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Horse of the Decade

That's what I said, the hell with all the horse of the year talk. Horse of the Decade embodies an icon or image. An icon is used to describe a static style of devotional image. Painting, works of art, symbols of hope, beauty, and status, embodies Zenyatta. She was the climax to a Breeders Cup championship event. She was the hope of the sport, the industry, and of course, to the fans, the patrons of the game without her in the mix of the Classic and it would have been just a nice day at the races. She, Zenyatta, was the reason the fans came, she was the one they came to see. That's an icon.

Those who oppose or ague against her iconic run to the Cup and subsequent crowning, weren't present at Santa Anita on November 7. They did not see the aftermath, the joyous, triumphant atmosphere when she hit the front inside the sixteenth pole. They were not present and I will go as far as to say they bet against her and rooted against her, prejudicially.

One person said on a radio show "there was no value on betting on a horse like Zenyatta at 5/2!"

'A horse like Zenyatta' Can anyone tell me when the last Zenyatta was around? or raced? Personal Ensign comes to mind and you have to go back 20 years

'A horse like Zenyatta' Like Zenyatta can be compared to the $12,500 claimer running in the fourth race on a Thursday.

Rick Belansky from Chicago, Illinois, took it to another level. He writes:

"20 years of SoCal racing (and the area's signature brown air) has addled your brain: 5-2 was a "big price" on Zenyatta, you say?? Come East, my good man. Why, some of our horses pay $10.00...even $10.40. If you do come, not to worry: we have special eyeglasses for horseplayers migrating from Southern California, so that constant exposure to the unit of tens lights being lit in the win price doesn't damage your retinas."Big Price". I'm going to start referring to you as Bruno "Big Price" De Julio."

The insanity spun by Mr. Belansky insinuates that Zenyatta's Breeders Cup win, and icon statute, might as well have been confused with the 4th race at Indiana Downs, or Arlington Park, or even Charles Twon, Rick showed that degenerate gamblers have this mentality that a bet is a bet, is a bet. That's it. The four ball in the third or the six ball in the eight at pokemeintheeye downs. It just doesn't matter to them. They see 5/2, 2-1 or 9/5 as the same across the board. Secretariat dropping into an allowance race at 9/5 and they bet against.

Folks, that insanity leads players to outlandish statements as the one written by Rick Belansky, who missed the entire point, just as the retractors of Zenyatta. So, tired of myopic's stances, now who's got damage retinas.........?

Zenyatta is a once in a blue moon horse. A horse that embodied perfection. She was perfect. She never lost, she found the will to overcome obstacles and on the biggest day of the year, in her career, under the spotlight, she delivered. She did something that Big Brown didn't do. He couldn't deliver for you. Rachel didn't deliver she was in the stall, in the barn far away. As much as she accomplished she didn't make it to the dance. She wasn't there. It was her crown to defend, Horse of the Year was in her pocket, but she wasn't there. Zenyatta was! She out her undefeated status on the lineand she stepped into the ring. Her performance was as clutch and as defining as any moment in sports. She stepped into the ring and beat one of the strongest, world-wise, representative field ever assembled in the Breeders Cup Classic. so, that isn't good enough?

The ensuing unison celebration from the crowd was the moment that crowned her Horse of The Decade. When was the last time this industry got such a unanimous response to a result, to a race, to a horse.

I know when! In the movie Seabiscuit! Seabiscuit's win in the match race versus War Admiral and when he won his come back and the Santa Anita Handicap. That's the last time. Seabiscuit may have been the horse of the century that lead this sport into the prominence it held for many decades.

Now it will be Rachel's turn to pick up the baton. If she is to be spoken about for years to come. She will become a legend like Zenyatta. Rachel Alexandra had her fantastic 2009. She needs to have a fantastic 2010. Win the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs in 2010, and she will become a legend herself, but the Horse of the Year and the Decade is Zenyatta. No if's and butt's about it. She should also be an unanimous winner.

My buddy John Despirito said it best:
"Horse of the year - yes
Horse of the decade - yes
Horse of the century - yes, so far, this century
Horse of the millenium - yes, so far, this millenium..."

Thus, 5/2 on the horse of the Year and the decade is a big price for me, Mr. Belansky. No doubt in my mind.

Vote on your favorite blog of 2009!

BLOG # 1: We's getting things done around her. The track has been rather good all week. We hammered the point of consistency being a must and Steve Wood, the track sup, has obliged so far with a consistent surface. It does get faster as the week progresses, but horses are handling it OK.

“That Steve Wood always got an extra shovel in the trunk,’’ said Jersey boy Tony in his thick Newark, New Jersey accent. “A couple of them weeks ago he turned more dirt than the feds looking for Jimmy Hoffa.’’ Tony stated as in reference to the first two weeks of the meet.

So, we got that going for us.

We have beaten the proverbial dead horse when it comes down to the early pick 4. I haven’t found one person that thinks the lack of an early pick 4 is a good thing. I know Tony had an opinion but his end result is one person or two swimming with the ‘fishies’, I guess a Jersey boy always a Jersey Boy

We can get ourselves in a whole lot of trouble at Del Mar all by ourselves. The Stewards, Poly-Track, Jockeys, racing luck, and last but not least, The paddock cam.

“You got to be a real ‘Mulignaro’ if you take some broad to the paddock,’’ said Tony. “You got to stand where the light ain’t too good,’’ he added. “I got caught with mistress at Del Mar’’ said one patron in a thick French accent. “My wife saw me on the paddock web-cam with my mistress,’’ he said while shaking his head. “she doesn’t kno it is French to have a mistress’’ he added. I thought it was Italian to have a mistress and French to get caught, but I could be wrong. “You ain’t gonna be married too long if you stand out there in them 1 or 2 holes in the paddock while chasing tail? Capish?” our Jersey boy rambled on, “you gotta do your buziness go stand over thear in the number 13 or number 14’s.” He added. “Out of sight, out of mind’’ Jersey Tony remarked. “It’s like Mickey Two-Time,’’ Tony starting another story, “he was two-timing with his wife’s girlfriend, and ran a red light. Three weeks later a picture comes with a ticket to the house,’’ he says chuckling….”He told his wife she dropped her cell phone,’’ with a chuckle and a wink.

So, this whole paddock cam can be a disaster waiting to happen.

For example, you are in the paddock, you have the favorite in the 3rd and you have your wife, your friends with you, all of sudden your life flashes in front of your very eyes! “Hi, (fill in blank)! It’s Wendy remember me from last year!’’ (picture Wendy being a gumby doll with a couple of pineapples).

You are hoping that one of your friends yells ‘in-coming, throws you down and covers your body with his, but before the whole scenario you are getting sprayed by eye daggers and the proverbial machine gun fire. Duck, roll and cover is all you can do. You actually wish you could get run over by a horse. True Story.

You know, the wife doesn’t care if ‘’Wendy’’ is the wife of one of your friends “I saw what I heard’’ she says to you as she has already begun taking everything you got including the tickets on your horse in that race.

Thanks, Joe(general manger). I thought “Bro’s before Ho’s’’. Who’s idea was the web-cam in the paddock anyway. “Like someone at home is going to see if a horse looks good or not, right or wrong?” says Tony. A woman’s eyes are ten times more acute than a handicapper who has had his head in the form for the last eight hours.

Hey Joe (general manager), I got a barn you can throw that web-cam in five to six hours before race time.

What does this have to do with the races today…………., the 1st race, She’s Borracho. This filly trained by former Mullins, Machowsky and Van Berg assistant Robert Troeger. She had a tough trip last out. She was boxed inside when the entry mate of the eventual winner Stash was playing interference down the backstretch. She’sBorracho and Joe Talamo were stuck behind and did not extradite themselves until the ¼ pole, and by then it was too late as she was left with too much to do. She has to face Troeger’s former patron Jeff Mullins and Storm The Church.

Storm The Church will be favored but who has failed to deliver on many occasions. The pace will be light and ‘Church will be up close, it is going to be up to Rosario to keep Borracho close enough to the leaders for a winning run.

“She’s Borracho,you know, sounds real good’’ says Tony. "Met a few of them at Del Mar"', he adds "you know them fillies like them horses, 'I like the seven', one said to me last week, you know,"" Tony with yet another story. "I says Hey I'll slap a number on me maybe you like me too!".

So, yes, She's Borracho in the first, "that's if you make it out of the paddock without getting whacked by the old ball and chain!" Tony quips.

BLOG # 2: Rachel Versus Zenyatta or Zenyatta versus Rachel.

I have to say I am tired to hear about the Horse of the Year, Zenyatta, or Rachel, Rachel, or Zenyatta argument or lack of. Everybody is taking both, of course!

I was sooooo thankful to be there on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Santa Anita and experience Zenyatta, but I also got to experience Rachel Alexandra, too, in person

About that for a daily double?

We all know what I think and how much I love Zenyatta. I had the privilege to watch Zenyatta train for two years, but what little I saw live of Rachel was equally as special.

I had a chance to see Rachel at Churchill when she worked the week of the Derby in preparation of the Kentucky Oaks.

She worked on a day that Pioneer of the Nile, and many other workers for the Derby were strutting their stuff in front of the media, owners, trainers, and 2000 fans at Churchill Downs.

I was there along with David Lanzman, of I Want Revenge fame, Ahmed Zayat, Bob Baffert and many others.

Rachel was one of the horses on the track in the midst of Derby contenders. She worked a tremendous 46.2 on my watch, but what she did after the wire was astounding. She kept going and I kept my watch going and she stopped it at the 3/4 pole in 110.4. Yes, 110.4 on the gallop out!. There was a buzz about the crowd as few people that clocked her were spreading the word around.

A few days later in the Kentucky Oaks, Rachel, ran a modest, to say the least, field to their knees by crushing them by two city blocks. I was there fifty yards from her.

So, I have these two fantastic animals up close and personal in my Racingwitbruno recollection..

Yes, they both deserve Horse of the Year, undoubtedly, but I would have had a different candidate if it all worked out on Friday night at Hollywood.

Yes, last Friday night at Hollywood was where my Horse of the Year candidate was running.

Smoke Cat.

Smoke Cat raced in the 6th race at Hollywood Park in a $8,000 claiming race.

I think horse of the Year for the bettors and handicappers is the last horse they crushed on, or made a big score. Same for trainer, and jockey honors. No, my jockey of the year wouldn't have been Leparoux, or Gomez, or even Bo-rail.

It would have been Chris Russell.

Who?

Chris Russell, the rider of Smoke Cat. And for trainer, no, not John Shirreffs, or Bob Baffert, it would have been Steve Miyadi, the trainer of Smoke Cat.

You see Steve Miyadi knew he had a great chance to win at Hollywood Park and wanted to bet too. So, keeping Chris Russell in the saddle would have gotten him at least 6-1 at post time. Miyadi had a plan, but he forgot something along the way, Chris Russell couldn't compete here once before, and that would be his demise.

Voting for Russell, Miyadi and Smoke cat was contingent on the fact they had to win. You see, I had them singled in the pick four. I was voting for the Eclipse through my TVG window.

Singled Smoke Cat, despite Chris Russell being on my $hit list. You see, back in early October, he rode against me at Fresno. He pushed my filly and my jock in to the rail on the backside, causing her to bounce off the rail and lose all chance. To add insult to injury later in the card he caused a chain reaction down the backstretch that the stewards blindly misidentified and took down the wrong horse, my trainer's horse. Later Bobby Troeger told me that Russell told him it was his fault, but the stewards took Troeger down. Great after the fact, so the little $hit has killed me before. "Yes, I know Chris Russell,'' said Bobby Troeger, "he used to walk hots for me.'' He added. At that time we both thought Russell should return to walking hots (horses that have just come off the track after a work or gallop and need to be cooled down).

This was Russell's chance to redeem himself. His chance to be voted my Jockey of the Year, along with Smoke Cat Horse of the Year honors.

Of course, we are alive after the first leg, the second leg, Smoke Cat, is the single. Six to one on the board. We are way deep in the next two races. Smoke Cat is in the gate, and he breaks three lengths slow from the rail. If I had binoculars, in retrospect, I would have thrown them in a gesture of respect for the late Bobby Frankel. Instead, I watched, with the naked eye, Russell drive up inside and be stuck inside until past the furlong pole. He then gets through and makes a belated bid to finish a nose short. He was three in front three strides past the wire. "Rats!" He did it again to me. He was sitting on a 'sure thing', a 'lock', 'can't lose' horse, and got him beat. 'That's why Chris Russell rides up north' I thought to myself.

Later I watch in horror as the other two horses I have in my pick 4 come in and it pays over $2000.00.

Great! now I am back at the same old quandary, crossroad, and dilemma: Zenyatta or Rachel for Horse of the Year!

What the #%&@ give it to them both, Russell, Miyadi and Smoke Cat had their chance!

BLOG #3 My two cents worth on Handle!

On track handle at Oak Tree is down. Well, that may be my fault. I have played sparingly at the meet. I do admit being part of the problem, but I have a solution. At the moment, however, the affable Oak Tree executive vice-president Sherwood Chillingsworth was quoted in Steve Andersen Thursday column "Oaktree Handle at Oak Tree takes big hit' in the DRF Thursday print edition, "I just don't think people have the money now," Chillingworth said, referring to the recession that has hit the nation.

Well, maybe, I like Sherwood Chillingsworth and Ron Charles, and the rest of the Oak Tree and Santa Anita management. Seriously, I can work with them, we have the same common goals, and that is what is best for their product, the horsemen, fans and handicappers.

So, how do I become part of the solution instead of the problem. I have been very vocal, at Del Mar, and so far at Oak Tree on my thoughts on the polytrack and Pro-Ride.

I have seen very little difference in the track from the standpoint, inside to outside, but I did see a difference from opening week and the second week. Seemed like the second week the track was heavier, in morning and afternoon. ( I think that may have been the knee jerk reaction of the break downs on opening week)

I did have a filly run over it, Dancing Jeannie, her second lifetime start as she is a speedball, who was adding blinkers. She broke right on top (Friday, October 9 - 3rd race), was wrestled back and kept four wide, made a move under a hold on the turn and then stopped. On the dirt, she would have drawn the comment ''gone'' from the gate, but because of the pro-ride's lack of resiliency and pace friendly-less as we have seen speed horses make winning moves into the three/eighths pole and then really struggle all meet, she floundered.

Thus, some of the comments made caught my eyes from this weekend Stakes fallout:

Calvin Borel, Mine That Bird that finished sixth in the Goodwood Handicap: "He had a perfect trip, but he got to struggling a little. When I asked him to go get them, he was struggling over the track a little bit. Maybe a little bit firmer ground where I can just let him break, and pick him up easy - Instead of this quick- will be better for him...................He's a lot better horse on the dirt. When you ask him here, he goes to struggling instead of just running. ...."

Did Calvin say quicksand and was it edited out? or did he stop himself? It's OK to say 'Quicksand' Calvin, it is OK, or about Marco Botti, trainer of Gitano Hernando winner of Goodwood Stakes, who commented on the Pro-Ride main track being ''turf friendly''. Yes, ''turf friendly'' meaning that Europeans will once again reign this year on this surface judging by the Goodwood Stakes result.

Brad Free the venerable daily Handicapper and Analyst for the DRF had a tremendous column in Saturday's October 10th edition shedding a light on this discussion even before the stakes results were even warm:

His objective view of the Del Mar Debutante and the immediate reaction and analysis of the bunched field at the wire may have been premature as Blind Luck and La Nez have both come back to validate the results. "Synthetic surfaces lend themselves to bunched finishes. Displays of pure brilliance do not occur, and a bunched field doesn't necessarily mean a bad race'' Free wrote. Baffert chimed in with "you can't separate yourself,'' as he added his two cents to Free's discussion.

Free concluded that 'finish margins and final times might be less important than the fact they showed up and hit the board'.

Free also chimed in on the track trends in his Analysis on October 10. "...if you were on the lead in a sprint or a route, you were not winning the race,'' he wrote. "Pacesetters went 2 for 28 on the main track and only 1 for 20 in sprints,'' but Free wasn't done as he also identified that pressing types who were positioned on top of the pacesetters, or who had first run on the pace, had the advantage.

The whole notion that front running speed is to be completely scrubbed from winning equation is quite disturbing since we buy horses that have speed and are trained for speed. We breed, break, train horses for speed, and yet we have to shelter ourselves from selecting or sending speed horses to the lead on these synthetics, especially pro-ride. So, as a handicapper, you may correctly identify the speed, the lone speed and then throw it out. You own a speed horse and speed is your best asset, then re-train and teach your speed horse to rate. Don't train horses for this pro-ride for speed. Harder said than done. Might as well re-invent the wheel!

So, let's be the solution and not the problem! OK, you got me. I have no idea. Don't bet would be one, but come on! That's not an option, even though, maybe others have gone to such drastic manners. There are other tracks with good dirt main tracks, but none other than Los Alamitos are in my back yard.

So, it comes back to the same argument, Yes, 'Chilly' the economy has been an issue, but in the racing industry we can specifically point to the performance of the Pro-ride and Polytrack. They are the source and reason players are not playing.

