
Andy Dance—likes to get into a good rhythm with his mount, from the paddock all the way to the cool down after the race; another pro who follows instructions.
Jerry Kerlin—relaxed, stands out from the rest of the jockeys based on his skin color and eccentric jockey room manner; off the pace rider who's not afraid to go wide.
Cole Winters—doesn't really socialize with the others, has an icy demeanor and little personality; gets a lot of his mounts their maiden win by his aggressive style.
Ike Shaftsbury—a complicated man, but he's a cat who won't drop out when there's traffic all about; pretty much a bad muth...you get the idea.
Casey Abbott—occasionally leavers punters disappointed by unexpected failures, but he's got a strong will; goes for the big finish if behind down the stretch.
Lou LaBelle—fairly laconic, P-P Murray is a Type A personality compared to Lou; never seems to be in much of a hurry, content to wait for on opening.
Don Krier—eager to please and cheerful to a fault; does prefer to be on the pace if he has his choice.
Kate Blados—edgy, sharp minded and steely; likes to figure out how to cut through the field.
Cliff Heath—a little bit on the nasty side, brooding and anti-social; he does ride according to the wishes of his employer faithfully.
Fernando Llama—he looks marvelous, as looking good is far better than feeling good in the saddle; he'll get the horse to the finish line even if he has to walk it there.

[Newmanistan]

(OOC: In the IBC tournament, I have been recapping old tournaments. I was so interested in a theme I did eleven RL years ago, I am going to be bringing back some elements of it. Doing so in this competition is not my focal point. But given that this is an illegal gambling ring, how can it not come here?)

Jockey Jorge Cordova was done for the day at the Proving Grounds track. He had just finished fourth in the Grade II Brasfield Stakes, a race for older fillies and mares named in honor of former Newmanistanian pitcher Jessica Brasfield, who won two World Baseball Classics as a member of the Rockets. Cordova’s horse, Golden Prestige, was the second choice on the board at odds of 3/1, and although she only finished a length and a half behind the winner, and missed the headbob in the photo for show, it was a disappointment. Jorge had a good day overall, winning two of the seven races in which he had a mount.

He had run the race in the silks of Matthew Browne, the same trainer that will be fielding the Empire’s entries in the upcoming international series. Browne simply gave Cordova a pat on the back after the race. There was no disappointment, horse racing was like that sometimes. Golden Prestige had run a decent race over the nine furlongs, but only collected the fourth place purse. There was some money in that, but the jockey portion of that was not what feeds the kids. After discussing the race with Browne, Cordova would part for him, and begin to leave the track.

“Hey, are you Jorge Cordova?” a man asked.

Cordova smiled and nodded, assuming it was a fan wanting an autograph.

“I’d like to talk you about a partnership sometime. It will be worth your time. My name is Sergei. I know it is busy now, but here is my card, I think it will be something you are interested in.” Cordova nodded and took the card, which was professional, but nothing that appeared suspicious.

[Kohnhead]

Kamack Farms 2 years Earlier

79 year old Justin Kamack was sick and knew his time in the great nation of Kohnhead and his time on Earth was coming to a close. His family, or what was left of it sat by his bedside as he had requested one final wish. Kamack had lived his entire life on Kamack Farm, working everyday from age 17 to age 78 before a heart attack stopped that. Jordan was Justin's only child and he never wanted to work on the farm. He instead went to the prestigious Barnley University graduated and would later go on to business school. He worked in Kohnhead City on the great Ball Street where he made millions and became one of the richest people in the country. He hadn't spoken to his dad in 25 years when he arrived at the farm to visit his dying father. The two had a feud over Jordan not staying on the farm to work, and that's what made Justin spend almost every year of his later life working on the farm as Jordan was his only son.

Justin Kamack always had a fascination with animals especially horses. He owned a few and used to always ride them, now his dying wish to his son Jordan was to make a stable and start getting horses ready to race. Jordan thought about this, as he had always planned on just selling Kamack Farm and moving to his massive estate in sunny North Washburn but something told him that he needed to make his father's wish come true to mend the long feud they had. He purchased more land on Kamack Farms building a second sort of estate their and the 51 year old set about getting horses that could race in elite competitions. In 15 months his horses were winning domestic races and he knew it was time for something more.

Enter The Commonwealth of Baker Park, a country Kohnhead has faced off against in soccer competitions like the Wonder Cup, and someone who is known throughout the sporting world. It was announced that Baker Park would be starting a Thoroughbred Horse Racing competition and Jordan Kamack having by this point the best horses in all of Kohnhead would be sending horses. He now knew it was time to make Justin's wish come true.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Race Day 1

Race 1—White River Racecourse
Maidens, 2yo, 5 furlongs on turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$26,000—12,000 to the winner/6,200 to 2nd/4,200 to 3rd/1,600 to 4th/5-9th—600/400/400/300/300

 1 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)             59.308 W
 2 Tolyanka  SVJ (J Atrajeva)               59.483   1/2
 3 Midnights Power  HPI (F Falconi)       1:00.014 3
 4 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)     1:00.093 hd
 5 Mister Reese  CBP (F Llama)            1:00.189 nk
 6 Malificient  SZR (D Cunningham)        1:00.207 3 1/2
 7 Platinum Ghost WAI (J Poleshuk)        1:00.333 4
 8 Governing Principle HEN (Z Cademiel)   1:00.884 6
 9 Young Gray Mare  CBP (R Pauley)        1:01.248 7 1/2
10 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:01.422 8 1/2
11 Keisters Heater  NEW (C Abbott)        1:01.427 
12 Apple Toss  CDG (M Serrano)            1:03.011 
13 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)         1:03.658

Race 2—White River
Maidens, 2yo, 5 furlongs on turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$26,000—12,000 to the winner/6,200 to 2nd/4,200 to 3rd/1,600 to 4th/5-9th—600/400/400/300/300
   
 1 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)          59.357 W
 2 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)               59.623 1
 3 Stinking Submarine (M Kushwarth)         59.677 1 1/2
 4 General Marov  SVJ (M Feingold)        1:00.896 6
 5 State of Grace HEN (Z Cademiel)        1:00.901 ns
 6 Something Ventured SZR (D Cunningham)  1:01.044 6 1/2
 7 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:01.075 hd
 8 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:01.496 8 1/2
 9 Spanish Emerald WAI (W Shumacher)      1:02.056 11
10 Deese du Val  OAM (J Kerlin)           1:02.613
11 Black Beauty  JOV (C Ott)              1:02.786
12 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:02.804

Race 3—White River
Maidens, 2yo, 5 furlongs on turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$26,000—12,000 to the winner/6,200 to 2nd/4,200 to 3rd/1,600 to 4th/5-9th—600/400/400/300/300

 1 True Logic  NWK (J Watson)               59.399 W
 2 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)              59.534   1/2
 3 Nymph of Napoleon WAI (J Poleshuk)     1:00.171 3
 4 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:00.474 4
 5 Just a Pharoah  CDG (A Decker)         1:00.625 4 1/2
 6 All Hail  JOV (N Lion)                 1:00.809 5
 7 Jonsson  SVJ (J. Atrajeva)             1:01.014 5 1/2
 8 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:01.213 11
 9 Ten Two Three  DRK (R Astor)           1:01.709 
10 Count Floyd  CBP (C Winters)           1:01.753
11 Rose of Sharon  HEN (D Hoffman)        1:01.764
12 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:01.884

