Bodemeister, Paynter and Union Rags: A Rivalry?

With the curtains drawn on the brief but bright racing career of I'll Have Another, the late 3 year old season is marred by questions. Who, if anyone, can play the role of 3 year old champ? Will one colt break through as a clear-cut hero -- or will the Eclipse honors fall to the chestnut victor of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness? In order to steal the role of 3 year old champion, one horse must win all of the big, late-year races. 

An emerging talent wouldn't make the cut. To be acknowledged at higher status than a 2 time classic winner, the horse in question must have previously shined as some sort of early star. That rules out nearly all the crop as potential thieves of 'Another's prize. Three colts, however, remain in contention. Bodemeister (second in both the Derby and Preakness), Paynter (second in the Belmont), and Union Rags (Belmont winner).

Union Rags (far right) reaches out to snatch the Belmont

There's a big possibility of seeing these three match up in later races. Bodemeister is being pointed toward the Haskell Invitational (July 29, Monmouth Park), and Paynter is being lined up for the Jim Dandy (July 28, Saratoga). Micheal Matz has named Union Rags a possibility for either race, with the ultimate goal being the Travers Stakes (August 25, Saratoga). 

It will be extremely interesting to observe the result of late-season 2012. If Union Rags, Paynter and Bodemeister are to have a match-up, the result may be something out of this world. All three colts are proven fighters, and it's scary to think that we may be yet to see the best of late-developing Paynter. Bodemeister did appear to tire near the end of the Kentucky Derby, but with a different running style - or at shorter distances - he could blow fields apart. Union Rags displayed grit and bravery in his rail-riding surge at Belmont Park; many speculate how much faster the race could've been had he drawn an outside post position, and not have had to sit and wait.

Who's the best of the three horses? My own money is on Union Rags, who I believe to have always been the best of the crop. Who do you like? Leave a comment and tell me!

Terribly Great 2's: Amarish

While colts and fillies fetch glossy prices, it is not often that you see a 2 year old gelding sold for $200,000. But that's exactly the price owner Jerry Durante paid for the precocious Amarish, at the Ocala Breeders' March Juvenile Sale. With a red X through any breeding aspirations, the bay was purchased with races in mind; races like the 5 1/2 furlong, $100,000 William Proctor Memorial... which today, Amarish won.

Having triumphed by 7 lengths in his lone career start in a time just fractions off the Hollywood Park track record for 4 1/2 furlongs, Amarish was sent off as the clear-cut favorite. As the gelding paraded the grounds of his initial victory, heads nodded... he looked the part.

Amarish was fitted into slot 6, and the gates burst open. The rest was routine; the gelding wrestled the restraint of jockey Edwin Maldonado, who pinned him snugly in stalking position up until the turn, where he  smiled and waved goodbye to the six unworthy rivals. Amarish burst away from the field - and if a horse could grin, he would've. The gelding remained undefeated in a 5 length romp.

As an avid follower of the 2 year old division, I am licking my lips in anticipation for whatever this kid may bring. His pedigree, while weak on the sire line, shows some promise on the maternal side.

Amarish's sire, Scat Daddy, flourished with limited ground to cover. He placed 18th in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, following victory in the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby. Two sons of Scat Daddy, Daddy Long Legs and Daddy Nose Best, raced in this year's Kentucky Derby. They, too, showed a need for less track, finishing a dull 10th and 20th. Amarish's grandsire, Johannesburg, is known for being a sprint influence. He himself placed 8th in the 2002 Kentucky Derby. Johannesburg is sired by Hennessy, who won 4 of his first 5 starts before failing to triumph again.

Amarish's broodmare sire, however, is the great Awesome Again: a 10 furlong winner on multiple occasions, including the Breeders' Cup Classic. Awesome Again is sired by Deputy Minister, an "awesome" distance influence. Deputy Minister is the damsire of Belmont winners Jazil, Sarava, and Rags to Riches; he is also the sire of Mane Minister, Go For Wand, and Touch Gold, among other champions.

Although his capability of stretching out is certainly a debatable topic, I tout Amarish as one of the top 2 year olds to be eyeing in the coming months of 2012. Whether or not he can go the distance, this gelding is sure to provide thrills, chills, and a bottle full of hope!

Giant Ryan: Racing For His Life

As the field powered home in the True North Handicap, 85,000 spectators shared a breathless gasp. While Repole Stable's Caixa Eletronica charged to gain a narrow lead, a bay 6 year old by the name of Giant Ryan was being wrestled down from a lilting gallop. A few, choppy strides and the winner of the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes was splayed out on the dirt oval of Belmont Park. The equine ambulance rushed to the scene; black curtains were stationed around the fallen warrior, shielding him from a horrified Belmont Stakes crowd.

The horse heaved to his hooves and was fitted with a splint; after a van ride back to his stall, the verdict was that Giant Ryan had fractured both left front sesamoids and suffered ligament damage to the back of the same ankle. His owner and trainer, the father-son team of Bisnath and Shivananda Parboo, were appalled. Only a week before the race, Ryan had galloped a tidy four furlongs in 49 flat; the fourth fastest work of sixteen at the distance. No one would have suspected that this same horse would go on to collapse while battling for the lead.

In the following days, Ryan was shipped to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center: the same facility that treated Barbaro in the months following his breakdown. In order for Giant Ryan to carry on to a career at stud, a procedure is planned to fuse the fetlock joint back together.

These plans were delayed, however, when the injured leg was found to be receiving limited blood flow.



"Treatment is being given in effort to restore the blood supply so that the fusion surgery can be safely performed at a later date," Said Dr. Richardson, chief of large animal surgery at New Bolton. "He is comfortable and stable, but we will need to do further tests assessing his injured limb before we proceed with any surgery."

This is a blow beneath the belt for all fans of horse racing. When any one of our equine athletes is injured, we must work to the best of our abilities to preserve their life and future. Teams like Shivananda Racing are an asset to the industry; with the extensive treatment Giant Ryan is being given, it is clear that his connections truly care about their runners. The future is not clear for of this hard-trying horse. I, along with thousands of horse lovers around the world, will be praying for the well-being of the valiant Giant Ryan. He has served racing to the best of his abilities, and it is my hope that he may go on to be a sire of sires in the Thoroughbred breed.