So having promised to be part of the solution and not the problem I have a plan:

Let's have everyone bring the dirt back they gave away in 2007, plus if you bring up a pound extra you get a friend in gratis. You show up with your John Deere tractor or bulldozer with dirt and you park for free. Two free Tickets for the Breeders Cup on Friday and Saturday for anyone that takes the pro-ride with them in a bag or in their John Deere after the races. In the fine print you will read that anyone with the last name of Wood will be subject to an intense background investigation.

We can call this solution or promotion: Got dirt?
What about it ?

BLOG # 4: Visiting with Rick

Del Mar brings an array of people together. Everybody enjoys fun in the sun, a good horse race and music. Mix in a few margaritas, dos equis and a couple of Tacos from Rubios and you got yourself a 'fiesta'.

Despite all the festivities, thoroughbred owner Rick Jackson was not a happy camper last Friday evening. State Vet Jill Bailey scratched his horse, My Friend Luis, from the 5th race. "She scratched him because he is black'', said Rick. Well, actually the horse is dark bay or brown, but we get the point.

"They scratch black horses, brown horses and red horses, but how many white horses do they scratch?" He asks.

My Friend Luis was in the care of Robert Troeger after being transferred in June from the Jorge Periban barn. Jackson was so upset after the scratching of his horse that he moved the horse back into the care of Jorge Periban. "I thought Luis how to count his age'' Jackson told us out of the blue. "Jorge told me to not to teach him to count because he would hurt his foot[visual image],'' he added.

My Friend Luis was scratched because Doc Bailey wasn't comfortable with the way he moved behind. "Did you see how she walks,'' said Jackson, "She wouldn't pass the vet either.'' He added as we all cringed over a rainbow roll.

So, by this time our sushi dinner at Tabu Sushi (in the Albertson shopping center on Via De La Valle) was taking a life of its own.

"Maybe If I bought her a $20 ticket on 'Luis she wouldn't have scratched him" said Jackson. "I buy tickets for the paymaster girls and they are all happy,'' he adds, "but if I did she would have scratched him anyway and cashed in the ticket".

A few months ago Jackson had a ruling go in his favor in the Stewards office. "I told Mr. Chaney[steward Scott Chainey] I was real grateful and offered to buy them a ticket on a race,'' he said. "Mr. Chainey (not to be confused with Cheney,as in Dick) was very grateful but said 'no,no,no', buy her a ticket [pointing at the stewards secretary], so I did" reported Jackson.

Rick Jackson owns a couple of horses in this circuit with Jorge Periban and Robert Troeger as his trainers. One of them was Tear Of Allah. "I named him that because I wanted the Sheiks, with all the money, to see his name and 'want to buy him from me for millions of dollars," said Rick. Jackson's horses fly purple and white silks, easily recognizable with the chalk outline of a body on the back, no lie. True story. His blankets are purple and white with a large crusader's cross.

"I want to have like James Brown music playing when my horses walked in the paddock, and with that big cross [it] looks cool'' Rick told us over a sushi roll and a shirley temple. rick doesn't drink, you see.

'maybe he should?' but that's me just thinking out loud me.

Rick can't be mistaken for Michael Jackson, The Reverend Jessie Jackson, or even Jess Jackson. Rick doesn't do drugs nor drink alcohol, and even likes plastic. He also has named horses Apoplectic Dancer, and Assassin's Disciple. So, he has that going for him.

I had an eerie feeling over sushi dinner a the theme from 'Halloween~The Michael Myers saga' ran through my ears, "I loved the Friday the 13th series," said Rick, "when they threw Jason in the lake, I almost cried" he added with a sad face. The music just got louder. Can you hear it?

Rick is learning about the game, handicapping, and breeding. "What was that good horse's name?" he asks, "the one that the Germans killed his whole family in Europe during the war?", he asks. "He was so good they smuggled one of his babies to the United States in a submarine?" he continues. 'Princequillo' I blurted out sarcastically. "That's right, Prince-something" Rick says.

I am keeping mum on this one.

Back to My Friend Luis, he will have to work for the vet ten days after the scratching to get off the vet's list for Jackson. "Doc Bailey was over at Jorge's barn the other day, and she speaks Spanish too!" Said Rick with an amazed look on his face, "It surprised me." He added.

"I asked the Vet how any horses she scratches on a daily basis,'' he says, "she told me five to ten, so I told her 'So, you have a quota!'".

Doc Bailey tries to do her job, and if she is not scratching horses that are questionable she feels like she isn't doing what she has been asked to do and that is take the best interest of the horse at heart, but according to Rick Jackson it is racial profiling on an equine level. "She scratches black, brown and red horses on a daily basis, and then once in a while she even scratches a senior citizen horse, a grey!" He reports with a matter of fact tone of voice. "It sounds funny, but I'm half serious!" He adds with a straight face.

"I apologized to Doc Bailey'' Rick Jackson continued, "but not about her scratching the horse'' he adds. "She is a nice lady" as if there was some guilt along those lines.

I brought up the case to the Director of Security, Bill Sullivan. He just shook his head and said "I am not touching this one!" while walking away! I didn't say sexual harassment, Bill, I said racial profiling. A follow-up call to Bill Sullivan's office was not returned. Joe Harper, Craig Dado or Craig Fravel have not returned calls or message on this whole ordeal either.

I don't think this racial profiling case will make CNN, or Larry King Live, and I don't think the good Reverend Al Sharpen or Jessie Jackson will take an interest in the case and hoard any cameras, in fact, I am a betting man they won't even hear about it!. I tried to get a reaction from Bobby Troeger, the former trainer of My Friend Luis, and all I got was a smile, a shake of the head "there is nothing wrong with that horse" he added, but about Jackson he seemed, kind of, sort of, well, speechless.

Racingwithbruno spoke to Doc Bailey but all she did was to have a prepared statement:

"The only contact I have had was a very nice conversation with owner Rick Jackson," reading from a statement obviously written by legal counsel.

Doc Bailey does have a tough job. She is trying to reduce the number of injuries on the track in the afternoon, and at the same time take 'racist' accusations from the likes of Rick Jackson. "People don't understand my sense of humour'' said Jackson, and you think we do, Rick?

***********Update: Doc Jill Bailey >>On Holy Ground, a white horse was scratched on

BLOG #5: Bruno's Blog Wednesday, Sep. 2

Almost every single day at Del Mar there is an opportunity to make money, whether it's the pick six, trifectas, ten cent supers, win, place, show, exactas or the early, late pick four, well, maybe not the early pick four, but the late pick four, for sure, and the hippity hop races. That's right the hippity hop races. Even though, there is no parimutuel betting there is opportunities to make a score on a one of the Del Mar Camp precocious kid, who can bounce.

It isn't much different than watching horses in the morning and analyzing their workouts. Every week a new set of boys and girls attend the Del Mar Camp.

Camp Del Mar is an exciting day camp program for children 5 -12 years of age being offered during the Del Mar racing season. Children can now have just as much fun as Mom and Dad while at Del Mar. Professional educators, recreational specialists and trained counselors (one for every twelve children) are always on hand to provide guidance and assistance. Activities include, but are not limited to:

animal themed crafts
air hockey
an inflatable jump
hippity hop races on the racetrack (Wed,Fri, Sat, Sun)
miniature golf (Thursdays)
various tournaments
video games and much more!
**All events are non-parimutuel** At Camp Del Mar your Children are supervised by energetic counselors at all times, and their nice to look at, too.

Camp Del Mar's quest for fun takes the kids from the Mission Tower Building to The Farm in the infield. The children can also provide a chance for some of us in the grandstand, who pay attention to make a buck or two.

Have a bad day with the ponies, try the hippity hop races, but you have to do your homework.

"I watched the Wednesday and Friday bouncy balls'' said Scott, a long time handicapper at Del Mar, and ''the blonde kid can really 'bounce''' he said. "he is just all rhythm, mproved in every start this week and the rest of the field may need to sprout wings to catch him''.

"So, I wait for my friends to come to the boxes and we scour the field of kids heading to the post for the race, and entice everyone to put in $5 or $10, so we get a purse of $75.00 or more," he brags, "then I spring the blonde kid on them, I call him 'Jumper' and I make the call on him before anyone has a chance.'' He adds with a smile.

"Bam, out of the gate the kid is up three, five after 20 feet and he is long gone.'' He says while making a touchdown sign. "Now I got money for the late pick four'' he boasts. "It comes in handy," added the smooth talking former medicinal distributor.

So, Wednesday, Scott will watch the kids and pick out the precocious ones. He, then, files it for a rainy day. "I try to not take advantage of my friends,'' he confides, "but, it's the ones that really got out of their way to wanna gamble I love to beat,'' he adds, "I really like the look on their face after the race,'' He says with satisfaction. "People would bet on anything,'' He adds.

"Next year may have to take it to another level and may ask a couple of them to throw a race or two so we can better odds over the weekend." He adds as he texts the result to some of his gambling cronies. "I hope TVG and Betfair put up head to head matches next year" he says , as a matter of fact.

This past Sunday afternoon was a perfect scenario for 'Scott'. The blonde kid had been absent on Saturday but had romped on Friday after a close second to a freakish performance on Wednesday. The field looked empty. One child was smaller than the bouncy ball (of course, one of his friend goes for the little fellor), and '[bam]' easy score, a runaway victory at a price. It pays to pay attention and he doesn't need yours truly, or Toby Turrell, releasing the precocious baby here.

A well orchestrated gamble! Something the Chicago Black Sox would have been proud of.

BLOG # 6: Nuh bodda mi!

Common Sense almost prevailed yesterday and we had a winning day at the races, but I have to say I didn't do it all by myself. I have to admit I had a little help. We all need a little help sometimes. Handicappers across the board can be stubborn. They want to pick the winner or believe they are the only ones with the right opinion. Well, me learn a lesson yesterday at the track.

"Dat Howsa pretty lakka money." said Lionel, a Jamaican transplant here at Del Mar to take in Common Sense after the races. Common Sense, a reggae band with some cool runnings roots is a popular yearly fixture in the Del Mar Concert series.

He asked me if I liked anything on the card, and I referred to my V Jack To Ride Me Fast daily double. "Yuh inna big chobble." He said. "Why am In big trouble?" I responded. "Lawd 'ave mercy pan Miss Percy." referring to Eric Guillot, the likeable, talkative Cajun trainer for Southern Equine Stables.

"Nuh bodda mi." Lionel snapped at one of his Rastafarrians as he perused the past performances. He was on a mission to find a winners on the card, and so was I. I asked him about Guiding Hand in the 9th and he said "fass and facety." Too inquisitive and fresh in his native slang, Me? fresh? I dunno wat he did but he was in fine mid-concert form, already. "Dem a wan no good bunch." referring to the field in the 9th.

We were all still stinging after losing a stretch battle with Nan in the Del Mar Oaks at 30-1. I brought up racing luck and misfortunes, as we also had an unlucky Viscount in the 6th. "A di dutty duppy man dweet." Yes, the dirty ghost did it, Lionel, absolutely, we have seen enough of that dirty ghost lurking around fortunes at this meet (OK, now I know he has been token' something between races). "Galang bout yuh business." Lionel suggested, just go about your business and handicap the races with what you do best and don't worry about th bad beats, lost photos, or simple misfortunes.

"A wan irie likkle place." Yes, indeed, Del Mar is a very nice place to hang, chill and play the ponies that's for sure. Don't know if there is another place in the world you would rather be in July, august and early September, but we need winners. The horses are on the track for the 9th race.

"Yuh wan big lick fram de teacha." asked me Lionel! I want what? "Yuh wan big lick fram de teacha," he repeated. I threw my hands up like I have no idea what you mean, and I am scared to ask or what he wanted. A big hit from the teacher or "Yuh wan big lick fram de teacha," simply meant a tip. "De hate, man!" He says.

Lionel was referring to the number #8 Flirting With Love. Steven Miyadi's shipper from up north had run versus $8,000 conditioned claimers. He looked good on the track and Miyadi is no dummy. I questioned the horse's class, he replied "mi mek up mind areddy." He was convinced that Flirting With Love was the horse.

"De Zupefetta is tha but, man!" and wouldn't you know it $3340.00 later, our Jamaican brother, is all smiles, "A lang time mi dey inna dis yah lang line," says Lionel while standing in the IRS line.

Seemed like the track had emptied out after the Del Mar Oaks, the infield, however was packed with people, from all walks of life coming to see the concert. I can only say what I saw, and that these people didn't care about the races going on. The betting lines were negligible. Good crowd, but not a racetrack crowd. Concessions were blowing up, so Del Mar was making the $$$$ in the concessions department, that's for sure.

"Mi ah de ongle one dat did stay till it dun," Indeed, Lionel was the only one that stayed till it was finished. Maybe a little common sense sprinkled in the midst of day's card never hurts and it paid off with a nifty score.

"Put de bag unda de seat," Lionel whispers as he is heading to his car with a bag full of $$$. "See yu pan Satday." He adds. That's right, next week is Ziggy Marley, and maybe another 'Zupefetta' for Lionel.

I watched the last race from the infield, and despite the delay due to loose horse there was little evidence of a horse race from there, however, the day had been conquered by just being patient. Lionel taught me a lesson and there could be a score to be made anytime, anyplace, anywhere it just takes some common sense to figure it out.

BLOG #7:Tickle me elmo! I needed a creative spurt or a push. So, I went to a guy who is old as dirt(we don't have much of that in California), and has a good sense of reality, no synthetic at all with him, Bill Garr.

He is a long time friend. He hosted the first show I ever did on radio back in th middle 80's. I will never forget it his coat hanger microphone piece around his neck and 'creative' race calls.

Bill Garr's humor was often hideous enough to chase one out of the press box, so, I thought I'd give him a chance to pick my spirits up, and chase me into some winners.

The racing scene here in California sometimes resembles the MASH Unit or Police blatter when it comes down to injuries, track conditions, imminent track closures or simply who is signing the checks at Santa Anita.

"We can possibly have a new favorite,'' said Ron Charles, President of Santa Anita last week,''the situation updates and changes by the hour.''.

"The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work" Garr said when I asked for an opinion on the Santa Ania situation.

The Oak Tree is right around the corner and we have yet to have resolved the track ownership issue, or deal with the imminent closure of Hollywood Park, or the pro-ride and cushion surfaces at respective tracks. Both surfaces are going through a facelift.

My take on Hollywood Park before we move to Bill Garr, is that they won't make a move until Nostradamus predictions of global doom and gloom in 2012. Maybe the Mayan calendar knows more about Hollywood's imminence than Bay Meadows Realty company.

I asked Garr why he took so long to gate back to me and he replied: "I went to see a eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian."

I quickly referenced his response to drinking alcohol instead of juice this morning and he quickly quipped: " She was only a whiskey maker, but I loved her still." OK! So, there you have it.

I told him of the patience and tempers running a little high with all these problems in the industry. "A rubber band pistol was confiscated in an algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption." He shared with me on the possible response to the 'Titanic' issues in California racing.

I spoke about the track and the lack of understanding and the apathy torwards investors in this game. "No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery," said Garr. He is right as he points out that no matter how hard one campaigns no one is listening.

We turned our attention to the breeding industry and the California breeding shed and market. "A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering." An apropos remark for a faltering Cal-bred program. What we would without Unusual Heat's? Madeleine we love you! Madeleine for President!

Where do we go from here? Is there any agency, state or federal that can right or wrong incompetency or simple poor business decision making? the question was rhetorical, but Garr had the answer: "A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it." That's exactly what we needed to know.

Then, Garr went in to a rant about how all of these issues, from a to z, was like "A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart". I am not sure what it meant but it sounded about spot-on, Si Vouz Plait?.

"Only God can help us'', I chimed in, "Atheism is a non-prophet organization". Yeah, maybe right, he has more important things to do, like the Health Care Reform.

We hear handicappers and CHRB medical directors talk about the medication issues in the state and overall industry. "A sign on the lawn at the drug rehab center said, 'Keep off the Grass.'" Garr replied.Grass should help some officials in this state to come to some sense of reality.(they can actually attend the Ziggy Marley concert tomorrow, Saturday after the races and just take it all in)

In this dog eat dog business and how the sport is being cannobalized from a varies of maladies Garr had the most insightful comments of all, "When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion." Amen to that brother.

After all "In a democracy, it's your vote that counts. In feudalism, it's your count that votes." So we have that going for us and that's nice.

For today, it's Friday and we have a nine race card. A concert after the races, and a track that is going to be slowed down today after blistering fast track this morning for workouts. Yes, the track we saw this morning will not be the same track we see this afternoon, allegedly. "The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran." Added Garr with one final quip.

Yes, indeed, We are Del Mar Veterans indeed.

**celebrity voice impersonated**

BLOG # 8: I shot me a Utahrd!

Racingwithbruno Blog & Free Play

I wasn't quite sure on the topic of today's Del Mar scene. I thought about Mexican food & the pick 6, maybe ''You have a lot of friends if you are sitting in the shade", or drinking & gambling at the seaside. So, I actually made it a combo with rice and beans and chose all three.

I got a real good friend of mine who has had a recent streak of bad luck. Besides from having rolled into one of the drainage ditches at Santa Anita one morning after visiting his horses at the Sadler barn, he had the misfortuneof having a bad batch of mexican food the nite before causing him to miss the pick six the next day, which he would have hit. My favorite is sharing alcoholic beverages in the shade with my friends and handicapping.