Race 4—Tundra Falls Proving Ground
 Maidens, 2yo, 6 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$29,000—14,000 to the winner/6,900 to 2nd/4,300 to 3rd/1,600 4th/5-9th—  600/400/400/300/300
 1 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)         1:13.929 W
 2 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)     1:14.205 1
 3 Young Gray Mare  CBP (R Pauley)        1:14.501 1 1/2
 4 Apple Toss  CDG (M Serrano)            1:14.556 ns
 5 Malificient  SZR (D Cunningham)        1:14.626 2
 6 Mister Reese  CBP (F Llama)            1:15.087 4
 7 Midnights Power  HPI (F Falconi)       1:15.282 5
 8 Governing Principle HEN (Z Cademiel)   1:15.677 6
 9 Tolyanka  SVJ (J Atrajeva)             1:16.127 8
10 Keisters Heater  NEW (C Abbott)        1:16.522 10
11 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:16.571
12 Platinum Ghost WAI (J Poleshuk)        1:17.294

 Race 5—Tundra Falls 
 Maidens, 2yo, 6 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$29,000—14,000 to the winner/6,900 to 2nd/4,300 to 3rd/1,600 to 4th/5-9th—600/400/400/300/300
 1 State of Grace HEN (Z Cademiel)        1:13.231 W
 2 Something Ventured SZR (D Cunningham)  1:13.771 2
 3 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:14.208 4
 4 Spanish Emerald WAI (W Shumacher)      1:14.944 7
 5 Deese du Val  OAM (J Kerlin)           1:15.125
 6 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:15.446
 7 Black Beauty  JOV (C Ott)              1:15.762
 8 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)             1:16.121
 9 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:16.126
10 General Marov  SVJ (M Feingold)        1:16.249
11 Stinking Submarine (M Kushwarth)       1:17.061

  
 Race 6—Tundra Falls
 Maidens, 2yo, 6 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$29,000—14,000 to the winner/6,900 to 2nd/4,300 to 3rd/1,600 to 4th/5-9th—600/400/400/300/300
 1 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)            1:13.567 W
 2 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:13.697   1/2
 3 All Hail  JOV (N Lion)                 1:13.823 1 1/2
 4 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:14.045 2
 5 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:14.191 2 1/2
 6 Count Floyd  CBP (C Winters)           1:14.697 4
 7 Jonsson  SVJ (J. Atrajeva)             1:14.746 4 1/2
 8 Rose of Sharon  HEN (D Hoffman)        1:14.865
 9 Just a Pharoah  CDG (A Decker)         1:15.822
10 Ten Two Three  DRK (R Astor)           1:16.211
11 Nymph of Napoleon WAI (J Poleshuk)     1:17.737

 Race 7—Stafford City Raceway
 Maidens, 2yo, 5.5 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$32,000—15,000 to the winner/7,300 to 2nd/4,800 to 3rd/2,300 to  4th/5-10th—800/600/500/400/200/100
 
 1 Tolyanka  SVJ (J Atrajeva)             1:10.225 W
 2 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)     1:10.714 2
 3 Platinum Ghost WAI (J Poleshuk)        1:10.786 hd
 4 Young Gray Mare  CBP (R Pauley)        1:10.839 2 1/2
 5 Malificient  SZR (D Cunningham)        1:11.714 6
 6 Governing Principle HEN (Z Cademiel)   1:11.938 7
 7 Mister Reese  CBP (F Llama)            1:12.020 7 1/2
 8 Keisters Heater  NEW (C Abbott)        1:12.176
 9 Apple Toss  CDG (M Serrano)            1:12.258
10 Midnights Power  HPI (F Falconi)       1:12.629
11 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:12.847

 Race 8—Stafford City
 Maidens, 2yo, 5.5 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$32,000—15,000 to the winner/7,300 to 2nd/4,800 to 3rd/2,300 to   4th/5-10th—800/600/500/400/200/100

 1 Stinking Submarine (M Kushwarth)       1:10.147 W
 2 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:10.584 1 1/2
 3 Something Ventured SZR (D Cunningham)  1:10.647 2
 4 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)             1:10.939 3
 5 Spanish Emerald WAI (W Shumacher)      1:11.215 4
 6 Deese du Val  OAM (J Kerlin)           1:11.336 4 1/2
 7 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:11.911 
 8 General Marov  SVJ (M Feingold)        1:12.006
 9 Black Beauty  JOV (C Ott)              1:12.433
10 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:13.126

 Race 9—Stafford City
 Maidens, 2yo, 5.5 furlongs on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$32,000—15,000 to the winner/7,300 to 2nd/4,800 to 3rd/2,300 to  4th/5-10th—800/600/500/400/200/100

 1 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:11.281 W
 2 All Hail  JOV (N Lion)                 1:11.491 1
 3 Count Floyd  CBP (C Winters)           1:11.635 1 1/2
 4 Just a Pharoah  CDG (A Decker)         1:11.710 2
 5 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:12.034 2 1/2
 6 Ten Two Three  DRK (R Astor)           1:12.508 5 1/2
 7 Rose of Sharon  HEN (D Hoffman)        1:12.663 6
 8 Nymph of Napoleon WAI (J Poleshuk)     1:12.883 7
 9 Jonsson  SVJ (J. Atrajeva)             1:13.404 9
10 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:14.372

______________________________________________________________________________________

Race 10—White River
Starter Allowance, 2yo, 6.5 furlongs on turf
only won 1 in career, fillies allowed 3 lbs 
Purse—CBP$66,500—31,000 to the winner, 15,800 to 3nd, 7,700 to 3rd, 3,430 to 4th, 1,700 to 5th, 1,090 to 6th, 770 to 7th, 555 to 8th & 9th 

1 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)         1:15.675 W
2 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:15.876 1
3 True Logic  NWK (C Heath)              1:15.940 1 1/2
4 Stinking Submarine  SUB (S Enline)     1:16.267 2 1/2
5 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)            1:16.314 3
6 State of Grace HEN (Z Cadamiel)        1:16.457 3 1/2
7 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)           1:17.066 6 1/2 
8 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)            1:17.098
9 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)        1:17.100

Race 11—White River
Starter Allowance, 2yo, 6.5 furlongs on turf
finishers in money but never won in career, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse—CBP$41,000—20,500 to the winner, 9,800 to second, 5,400 to third, 2,600 to 4th, 1,200 to 5th, 750 to 6th & 7th
  
1 Something Ventured SZR (D Cunningham)  1:16.363 W
2 All Hail   JOV (N Lion)                1:16.498   1/2
3 Young Gray Mare  CBP (D Krier)         1:16.739 1 1/2
4 Fargone Mist  JOV (K Smallwood)        1:17.351 4
5 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:17.617 5
6 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:18.268 7 1.2
--Rocket's Red Glare (J Cordova)	   scratch

Standings will posted tomorrow, along with the date of the next card.