The latter is only associated with Del Mar (De-Tox after Del Mar and go on the wagon for the next 10 months). The festive atmosphere is a catalyst for a few, with moderation, Dos Equis, with a lime, and battling through the card. Lose a photo, get a bucket. That sort of thing of frivolity.

My best Dos Equis Story was the day I shot Jeff Mullins in the eye with my beer. I have a ritual, my lime goes in first, thumb in the bottle, then turn it upside down. The upside down effect causes the lime to fully engulf the entire bottle and end up belly up at the bottom of the bottle, which right now is the top, and then gently releasing the thumb, releasing a light misty spray, harmless. Well, not this evening. Jeff was the innocent bystander, as we were just shooting the breeze. I held my beer away from my body and away from Jeff, but today the suds had a mind of their own. I removed my thumb, and two big souped up suds came flying out of my beer, flew across my body, and hit the tall Mullins square in the eye and nose! The horror!

I don't think Mullins had ever been hit in the eye like that! He stared me down like Clubber Lang (Mr. T.) stared down Rocky Balboa in Rocky III. "Prediction? I got a prediction 'Pain!'"

I was horrified! My knees buckled under that Clubber Lang eye pounding. I could already see the headlines in the San Diego Union Tribune "Mullins turns Workout Analyst in to a milkshake! Details at eleven".

The usually intense, but mild mannered Mullins had that look that kills and then, abrutply, turned into a laughter that could be heard through the Del Mar Hilton lobby. I am guessing the horrified look on my face was satisfaction enough to the 'big fellor' that he couldn't help laugh or find the humor in the event.

I didn't know whether to laugh or run for my life and hope that I could outrun the burly Mullins. (If you haven't noticed Jeff has sort of bulked up and looks like something from muscle beach in Venice)

So, drinking, gambling and handicapping is fun, but the morale of the story is you may not be as lucky as I was, after all it wasn't like I was taking food off his table, you know what I mean! I just hit him in the eye!

Gambling, drinking and handicapping also requires shade. Owner, Bob Bone came up and sat with myself, our trainer Bobby Troeger, long time friend and partner, Ron Holguin, and Joey Platts, also horse owner and handicapper in our shaded seats behind the winner's circle (the best seats in the house). Bob was searching for some shade. "It's funny how many friends you got when you are sitting in the shade" he said looking at me. Touche', how so true.

Ona lighter side, it was real special yesterday to see two good 'buds' shake hands and wish each other luck in the paddock before the first. Long time Mullins assistant Robert Troeger, and Jeff Mullins nearly stumbled over each other after saddling their respective horses, She's Borracho, and Storm The Church, to offer each other good fortunes. "Good luck little buddy'' said Troeger shaking Mullins' hand, and patting him on the back. The only thing missing was a beer bottle and a fraternity shake.

We are all a big fraternity out here! Nothing more than a beer and a laugh can't cure!

Shade or no shade, however, we couldn't cash a ticket leading some to say. "if you mix the two together, you spell doom or even better yet, stupidity.'' The jury is out whether it is a good idea to mix the two, but I can tell you just can adda woman or two to the mix and you got yourself a 'clusterduck'.

You can bet real money we didn't learn our lessons, and will be out there pumping the handle and making it a fun day for all involved. One thing, for sure, Mullins hasn't come around me when I have a beer at my side. Who's to blame him.........Here is my pick for you all today! Have your lime with a beer, and see you in the cashiers line!

BLOG#9:Great Danes!

I had a prominent member of the California racing industry, breeder and owner, ask me about Bias at the meet.

I had one simple answer, the only bias I saw was only against my selections so far. I have been average as far as my standards, I have my share 'bad beats', close photos, and outright spankings, but if I do know anything about Del Mar I know that it can turn around in a hurry,and you want to be on board. (please refrain from sending emails and texts asking me to notify you when I am hot)

In my earlier handicapping career I was a very streaky handicapper, and when things didn't go right I changed and tried different things, as I got older, and wiser, I stuck with my bread and butter.

Horses are my bread and butter, I really try hard to not get into to the personalities or too many statistics, but my main forte is attitude.

Yes, attitude, and I got one, I can stomp my feet with the best and also keep my cool when losing a photo in an exotic bet that they would have had to pay me for a month or so......So, controlling my emotions has been my best handicapping asset.

Here at Del Mar, I haven't been as prolific in that department this summer. I have let the track get into my head, the lack of an early pick 4, along with scattered jargons of society. As I walked into the track yesterday, right after the 2nd race, as I had much to write for the Saturday card for Today's Racing Digest's Workout Analysis, I walked past a fellow. He was uttering to himself: "I have got to rally, I have got to regroup.'' He was already reeling after two races on the card, and it snapped me back to life.

To make the meet a winning one it takes a strong fortitude and resiliency to handle the losses as well as the wins. "I have found every way to get scratched at the meet,'' said owner-breeder David Lanzman in the Veranda Cafe yesterday afternoon. "Ever since the Derby and I want Revenge I have been scratched more times than I have actually run,'' David won't admit it, but we are, indeed, close friends, and we laughed at his misfortunes so far. So, you are not alone. Bad beats, losses in close photos, horses being scratched, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria here at Del Mar.

This morning is another great example, I got up and got ready to get to the track between 6:15 and 6:30 A.M. Walked outside my condo over looking the ocean and Pacific Coast Highway. I stood across the street from my truck and there, they were. two beautiful great danes. Big dogs who looked like yearlings, a little leggy but yearlings. They were loose on the street. One of them came over to me and was sort of communicating "like we got out and I don't want to end up 'roadkill'". The other was wilder, and much younger and kept running all over the street. I walked the friendly one back to my car and tried to keep the younger one close to me so they wouldn't run out and play 'frogger'. So, instead of clocking horses, here I am babysitting great danes. That's Del Mar! Reality show stuff happens down here. Fifteen minutes later the owner realized their dogs got out came out of their house and summoned them. The younger one almost gets hit by a car, the horror, but it all turned out OK. So, now, I am late, and I catch flack from Pete Parella from Legacy Ranch and Madeline Auerback of Unusual Heat fame as I got to the track. Of course, no good deed goes unpunished, or something like that.

What does this have to do with today at the races or picking winners? Everything, and nothing at all. For the guy or gal that enjoys the journey leading to the 'cashiers line' this is good stuff. To the simpleton that all it matters is who I like in the 3rd, well, too bad, and beat it, pal.

The point of the story is that here at Del Mar normalcy is out the window. Del Mar can 'giveth and taketh' away. Del Mar has divine powers. It is a place that if you don't keep your head about you, it will roll down the street and into the ocean.

The jest is that if you are having a bad meet, or have had tough circumstances and you have lost your shirt and you are working on your trousers now, don't despair. Make everyday a new day and come in with a fresh, positive attitude. If you wallow in your own self pity because you had the 5 in yesterday's feature and he couldn't second, hence being moved up via DQ, and Mullins got the kiss in at 17-1, get over it, and make today the best day you can make! After all, how many times during the year you can say I was at Del Mar playing the ponies today. Only seven weeks of the year.

It doesn't make a good day unless I say: "where's my early pick 4!"

blog #10: Del Mar opening day!

Shipped into Del Mar on Sunday afternoon. My accommodations are Stakes quality and I am ready to dive in to the five days a week, seven week meet.

Del Mar is the premiere meet of the year for us, Southern Californians. New Yorkers or east coast based operations may argue about bragging rights as Saratoga also kicks off and the two race meets, on opposite ends of the country, run parallel all summer long.

We need some help to kick things off so interviewed a few diverse race fans. I am sure you remember the wiseguys, Mattie the Cabbie, Frankie ''the mush'' Toscano, and new kid on the block, Tyler Knocks, surfer dude from Solana.

"Hands down, stab me with an ice pick'', said Mattie the Cabbie, who hails from upstate New York, Elmira, to be exact, "it's Saratoga!'' He exclaimed. "you gotta sumthing wrong with ya if you don't think the Spa is the nuts, right or wrong?" Mattie doing an impromptu imitation of Nick Zito.

"Dude, you are like, totally, off,'' chimed in Tyler Knocks,''like, Del Mar, is a boogie board away from the waves, man,'' He added. "I can bet the double, and 'calabonga', hit the surf.'' Tyler surfs 24/7. He owns nothing more than a wet suit, a board, a board rack for his beat up 1979 AMC Pacer, and Quicksilver and Billabong gear.

"Dude, like, dude it's like awesome,'' said Tyler, "Dude, ponies and surfing, like totally rad". Tyler, a spitting image of Jeff Spicoli, the infamous character played by Sean Penn in the 1980's major move hit, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. "It's Del Mar, dude, let's party".

Frankie ''the Mush'' Toscano, Italian bred and raised, isn't much of a winning gambler, in fact, we all want to know what he likes so we can throw them out. Hence, 'the mush', from the legendary Bronx Tale character.

''Saratoga got the good horses'', he said, ''but Del Mar's got the broads.'' Frankie is right. The talent on and off the track is legendary. It's a parade of brunettes, red heads and blondes, short skirts, low cut blouses, you get the picture. "I like to look at them broads'', said Frankie, ''they make the day go by fast, and you know they ain't too bad to look at.'' Frankie is quick to point out that his wife never comes to the races. "It ain't a good thing, you know what I mean.'' Frankie said winking. Frankie has been married for 26 years, and he has never taken his wife to the track. Horses and women have never really mashed at the track, "If I bring my wife, she better pull her weight and give me a goddamn winner,'' he said, ''because I know she's gonna want to have the fancy hat, the froo-shoe, the low cut dress, and for her they got to make them really low cut, like down to her belly button.'' raising his eyes to the sky. "Broads, can't live with them, pass the beer nuts there ciccio.''

Come on guys, we have yet to talk about the racing, and the horses. "Dude, I bet on T-Bone Tyler Baze,'' said Tyler Knocks, ''the dude looks like he could go tubular and win on a pony on the lead,'' said Knocks.

Del Mar Concert series every Friday evening brings a diverse group of people, young and old to the track. The first concert this Friday evening is G Love and Special Sauce. Hip hop meeting the blues and G Love is behind the mic...."I love the blues'', said Mattie the Cabbie. "I got your special sauce, Cabbie!'' shouted back Frankie. "your so f''!@#46 gay!'' he added. Come on boys, this rated G now........

"Dude like my favorite is like Steel Pulse,'' jumped in Tyler Knocks. "dude, like they are, like, totally awesome,''

Guys about the races, five days a week for the first time, pick sixes, pick fours, about it?

"what's these Del Mar gumba's doing?'' added Mattie, ''No early pick 4~''. This year Del Mar has once again opted not to offer the early pick 4 to their patrons. "the pools are not big enough, and we don't want to cannibalize the pick six,'' said Vice President of Marketing Craig Dado.

For example, this opening day with a ten race card the pick six doesn't start until the 5th race, and without an early pick 4 it makes the early part of the card rather forgettable. You can play pick 3's and rolling doubles, but it just isn't the same. ""Dude, that blows,'' said Knocks, "you gotta be ^&%&% kidding me,'' added Mattie, "who the f%##% is the brains~trust around hea!" chimed in Frankie. "whatsa matta for them'' added Frankie. "I like them pick 4's'' and I tend to agree. It has built my bankroll for the races on numerous occasions.

''The pick 4's are rad, dude'', said Knocks. "like Dude last year hit a $500.00 pick 4, and you know how many dime bags......'' Tyler started to say, before we cut him off. We don't think it's to his best interest to talk about change for the arcades, right ''dude''.

Opening day is almost on us and despite the craziness, a ga-zillion people in the Turf Club, droves of limos loaded with one time Del Mar fans scaling the walls of the establishment, the social event of the season in the socialite clubs of San Diego and neighbouring counties is one hell of a party. For us, the daily racegoer and professional the day after opening day is the real Del Mar. Gone are the tourist. "like Dude, I can actually get, like adult beverages without having to chill in a line,'' said Tyler Knocks.

"Crowds are for the f*%^& birds'', said Mattie the Cabbie. "sweat like a pork chop in a broiler, is the way I see it.'' added the Cabbie. "Ain't that the truce,'' agreed Frankie ''Mush".

About the track, it's round 3 of the Polytrack, which was installed back in 2007. "It's real good on them horses legs'', said Frankie, "maybe my wife can go out there and walk, get rid of them vericose veins,'' he added. "I tell her everyday, wear long pants, you look like one of them maps to the stars.'' I bet that goes over well in the "Mush'' household.

The track seems to have settled well over the winter and springs and judging by works on Monday it was kind on all. The only question with the amount of traffic over it will it hold up. In the past, the first three weeks are the best and then maintenance is stepped up. "I don't like them trucks that go round and round at night,'' said Mattie, "I gots some good paying customers that close the establishments round here.'' Mattie's whole business at Del Mar is to pick up less than capacitated bar flies. "You know, I got a tip on a horse once, that actually won six months later,'' he joked. "Someone all the time want to tell me who's gonna win tomorrow,'' he said, ''and I wonder how this jerk going to get in 8 hours to go the track?" Later he found out the 'jerk' was a trainer. "He hasn't been a long standing member of the IQ club for Men, if you know what I mean'' Frankie said in reference to Mattie's mental capacity.

"like Dude, I surfed with a jockey one time,'' added Tyler Knocks, ''really rad, we hung out and did a bowl, and he passed out on the beach, like wild man! added Tyler. I asked him if he remembered the jockey's name, and he responded, ''like the dude's name rhymed with Venezuela.'' Doesn't leave much for the imagination there.

For the weather, it's been hot so Mattie may fry like a pork chop. All in all, we are off and running at Del Mar. "Calabonga, Dude!".

BLOG #10~Belmont Blog ~ By popular demand the Wiseguys are back.

We have been asked by a couple of too-tree of use about the wiseguys thoughts on this Saturday's Belmont Stakes. Well, we went back to our Chicaga neighborhood and found three handicapping fellars from the old downtown mudbug, trackside. Fritzie, Mikey the Cabbie and Little Joey the Barber.

"I don't kno about use guys,'' said The Cabbie, "but them Zito horses look good to me'', ''might use a couple too-tree of them over dere in them pick trees.''

The Cabbie was referring to Miner's Escape and Brave Victory. ''Ya kno, there ain't no Calabrese horse in here,so, I am little fresh out of the junk dror, you know what I mean?" said Fritzie. No we don't Fritz.

Little Joey, who don't say too many words picked his head up out of the newspaper, ''Hey Fritzie, I just saw your name in the cooler here (referring to the Obituaries)'' with a grin on his face, ''It says 'use guys know Fritzie, he never cashed a bet if it ain't a Calabrese','' Little Joey seemed to take pleasure as he had a gleam in his face like he just stuck an ice pick in Fritzie's side.

"Just because you made, you douchebag, don't mean use got to knock my horse picking,'' responded Fritzie. "just keep reading them coolers you might find uself.''

I was just starting to wonder if I made a bad choice and we would have a bar~room brawl between these wiseguys. So, I changed the subject and asked, ''So, Little Joey, who do you like in the Belmont?". Little Joey knows little about this spring Triple Crown as he was released from Bellevue, like two weeks before. Little Joey is called the barber because he was sent to Bellevue for assault and battery with a mug, brush and shaving razor. He pleaded he was wacko at the time.

'Da Charitable thing look good,'' he responds, ''He got them gym shoes on and he run like theys on an expressway,'' he added. 'You mean he can go wire to wire?'' I asked. ''Something like that, they start from the gate, and then he goes,'' illustrating with his hands.

"I think he going to get tree in front and then goes slow [pause] so they won't catch him'', chimed in Fritzi, who was sipping on a pop. "but he ain't no Calabrese, strunz,'' antagonized Little Joey, who stands six foot four and was a made man in the old 'gumba' club beofre going Barber of Seville.

"What about Mine That Bird?" I asked. "Mind that Baird, he good and he goes real good late, but ya know, he just ain't for me, like da Italian sammich without salami, capish?'' said The Cabbie.

''That Calvin Borail he likes that wood like dem woodchuckers,'' added Fritzie. "them horses run for Borail as fast as them sliders give you da runs,'' he added.

"You 'guys don't like Mr. Hot Stuff, Chocolate Candy or Dunkirk at all?'' I asked. 'They no more than a coop two-tree races away from being nothin'', said Little Joey in that thick Chicago slang. I was afraid to ask for an explanation of what he meant, it sounded tough.

''That Dunkirk he ran like a ghost in the Derby'', said Fritzie, ''you heard about him, but you never saw him, like Jimmy Hoffa (lol),'' added Little Joey. Rumour was that Little Joey, a young pup at the time, was the last to see the Hoffa alive. ''if he rung bad again da [Dunkirk] might just end up in the lake, like Hoffa'' he added, seriously.

"I just ain't one of them Charitable fellars,'' said The Cabbie,"they talk about him like is the pope on wheels, and he beat da Imperial douchebag in the da Withers,'' he added.

So, to get it all straight, The Cabbie liked the Zito's, Miner's Escape and Brave Victory. Little Joey the Barber, he like Charitable man, as did Fritzie, and they all hated Mine That Bird, and the rest of the crew.

In our last segment of Wiseguys Takes, the wiseguys went 0 for 6 in the Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial. "if it looks like a good thin', and runs like a good thin', it ain't a good thin', said The Cabbie warning us on the Charitable Man's vast popularity. "I ain't so bad myself, you know, I can pick a winner or too-or trees, when the moon is right!'' he added.