[Kohnhead]

Kamack's Private Jet not cleared to take off so Kohnhead misses first day of racing

Jordan Kamack was ready for the first day of racing, but he had some important work in Kohnhead City to finish up so he didn't want to take off with his horses until way too close to the first day of racing. With thunderstorms in the skies all over Kohnhead for 7 hours he and his horses arrived hours late to Baker Park. The horses will be ready to run tomorrow and when they do, I'm sure they will do just fine. Kamack was clearly very upset by this and despite urging the pilot to proceed with flying he was repeatedly denied due to concerns of his safety. Now he admits he's glad the plane wasn't allowed to take off due to the storms and winds. This was just a quick update to show why horses from Kohnhead weren't in the first day of racing.

Kamack is currently in Baker Park along with everyone else necessary to have a successful day for Kohnhead tomorrow.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Standings after Race Day 1:

Jockeys (by earnings)

1) Major Kushwarth  $50,600
2) Excuse Me        $45,000
3) De Cunningham    $34,400
4) Nevern Lion      $31,600
5) Jelena Atrajeva  $25,900
6) Joseph Watson    $24,770
7) Robert au Trepiez $20,775
8] Jorge Cordova     $18,950
9) Zachary Cademiel  $16,890
10) Melania Serrano  $14,355
11) Brittany Nugent  $14,350

Stables (by points)

1) SUB  860
2) JOV  770
3) NWK  620
4) EQS  500
5) SRZ  490
   SVJ  490
7) HPI  480
8] CBP  430
9) OAM  420
10)NEW  410

A few explanations as to how standings, situations and credit for races will operate:

Trainer points have been multiplied by 100, and includes the points the all horses in that stable earn. The points that each horse earns will be used primarily for increases in skill (so for example, a horse that has earned 2.5 points this round will get a .25 boost for the next races).

Jockey standings will be based on earnings, and when we get to horse standings those also will be based on earnings. Pool jockeys who ride a stable's horse get 5% of the winnings if it finishes in the top 4, and that amount is deducted from the overall earnings of the horse and the stable.
In this first day of races, pool jockeys earned a whopping total of $2,011--combined. So obviously, they won't be competing for the Jockey title unless one of them gets a mount in a major stakes race and brings it home in the money!

Now, onto the next race day...I'd like to aim for Monday, the 25th. Same cutoff time--10:00 pm EDT/0300 GMT. The listing in the signup/discussion thread will be kept to as far as the tracks run and distances, but I think we might change some of the actual designations (we may reduce the maiden races to once per race day; some of the entries that didn't win but finished in the money/ran consistently don't necessarily have to be restricted out of handicapped, higher purse races).

Questions, comments, concerns in the Discussion thread...

[Oberour Ar Moro]

Kan Roue rolled into their first days of Nationstates thoroughbred as though they were an NSGP team. Their private planes to transport horses were just a titch larger than anyone else's planes. When they disembarked the men and women in business wear wore immaculately tailored suits with nary a wrinkle to be seen. Those working directly with the horses were uniformly adorned with purple slim-cut jackets with sponsors dotting them. (Operot luxury watches. Lapidaro boots. Antinea nutritional supplements. Dex therapeutic pads and wraps. Setgold horse stall components.) What horse racing team had sponsors? Kan Roue does, thank you.

And the horses were sights to behold as well.

Deese du Val, a chesnut with a flaxen mane, had incredible, "poetry in motion" form. Bonnegrace was a bay who looked so impressive in training that it overcame the Oberour's general dismissal of fillies with less than impressive sires that they had to bring her along. And then there was Be Why. Be Why was the sort of horse that made up an Oberour equestrian's dreams: A dark-as-pitch colt of roiling tempestuous fury at the point of a spear made from bloodlines and genetics so sharp it could pierce heaven.

But then the races began. Deese du Val's first three finishes: 10, 5, 6. Bonnegrace's first three finishes: 10, 11, 11 out of 11. And Be Why? Dark and cruel and mesmerizing Be Why? Second Place! First across the line at Tundra Falls! And then 8 out of 9 at White River.

"We look like a bunch of hack...frauds," said Kan Roue's usually composed CEO Chrétienne l’Arcevesque, making up a new negative adjective in her frustration as she stabbed at her phone. She wheeled off to call Kan Roue's owner Guenou Chaufe-l'Eaue and break the poor news to him before he called her. The CEO walked away from trainer Serapion de Cambrai, who covered his face with his hands and made an audible anguished squawking noise. When he returned to the barn, jockey Robert au Trepiez observed a bucket on the floor, kicked it, and then chased it down to kick it again and in the process sprained his toe.

An ignominious start for the Oberours on the international stage.

[Savojarna]

Stafford City Raceway

Jelena Atrajeva was still nervous as she mounted Tolyanka. The young filly danced under her, seemingly sharing the Russian jockey's nervousity. Jelena was successful in the Savojar scene, which was why the national stables chose her to be their representative internationally, but she didn't have the experience of many others, and most importantly she had never raced outside Savojarna. Everything here was weird. There were the Oberour ar Moro stables, flying in horses in private jets looking like they come straight from the WGPC or the government. There were weird calendars, with way more races than Savojarna had. Gone were her comfortable races over long distances, where a mile was written as 1610 m and almost considered a sprint. And now, gone was the feeling of grass under her horse's hooves. The dirt formed a weird sort of dust. It felt to her as if the horse was getting stuck in the dirt. Training had not been nearly enough for her to get used to it.

At least Jelena had gotten more used to the short races. Tolyanka was an excellent sprinter, she knew that, but yet she came in late in the first race. The dark brown filly had been fast out of the gate, but Jelena knew she didn't like to be ahead long, she got bored and slacked, and so she held herself cleverly in the top. Fourth, fifth, near the rails out of an instinct to stick to the inner side of the corner, even if there never was a corner. Tolyanka was in shape, fast, catching up to the top, but not crossing the line ahead of the opponent. It was clearly Jelena's mistake, the jockey not being used to the short race, and her horse struggling to get up the speed at the end. The end of the course was too soon, and the win went elsewhere. Today, she wouldn't make that mistake again.

The dirt still felt weird when Jelena lined up at the starting machine, Tolyanka dancing nervously. She reached out to feel the dark fur and the heaving muscle underneath, calming the horse as she prepared for the race. To her right, Governing Principle was led into the machine. On her left, Bonnegrace stood still, with the routine of a horse that was in this position time and time before, the Oberour ar Moro team still exuding calm confidence. But as soon as the gates opened, and Tolyanka shot out, the feeling of the dirt became completely irrelevant. The race was on. Bonnegrace stuck behind, and Governing Principle was hulking to Jelena's right as she guided her horse left towards the rails, ahead of the others. Left of her at the rail, Platinum Ghost. In front, Newmanistan's Rockets Red Glare. To the right, Governing Principle fell back and was replaced by colours she didn't immediately recognise - Baker Park, probably? The horse quickly fell behind her as well.