You can find these nice fellars at the mudbug, trackside, in downtown Chicago. They have their own personal stools at the back bar. I spent the 2002 Breeders Cup day there, and without them three around, who were at the track freezing them cogliones off, I would have to say it was a good, relaxing day, because nobody got stabbed. Only in Chicaga.

Let's see how many feathers I can ruffle here! Who's keeping score? Racingwithbruno Blog newest nuisance!

The Triple Crown swallowed up another victim after the Preakness.

Friesan Fire had major injuries to both legs (It's not like we didn't tell you since watching him train at Churchill ~ and you know our professional opinion of the trainer), and having have to be laid up for more time than one may be able to count. My guess is that Friesan Fire will never race again.

You can read it yourself, Matt Hegarty's Friesan Fire out several months .

The list from this year's triple crown M.A.S.H unit is a list of who's who:

The Pamplemousse (Hurt at Santa Anita) Square Eddie (Cracked shins at Churchill Downs ~Pre-existing condition?) Old Fashioned (Cracked knee ~Retired~ Oaklawn Friesan Fire (both front legs severely injured ~ Derby & Preakness ~Trained at Churchill) Win Willy (Injury while training at Churchill Downs) I Want Revenge (Injured at Churchill Downs) Quality Road (Quarter Crack out of the Florida Derby) and who else? C'mon remind me, folks, I am getting old.

So, let's see, seven top colts out and five of the seven are out for the year at least. So, you talk about carnage. Safety alliance my rear patootie. This was like Little Big Horn, but with survivors.

Let's not forget, Kitty in the Bag, the two-year-old in the Gary Stute barn, who ran in the Juvenile stakes on Thursday, April 30, who broke down behind, and she may never make it back. Strawberry Kiss, who died in a freak training accident at Churchill Downs, derby week. Add Vineyard Havern and Midshipman, who were the best two colts at time of the Breeders Cup and Eclipse award voting never saw the shores of America, so far in 2009, after being sent to the middle east, Dubai.

We take so much criticism for the synthetic mandate and as we can see we had very few injured horses in this triple crown 2009. We knock this track and that track, except the pro-ride, I think it sucks, but who cares what I think. I love Santa Anita, but that's another issue all together. Maybe the new owners can find some dirt somewhere. New Santa Anita slogan? Got Dirt?

It's quite simple, they, synthetics in California, do help and drastically cut down major injuries. I know some need statistic, numbers, and figures. I don't! I lived it in Kentucky. Saw it with my own two eyes. After all horses are not statistics they are breathing, living, beautiful creatures, who run their heart out for our enjoyment.

Back to the synthetic versus dirt quandary, mathematically, if we had the horse population and traffic the east coast is so fortunate to have we would be the Mecca horse racing capital of the world. Then, all we would need is a little attitude adjustment in the way we do business and voila, piece of cake!



Absolutes!

If there is a lesson to be learned from this year's Triple Crown it is has to be 'the absolutes''.

We all saw the Preakness and the greatness of Rachel Alexandra, the determination and athleticism of Mine That Bird, and the heart of Musket Man. Mine That Bird proved that he was no fluke and in fact, he is a very good horse. "That little horse [Mine That Bird } got in so much traffic,'' Mike Smith said in an All Access TVG Special at Hollywood Park on Sunday, "you know, I had to kind of wait while she was getting away [Rachel Alexandra],'' Mike recalled, "I think if I could have gotten to keep that momentum, I think, he could have got her'', in reference to his trip aboard the Derby winner in the Preakness. "He ran big anyway, he didn't show he was just a ole' fluke,' he told Trainer Kathy Walsh in the paddock, "He is a neat little son of gun'' added Mike, "when you asked that little guy he gets it now, he jumps a long way for a little horse.'' Kathy Walsh, a stalwart trainer with a lofty win percentage asked out loud,"I wonder why they waited so long to rate him?'' ''now you get him back out of there let others do all the dirty work,'' responded Mike, "you wonder how many other horses are that way? Walsh asked, "a bunch of them, probably, there's no telling.'' responded Mike.

I was really struck by the impromptu discussion live on TVG between Mike and Kathy, two stalwarts in the industry from the horsewoman and rider perspective.

Kathy brought up a great question when she thought aloud to herself ''you wonder how many other horses are that way,'' referring to Mine That Bird's incredible improvement with a mere running style adjustment.

I can tell you with my experience with horsemen, riders and my own horses here in Southern California that there is on a daily basis an ''absolute'' opinion made on horses without sufficient knowledge on the horse. the old adage of ''they make liars out of you'' falls on deaf ears frequently.

For example, trainer gets a new horse looks it in the stall and makes a snap decision that the horse needs to run for $8,000. He even mouths off to the owner that the horse is no good and has now a pre-conceived notion of that horse. He has made up his mind on the horse, in the stall. Last I checked they don't run in the stall.

Two days later, the horse is on the track and it's "I may have been harsh, she looked real good out there this morning,'' the trainer recants his opinion from two days earlier. True story.

''Absolutes'' like in the case of Mine That Bird prior to the Derby, "He doesn't belong, or he's not good enough, he's overmatched, etc'' were snap judgements that hindered our own intrinsic ability of judging horseflesh. I was quite guilty of that. I didn't see it. I made the same snap decision the trainer above did. I was brought back to reality real quick. I will try my damndest to not underestimate a horse. They can make huge fools out of you.

Obviously, the connections of Mine that Bird need to be commended for not making those 'absolute' judgements. They, actually, had a different feeling. Despite what the horse had done at the track, the trainer, Chip Wooley, made the observation that the colt needed to be taken back, settled and allowed to make run. What if it would have been a trainer here in California, without naming names I can confidently tell you that 95% of the trainers here would have dropped to win and totally discounted the horse chances, let alone just a running style adjustment. (I.E. Lava Man?)

Mike Mitchell showed his humble personality when he commented on Charismatic after his 1999 Derby and Preakness wins for D. Wayne Lukas, who had actually run Charismatic for a claiming price earlier in the colt's career, "I thought about dropping on him [a claim slip],'' he said, '' but, I probably would have just run him back for a price, too.'' Pretty candid from a trainer that has made a career from dropping on 'mistakes' from other barns.'' I say.

This is not a knock on trainers but, in general, their mentality is flawed. The Swine Flu epidemic is on the news, but the only epidemic on the racetrack is ''the drop, drop, drop, till you drop''.

"XXXXXX loves to claim for $32,000 and run for $12,500 so he can gamble,'' said one owner. I really don't know the extent of that virus going around, but in general, that's true for a few trainers.

How do trainers make a living? By purse money and little day money on the side.

Trainers make money from clients paying their bills and winning purse monies. In this economic trend some trainers are having a hard time paying their feed bills, owners are having a hard time paying their training bills and vet bills. "We are struggling, even the good customers are paying late,'' said the head CPA of a major perennial top 5 racing stable here is California.

So, how does that effect the trainer and the condition book? more trainers are apt to take the $50,000 horse and running for $32,000. Voila, instant income.

Last summer Jeff Mullins ran a Turf Paradise straight maiden, Stettler, for maiden-claiming price. The horse crushed by open lengths. After the race Mullins was asked if the horse was worth losing, he responded, ''that's what happens when you a run a $50,000 horse for $32,000.''

You see it in the claims. Claimed for $32,000 returns for $25,000. The trainer has to make his money, and at first chance he will recite ''the drop in class'' as the all box to a horses woes or lack of success. Again, absolutes. Absolutes like a drop in class hurts the owners of these horses. It's what have you done for me lately and what can you do for me now?

Seabiscuit was stereotyped and sold. Charismatic, Mine That Bird all in the same boat. mine That Bird also ran for a claiming price, in Canada. Seattle Slew, Real Quiet, Sunday Silence, I Want Revenge, and thousands of other notable horses were bought or did not sell for under $100,000 at auctions. Secretariat was the result of a loss of a coin flip. He was losers prize! In the minds of those who passed on those horses, 'they're just plow horses!"

In my personal experiences I have come across too many absolutes and not enough horsemanship. Horses are being typecast or categorized. Attention to detail goes to the barns that win at a high percentage. The 10% trainers aren't working hard enough at the little things, the small difference makers, like the automated walker for horses. Some horses hate that walker, and need a human being. The resentment from being on that machine and going around and around in circle will certainly reflect on the attitude on the racetrack. Even smaller things make the different like teeth, feet, etc. It's the small things that make a barn win 20% and not how fast you work or how big of check you made out to a horse auction. From ten thousand to million dollar babies they are only as good as the attention they get. One small thing is neglected your horse depreciates in value on the track.

The lack of attention to details shows more in the claiming game. The top trainers here in California, Doug O'Neill, Jeff Mullins, Mike Mitchell, or John Sadler have made career changing claims for some horses by simply claiming them from lessor shed~rows with a meek eye to detail.

Jeff Mullins picked up my Red Redding back in 2007. He threw the shank over his own shoulder and walked down two shed~rows to pick up the horse. "wow!" he exclaimed as he saw the horse in his stall. He put the shank on him and walked him back. Once in the Mullins shedrow and safely in his new home, Red Redding was examined by Mullins. Jeff opened the gelding's mouth and felt the back of the mouth, teeth, etc. He walked all the way around the horse, checked his feet, and exited the stall. How many trainers put their hand all the way down a horse's mouth that they just picked up. Jeff made no absolutes, and immediately went to work on finding out what the horse was all about. He didn't walk over the horse said 'he needs to run for $8,000.'' On the flip side, and not to pick on Mullins but he was a bit dissatisfied when a filly like Sweeter Still got in his shedrow. Frank Lyons bought the filly in Ireland and sent her to the states and to Jeff Mullins barn. "He called me when he got her and said to me 'what did you do'? '' said Lyons laughing. The filly had lost a ton of weight and was as big as a Shetland pony, but once she got on the track and worked Mullins adjusted his thinking. "He called me one day and asked me about a Grade 3 in New York,'' recalled Lyons, "for what horse?" he asked. "Sweeter Still'' Mullins said. Obviously, the size, and her first impression was not an absolute for him. He let the horse speak for himself.

I, as a horse owner, have to delicately balance my partners, my horses and my trainer. If you infuse your trainer with opinions or thoughts, you are meddling and not letting them do their job. Fair enough, but there are no absolutes in this industry so, who is to say they will train for me tomorrow, if, my horses and my partners, best interest is not taken into account. I will not run a $200,000 horse for $40,000, unless I am sure that is the best scenario for all involved.

Handicappers are not immune from absolutes. Horseplayers who look at past performances make comments like "He needs the lead'', or ''he needs to pace to run at'', or ''this trainer can't fire with a first time starter, or have a horse cranked first out off the layoff.'' All those are absolutes without margin for error. Those statements are highlighted by the key words, 'need, or can't' and are just an extension of a closed minded opinion.

Opinions are supposed to be based on experiences but are simply false beliefs or regurgitated myths.

"It's tougher running against older horses in May or June,'' told me one trainer, I went home and look at the data from last year at this time and the three-year-olds more than then held their own against elders in May and June. "I still think it's easier against three year olds,'' the trainer responded despite being told of the data and facts. "I guess my trainer doesn't want to hear the facts,'' I told my partners. Again another absolute without basis. The word 'tougher' or 'easier' is based on actually what? Most likely prior failures.

Handicappers are the worst at absolutes. "He can't win!~", or ''He faced nobody!". You hear that daily. The nobody claim is interesting. I wouldn't mind dropping a claim slip on nobody. He raced against some good horses. Rachel Alexandra 'beat nobody, in a weak field in the Oaks'. Yet, she wins the Preakness. Big Brown beat nobody going in the Derby last year, yet he won the Derby. There are thousands of examples.

Absolutes absolutely kill you and your chances for success. Having an open mind and going day to day is the best way to approach this industry. In my personal life, I will not put up with people we hire to make absolute statements before all the data is in. You may think the horse is worth $8,000 when they ship in from the farm, or have to need throat-flap surgery to correct a breathing problem, but keep your 'absolutes' to yourself. Just ask Mine That Bird, Seabiscuit, Charismatic, and Midnight Lute (who had only 60% of air available, after surgery, yet was one of the best sprinters in the world for two years in a row).

The only absolute I want to hear about is the one in my drink and I need one right now~!

Preakness and other scattered jargon blog

I have been probed about a note or two on the Preakness and some scattered jargon.

First of all, I have always been the type that doesn't follow the trends or the masses. There is a widespread belief that Friesan Fire will step up and run well after that debacle in the Derby. My point is that Friesan Fire was supposed to be this monster-off-track-horse and yet he didn't raise a hoof and in fact was beaten by a country mile in the Derby. According to his trainer he came out of it all bruised up, grabbing a quarter in the process. Jones, his trainer, made the morbid comment of ''if there was blood on the track it was his.'' After Eight Belles last year you'd think Larry Jones wouldn't be so graphic in his description of the colt's trip and new battle scars.

Freisan Fire came in to the Derby with a 57.4 work at Churchill Downs. We watched the work and he looked like the wheels were going to come off in the lane after a split of 33.4. He didn't look good doing it despite the impressive time.

In my outlook on the Derby experience I found that there is a widespread respect for Larry Jones. One person actually suggested that "if it had been Mullins who trained Eight Belles he would have been vilified and banned, but Larry Jones, they would throw him a party to cheer him up". There is some truth in the cynical comment. Larry Jones can't do no wrong. Mullins can't do no right. Larry Jones had Old Fashioned go wrong in the Arkansas Derby and had to be retired due to a severe knee injury, however, we felt that no one pushed the envelope and tried to inquire when that injury had actually shown up. Win Willy, a 56-1 shot, handed Old Fashioned the first loss of his career in the Rebel, and if the replay is watched carefully, and by a trained eye, you can see Old Fashioned lugging in badly at the top the turn and through the stretch run. There was enough for a follow-up but no one dared to tackle, one because they don't know, and two, it's Larry Jones.

In fact, as far as the bias is concerned one member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission I met in Kentucky on Derby day looked at me and immediately said ''That trainer of yours [Jeff Mullins] is a disgrace and should be banned!". This unsolicited outburst can be construed as of the collective feelings of the Racing Commission and the Kentucky racing industry. I thought it was harsh. However, as for Larry Jones, nothing was brought up or even discussed about Eight Belles and how she had worked prior to the Derby last year, or how is it that a huge person like Larry Jones can consciously gallop his own horses. Put him on the scale I would say 185 to 190 and over if you push me into an over and under? {Me thinks Larry could use The Nutristems Weight Loss Program featuring Larry The Cable Guy}

We noted it on this site and in my reports that it had taken Larry Jones and his pony sprinting down the Churchill Downs to get her to break away and work in 2008. She finished up down the lane ''unfocused'', and ''unsure'' of herself late in my notes. She worked in the 58 and change that morning in her final work before her ill fated Derby work. So, fast forward, it is our speculation that is business as usual for Jones to work any of his horses 58 and change or faster a few days before the race. Just as Mel or Gary Stute can blow out a horse the day before or even the day of in 22 and change down the lane.

Friesan Fire worked a week after the Derby, after a miraculous recovery from the grabbed quarter, who supposedly had bled all over the Churchill track a week earlier, in 58 and change. History will tell us it doesn't mean anything:

Eight Belles in 58 and change before the Derby. Finished second ~ broke down. Old Fashioned 100 and change on a slower track in Oaklawn before defeats in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby, and retired due to a knee injury. Friesan Fire, 57.4 inside of a week before the Derby, next to last place finish despite alleged trouble, and injuries sustained during the running of the race.

Is there a pattern here? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Now Friesan Fire works fast again a week after the Derby and a week before the Preakness. He can sure win, but it's not because he worked fast. This is a Jones pattern.

Am I fan of Larry Jones? Has he ever done wrong to me? No, but isn't it my job to question or probe?

He seems like a nice fellar, nice ten gallon hats, and nice suds, and suits, and he is sure good in front of the cameras with that Pat Boone, ''oh shucks'' twang and smile. Makes me feel like sparking my Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill grill and throw down some Jimmy Dean sausages, or juice up my Turk and Surf for some special eating.

He is a good ole boy and he has been a stalwart the last few years in the Mid and South West. He has won some of the biggest races back there. He is the cowboy version of Bobby Frankel back there. Nobody says any bad thing about Bobby out here? Forget about it.

For my money, not thanks on Friesan Fire. If you watch closely and again no one has asked Jones this question: Why the blinkers with the 'outside cup?'. An outside cup blinker is used for horses that lug out. If you watch the Louisiana Derby he was lugging out all the way down the lane. No thanks, pass at a short price.

Rachel Alexandra is a beast, but some say ''she has to bounce'. Why?

Why is it after every big race a bounce is forecast. You hear 'she ran too fast', or 'she topped out', but if you push these experts and they can't tell you why a horse is going to bounce other than just what the numbers are and the probabilities of a reaction.

The art of watching horses from an horseman's view is lost. We are a numerically driven industry. Percentages, stats and figures. Speed figures are subjective as we saw the Beyer boys take a number in the Florida Derby and massage it into a number they were comfortable with, not what the actual formula said, but what they were comfortable with. Dunkirk showed that number was fictitious along with Theregoesjojo and any other also ran from the Florida Derby.

It all reminds me of the scene in Titanic. After dinner, all the men get up from the table and remove themselves to the 'smoking room', Rose tells Jack ''now they go to the smoking room and smoke their cigars, drink cognac and pat each other on the back on being masters of the universe'.

Rachel is the real deal and she will be on the engine and on the lead in the Preakness and I can tell you with certainty, just like the Belmont when two jockeys ganged up on Smarty Jones, and there was Birdstone beating a softened Smarty, I foresee some jockeys going right after the filly early and push her to go too fast, too soon. The thought of entering horses to keep her out backfired in the faces of the Mark Allen, Mine That Bird camp, and Ahmed Zayat, Pioneerof the Nile camp. By the way, what was Allen's father in trouble for in Alaska, something about alleged bribery? and he called Zayat to discuss the possibility of entering horses to keep the filly out........something's never change. I foresee an on-track ensemble of speed to shove Rachel into suicidal pace, a perfect storm for Mine That Bird to come rolling from the back of the pack? Wait a minute, though, wasn't Mine That Bird last in the Derby because of a bad start. what if he breaks sharply and is on top of the pace? What if?

A horse that might just run huge is Musket Man. How many bad races has that horse run? None! He is a trier and he might get a softened Rachel, and a out of place Mine That Bird. Pioneerof the Nile will get a true dirt track and that should bode well for him. Papa Clem will run on anything, and he did run very well in the Derby. He has a shot, too. The 2-3-4 finishers in the Derby is my exacta and trifecta box. Maybe throw one ticket with Rachel on top. I think she wins or she finishes off the board.

To recap here is the top 9 questions heading into Preaknes:


1.)Am I fan of Larry Jones?


2.)Has he ever done wrong to me?


3.)Isn't it my job to question or probe? {I like to probe with my Scoop N Grind}


4.)Why the blinkers with the 'outside cup? {Seriously, its not a X-mas Ornament}


5.)Put him [Larry Jones]on the scale I would say 185 to 190 and over if you push me into an over and under? {I still say Nutrisytems featuring Larry The Cable Guy}


6.)Rachel Alexandra is a beast, but some say ''she has to bounce'. Why? {the good ole answer would be ''because we always did it this way"}


7.)By the way, what was Allen's father in trouble for in Alaska, something about alleged bribery?


8.)I foresee an on-track ensemble of speed to shove Rachel into suicidal pace, a perfect storm for Mine That Bird to come rolling from the back of the pack? {refer to Mark Allen}

9.)Wasn't Mine That Bird last in the Derby because of a bad start. what if he breaks sharply and is on top of the pace? (Mike Smith might just break him slowly, ala Eddie Delahoussaye}

10.)"They'll know me now, won't they?" {Chip Wooley after a celebratory dinner at the Waffle House}

So now that I have offended and turned Kentucky after me I am sure I will have a posse tracking me down. No worries I am carrying my Veloxor Professional Pepper Spray. "I ain't goin' down without a fight!" Those be General Custers last word at Little Big Horn. May 3 *** I Want Revenge Diagnosed**** Sunday morning was the first morning the whole Lanzman, I Want Revenge entourage slept in. It was past 10 a.m. when I got up and walked over to the other house, the recreational house, across the street.

The night before, the evening after the Derby pizza party was highlighted by Dave Showalter's and Sommer Smith, of Next Star, who broke, trained and consigned I Want Revenge at Barretts in May of 2008, we all watched TVG and rooted on Cash for Cottontail's in the sixth at Los Alamitos.

Sparked by inside information, Mike Joyce and Dave Weaver, gave a shout out to the Hill Rd hideaway of the I Want Revenge entourage. "You can find comfort in chilidogs and pizza after your Derby favorite was scratched," said Joyce.

The Mullins and Lanzman family and friends gathered around the TV to watch and root for David and Sommer. Cash for Cottontail finished a good second, at least we got to cheer for someone on this Derby day.

Now it's the Sunday after the Derby. We all huddled up at the 'recreational house'. The word was in about I Want Revenge. "it's a strain of the X ligament in the seasmoid area" said Dave Lanzman after speaking to Dr. Foster Northrup at Churchill Downs.

Six weeks to two months and back to work for the son of Stephen Got Even. The Travers was being discussed and thrown around.

"I am not a clocker and don't profess to be," said Lanzman, when the conversation turned to the Derby and its favorite at post time (18th place finisher) Friesan Fire, "but when he worked after Pioneerof the Nile it wasn't even close," added David, who loved how Pioneer had worked and felt the opposite of 'Fire's drill. "When they told me he went 57.4 I went Oh! oh! what did I say?" the owner-breeder of I Want Revenge added. "you and Toby do this for a living," Lanzman continued,"you two were probably thinking "why doesn't he shut up and just own horses. Until Friesan Fire ran next to last." He emphatically concluded.

That's Derby week, you get to see your competition. Who would have known that Mine That Bird would run like a scolded duck on the wet stuff. Calvin Bo-Rail showed why he is a Kentucky stalwart in this midwest jockey colony by running on the best part of the track, but the way the horse exploded was incredible. Was that really Mine That Bird?

Joe Talamo bid his goodbyes before he headed off to bed as he was getting up at four to fly back to California. He has six mounts on Sunday. "about that Brun?" he says. Talamo won me over. He is a great young man, but an old soul! He is wise beyond his age. He listens and absorbs everything. "The rail is good" he said Friday night,"it's packed down and hard." He never got a chance to ride with I Want Revenge. I will never forget the jubilant look on his face the morning of the Derby until I had to break his heart with the infamous "he's being scratched". I met his parents, great people, his brother and sister. "are you Bruno from RacingwithBruno said his mother, while we were being filmed by Animal Planet for the Jockey show. "You actually want to admit to that," Lanzman yells from across the room. I tell you 'no respect'.

The actual Derby day was anti-climactic. No I Want Revenge, no Quality Road, No Win Willy, no I Want Revenge, just killed it. In fact, it was outright boring.

We will be putting together a photo album. Check back soon.

May 2 ***I Want Revenge to be scratched**

The news came early this morning as Jeff Mullins frantically called owner-breeder David Lanzman. Finally, Lanzman returned the call and rushed to the track. The colt was examined by two top veterinarians and the decision was made by Dave Lanzman to take no chance with the colt.

Dave is a man who not only cares about his horses, but he lives vicariously through them. He pours his heart and soul in this sport and he would never, ever run a horse that even has the hint of a problem. Neither is Mullins.

It is devastating, but the DaVd Lanzman and his entourage of friends and family will be at the track today and cheer for the winning connections. We will hold our heads up high and I Want Revenge will be 100% for his redemption when he returns to the races.

thank you to all for your support and notes. David & Desi surely appreciate it.

We will have more on this story as there is more to share.

April 28 at Churchill

We covered the tragic accident on the grounds on Monday, so now let's talk about all that happened in the way of preps. We had a number of workers, including Pioneerof the Nile, Friesan Fire, Chocolate Candy, Rachel Alexandra and many others.

Pioneerof the Nile showed he handles the dirt in fine manner. Friesan Fire showed his speed and he will be on or near the lead in the Derby. For the whole story we will have a comprehensive report in our Derby issue at www.todaysracingdigest.com. For my subscribers works are at the bottom of this email.

In Derby News by Tuesday nite and early Wednesday morning we had three defections:

Quality Road, with the quarter crack, of course, Win Willy, a fractured pastern, and Square Eddie who had some heat in a previously affected shin. Both are out.

Hold me Back was out the day after his work on Sunday galloping on Monday and again galloped on Tuesday. There is a theme of fitness, fitness, fitness. Gallop, gallop, gallop.

Westside Bernie was on the track and galloped for Kelly Breen. He seems to be a bit worse for the wear from his long campaign from last fall.

Summer Bird was on on Tuesday and he looked like a washtub changing leafs at the top of the stretch. He has come out of the Arkansas Derby a bit worse for wear. Of course, this was just a gallop for Tim Ice.

We are starting to prepare our package. We have added all the works and we draw the Oak card today and Derby card tomorrow. I am hoping we can everything out by Thursday!

April 27 ~~ Tragic Monday morning at Churchill Downs

Incredible set of events changed the mood at Churchill Downs drastically this morning. After 8 in the morning, Pioneerof the Nile, Flying Pirate, Friesan Fire, Win willy, Chocolate Candy and many other horses were on the track to work. The Derby horses were the first to set off to complete their final heavy duty exercise before the Derby on Saturday.

Pioneer had just worked, 'Candy was wrapping his up, Friesan Fire was rolling down the lane and Win Willy was hitting the turn when a three-year-old horse for trainer David Carroll broke from the gate, ducked out sharply and lost rider.

There were some 20 to 25 horses at the wire and as soon as the horse dumped the rider the warning horn was blaring, the handlers of the horses at the wire turned their horses in the direction where the riderless horse was heading. The loose horse, a chestnut, closed in on the pack of horses, and tried to sneak through between two horses, who were a mere 15 feet from the outside fence, which it was all that stood between the crowd, about 500, and the horses.

The loose horse, running widly, directly collided with a two-year-old McPeek filly. The loose, riderless horse, went straight up in the air after the impact and landed on top of the McPeek filly, who had collapsed under the weight of the impact. The result was disastrous for the McPeek filly who seemed to have sustained a broken a hind leg or hip. Immediately someone jumped on the riderless horse, who was kicking wildly while on top of the other horse. His head was immediately immobilized and the rest of the help try to take the McPeek horse out from under the culprit, but it seemed that she simply couldn't stand on her hind end. She was also immobilized. Unfortunately, the injuries were too severe, and had to be euthanized. The Carroll, loose, horse, seemed to be dazed and wabbled into an equine ambulance. No humans were seriously injured, although, the rider of the McPeek filly may have suffered a mild leg injury.

There was an eerie quiet over the 'Dawn at the Downs' crowd, trainers, owners, and all who were in hand to see this tragic incident a mere 50 feet in front of them near the Churchill Downs finish line seemed stunned.

There was anger, Bob Baffert was visibly upset. Ahmed Zayat, David Lanzman, and Steve Haskin were all in disbelief of what they had just witnessed.

Our heart goes out to that brave two-year-old filly from the McPeek barn, who has been indentified in the Daily Racing Form article Deadly Accident Amid Busy Slate of Workouts, as Rasberry Kiss, a two-year-old filly. She was the unfortunate victim here in an accident that could have been averted.

"I told them before they need to have the Derby horses come on the track first'' said a visibly upset Baffert. According to reports from all over the grandstand and backstretch all trainers were frantically looking for their horses as the warning buzzer blared over the speaker system. Hollendorfer, Larry Jones and others were hoping it wasn't their horse. It wasn't.

The Churchill Downs morning gate is located on the outside fence at the top of the stretch. Thus, horses breaking from the gate have to cross over main track to work. This is very dangerous because babies do attmept to wheel coming out of the gate and could potentially either find themselves in the face of incoming traffic or ducking in all the way to the inside in front of onrushing workers.

This incident on derby week may just change the policies here at Churchill Downs. It's a little too late for Rasberry Miss. May she R.I.P.

Will gather ourselves up and report on the works a little later this evening or tomorrow.

April 26 at Churchill Downs.

We are here in Kentucky as we have made it alive and well despite a wrong turn out of Cincinnati and ended up on a one way dirt road.

Visited the track this morning getting to the facility at 6:15 and just in time to see I Want Revenge galloping on the main. He looks grand, and more on him later.

Pioneerof the Nile came out later for Baffert. About 7 am with Joe Steiner on board and he galloped awesome. He made a great appearance. He hit the ground on a dime and in any year other than this competitive year I would have to make a hard case for him to run through the bridle. With him and I Want Revenge we may see a rematch of the Cash Call Futurity.

Mine That Bird was out and failed to make any impression.

General Quarters has that hitch in his end but he seems to warm out of it. Yes, he doesn't have the prettiest of strides and certainly he is not a good mover, but remember he ran for a claiming price for a reason. Therefore, he isn't perfect or else the Ramsey's and Ward wouldn't have dropped.

Friesan Fire made a super appearance and he looks really good. He has a very strong look to him with a very well developed hind end.

Workers, Square Eddie and Hold Me Back Worked. For the rest of the story I have to refer you to the www.todaysracingdigest.com Derby issue as we will have a full workout analysis of what we see this final week. "You just gonna have to read the Digest to find out!''.

Quality Road galloped this morning with the new patch and he trickled blood. I will not say the obvious, but you know you are thinking of it, too. Shame on some of you that just thought this was not going a problem, one guy said 'patch and go'. Have we already forgotten the Big Brown lesson from last Belmont Stakes?

I Want Revenge schooled in the paddock, before during and after the first race for Mullins. Jeff, assistant Bobby Troeger, David & Desi Lanzman accompanied the colt to the paddock. Dave and Desi are so good for the sport. They are having a ball. Great things happen to great people in this sport and they are definitely in that category. Lanzman is one crazy nut, however, and he is lucky he didn't hurt himself last nite. We will have more down the road on that.

I Want Revenge came in to the paddock like royalty. "He just stopped on the way over'', said Mullins, ''and just looked around''. "When the national anthem he just pricked his ears, and stopped,'' he added. I Want Revenge didn't turn a hair as he was walked by two handlers and a lip chain. He didn't have one drop of sweat, no kidney lathering, nothing. His coat looked fantastic, his weight awesome (as he is not a big horse and has never carried a lot of weight). He spent more than 25 minutes in the paddock. He was perfect. i think his owner and trainer were a bit more antsy. Mullins even signed an autograph and had a request for a picture. This whole experience has been great for Jeff, who is relatively a low key, stay behind the scene person, an intro-vert. He is having a good time. You can just tell.

I Want Revenge was the picture of health! yes, I am with the connections, and some may think I have a provincial tooth here, but this horse is just thriving as is Pioneerof the Nile.

Let's catch up tomorrow. Derby blog Tuesday, April 21

I Want Revenge worked at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 21 over a strip that was still ''pretty wet'' according to our man on the ground at Churchill Downs.

I Want Revenge worked with Gato Go Win. Talamo was on board the Wood Winner, and Joe Deegan was on board Gato Go Win.

'Revenge spotted the quick sprinter four lengths, but just inhaled him in the stretch. He had his ears pricked and went out strongly over the drying out track in 115 flat.

Churchill is an oddity while drying out. The turns seem to dry before the stretch and it can be an uneven surface right after showers. In fact, they had to close the track for some time on Monday to repair a washed out area near the 7/8ths pole.

'Revenge galloped out all the way to the end of the Churchill backstretch. He stood like a statue overseeing his kingdom before walking back like an old pony.

He got back to barn 24 and was as tough as a horse could be while being cooled out by Mullins assistant, Bobby Troeger. He tried to bite and knock Troeger around while being cooled out. After his bath he stood like a model, posing on the runway.

He was handful for his handlers to just get him back in the stall. The colt lashed out with one big snipe at the arm of his groom.

Obviously, I Want Revenge is on the muscle.

We are getting our accounts in from Kentucky and we will an observer eyewitness on Pioneerof The Nile's work, Chocolate Candy with Mike Smith, and others, so stay tuned.

Derby update April 20

Less than two weeks away from the Derby. It's been relatively quiet.

We have added new faces to the Derby, and lost old ones. Terrain is out. Advice is in off the Lexington Stakes victory, Big Drama was out, in, then out,Summer Bird was out, going to the Lone Star Derby, but now is in. Dunirk worked big, according to news reports, as we never see any video from Palm Meadows (that's most likely a National Security issue), ever, so we are left in the dark. We got a video of the April 10 work on the Belmont Park training track on youtube.com, but no work to be seen on April 17. Just talking heads telling us about the work. Friesan Fire's April 14 work was on the Keeneland site and we watched him go a minute, but he works a mile this weekend and everyone had to have been caught by surprise as there is no video.

I believe there are videos but they have become so popular that i am sure someone got the rights and will show them at their leisure on either pay-to-watch, or clipped and butchered so you can't really see anything.

Thank god, we will be there next week and we can look for ourselves.

I Want Revenge's assistant trainer, Bobby Troeger, who has now been re-united with the colt he had been with the last 11 months with, says ''I really like the way my horse is doing'', he said yesterday from Churchill, ''He is moving forward every day''. bobby should know he was the hands on man with I Want Revenge from June of last year through the Wood Memorial.

"He can be a tough son-of-a-B@#$%'' said Bobby. ''He handles this track very well''.

Bob Baffert giddy after the announcement that Garrett Gomez will, indeed, stay on board the multiple Grade 1 winner, owned by Zayat Stables. "My horse is really handling it well here,'' said Bob from Kentucky on Sunday.

Seems everybody is happy with their works their horses, their riders.

What am I missing?

Square Eddie is going on to the Derby after his third place finish in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday. 'Eddie made a huge move on the turn, which can be the kiss of death on these synthetics, especially Keeneland, and then tired to third. the race should do him good and we will see how he reacts to it physically in the week leading up to the Derby.

Quality Road is no longer a concern it seems to the media overall. "The one thing about quarter cracks is you don't know when they will pop up again,'' said one veteran horseman. True enough as we learned in the Florida Derby that Quality Road had had a previously patcher quarter crack that popped open. Hence, he drifted in the lane, so,.....the Churchill surface will be rock hard on that day.....food for thought here, a little snack to think about.