It was down to three. On her left, Platinum Ghost still holding on, kind of stuck between Jelena and the leader. She would not make the mistake of the first race again, she swore. At the last post, she swerved and let all restraint go. Davai, Tolyanka, Davai, she shouted, as she made just the slightest movement with the whip to spurn her horse into action. The little dark brown laid everything into the ground, not fettered by the unfamiliar dirt at all. Rockets Red Glare was but a blip in Jelena's eye as she flew towards the finish line, feeling the body under her stretch out, aiming for the win at all costs, Tolyanka unleashing her potential to cross the line. Jelena threw back her head, taking in the sound of the crowd - the sound of victory.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Race Day 2 Preview

EDIT: The Google sheet has been updated with all relevant running totals!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V9n-Kc5B79yyDvrk8oSvfEzgGh3ZVYVezFlIwOsLL90/edit?usp=sharing
After a successful start to the season, the show moves on to two different Baker Park tracks, plus a trip to Woodstock Downs in Sarzonia.



We'll be starting at New Bloomfield Park, in Ezriquay, where you'll get your first glimpse of the venue for the Commonwealth Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown. Although it's the first race of the series, it actually is the youngest race of the three, first run in 1900. It's 1 1/8 miles on the dirt course, and a 1 mile around the turf.
Yes, there was an original Bloomfield Park, on the same site; the current grandstand/clubhouse was constructed on the infield along the back straight, so the track was essentially 'flipped' over to make that the front straight. This required the Derby to switch venues for one year (1999), marking the second time the race hadn't been held here.


The other venue will be Northwestern Pike Racecourse, in suburban Belle Haven. We'll be back here again on Raceday 3 for the Kabaka Albert III Memorial Trophy, and in the spring season as one of the last tune ups for 3 year olds ahead the Derby. The big race this time will be the $125,000 Grade III Michaelmas Futurity, a major test for the leading 2 year olds.


The entry lists for the 1st round of races at New Bloomfield & Woodstock Downs, with preliminary odds: (numbers are the program listing, post positions TBA)
Races 5-8 will have entries determined by the results of the first four races, and four spots will be reserved for the final race for the top 4 eligible horses based on the results of races 1-7

EDIT: I have added the post positions for the first three races

Race 1—New Bloomfield Park (5 1/2f turf)
# horse		opening odds
1 Governing Principle	11   (7)
2 General Marov 	8    (3)
3 Black Beauty	 	14    (2)
4 Mr Reese		7    (6)
5 Blue Rodeo		12    (9)
6 Apple Toss		7/2    (5)
7 Deese du Val		12     (8)
8 Ten Two Three		 6     (4)
9 Sixtime Champ		 9   (1)

Race 2—New Bloomfield Park (5 1/2f turf)
1 One Bad Bitch		10    (8)    
2 Keisters Heater	8     (9)
3 Pretty Fairy		13    (4)
4 Jonsson		10     (5)
5 Island Warrior	7     (2)
6 Bonnegrace		22     (3)
7 Rose of Sharon	6    (7)
8 Malificient		9    (6)
9 Chief Wrap		14    (1)

Race 3—Woodstock Downs (6f dirt)
1 Platinum Ghost	12    (12)
2 Midnight Power	14     (5)
3 Castle Money		5/2     (7)
4 Spanish Emerald	15     (1)
5 Count Floyd		12     (10)
6 Nymph of Napoleon	10      (6)
7 Elite			 6     (3)
8 Hamptonian Showboat	 8     (4)
9 Diamond Tiara		 5    (8)
10 Young Gray Mare	17     (11)
11 Just a Pharoah	21    (2)
12 Fargone Mist		 9     (9)

Race 4—Woodstock Downs (6.5f dirt)
1 Rockets Red Glare	7
2 Stinking Submarine	4
3 Something Ventured	12
4 All Hail		3
5 Sunflower Sunbean	EV
6 State of Grace	15
7 Flying Copters	4
8 Be Why		6
9 True Logic		8
10 Tolyanka		8/5

Race 5--New Bloomfield (6.5f dirt)
Race 6--New Bloomfield (6.5f dirt)
Race 7--New Bloomfield (6.5 turf)
Race 8--Northwestern Pike (6.5 turf)

Race 9—Northwestern Pike [Michaelmas Futurity G3] (6.5f dirt) $125,000 purse
1 Flying Copters*	5		
2 Something Ventured	10
3 Be Why		8
4 State of Grace	12
5 Starflower Sunbeam	3/2
6 Stinking Submarine*	5
7 Tolyanka		6
8 Rockets Red Glare	9
9 All Hail		7
10 True Logic		4
11-14 TBD
*Mutuel Entry

[Newmanistan]

Jorge Cordova had not made any contact with the partnership opportunity that was presented to him. He was too concerned with taking care of business on the international circuit and making Matthew Browne a winning trainer. His first race with Rockets Red Glare seemed to go pretty well. Browne felt that it would be good for him to make his debut on the grass and instructed Cordova to have his mount stalk the pace and then make a move on the front runners at the end. Rockets Red Glare was not really able to stalk the leaders, and found himself running in the middle of the field. As Browne watched, he was a little confused by this, as the early fractions seemed pedestrian. Like Browne feared, the frontrunners didn’t tire in the stretch, and Rockets Red Glare would finish fourth, missing in the show photo. Cordova explained to Browne that Rockets Red Glare was not up to the early pace, to where Browne shrugged his shoulders and told him to worry about the next race. That’s horse racing for you, after all. Owners might obsess over the finishing positions, but trainers and jockeys do what they can, but when they don’t get the result, there’s always the next race.

For Cordova, that was with Sixtime Champ, and this one simply didn’t fire. It was another maiden special weight on the grass, and the horse here clearly had the jitters. He was anxious on the warmups, then stubborn in entering the gate. While in the gate, he began resisting the hold of Cordova just as the gate opened, causing him to be two lengths out immediately. There will be better days, we hope, for this one.

At Tundra Falls, Rockets Red Glare would be moved to the main track. As for why they made the surface change, Browne told Cordova that, “He’s been consistent on both surfaces. We’d prefer him to be able to run on the main track, so we’d like to see a good race from him today.” The instructions were similar, stalk the pace, and this time, Rockets Red Glare did just that. At the top of the stretch, he split Young Gray Mare and Apple Toss, taking the lead. Unfortunately, the closing Starflower Sunbeam could not be held off, leaving Rockets Red Glare to settle for second, a result that made the trainer and owner happy.

So far, the results have not been that great, but two year olds can be unpredictable, and sometimes need a little time to grow as racehorses.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Results from Race Day 2
standings to follow

procedural notes: Malificient and General Marov were scratched from 5th & 6th races as their previous results put them above the earnings limit for those condition. The 8th race was made up of the eligible horses for the Futurity who fell below the earnings cutoff through the first seven races.