I have a few other little snacks for you, low calories and all, Garrett Gomez chose Pioneerof The Nile over Dunkirk despite the 'big' work' we heard about in Florida. nothing more came out other than the workmate and splits on the work from the three miles under the surface training facility. A level six security clearance is needed there.

To get back on track, Gomez jettisoned off Dunkirk, what did he know? Did the colt not come out of the work as well as expected? Notice he waited a day or so out of the work......just some more snacks for you.

What else, Oh, Jeff Mullins got a seven day suspension for the NYRA incident. Please don't tell me ''Bruno, what incident?" go home read the papers for the last three weeks and then come back. Geez! You know there is one of them out there that has been living in a cave, and ''you know buddy, we have a new president, too''.

So, if I missed something please let me know.

Derby Blog April 16

Our Good friend Toby Turrell of Winners Card gave us his thoughts on the Pioneer's latest work: "The last workout for Pioneer Of The Nile took place at Santa Anita on Wednesday about 8:15 over the Pro Ride surface. Pioneer spotted his maiden stablemate 12 lengths from the 1/2 mile pole under regular exercise rider Joe Steiner and that rabbit was caught right off the turn which pretty much paints the picture of how successful the drill was without even getting into the details like the fractions of 24, 46.1 and out to the bottom in 58 flat. Add to this the fact that Pioneer lengthened his stride once again on cue thru the lane and you have a 3yo honed to perfection by his Ky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert. Bottom Line: Super!!" says Toby.

Derby Blog April 14: <<<<<< Breaking News >>>>>>>

Racingwith Bruno revises I Want Revenge's workout comments.

After careful consideration I have revised my workout comments for the I Want Revenge works on March 29th and 22nd.

"My original assements of the works were too low'' Racingwith Bruno main workout analyst Bruno De Julio told Racingwithbruno editorial staff.

Therefore, we elevated I Want Revenge work on the 22nd to ''He worked like a Super-Star should'', and later in the workout analysis 'showing tremendous acceleration' and ''...sprouting wings and flying inside of I Want Money, who looked like a pony tied to a stockade, and exploding past workmate, while leaving a mushroom cloud in his wake''.

I also significantly upgraded his March 29th drill at Hollywood. "After all the dust cleared I was shocked of how lowly I had treated this true superstar/monster,'', said Racingwith Bruno's workout analyst Bruno De Julio, ''so with a stroke, or two on my keyboard I rescinded my original comments. The Superstar, I Want Revenge worked at Hollywood Park, before shoving off to New York, to trounce a field that resembles a claiming race,in Wood Memorial, Saturday, April 4. 'Revenge had Talamo on board this morning. He worked solo and relaxed superbly to the pole in 12.3, 24.2, and 36 flat to the 1/4 pole. You can see him winding up and Talamo barely shook the reins in mid-stretch. The colt pricked his left ear inside the furlong pole waiting for Talamo to ask him. Talamo never did and the colt shut himself off and finished in 59.4 on our watch while retracting his wings he had so powerfully displayed last weekend. His final 1/4 in 23.4 was gigantic as his 'monster' status should be referred to after such work. He galloped out in 112.4 for six furlongs, 127.1 for seven furlongs and out a mile in 143 flat. He actually went out a mile and three quarters before being wrestled back by Talamo, who had to use all of his strength to stop this loose freight train. "Jeff and I were walking back with the colt and we both commented as he looked like he was going out to work instead of walking back from his work,'' said breeder-owner David Lanzman, "the instructions were do as little as possible,'' in reference to work instructions to Talamo before he headed out, "we wanted 12, 12, 12, 12, across the board,'' said Lanzman, "but we got 12.3, 11.4, 11.3, 11.4, 11.4,'' he added. "We made sure he was by the way we wrote it. After all, it's what we write, not reality that impresses people and racegoers'' said Racingwith Bruno in updating the works to monster status.

In other words, I Want Revenge, has gone from good colt who won the Wood Memorial over a bad bunch to immaculately emerging among the "monsters" Dunkirk and Quality Road.

"Three monsters in one Kentucky Derby field?", asked Racingwith Bruno, "it's like watching one of those Godzilla movies," added Racingwith, "you know Godzilla will win, but which one of three is the mighty beast?" he concluded with, his lips not matching his words and a puzzling shrug, before the sentence ended. "we will just make one ourselves, no need waiting after the fact" answering his own question.

“I’ve never had a good experience anytime with Racingwith Bruno...." I Want Revenge's trainer, Jeff Mullins responded about the initial workout comments, "and I will avoid Racingwith Bruno at all costs,” Mullins said. “I hope to have to see them one more time with a Derby-Preakness winner, but I won’t be looking for reasons to read them after.” He added.

Mullins, known for his cowboy wit and scattered commentary added "the boy gots to learn why you put your socks before your shoes."

Honest mistake and all Racingwith Bruno is willing to do good to make up for the honest mistake.

"I am sure I will have to rescind a few other comments, especially after the Derby" said Racingwith Bruno. "We will see who wins and then go from there," he added. "We no longer look at a horse and his achievements on track," continued Racing With, "it's the men behind with the pencils and the slide rules that make them champion." finishing with an emphatic fist to the table. "The Lord give it, and the Lord takes ith away!"

"After all we ain't all idiots and addicts, are we?" added Racingwith while walking out the door.

The Arkansas Derby &Blog stuff, April 12, 2009<


The Arkansas Derby players, Old Fashioned showed cinch's in his armor in the Rebel Stakes when second to Win Willy after inheriting the lead from a spent pacesetter, Silver City. Papa Clem was not comfortable on the slop but still ran a good second behind Friesan Fire in the Louisiana Derby, and Win Willy who went 56-1 in the Rebel and a shocking victory to 4-1, co-second choice behind the over bet Old Fashioned.

Once the gates opened, Old Fashioned got what he wanted, the lead all to himself with his rider sitting chilly to the 1/4 pole. Papa Clem, who was rated behind the first flight of horses, ranged up five wide, and wore down Old Fashioned, who showed again he was wanting to lug in through the stretch.

Papa Clem and Rafael Bejarano won the Arkansas Derby in nifty style.

Old Fashioned was discovered to have a knee injury and it may spell the end of his career. He will undergo surgery at Rood and Riddle, in Lexington. The diagnosis is that he has a slab fracture in a lower knee joint. These particular injuries are hard to overcome due to the stress placed on that lower joint.

Where was Win Willy? Did he even get a call?

Papa Clem's trainer, Gary Stute, who I had the pleasure of having both Sea Of Pleasure and Elsie Jo with, winning four races with him in 2007-2008, was all smiles after, but no cigar? C'mon Gary, national TV and no stogie....Say it isn't so. He is a great character to have in the derby mix this year, good for him. Summer Bird made a bold move through the stretch and finished a fast closing third. He is not thought of for the Derby, but may be a player later on.

Credit to his Trainer Tim Ice, who was not fearful of the jump up in class. He knews that his long shot Summer Bird had a lot to prove in the Arkansas Derby, and had every chance to do so. “He walked this morning. In horse racing, it is about proving yourself and that is what we are here for,” commented Ice. “I know my horse can do it. I don’t want to look further than today. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. His stride is so beautiful; he has the motion to go with the looks.”

The result was quite comforting to the connections of Dunkirk. ''The monster'' everyone keeps referring to, Dunkirk, is still only won a low level allowance. More on Dunkirk later.

Old Fashioned was on his toes the whole post parade. He looks his Unbridled's Song's mental frailty has caught up with him. His sure tendency to pass on his explosive temperament down to his offsprings. The Blue Grass Stakes

"Do you believe in Miracles?"

Tom McCarthy does after his General Quarters won the Blue Grass Stakes emphatically. He drew away from a modest field headed by Lane's End winner Hold Me Back and wiseguy horses Terrain, Patena and Charitable Man.

General Quarters the story of the Derby if you will, gives the one horse stable of Tom McCarthy a chance at the Derby, on the first Saturday in May. "He trained like a champion all week, and after that breeze last week (a bullet five furlongs in :58 1/5 at Churchill Downs) I knew I had him right where I wanted him," McCarthy told Kentuckyderby.com, who also trains General Quarters. "I think he exhibited the tenacity to go on to the (Kentucky) Derby (G1)."

General Quarters has one thing going for him and that is his familiarity with Churchill Downs, but he wasn't the only one that caught the eye in the Blue Grass.

Hold Me Back impressed me thoroughly, physically and mentally. He has is a grand looking son of Giant's Causeway. He has tremendous size, and length. He strode out nicely over the polytrack, which can play against the brilliancy of a horse. Although, Hold Me Back has never raced at Churchill he may just take it by his late running style.

Hold Me Back only pace to run at once, and that was in the Lanes End at Turfway Park and he blitzed them. He is a horse that is improving and has a tremendous turn of foot. He would fall back some 15 to 20 lengths early and pick them up late.

Hold Me Back is on my short list.

Terrain finished fourth with a mild rally and he certainly will give his backers another excuse to back him in the Derby. Terrain's claim to fame is winning a Juvenile Stakes at Mountaineer Park, of all places, and finishing second Square Eddie in the Breeders Futurity at Keeneland on October 4. He finished ahead of Pioneerof The Nile that autumn day. Neither Square Eddie nor Terrain have won a race since, and 'Nile has won four graded races and two Grade 1's.

Massone finished a game third in the Blue Grass and could make some noise to get in the starting gate, if he has enough earnings for the first Saturday in May. He broke from post 11 but due to the brilliance of his rider, Garrett Gomez, he found himself racing on the best part of the track at Keeneland, the inside. He got in position and raced evenly late. Tha'ts our Massone as we have see him plenty in California. He has yet to race on real dirt?

Dunkirk sage continues: The artificial making of a 'monster.

Dunkirk goes from slow to fast and he didn't even have to run. Read this article from the New York post and it will make change your mind about the relevancy of the Beyer figures.

Next week we will have special appearances from the wiseguys, Louie The Shoe. Scoreboard Mickey, and Rocco the Rock. They will chime in with their picks for the Derby.

Square Eddie worked at Hollywood Saturday morning. Lexington Stakes bound colt worked in 12.2, 35.4, and 59.4 breezing despite having a horse on his heels the last 1/4, Oakhill Girl from the Han barn. Galloped out in 112 flat. Did an extended gallop out finishing a mile with plenty in the tank and went as far a mile and one eighth well within self.

Supreme Summit was awesome also. He may be even better than Square Eddie. He worked in 12.3, 24.4, and 48 flat to the wire. Picked it up on own and went strongly out in 59.4 and 112.2. May show up on Derby week somewhere, and the way these Pro-Ride horses are improving dirt watch out!

Zenyatta was out shortly after Supreme Summit and spotted good-looking Storm Cat four-year-old colt, The Green Cat, six lengths. The maiden worked awesome as he was waiting on her in the stretch and they both hit the wire in 58.1, Cat went in 59.2 and then both out in 110.1 for Zenyatta and 111.2 for the Cat. Zenyatta galloped out a mile in 140.1.

We also have to chime in on the Mullins saga.

When there is blood in the water, sharks will come, and bigger ones will follow. Mullins, who admitted on making a mistake, threw some chum overboard and now he will have to deal with the predators coming in for the kill.

We know, I was in the Mullins barn. Yes, we know, we parted ways, but we are not going to pile on Jeff. Air Power, the over counter natural product he was administering to Gato Go Win in the detention barn is a legal product, it is not a drug. You can read its ingredients on the Air Power, Finish Line product site. (Finishlinehorse.com)

Michael Matz, former trainer of Barbaro, and Kentucky winning conditioner, endorses finish line products, but when blood is in the water, a frenzy occurs, and at times sharks even eat each other. The media doesn't care who endorses the product, but what kind of frenzied story they can spin to manipulate sales.

It seems that this industry is only in the spotlight when something catastrophic happens or some personality that is in the spotlight in other means of life is involved.

You know the Tom McCarthy, General Quarters, will be the feel good story, Todd Pletcher and Dunkirk's royalty status will be invoked, and the Mullins, 'Outlaw Josey Wales' story will be told over and over. Every Mullins move will be scrutinized. Pletcher and his streak of 19 losing derby charges will be justified as this year he has a ''monster'' in Dunkirk, who has yet to break through in a stakes event with a victory. Pletcher was also in Mullins shoes last year, and as even last Breeders Cup, Wait A While, failed a post race test.

Power Cap, a horseracing blog, took an interesting on the Mullins case. Click here to read it.

So, watch and see how the media will spin it. It will be a very interesting Derby for the press. Stay tuned.

BIG CHANCES FROM CALIFORNIA STAY ALIVE THRU MONDAY by Toby Turrell

The 1st three finishers from the Santa Anita Derby are all looking worthy of the Kentucky Derby as of the end of training hours on Sunday from Arcadia.

First, Chocolate Candy worked 5/8's in 59.1 with the last 1/8 in 11 flat with new jockey Mike Smith in the saddle and smiling from ear to ear on his way back to the barn area. This shows that the huge race he ran in the SA Derby took very little out of him. The colt was sharp, healthy and looks terrific in and out of the work.

Pioneer Of The Nile is scheduled to work on Wednesday according to his trainer Bob Baffert. I ran into Baffert on the rennovation break here at The Great Race Place and he told me that the only thing he needs for Wed is a tight track for the colt to complete his preparations. The key observation from this corner can be reported right now for all intent and purposes. Pioneer Of The Nile cant look any better galloping and he looks as good as a colt can possibly look!!!! I will be shocked if his workout isnt the same visual as horses who look like this almost always ditto thier presence in a drill.

Last but perhaps not least, the connections of Mr Hot Stuff have put up the supplementary money of $6,000 with the hope that they can enter this years Derby thru some last minute defections. Can you believe that this colt wasn't nominated originally by the owners? I can assure all interested in this colt that he has a legitimate shot to hit the board in the Derby and maybe win if there is a meltdown after a fast pace. I state this for 2 reasons. First, he galloped out in front by the clubhouse turn after recording a 3rd in the SA Derby. Next, he is getting stronger by the day just starting to fill out and blossom and looked HUGE galloping in the dark on Sunday morning.

*****for all links to other stories please ask for a Newsletter in email format at bdejulio@aol.com********************************************************************

Racingwithbruno's Short List

1.) I Want Revenge
2.) Pioneer Of The Nile
3.) Hold Me Back
4.) General Quarters
5.) Quality Road *quarter crack is making edge to drop him altogether*
Honorable mentions: Musket Man and Dunkirk.

Derby Blog, Thursday, April 9

My record in the Derby since 2000.

Four top choice winners:
2008 - Big Brown > Winner
2007 - Street Sense > Winner> on watching him at Churchill Downs first hand.
2004 - Smarty Jones > Winner > Watched him train at Keeneland & Churchill prior.
2000 - Fusaichi Pegasus > Winner > Watched him train at Churchill Downs.

Been at the Derby in 2000, 2004 and 2007 which coincides with the above top choice winners. Thus, we have had great success at the Derby when we have been in attendance in the morning.

If you would like to see my Derby Workout Analysis archives please feel free to ask for them at bdejulio@aol.com. I will send them to you FREE.

Derby blog, Monday, April 6

. Quality Road quarter crack. Read David Grening's report on drf.com click here Quality Road has quarter crack.

We all saw what a quarter crack did to Big Brown for the Belmont last year. This is what I read into the article and quotes from the connections:

The trainer, Jimmy Jerkens, is quoted as being ''very concerned'', ''the fact he's not lame from it is a good thing'', but in another quote later he says, ''he wouldn't put all of his weight on it.''

Call me dumb as dirt, if you will, 'he isn't lame on it, but he wouldn't pull his weight on it"?

Uhuhuhuh ~~ if he won't put weight on it means he is lame, but what do I know. Grening was doing his job and he just reported on the quotes, so this has nothing to do with the reporting or David it has to do with the way trainers spin things like we as ''dumb as dirt''.

"He galloped this morning and was absolutely sound on it, but it did trickle a little blood, ......'' Jerkens said.

uh uh uh, galloped sound but there is blood, Okay.

Ian McKinley, the noted foot guru, who worked on Big Brown last year, chimed in WITH "he's very sound, there's just heat in there'', he says, despite being ''very sound,'' McKinley is concerned of the heat, ''that's one of my main worries always is heat."

Ten years ago I was flying down the 15 to Vegas for the weekend when I blew a rod in my Mustang. I pulled in to a gas station and ''zeke'' walked out of the shadows in the 120 degree heat and heard my engine knock and whistle. He looked up and said ''its da heat dat did it!" Sorry, I flashed back here, but according to Mc Kinley 'it's the da heat '' that has him worried.

So, the connections are worried, concerned, saw blood, know Quality Road wouldn't put weight on it, but he is very sound, absolutely sound, and not lame on it. OK, No, I don't buy it!

I say ''Bull$h^#"!

''Mullins in a bubble''

Concern here and in the Mullins camp in the aftermath of our 'boy in the bubble' escapade in the detention barn at Aqueduct is that he is going to be called out on the carpet by the NYRA board after his run in with a security guard and syringe (no needle) and a can of Air Power, a Finish Line product.

Between me and you is best defense right now is to say he was just fixin to shoot himself in the buttocks when accosted by them fine fellors in the NYRA with Air Power can in hand, but I am not his lawyer.

I will follow up with the stewards in California on Wednesday and find out what are the rules here in California concerning, Air Power and administering in the detention or holding barn.

In the meantime, hold him up in that bubble, and sabotage the speaker system.....

More later....

Sunday night, April 5

The aftermath of the Wood, Santa Anita Derby, Gato Go Win, NYRA and 'Mullins in a bubble'.

Wow! I Want Revenge! Wow!

I got say one more time, Wow!

We knew he was that good. We knew by watching his works he was locked and loaded. You know, the scary thing, and don't tell everyone, just your loved ones and anybody you like, and that is I don't think Deputy Bobby T. and Jeff ''Virgil'' Mullins, really have gotten to the bottom of this horse. He overcame a brutal trip yesterday:

I Want Revenge threw his head at the start and then, lunged out of the gate well after the field left. He responded to a snug hold early, and waited behind the field per his riders instructions, split horses and angled in into the far turn, waited at the 1/4 pole, moved between horses and was boxed to inside the furlong pole, bumped, steadied, angled out, quickly burst through a hole after patient handling, pricked his left ear as if waiting for more commands from jockey Joe Talamo, and exploded late to win in hand. Talamo never had to cock his whip. 'Revenge won under a hand ride. He galloped out with ears pricked, like he could go around again.

Folks, if that isn't a derby winner, what is?

Barring his own trainer tripping over himself, and we will cover that later, this horse can make history. He can revive the memories of the greatest Derby winners.

The Wood will go down in history as one of the most clutch, patient rides, and performance of any horse and jockey. Where were you watching the Wood? You will remember it for years to come, if 'Revenge goes on to be what he looks to be.

Quality Road is a nice animal, but the hoopla around him is just scattered jargon. He is not better than I Want Revenge and relatively unproven in adversity and pressure. He won the Florida Derby. OK. He got his Beyer elevated 8 points to a ridiculous number, now, but what has he done? He beat a non-winners of other than winner with the track profile and everything in his favor. Please, all the wiseguys jump all over this horse....please.

The real contender is the horse that has beaten I Want Revenge twice, and that is Zayat's Stables, Pioneerof The Mile. Ahmed Zayat was joyous after the Santa Anita Derby as his prize colt won another Grade 1 in workmanlike manner. The Chocolate Candy bandwagon was filling fast after the race, especially after his rider, Joel Rosario, said: "My horse ran good, but the other horse (Pioneerof the Nile) is a more tactical horse. He was able to set a slow pace, so my horse was a little bit closer, and I don’t think he finished like he can. I think when we have more pace in the race, he’ll be OK. I think this should set him up well for the Kentucky Derby. I really liked the way he moved coming to the quarter pole and coming to the wire. I really like his ability. I’m sure there will be more pace in the Kentucky Derby, and he will like that.”

Uhuhuhuh, Joel, like Pioneer didn't set a slow pace, he dragged Garret at the seven furlong pole and put himself into the race, making three runs in the process, and Joel, I saw you make one run at the three furlongs, something like three furlongs after Pioneer went after the leader. So, he ran five to six furlongs and made three different moves, you ran for three furlongs and made one late move, so, sorry, but the only way you would have caught Pioneerof the Nile would have been with a tazer gun, but, oh, wait, you still never got close enough to use it. So,......Pioneerof The Nile is derby bound and you can believe he has a huge chance.

More on the Santa Anita Derby. The Pamplemousse was scratched early Saturday morning. A tendon injury was detected in a routine pre-race examination by the State Vet. He was scratched and upon further testing on Sunday found to have a small tear in a tendon. The Pamplemousse will get some time off he deserves according to Alex Solsi II. We sincerely hope that Alex Solis, and his son Alex Solis II get another chance in the future to go to the Derby together.

They ran the Illinois Derby on Saturday.

Gato Go Win, NYRA and Jeff Mullins

The Thoroughbred Times Ed Rosa reports:

This e-mail was brought to you by Thoroughbred Times Visit us at www.thoroughbredtimes.com Mullins allegedly violated detention barn rules by Ed DeRosa New York stewards scratched Gato Go Win from the Bay Shore Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Aqueduct after security personnel said they saw trainer Jeff Mullins attempting to administer a substance to the colt before the race.

Joe Mahoney, a spokesman for the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, said that security alleges Mullins brought a syringe into the detention barn.

The Bay Shore was the first leg of an all stakes pick four on Saturday at Aqueduct that included the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1), which Mullins won with I Want Revenge.

“Our stewards are investigating an incident inside NYRA’s detention barn on Saturday afternoon,” Mahoney said. “NYRA security personnel advised the stewards that Mr. Mullins was observed attempting to administer an over-the-counter product called Air Power to [Gato Go Win] in the security barn. He had also apparently taken a syringe into the security barn.

“As a result, the stewards directed that Gato Go Win be scratched, and they will be conferring on this later in the coming week … most likely Wednesday.”

Mullins trains Gato Go Win for a partnership of Dean De Renzo, Randy Hartley, Joey Platts, and William Sims. He trains I Want Revenge for a partnership of IEAH Stables, David Lanzman, Puglisi Racing, and Charles Winner. IEAH, Puglisi, and Winner all bought into the Stephen Got Even colt following his 8½-length victory in the Gotham Stakes (G3) in March.

“There was no incident involving I Want Revenge, who was under surveillance in the security barn prior to racing,” Mahoney said of the Wood Memorial winner.

Mullins’s cell phone went directly to voicemail during repeated attempts to reach him for comment on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, said that he had heard that a possible infraction occurred with Mullins on the Wood Memorial undercard but that he did not know enough about the situation to comment.

“Naturally, anytime you hear about a scratch or violation it’s disturbing,” Iavarone said. “I can’t make any judgments. I just hope that whatever story evolves doesn’t take away from the performance of I Want Revenge. I went through this last year [with Big Brown and trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.], and it’s disturbing to me again that attention could be taken away from the horse.”

Iavarone said that part of IEAH’s agreement with Lanzman includes a clause that Lanzman would retain all decisions related to the connections of I Want Revenge (pertaining to trainer and jockey) unless the colt finishes out of the money in multiple races.

Like Dutrow, Mullins is no stranger to rules violations. In spring 2008, he served a 20-day suspension from the California Horse Racing Board for use of the Class 2 drug mepivicane, and at least one of his horses tested positive for excessive levels of total carbon dioxide in 2005. In the aftermath of his troubles in 2005, Mullins lashed out against the industry and was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as having attributed his troubles to horseplayers “crying about losing a $2 bet.

“If you bet on horses, I would call you an idiot,” the Times quoted the trainer as saying.

Mullins had another total carbon dioxide violation in summer 2008.

Mahoney said that Mullins’s presence in the detention barn itself was not a violation. He added that any attempt to administer something to a horse and possession of a syringe would be violations.

Air Power is an over-the-counter cough formula manufactured by Finish Line. The company’s website states that Air Power will stop a horse’s cough all day and “that nothing manufactured and sold by Finish Line will test positive in any race or show jurisdiction. …”

“If a horse needs Air Power to get to the finish line on race day, then we have a problem with that,” Mahoney said. “We have one of the most aggressive drug-testing programs in the entire nation and we will continue to be aggressive in our watchdog role because of the emphasis we place on integrity.”

Ed DeRosa is news editor of Thoroughbred Times

Racingwithbruno ~ Exclusive Breaking News We are close to the Mullins camp and certainly we feel that Jeff is not a guy that goes out and cheats. we have had horses with Jeff and we are sure of one thing, he can say or do stupid things, but he does run a tight ship.

So, we have a solution from now on until Derby day we have come up with a plan: Mullins in a bubble.

Remember the boy in the bubble. The kid lived in quarantine due to an immune deficiency. Well, "Mullins in a bubble".

Mullins in a bubble means no foreign objects within the sphere and a gag order on any radio, television or print interviews. He can be rolled down the shedrow and only sterile objects from the inside the bubble are to be handled via a pair of gloves that are used by reaching through the barrier.

The Bubble Boy comes equipped with a Trivial Pursuit 2009 version with questions like ''who is T. J. Simmers'' and who are '' what are idiots and addicts have in common?". Jeff will only have a portable DVD and videos from TMZ magazine and the Land of the Lost television shows for entertainment.

Even though extreme, "Mullins in a Bubble'' is the most plausible over the other two alternatives, castration and/or being taken away by aliens.

Mullins in a bubble will be effective upon arriving in Louisville.

Derby Blog, Saturday, April 4


Derby Blog Saturday, April 4

Karma

Funny, the wiseguy horses always show up on this day, a big day, in the racing industry.

Listening to handicappers, radio shows, friends and competitors, enemies and everybody who has an opinion on the matter it has become quite evident to this 'bloke' that there the Wiseguys are out and about today.

So, I went and found some real ones, Rocco, Louie The Shoe, and Scoreboard Mickey, and I asked who they liked today:

"I heard that Chocolate Candy is some kind of horse, you know'', said Rocco, 'some of Jimmy the ice pick's boys are all talkin to them stable boys and they told them that he is ready to slice and dice them like mamma rigatoni pizza pie.'' added Rocco, but didn't stop there, ''In that Wood Memorial thin', me and some of the gumpaz from Brooklyn we like them Imperial Council member,'' he added. "We's heard that he gots a big shot today, you know from sum people in the know." rocco was still not finished as he started on the heavy favorite. "I want Revenge gonna go 'boom to the moon', bounce like a rubber duckie off that last race,'' and I didn't dare to disagree with Rocco, who was holding one of them ten pound salami Italian deli sandwiches like he was gonna clock me one over the head if I did.

I asked Louie The Shoe about the Ashland Stakes in Kentucky, ''you know, my mother, bless her heart, always referred to me and my brother, Guido, as 'What a Pear','' so I got to go with that one,'' said The Shoe, ''My mamma came fresh here from the old country, New Jersey, and she could a pick a pony or two, you know, right or wrong?" he said with what looked like a tear in his eyes, ''my mother's never wrong and anyone who tells me so gets a knuckle sandwich,'' who's to argue 'Shoe', "Hey, about that Pimplemousse today,'' Shoe jumping on The Pamplemousse bandwagon, and how 'he looks real good', "the only way to catch him is you a bring a baseball hat instead of whip,'' he said laughing, and nearly choking on his meatballs and spaghetti.

Sorry, Louie I don't give the Heimlich Manure on nobody, especially a guy named 'The Shoe', you know, forgive me, it's just rules.

''That Pioneerof the Nile, he's a piece of work, you know,'' he said. "that guy he put in a rabbit, like this is greyhound racing,'' added the Shoe. "If this was dog racin', I'd just pick the skinniest of them dogs and throw his a dog biscuit at the wire,'' he confessed in a hush tone.

Scoreboard Mickey, a wise~guy that has seen the likes of Onion upset Secretariat, and Dare and Go's crushing of Cigar at Del Mar first hand also chimed in, ''I like that See of Pleasure today,'' he said. ''I heard,'' looking left and a right, ''he's working real good,'' said Mickey in a hushed tone. "they like him today''. He, then whispers in my ear.

I don't profess to be a wiseguy despite my heritage, I was brought up in the south, and even though, I am not a good ole boy like Toby Keith or Kenny Chesney, I have tendency to have a twang and have the desire to pick up a banjo from time to time.

Rocco, The Shoe and Scoreboard Mickey are tuned in, they hear what their constituents tells them and they rush to the window like ''the coppers just rushin in to their back alley gamblin's game''. "you know everyone has got a price, and nobody likes a favorite,'' said Rocco, ''I aint' never met a favorite I liked'', added Scoreboard Mickey. "Just don't get the run of the mouth now kid'', said Scoreboard while padding me on the back with the force of a 800 pound gorilla.

I get the point boys, I won't hoard on your territory, after y'all are the wiseguys......

West Coast: Santa Anita Derby Eve For East Coast Publication: Wood Eve Midwest pub: Ashland Eve. Friday, April 3, 2009

'It's Travesty if Dunkirk doesn't get in the Derby.'

Really? I thought you had to be earn your way into the Derby. There has been plenty of horses that belonged in the Derby that didn't get in , remember Rock Hard Ten?

Why are we singling out a Dunkirk, who simply couldn't get by Quality Road in the Florida Derby. Yes, he ran super, but he didn't win, he didn't earn it. Blame the track, blame the track sup, blame it on the bias, but who's fault for only running Dunkirk three times?

Play along with our pop quiz

A.) The track/management/Ron Charles b.) Obama's stimulus package c.) The Octo~mom d.) Todd Pletcher e.) All of the above.

The answer is D.) Todd Pletcher.

He didn't want to run in Arkansas, because he didn't want to have three weeks between the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby. he could have gotten a second and enough earnings for another Louisville visit, if he did. That race may be coming up as the weakest of all, so far.

Todd, you are zero for nineteen in the Derby. Thus, it's not likely that you haven't made poor judgement calls in the past!

So what your record sucks in the Kentucky Derby for the amount of horse talent and flesh you have had paraded during the singin' 'my old Kentucky home', you should be upset or on edge.

What makes you think you are going to make the right decision by now, anyway?

I know I need to stop at a stop sign, not roll through it, but I do it anyway and I get a ticket for the upteenth time, by the same cop, Officer Leah here in Marina Del Rey. I make that Chipper's quota yearly. In first name basis with the local traffic school instructors. We are down on going out after class for a few laughs and a few drinks before hitting the roads.

So, I get you, I feel you, Todd! But, Why oh Why is Dunkirk so special? He is a $3,700,000.00 dollar (that's $3.7 million cash) buy, and.... Was his allowance win that special? He beat a horse, Warrior's Reward, who followed up his second place finish to this 'monster' to finish far back as an also ran in the Tampa Bay Derby. In fact, a maiden-claiming $32,000 horse from California, Justdontcallmejerri, finished third and far ahead of Warrior's Reward in Tampa. So, key race on Feb. 19, well no, at least by any standard we follow, such as horses that have come back to win and so on.

I can already hear it: "it's the way he did it, Bruno!", or "he is a monster, who needs a fair track, Bruno."

First of all, don't repeat my name every time you bark at me, makes me uneasy. OK Dunkirk, so, geniuses, about that he is not physically ready to handle hard efforts, or about he has had only three starts in about two months period, and no races in his two-year-old season. No foundation rings a bell. (No, don't go answer your door that was me)

In fact, to be a genius myself, if you watch the Florida Derby stretch run, I guess it was the track that made Dunkirk switch in, lug in some, and simply run out of air. I hear it, I know, "five wide trip''. I know, ''the track'', ''I know, the ''bias'', but taking all into account the Derby Earnings are to separate horses who don't 'get er done' (and thanks for not throwing my name in there another six or seven more times). It's not a travesty if Dunkirk doesn't get in the Derby, in fact, that is just rules ask Rock Hard Ten.

If he is on the bubble, it wouldn't surpriseme if someone didn't cross enter any other horse above him, in fact, I would be on it!

The Angry Trainer

In Southern California we have a nicknames for everyone, we have Virgil, Scarecrow, Pendergrass, Bubbles, Deputy, Mugsie, Groucho, and the Angry Jockey. Well, we are going to add The Angry Trainer, and that is Todd Pletcher.

We have to look at Pletcher's meltdown on TV and later in print as a sign of pressure, tenseness, maybe anxiety on the usually stoic Todd (I have always been a touch antagonistic towards 'Todd's' ever since I walked in a on a Todd and my Girlfriend, or in an instant, Ex-Girlfriend, back in 1986 :( I need a hug, now).

Anyway, Todd, no relation by the way, took Dunkirk's loss hard, and lashed out at everyone from management to the track sup for ''speeding up the track''. In fact, he also lashed out at the Octo~Mom for the traffic trouble on the turn.

Well, what's new, we see track shifts and changes here in California every other day, except dark days. I guess in California it's expected or welcomed, who knows, Anyway.....back to the subject, is Pletcher's futility starting to catch up with him? Is he getting a little loopy or tired of what we call the ''dead men walking' stroll down past the Kentucky Derby winner's circle to talk to not one, not two, but as many as three to five losing jockeys on your mount in one Kentucky Derby alone? (didn't that happen a couple of years in a row)

You ask me, I feel like dead man walking everytime I go to the mailbox for a new fresh set of bills on the eleven horses, two broodmares and a suckling (not me, the newborn colt) I currently am working to feed.

Dunkirk has been behind the eight ball in his Derby run from day one, and that can be like fitting a square peg in the round hole, or round hole in a square peg, either one would prove my pointless paradox.

Pletcher has started how many horses in the Derby? Well, right now too many to count for me, nineteen. No knock on Pletcher, we know many have been down that road, like me, who has never been there with a horse. The Derby is not supposed to be handled with quantity, but with singular equine of quality. A freak, which is a word that is often overused in racing, a freak that freaks on that 'freaking' first Saturday in 'freaking' May.

Am I being tough on Pletcher on Dunkirk? Well, in my eyes, how many times did this 'freaking' guy keep a better horse out of the Derby with his vaunted three or four, or five horse entry in the Derby.

According to my number he has had 19 starters, three hit the board, two seconds and one third, and sixteen unplaced horses.

Ouch! I think I would be cranky too with that record.

So, that painfully leads me to my final question, the coup d'etat, in finale: What's the hurry in having Dunkirk making it in the Derby at all cost?

are you in hurry to bet this horse?

Maybe I am not giving some of the credit, the geniuses, deserve, if after all they WANT Dunkirk to run in the Derby so they can bet against Pletcher.