Race 1—New Bloomfield Park, Ezriquay
Maidens, 2yo, 5.5f on turf,  fillies allowed 3lbs
Purse: CBP$25,000—13,500 to the winner, 5,400 for 2nd, 2,900 to 3rd, 
1,400 to 4th, 5-9th 500/400/400/350/150 
1 Apple Toss  CDG (M Serrano)            1:08.868
2 General Marov  SVJ (J Atrajeva)        1:08.989
3 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)       1:09.604
4 Mister Reese  CBP (L LaBelle)          1:10.558
5 Blue Rodeo   KNH (R Boiler)            1:10.588
6 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:10.852
7 Black Beauty  JOV (N Lion)             1:10.962
8 Governing Principle  HEN (Z Cademiel)  1:11.106
9 Ten Two Three  DRK (J Campo)           1:12.409

Race 2—New Bloomfield Park
Maidens, 2yo, 5.5f on turf,  fillies allowed 3lbs
Purse: CBP$25,000—13,500 to the winner, 5,400 for 2nd, 2,900 to 3rd,
 1,400 to 4th, 5-9th 500/400/400/350/150 
1 Jonsson  SVJ (J Atrajeva)              1:08.338
2 Malificient  SRZ (D Cunningham)        1:09.025
3 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:09.544
4 Chief Wrap   KNH (R Boiler)            1:09.905
5 Pretty Fairy   KNH (S Bucher)          1:09.917
6 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:10.011
7 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:10.583
8 Rose of Sharon  HEN (Z Cademiel)       1:10.625
9 Keisters Heater  NEW (J Cordova)       1:11.518

 Race 3--Woodstock Downs 
 Allowance: lifetime earnings of more than $3000 and less than $14,000
 2yo, 6f on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs, non winners allowed 1 lb
 Purse: NS$47,000—21,000 to the winner, 10,800 to 2nd, 6,700 to 3rd,
 3,100 to 4th, 1,700 to 5th, 900 to 6th 7-12th 750/550/550/350/350/250
 1 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)           1:15.161
 2 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                 1:15.210
 3 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)  1:15.404
 4 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)      1:15.429
 5 Midnights Power  HPI (I Shaftsbury)  1:15.450
 6 Nymph of Napoleon  WAI (P P Murray)  1:15.563
 7 Platinum Ghost  WAI (J Poleshuk)     1:15.718
 8 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)         1:15.974
 9 Spanish Emerald   WAI (S Hernando)   1:16.474
10 Just a Pharoah  CDG (K Blados)       1:16.995
11 Count Floyd  CBP (A Guthrie)         1:17.427
12 Young Gray Mare  CBP (A Dance)       1:18.334

 Race 4--Woodstock Downs
 Allowance: never won more than 2 or lifetime earning of over $14,000
 2yo, 6.5f on dirt, fillies allowed 3lbs, non-winners allowed 1 lb
 Purse: NS$70,000—33,500 to the winner, 15,600 to 2nd, 9,800 to 3rd, 
5,100 to 4th, 2,700 to 5th, 1,300 to 6th 7-10th 600/500/400/400 
 1 True Logic  NWK (J Watson)              1:14.758
 2 State of Grace HEN (Z Cademiel)         1:14.875
 3 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)             1:14.975
 4 Something Ventured SRZ (D Cunningham)   1:15.266
 5 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)             1:15.478
 6 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)          1:15.577
 7 All Hail   JOV (N Lion)                 1:15.768
 8 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)      1:16.353
 9 Stinking Submarine  SUB (I Stone-Loos)  1:16.864
10 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)       1:16.991

Race 5—New Bloomfield Park
Allowance: Non-winners of less than $3000 lifetime
 2yo, 6.5f on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$35,000—18,200 to the winner, 8,800 to 2nd, 4,400 to 3rd, 
2,300 to 4th, 5th-7th 800/600/400 
1 Chief Wrap   KNH (R Boiler)            1:15.567
2 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:16.164
3 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)       1:16.300
4 Black Beauty  JOV (N Lion)		 1:16.854
5 Mister Reese  CBP (L LaBelle)          1:17.270
6 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:17.522
7 Governing Principle  HEN (Z Cademiel)  1:18.262

 scratched: General Marov (trainer)

Race 6—New Bloomfield Park  
Allowance: Non-winners of less than $3000 lifetime
 2yo, 6.5f on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$35,000—18,200 to the winner, 8,800 to 2nd, 4,400 to 3rd,
 2,300 to 4th, 5th-7th 800/600/400 
1 Ten Two Three  DRK (J Campo)           1:16.407
2 Keisters Heater  NEW (J Cordova)       1:16.563
3 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:16.596
4 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:17.077
5 Rose of Sharon  HEN (Z Cademiel)       1:17.247
6 Pretty Fairy   KNH (S Bucher)          1:17.598
7 Blue Rodeo   KNH (R Boiler)            1:17.650

  scratched: Malificient (trainer)
 

 Race 7--New Bloomfield Park
 Allowance: lifetime earnings of more than $3000 and less than $14,000
 2yo, 6.5f on the turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs, non winners allowed 1 lb
 Purse: CBP$57,000—27,000 to the winner, 12,500 to 2nd, 7,300 to 3rd, 
  3,300 to 4th, 2,100 to 5th, 1,100 to 6th,
 7-12th 950/750/650/550/450/350
 1 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                 1:14.954
 2 Young Gray Mare  CBP (A Dance)       1:15.905
 3 Count Floyd  CBP (A Guthrie)         1:16.094
 4 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)  1:16.258
 5 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)         1:16.626
 6 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)      1:17.032
 7 Just a Pharoah  CDG (K Blados)       1:17.103
 8 Spanish Emerald   WAI (S Hernando)   1:17.105
 9 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)           1:17.308
10 Nymph of Napoleon  WAI (P P Murray)  1:17.492
11 Platinum Ghost  WAI (J Poleshuk)     1:17.956
12 Midnights Power  HPI (I Shaftsbury)  1:17.968

 Race 8—Northwestern Pike, Belle Haven
 Allowance: earnings of $6,500 or more lifetime
 2yo, 6.5f on turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs, non winners allowed 1 lb
 Purse: CBP$70,000—38,000 to the winner, 19,000 to second, 9,700 to 3rd,
 5,000 to 4th, 2,800 to 5th, 1,700 to 6th, 
7-14th 650/650/550/550/400/400/300/300   
 1 Chief Wrap   KNH (R Boiler)            1:15.357
 2 Jonsson  SVJ (J Atrajeva)              1:15.619
 3 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)        1:15.735
 4 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:16.034
 5 Keisters Heater  NEW (D Krier)         1:16.350
 6 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)           1:16.351
 7 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)       1:16.495
 8 Count Floyd  CBP (A Guthrie)           1:16.538
 9 Malificient  SRZ (D Cunningham)        1:16.824
10 Ten Two Three  DRK (J Campo)           1:17.119
11 Bonnegrace  OAM (K Smallwood)          1:17.324
12 General Marov  SVJ (C Schurr)          1:17.327
13 Midnights Power  HPI (I Shaftsbury)    1:17.916
14 Apple Toss  CDG (K Blados)             1:18.772

 Race 9—Northwestern Pike
 Michaelmas Futurity S (G3) by nomination, $1,000 entry
 2yo, 6.5f on dirt, fillies allowed 3lbs, non-winners allowed 1 lb
 Purse: CBP$125,000—65,000 to the winner, 24,000 to 2nd, 12,600 to 3rd,
 8,700 to 4th, 5,000 to 5th, 3,600 to 6th, 1,500 to 7th 
8-14th   850/750/700/650/600/550/500
 1 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:15.370
 2 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)            1:15.437
 3 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:15.661
 4 All Hail   JOV (C Heath)               1:15.973
 5 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)     1:16.029
 6 State of Grace HEN (Z Cademiel)        1:16.190
 7 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)         1:16.263
 8 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:16.489
 9 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)            1:16.603
10 Stinking Submarine  SUB (S Enline)     1:16.971
11 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)             1:17.411
12 True Logic  NWK (J Watson)             1:17.758
13 Young Gray Mare  CBP (A Dance)         1:18.174
14 Something Ventured SRZ (D Cunningham)  1:18.681

[Waisnor]

In race 3 Poleshuk was not feeling very well - he took only 7th place, and even for the 6th he had to compete with his teammate. Here are some quotes from Poleshuk while the race was on:

"Go! Damn it, almost everyone overtook me! Go on, go on! So, the situation is gradually getting better ... Well, maybe I’ll get into the 5th - Murray, what are you doing here? Now my conscience does not allow me to overtake you! Well, let's try to catch up with the others together - but "swear word" it, the race is over ..."

Commentary:

"I think that I was just unlucky to start so badly. If I had a good start, there would be much less problems during the race itself. Well, I could have done better."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Standings after 2 Rounds

Jockeys (by earnings)

1) Major Kushwarth   $116,000
2) Jerrett Campo     $81,600
3) Jelena Atrajeva   $74,350
4) Joseph Watson     $63,220
5) Robert au Trepiez $61,705
6) Robert Boiler     $58,500
7) Nevern Lion       $56,600
8] Excuse Me         $47,800
9) Jorge Cordova     $46,400
10) De Cunningham    $45,950

Trainers (by points)

SUB   1360
OAM   1250
JOV   1240
SVJ   1200
DRK   1080
CDG    920
NWK    870
NEW    820
CBP    790
HPI    740
SRZ    730

Horses (by earnings)

1) Flying Copters       $96,800
2) Elite                $60,900
3) Chief Wrap           $57,600
4) True Logic           $53,415
5) Starflower Sunshine  $47,800
6) Be Why               $47,455
7) Something Ventured   $38,200
8] Tolyanka             $35,400
9) State of Grace       $34,890
10) Fargone Mist        $33,570
11) Jonsson             $33,500
12) Young Gray Mare     $33,375

[Kohnhead]

Jordan Kamack had finally arrived after missing the first day of racing and boy the second day of racing went well for Kohnhead and in particular their star horse Chief Wrap who won in races 5 and 8 while coming in 4th of race 2. This pushed Chief Wrap to third in terms of total earnings despite missing the first race day with $57,600. Blue Rodeo also ridden by the best jockey from Kohnhead, Robert Boiler came in fifth and seventh in races 1 and 6. This helped push Boiler's total earnings up $1,000 and putting him in 6th after again missing the first day of racing.

As for Pretty Fairy, it was a 5th place finish in race 2 and a 6th place finish in race 6, but was not ridden by Boiler. Overall Kamack seemed extremely happy with how the day had gone and is excited for the rest of the season. Robert Boiler was also very happy with how Chief Wrap had performed and expects to see better results with Blue Rodeo in the coming days.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

EDIT--DATE CHANGE

The next round of races will cut off on June 4 at 10pm EDT/0300GMT.
There will be just 4 events, and good news! The following round will mark the end of the 2 yo campaign, where we'll be sorting out the season champ and get ready for the 3 year olds to start on the Triple Crown path. These two rounds will be closer together, maybe just a week in between, so that we get to the next stage quicker.

Further entries for stables will be detailed in the Discussion thread soon.

This week sees the circus start off where we left off last time, for the Albert III Memorial Trophy, which will mark the first time the 2yo field will go a mile. Following that, the fillies will take a journey to Newmanistan, to run at The Emperor's Raceway in Pocono City, which is shaping up to be an exciting event. Meanwhile, colts will make a visit to Fairport Park, in southeastern Baker Park.



Fairport Park is one of the two tracks in the country that have winter racing (the other being The Old Course, where we will close the season out next round), and the only one that has an all--weather racing surface, in addition to the absence of a turf course. As a nearly year round venue, there is also a major simulcasting facility and slot/video poker casino connected to the clubhouse.

This weeks's entries (* denotes a paired entry for betting purposes):

Race 1—Northwestern Pike Racecourse, Belle Haven [Kabaka Albert III Memorial Trophy G3] (1 mile, dirt) $160,000 purse

1 Jonsson*             7  
2 Something Ventured   16
3 Elite                11
4 All Hail*            9
5 Tolyanka*            7
6 Chief Wrap           15
7 State of Grace       8
8 Flying Copters       5
9 True Logic           3
10 Be Why              12
11 Fargone Mist*       9
12 Young Gray Mare     18
13 Diamond Tiara       10
14 Starflower Sunbeam 6

Race 2—The Emperor's Raceway, Pocono City, Newmanistan (7f, dirt—fillies only)

1 Sixtime Champ     9/2
2 One Bad Bitch     6
3 Nymph of Napoleon 9
4 Bonnegrace*       11
5 Pretty Fairy      10
6 Malificient       12
7 Deese du Val*     11
8 Apple Toss        8
9 Rose of Sharon    15

Race 3—Fairport Park (7f, AWS—colts only)

1 Just a Pharaoh     11
2 Platinum Ghost*    6
3 Black Beauty       9
4 Island Warrior*    9/2
5 General Marov      10
6 Spanish Emerald*   6
7 Midnights Power*   9/2    
8 Blue Rodeo         8
9 Mister Reese       13
10 Governing Principle 14

Race 4—Fairport Park (7.5f, AWS)

1 Stinking Submarine  6
2 Rockets Red Glare*  7
3 Castle Money        9
4 Keisters Heater*    7
5 Hamptonian Showboat 11
6 Count Floyd         16
7 Ten Two Three       14

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2020
Mick's Picks--Talk O'the Turf
by Mick Luken, Thoroughbred Racing Analyst


Preview: Albert III Memorial Trophy
The 2 year old season is coming down to the wire, and this weekend's Albert III Trophy will have a huge impact on the season ending championship standings.
True Logic, with Joseph Watson up, is the early favorite at 3-1, with Flying Copters out at 5-1 and Starflower Sunbeam at 6-1; there's good value from both the paired entries as well--Tolyanka & Jonsson seem like highway robbery at 7-1, with All Hail & Fargone Mist tempting for the adventurous at 9-1. I'd be the most surprised punter at Northwestern Pike if the filly Diamond Tiara doesn't come down from 10-1 before the post.

This will be the furthest any of these horses have gone under race condition, and a large walkup crowd is expected as the weather is supposed to be excellent and an appearance by the widow of the former Kabaka Albert rumored to be on the cards for the final day of the meeting at The Pike.

Mick's Picks:
14-1/5-3

[Oberour Ar Moro]

"And they're turning for home in the Michaelmas Futurity! Flying Copters holds the lead, but the gap is shrinking! Rockets Red Glare is in second, All Hail is in third against the rail. Elite is making his move on the outside, past All Hail! And Be Why is on the charge through the middle! Pulling past All Hail, past Elite, by Rockets Red Glare! It's going to be neck and neck! And at the line is Flying Copters, Be Why less than a length behind. Elite in third, All Hail fourth, and Rockets Red Glare in fifth."

And so ended the second series of races in the Thoroughbred Horse Racing season. Kan Roue's horses had been competitive in New Bloomfield Park, in Woodstock Downs, and finally in Northwestern Pike. Competitive, but not winners.

Deese du Val had finished third in race one at New Bloomfield Park. Bonnegrace had finished third in two separate races, much better than her earlier results, justifying her inclusion. And Be Why had finished 7/10th of a second behind at Woodstock Downs, and then had that close, close finish in the Michaelmas Futurity. Kan Roue were second in trainer's points. But second is not first.

The real cap of the 2-year-old season, the Kabaka Albert III Memorial Trophy was the next, largest race. IF there was ever a time to start winning decisively, this was it.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Results from Race Day 3--Final Round Next week!!! 6/12!!!

Race 1 Northwestern Pike, Belle Haven 
 Kabaka Albert III Memorial Trophy S (G3) by nomination--$1,500 entry fee
 2yo, 1 mile on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: CBP$160,000—87,500 to the winner, 32,000 to 2nd, 14,500 to 3rd, 
10,500 to 4th, 5,300 to 5th, 4,100 to 6th, 
1,900 to 7th, 8th-14th 700/700/650/600/550/500/500
 									
 1 True Logic  NWK (J Watson)             1:37.154
 2 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)         1:37.647
 3 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)            1:37.762
 4 State of Grace HEN (Z Cadamiel)        1:37.798
 5 Jonsson  SVJ (F Falconi)               1:37.849
 6 Chief Wrap   KNH (R Boiler)            1:38.024
 7 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)        1:38.054
 8 Young Gray Mare  CBP (R Astor)         1:38.371
 9 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                   1:38.554
10 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)            1:38.662
11 All Hail   JOV (N Lion)                1:38.900
12 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)      1:38.958
13 Something Ventured SRZ (D Cunningham)  1:39.158
14 Fargone Mist  JOV (A Decker)           1:41.615

   
Race 2—The Emperor's Raceway, Pocono City, Newmanistan
Starter Special Wt, 2yo fillies only, 7f on dirt,
 non winners allowed 2 lbs
Purse: NS$70,000—33,500 to the winner, 15,900 to 2nd,
 9,600 to 3rd, 5,400 to 4th, 2,900 to 5th, 6th-9th 900/700/600/500  
1 Apple Toss  CDG (M Serrano)            1:25.213
2 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)       1:25.441
3 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:25.633
4 Nymph of Napoleon  WAI (J Poleshuk)    1:25.654
5 Malificient  SRZ (D Cunningham)        1:25.745
6 Pretty Fairy   KNH (R Boiler)          1:27.203
7 Bonnegrace  OAM (R Pauley)             1:28.232
8 Rose of Sharon  HEN (Z Cademiel)       1:28.507
9 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:28.556

 Race 3—Fairport Park, Fairport, Lynchana (BP)
 Maidens, 2yo colts only, 7f on all-weather surface
 Purse: CBP$64,000—30,700 to the winner, 14,400 to 2nd, 8,200 to 3rd,
 4,900 to 4th, 2,300 to 5th, 6th-10th 900/800/650/600/550
 1 Blue Rodeo   KNH (R Boiler)            1:25.252
 2 Platinum Ghost  WAI (J Poleshuk)       1:25.693
 3 Midnights Power  HPI (J Kerlin)        1:25.733
 4 Mister Reese  CBP (D Hoffman)          1:25.842
 5 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:26.171
 6 Just a Pharoah  CDG (M Serrano)        1:26.237
 7 Black Beauty  JOV (N Lion)             1:26.344
 8 Governing Principle  HEN (Z Cademiel)  1:26.417
 9 General Marov  SVJ (J Atrajeva)        1:26.619
10 Spanish Emerald   WAI (C Winters)      1:27.885


Race 4—Fairport Park
Starter Special Wt, 2yo, 7 1/2f on all-weather surface, 
fillies allowed 3 lbs, non-winners allowed 2 lbs
Purse: CBP$74,000—30,300 to the winner, 18,800 to 2nd, 
11,800 to 3rd, 6,900 to 4th, 4,300 to 5th, 1,100 to 6th, 800 to 7th
1 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (J Cordova)      1:33.779
2 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)            1:34.188
3 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)     1:34.395
4 Ten Two Three  DRK (J Campo)            1:34.412
5 Count Floyd  CBP (M Feingold)           1:34.548
6 Stinking Submarine  SUB (M Kurshwarth)  1:35.091
7 Keisters Heater  NEW (F Llama)          1:36.729

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

All the info and details will be up tomorrow! The championships for jockeys, trainers and horses are still up for grabs, as there will be $$$ and points up for grabs that could be difference.

The end of the 2 year old season kicks off with the running of the Grade III Cassadaigua Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Concord Heights Downs, where hometown favorite Apple Toss will look to get her 3rd victory in seven starts and leap ahead of Starflower Sunbeam for the 2yo distaff title.

Next up will be a second trip to Sarzonia for a visit to The Portland Pimlico, with a full card on the dirt.

Then, the finale will take place at the nation's second oldest racing venue, which will also be where the 3yo season will open, The Old Course, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Southend, Ezra. The oldest continuously held thoroughbred race in the Commonwealth, the Ezra Derby, was held here in for the first time in 1894, 3 years before the Victoria Plate; it continues to be the first state race, held on the last Saturday in March.



The first race will be 7.5 furlongs on the turf, around just the far turn (top right) and then the Grade II Jockey Club Juvenile Cup, 1 1/16 on the famous black dirt will determine the champions.

Entries TBA!

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Standings:

Jockeys: by earnings

1) Joseph Watson     $169,530
2) Major Kushwarth   $117,650
3) Jarrett Campo     $98,800
4) Robert Boiler     $94,400
5) Robert au Trepiez $92,105
6) Excuse Me         $79,800
7) Melania Serrano   $78,055
8] Jorge Cordova     $77,200
9) Jelena Atrajeva   $75,600
10) Nevern Lion      $58,000
11) Zachery Cademiel $49,740
12) De Cunningham    $49,350
13) Brittany Nugent  $41,000
14) Jacob Poleshuk   $30,800

Trainers: by points

OAM  1670
NWK  1540
SUB  1360
DRK  1270
JOV  1240
SVJ  1200
CDG  1180
NEW  1070
HPI   980
CBP   860
EQS   850
KNH   820

Horses: by earnings

1) True Logic           $140,915
2) Flying Copters       $97,350
3) Starflower Sunbeam   $79,800
4) Be Why               $61,955
5) Chief Wrap           $61,700
6) Elite                $61,600
7) Rockets Red Glare    $52,350
8] Apple Toss           $48,800
9) State of Grace       $45,390
10) Jonsson             $38,800
11) Something Ventured  $38,700

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Race 1 Concord Heights Downs, Concord Heights, Cassadaigua [Cassadaigua Juvenile Fillies Stakes G3] (1 mile, dirt—fillies) $150,000 Purse

1 Deese du Val
2 Hamptonian Showboat
3 Malificient
4 Young Gray Mare
5 Apple Toss
6 Bonnegrace
7 Sixtime Champ
8 Diamond Tiara
9 Tolyanka
10 Starflower Sunbeam
11 One Bad Bitch
12 Nymph of Napoleon

Race 2 Portland Pimlico, Portland, Sarzonia (7f, dirt)

1 Pretty Fairy
2 General Marov
3 Mister Reese
4 Bonnegrace
5 Just a Pharaoh
6 Black Beauty
7 Spanish Emerald
8 Rose of Sharon
9 Island Warrior
10 Governing Principle
11 Malificient

Race 3 Portland Pimlico (7f, dirt)

1 Castle Money
2 Blue Rodeo
3 Stinking Submarine
4 Ten Two Three
5 Diamond Tiara
6 Tolyanka
7 Something Ventured
8 Fargone Mist
9 Jonsson

Race 4 The Old Course. Southend, Ezra (7f, turf)

1 Count Floyd
2 Midnights Power
3 Platinum Ghost
4 Keister's Heater
5 Nymph of Napoleon
6 One Bad Bitch
7 All Hail
8 Sixtime Champ
9 Deese du Val
10 Hamptonian Showboat
11 Young Gray Mare

Race 5 The Old Course [Jockey Club of Baker Park Juvenile Cup G2] (1 1/16 mile, dirt) $225,000 added Purse

1 Rockets Red Glare
2 State of Grace
3 Elite
4 Flying Copters
5 Be Why
6 Apple Toss
7 Chief Wrap
8 Starflower Sunbeam
9 True Logic
additional entries TBA

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Results from the final race day--

Race 1—Concord Heights Downs, Cassadaigua
 Cassadaigua Juvenile Fillies S (G3) by nomination, $1,000 entry
 2yo fillies, 1 mile on dirt, non-winners allowed 2 lbs
 Purse: NS$160,000—81,500 to the winner, 34,000 to 2nd,
 22,000 to 3rd, 11,300 to 4th, 4,700 to 5th, 
 2,500 to 6th 7th-12th 900/850/800/700/650/600

 1 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)       1:38.589
 2 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)         1:38.987
 3 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)      1:39.037
 4 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)          1:39.589
 5 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)  1:39.713
 6 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)       1:39.796
 7 Nymph of Napoleon  WAI (J Poleshuk)  1:39.880
 8 Bonnegrace  OAM (P.P. Murray)        1:39.892
 9 Malificient  SRZ (D Cunningham)      1:40.325
10 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)     1:40.695
11 Young Gray Mare  CBP (I Stone-Loos)  1:40.810
12 Apple Toss  CDG (C Schurr)           1:41.287


 Race 2—Portland Pimlico, Sarzonia
 Maidens, 2yo, 7f on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
 Purse: NS$65,000—31,800 to the winner, 16,700 to 2nd, 8,000 to 3rd,
 3,700 to 4th, 1,500 to 5th  6th-11th 800/650/550/500/400/400
 1 General Marov  SVJ (J Atrajeva)        1:25.233
 2 Bonnegrace  OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:25.244
 3 Malificient  SRZ (D Cunningham)        1:25.261
 4 Black Beauty  JOV (N Lion)             1:25.338
 5 Governing Principle  HEN (Z Cadamiel)  1:25.908
 6 Island Warrior  HPI (B Nugent)         1:26.139
 7 Pretty Fairy   KNH (R Boiler)          1:26.198
 8 Just a Pharoah  CDG (M Serrano)        1:26.642
 9 Rose of Sharon  HEN (C Ott)            1:26.991
10 Mister Reese  CBP (K Blados)           1:27.217
11 Spanish Emerald   WAI (J Poleshuk)      1:28.280

Race 3—Portland Pimlico
Allowance, less than $40,000 in lifetime earnings with at least one win,
2yo, 7f on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: NS$95,000—52,000 to the winner, 21,000 to 2nd, 11,400 to 3rd,
 5,200 to 4th, 2,400 to 5th 1,100 to 6th,
 800 to 7th, 600 to 8th, 500 to 9th  
1 Castle Money  NWK (J Watson)           1:24.958
2 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)             1:24.993
3 Blue Rodeo   KNH (R Boiler)            1:25.141
4 Something Ventured SRZ (D Cunningham)  1:25.859
5 Jonsson  SVJ (C Heath)                 1:25.923
6 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)        1:27.012
7 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)            1:27.178
8 Ten Two Three  DRK (J Campo)           1:27.308
9 Stinking Submarine  SUB (M Kushwarth)  1:30.348

   
 Race 4—The Old Course, Southend, Ezra
 Allowance, less than $30,000 in lifetime earnings,
 2yo, 7f on the turf, fillies allowed 3 lbs, non-winners allowed 2 lbs
 Purse: CBP$85,000—41,000 to the winner, 21,000 to 2nd, 11,500 to 3rd,
 5,100 to 4th, 2,600 to 5th, 1,000 to 6th 
7th-11th 650/600/550/500/500
 
 1 Deese du Val  OAM (R au Trepiez)       1:24.713
 2 One Bad Bitch  DRK (J Campo)           1:25.146
 3 Young Gray Mare  CBP (K Smallwood)     1:25.514
 4 Count Floyd  CBP (I Shaftsbury)        1:25.557
 5 Nymph of Napoleon  WAI (C Abbot)       1:25.618
 6 Platinum Ghost  WAI (J Poleshuk)       1:25.856
 7 All Hail   JOV (N Lion)                1:25.950
 8 Keisters Heater  NEW (S Hernando)      1:26.306
 9 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)         1:26.309
10 Midnights Power  HPI (W Schumacher)    1:26.727
11 Hamptonian Showboat  HPI (B Nugent)    1:26.893

Race 5—The Old Course
Jockey Club of Baker Park Juvenile Gold Cup S (G2), by nomination,
 $1,500 entry, field limited to 15 starters
2yo, 1 1/16 mile on dirt, fillies allowed 3 lbs
Purse: CBP$250,000—130,000 to the winner, 52,600 to 2nd, 30,400 to 3rd,
 15,600 to 4th, 7,700 to 5th, 4,800 to 6th,
 2,300 to 7th, 8th-15th 1,100/1000/900/800/800/700/700/600

 1 True Logic  NWK (J Watson)          1:44.951
 2 Flying Copters  SUB (M Kushwarth)   1:45.156
 3 Starflower Sunbeam  EQS (E Me)      1:45.388
 4 Sixtime Champ  NEW (J Cordova)      1:45.674
 5 Be Why   OAM (R au Trepiez)         1:45.966
 6 Elite  DRK (J Campo)                1:45.997
 7 Chief Wrap   KNH (R Boiler)         1:46.488
 8 Fargone Mist  JOV (N Lion)          1:46.528
 9 Diamond Tiara   CDG (M Serrano)     1:46.540
10 Deese du Val  OAM (L Labelle)       1:46.686
11 Apple Toss  CDG (C Schurr)          1:46.969
12 Tolyanka   SVJ (J Atrajeva)         1:47.023
13 Rockets Red Glare  NEW (A Guthrie)  1:47.346
14 State of Grace HEN (Z Cademiel)     1:47.663
15 Castle Money  NWK (S Bucher)        1:48.405

Congratulations to Kyater Countryside Stables and trainer Dennis Lee, jockey Joseph Watson and to our 2 year Champion horse--True Logic. A clean sweep of the titles is well deserved.

Also Congratulations to Sky Blue Racing and trainer Matthew Browne for the 2 year old Distaff Champion--Sixtime Champ, who edged out Starflower Sunbeam.