Now that's devious, get the horse in,so you can bet against him and Pletcher. I believe Dunkirk would get a lot of 'fool's gold' at the windows.

The way Dunkirk's is being rushed to the Derby via the Express Window makes you really wonder 'how in the world did Pletcher got to be 0 for 19?' I will stay mum on that.

Just my opinion, and after all, It's MY blog!

Lanzman in New York!

We knew that Lanzman would find the time to give Racingwithbruno a scoop in an interview over the phone. You won't find it in the form or any other publication, print or on the net:

The official Lanzman's nap~time schedule for Saturday.

"I just want to make sure I don't take a nap and forget to wake up between two and three o'clock Saturday afternoon'', he said from New York on Friday.

It's all David could really do after all I was his backup singer at Jimmy O's this summer in a creative karaoke rendition of "All the Young Dudes", a song written by David Bowie, and originally recorded and released as a single by Mott the Hoople in 1972.

Lanzman, who is know for some wit from time to time sees the sun shining and a beautiful day in New York despite the ugly dark, rainy, foggy, and dreary Friday in the big apple.

"If you want some more quotes you can go to the fourteen or fifteen articles on the internet '' said I Want Revenge's owner-breeder, who now along with new partner IEAH, is on the ride of their racing life.

Lanzman will have two horses, Grade 1's, this Saturday, running eight minutes apart and later in the day, Bowie At Saratoga (see the 'All The Young Dudes'' note) in the 11th race at Sunland Park. Oh, by the way, the two Grade 1 horses are I Want Revenge in the Wood, and Stardom Bound, Ashland Stakes, at Keeneland.

My latest instructions for David, Mullins Talamo,and 'Revenge was stay inside of Atomic Rain, who runs like he just got out of a tavern at two .a.m. and bet the exacta from I Want Revenge to, huge longshot, Cellar Dweller in the Wood. "You think I am going to bet?'' Said Lanzman when informed of the gambling opportunity, ''you know what the purse is right?'', a good horseplayer, Dave, never lets an opportunity to cash a wager go by.....I didn't push David on a parlay on all three horses, or the exacta in the Ashland with Gossip Girl, or as far as back~wheeling Bowie in the exactas at Sunland Park, but that would be little excessive..... you think?

By the way have I told you I like David, and I Want Revenge in the Wood?

So if you want to fit a round hole in a square peg and your name is not Todd, go to my blog at www.racingwithbruno.com

Tuesday, March 31 Derby Blog

The Pamplemousse, 'Nile and 'Candy all blowout at Santa Anita on Tuesday.

All three of the Santa Anita Derby faves worked on Tuesday at Santa Anita. We reported here on racingwithbruno.com that we thought The Pamplemousse, who appeared lifeless in his last two works, most likely, had been treated with a 'mickey', 'ace'd' in backstretch lingo. He may have validated our suspicions with a lively work here for Julio Canani in 34.4. He rolled on the turn and finished full of run according to observers. He didn't gallop out much, however, as Solis was under instructions to shut him down immediately after the wire. As far as Canani must be concerned, mission accomplished, the colt worked well within himself with some help in the last three weeks and now he comes into the Santa Anita Derby in fresh manner.

Pioneerof the Nile worked for Baffert and Zayat Stables in preparation for Saturday's showdown versus The Pamplemousse in the Santa Anita Derby. Former rider turned exercise rider extraordinary, Joe Steiner, was on board of the colt, and worked in 47.3. "He is doing great,'' said Joe Steiner, ''he has a feel of confidence right now in comparison to last fall,'' added Joe.

"I have felt the change in the last six or seven works,'' Steiner said, ''he is a pro!"

Chocolate Candy is a nice horse, who has come around and looks like the type of horse that may just excel and hit the board in Kentucky. He breezed easily a half mile and is on target for the big dance Saturday. Remember Chocolate Candy finished a good third behind 'Nile and 'Revenge in the Cash Call Futurity back in December.

The Pamplemousse is also a pro, a fast one at that, and we just may see one of the most exciting Santa Anita Derbies since Free House and Silver Charm hooked up in 1997.

Square Eddie!

Square Eddie back on the tab and up to a half mile at hollywood Park with an easy four furlong work in the 50.4h for O'Neill and Reddam. He went in hand and showed a good gallop out for O'Neill. He will need to really get serious here to have a shot to be in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. In my opinion the connections are really putting the horse's future on the back burner to simply be in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.

I Want Revenge, Lanzman and IEAH

IEAH has purchased 50% of I Want Revenge. "it's finally done,'' said Lanzman, owner-breeder of I Want Revenge. "I just spent all morning updating my license for Kentucky,'' as Lanzman also landed 25% of Stardom Bound in the deal. "this weekend will be fun having two of my horses in the biggest races in the country,'' in reference to Lanzman and IEAH having Stardom Bound in the April 4 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland and i Want Revenge in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

The deal was hinging on having Lanzman and Mullins remaining in control of the colt, that part of the deal was the easy part despite the premature reports of the horse moving to New York. IEAH won the Kentucky Derby last year with Big Brown with Richard Dutrow.

I Want Revenge remains in Mullins' care and in fact, shipped to New York early Tuesday. "He is doing great'', said assistant Bobby Troeger, from his Hollywood Park office. ''He is doing better now than going into the Gotham Stakes,'' he added. Troeger has had this horse in his care at Hollywood ever since last May.

We even found our old notes of I Want Revenge works before he ever started. His debut on July 13 at Hollywood was much awaited after a very good worktab:

Race 6 ~ July 13, 2008 I WANT REVENGE 07/06/08 HOL 48 HG Worked with Coastal Souvenir and Kalapana from the gate. Potts on board for Mullins. Rated behind mates, five lenghts or slightly less than that after a 1/4 mile. Made an eye catching move on the turn to win drill handily. Looked good here in 25 and 48 flat. Finished final 1/4 in 23 flat. Looks like a very nice prospect for Mullins and owner/breeder David Lanzman. Goooood!

06/29/08 HOL 112.4 H Worked with Coastal Souvenir and Kalapana here from the pole. We had the work in 111.3 for Mullins while much the best. Costal Souvenir was the third best and ran like in maiden claiming company on Thursday. Kalapana went OK as she went in 112.4 and Revenge went well in 23.3, 35.3, 46.1 and finished in 111.2. Mullins has pushed this one to do something and may be a bit more seasoned than most Mullins first timers....Goooood!

06/22/08 HOL 59 H Worked well here in 58.3 for Mullins. Went with another Mullins maiden and finished well down the lane in 34.4, and 58.3. Looked good and Potts was in the irons. Workouts are a courtesy of racingwithbruno & Todaysracingdigest.com

I Want Revenge finished third to Candy Lion and Blazing Spirit that day. He finished a troubled third at Del Mar, and after a bout with some sore shins he went to have another good effort at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in a live third place effort to Fitzmo, in a highly rated maiden event.

Lanzman has been going through the ride of his life. I Want Revenge went from boy to man after showing that promise early on as a two-year-old. He exploded when stretched out back in November. He went from maiden to Grade 1 placed in a month when second by a nose in the Cash Call Futurity to Pioneerof The Nile.

All in all, Lanzman is a great story and hope he gets his due in Kentucky. In fact, we plan to report to you live from Kentucky every day leading up to the Derby. We all leave together, David and Desi, with Racingwithbruno in tow.

Sunday, March 29 Racingwithbruno blog

I Want Revenge worked at Hollywood Park, Sunday, before shoving off to New York early in the week for the Wood Memorial next Saturday, April 4.

'Revenge had Talamo on board and this time he came without a partner. He worked solo and relaxed nicely to the pole in 12.3, 24.2, and 36 flat to the 1/4 pole. You can see him winding up and Talamo barely shook the reins. The colt pricked his left ear inside the furlong pole waiting for Talamo to ask him. Talamo never did and the colt shut himself off and finished in 59.4 on our watch. Final 1/4 in 23.4 and out in 112.4 for six furlongs, 127.1 for seven furlongs and out a mile in 143 flat. He actually went out a mile and three quarters before pulling up. "Jeff and I were walking back with the colt and we both commented as he looked like he was going out to work instead of walking back from his work,'' said breeder-owner David Lanzman, "the instructions were do as little as possible,'' in reference to work instructions to Talamo before he headed out, "we wanted 12, 12, 12, 12, across the board,'' said Lanzman, "but we got 12.3, 11.4, 11.3, 11.4, 11.4,'' he added.

We have to remind ourselves daily that we can't expect these horses to lay their body down every time out, and this was a good work, not spectacular or unbelievable. It was the kind of work that get the exercise needed in the colt. That's all.

Saturday, March 28 Racingwithbruno Derby Blog

Did anyone see a Derby horse in the Florida Derby?

Dunkirk needed to win. He didn't. Quality Road punched his ticket to Louisville, but he wasn't exactly breathtaking. He is not Big Brown, who won the Florida Derby in devastating manner last year, that's for sure. Theregoesjojo was laboring on the far turn, and was squeezed out by Quality Road and Dunkirk at the top of the lane. He finished a distant third. I don't see him as a mile and one quarter horse right now.

Todd Pletcher was happy with his colt's race, but immediately worded dissatisfaction about the track conditions. The track had promoted at least two new track records on this Saturday, and in Pletcher's eyes didn't do any favors for his colt late run. Todd should know that track. Gulfstream Park has always been a speed haven.

The Gulfstream Park track is notorious for being a speed haven on the dirt. The golden conveyor belt for forwardly placed in the first or second path from the three-eights pole to the wire was quite evident through the lane. The track may have been loose enough that in a number of races the winner was drifting far off the inside in the stretch run. You only see that when the track seems to break under feet, and horses are simply not getting a hold of it.

Quality Road drifted through the lane as did Big Drama, who was disqualified in the Swale, a race prior, and actually drew away from a spent Dunkirk, who had made an eye catching four wide on the turn and five wide into the stretch. Derby horses don't loom in the hang in the stretch and that is exactly what Dunkirk did in the stretch.

Dunkirk did not win the Florida Derby because he simply wasn't good enough. There is a reason a horse of his talent has only three starts. He may not be the type you can work properly and as frequently. Dunkirk looked spent the last furlong. Yet his races have been all well spaced. Dunkirk will somehow find a way to get into the Derby and add an umpteenth failure in the run for roses for Pletcher.

As far a legit Derby contender, Quality Road, has to get the benefit of the doubt, but if The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof The Nile, I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire strut their stuff in their next preps, 'Road, may be sitting behind those live commodities.



Wednesday, March 25 ~~The Pamplemousse at Santa Anita Wednesday morning.

There was no mystical, magical phrases like ''awesome'', ''sensational'', or even ''unbelievable'' overheard this morning for The Pamplemousse final prep for the Santa Anita Derby. No Canani, who is in Dubai, no cameras that we could see, no parades up and down in the apron area, only Baffert scurrying to get a good view Pioneerof The Nile's final serious flurry before the storm.

Everything was pretty quiet in comparison to last week's 'Mousse work and Sunday's I Want Revenge morning prep at Hollywood, however, four Derby contenders worked this morning at Santa Anita. The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof The Nile, Jeranimo and Chocolate Candy.

Pioneerof The Nile, with Joe Steiner on board, worked a strong five furlongs in 59.1 and out in 111.2. Galloping out in 126 for seven furlongs. He extended strongly through the lane. Baffert definitely tightened the girth on 'Nile and he responded with a good work. Nile is not the prettiest of movers on this track, and that drew some criticism from some onlookers. He has never really been a horse that has handled the pro-ride 'pretty'.

The Pamplemousse worked six furlongs under Alex Solis in 113 flat. He started quickly early as he broke from the pole pulling Alex Solis from the saddle. He went the first half mile in 47 flat while being kept wide off the fence and finished in a lacklustre 26 flat on our watch. Railroad, the old claimer, ran up inside of him in the lane, but that didn't get 'Mousse's dandruff up at all. In fact, he was shut down late. Alex Solis seemed to be moving his hands just slightly, as he did last week. The colt galloped out rather slowly in 127 and change.

"He got bored out there and my father said he was just doing it on his own,'' said Alex Solis II, who bought the colt as a two-year-old last spring for $150,000. "Brother Derek worked slow seven furlongs in 127 a week before the Kentucky Derby in 2006,'' added Alex, ''everybody knocked it and he went out and did what he did'' referring to Brother Derek's troubled fourth place finish to Barbaro in the Derby despite reports of him not training well. Both Solis's were not at all worried of the works. In fact, Alex Solis II was quite confident ''everything is good right now''.

On the other hand, we, on the other side, look at these horses with an objective eye. My first thought and comment was 'you don't win Derbies by finishing the last quarter of your works in 26 flat'. In our eyes he validated last weeks work. In our eyes, but there is always other possibilities to the story.

The Pamplemousse is a very athletic, big barreled colt and he lays his body down each and every time out. Wednesday morning, at Santa Anita, he almost looked like a horse that had been slipped a 'mickey'.

Horses are sometimes given 'ACE' or acepromazine. Ace helps them relax and go about their business in a nice, easy and relaxed manner. Acepromazine is not allowed to be used on race days, and it is a major offense if found in a racehorse in post race tests, however, ACE is used frequently to train racehorses in the morning. I asked Alex that question on whether The Pamplemousse had received ACE before the work, I I didn't get a yes nor a no. As far as a commitment on the status quo of 'The Mousse' I would have to say that his works may not need to be totally judged by visual sense alone.

Chocolate Candy shipped down from Golden Gate after a work that Hollendorfer was quoted as being less than satisfied of. Rosario was on board Wednesday morning. The colt, who went too fast, too early last out at Golden Gate, responded to waiting tactics and went off slow early. He rolled late, however, after splits of 50.3 and 103 and 114.3. He finished in 1:38.3. He finished the last half mile in 48 flat.

Jeranimo for the small Michael Pender outfit worked an easy three furlongs in 36 flat. He went easily and was in no rush. Michael Pender is looking for a spot for the third place finisher in the San Felipe Stakes. He may just surface in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.

Monday ~ March 23 ~ I Want Revenge strutted his stuff on Sunday morning at Hollywood Park.

The heat was on I Want Revenge and the Mullins shedrow as approximately forty people including owner and breeder, David Lanzman and wife Desi ascended upon the Mullins shedrow at 6 am Sunday morning. "David told me this morning that this would be 'one of my best mornings of my training life' said Troeger, "This is going to be my worst!" Troeger added laughing. understand folks, tons in the people in the shedrow during training can be unsettling for the horses and for the help.

This is the first time and definitely not the last time 'Revenge will have to deal with the media. "Everywhere that colt went he had big machine with a big light on it staring him in the face,'' said Lanzman. ''Better now than later for him to experience the craziness.'' He added.

IEAH representatives were also on hand as they close in on a deal with Lanzman. The inner working of the deal with be up to Lanzman to disclose, but we can tell you the colt isn't going anywhere. He will remain with Jeff Mullins and control of the horse will remain with Lanzman.

David Lanzman is a great supporter and enthusiast of the sport. He is a breeder-owner who's claim to fame is naming a horse 'Squirtle Squirt' and then winning a Breeders Cup race with him, but that's not all. He was the first Breeders Cup winner for Bobby Frankel, also. Squirtle Squirt won the 2001 Breeders Cup Sprint with an off pace (for the first time in career)rally at Belmont Park.

Lanzman's press conference was as fun as any you will ever see in a post race Breeders Cup interview, only rivaling the Julio Canani acceptance speech the same year, which is still being studied for translation and syntax.

Lanzman was asked if Bobby [Frankel] discussed with him prior to the race of the change of Squirtle Squirt running style. Lanzman responded "You are assuming that Bobby speaks to me!"

Lanzman is getting his due for all his work and contributions to this sport, and in a sport where you have to be kissing cousins with members of the media, Lanzman is getting his due without having to be kin.

I Want Revenge is a homebred for Lanzman, who bought the mare for a hefty price only for her to suffer an injury after a devastating win in her first start in the United States.

His trainer, even, wasn't too keen on I Want Revenge at first. Mullins, however, has changed his tune and with the help of his 'deputy' at Hollywood Park Bobby Troeger, who has been in charge of the colt from day one, Revenge has flourished, and "he is the best young horse I ever trained" Mullins stated before the Cash Call Futurity last December.

Teamwork has prevailed and despite all the pressures the Mullins barn hasn't changed at all at Hollywood Park.

Cameras rolling and 'dignitaries' running all over the shedrow on Sunday morning and all I could think about was of the all the nudey calendars and pin up photos of partial nude models littering the walls of the Troeger/Mullins stable office. "If any of them calendars or photos are covered up they'd be some growling going on," said Troeger Sunday morning.

I conferred with the 'Boss', Mullins, and warned him that the Animal Planet was not the playboy channel for animal lovers. He responded with "We gonna turn the Animal Planet into the Playboy Channel"

Animal Planet cameras were filming Joe Talamo's morning on board the Kentucky Derby contender for their show 'Jockeys' which airs on the Animal Planet weekly.

Luckily no calendar was covered up and even when Lanzman walked into the office, the 'patron', Mullins, showed some of his wit by warning the crews of the imminent collection of nudey photos on the walls. (In fact, he stole my line about Animal plant and the Playboy Channel). I did hear a rumor that Troeger was indeed growling in the background......We will have to see the episode and tune in with both ears to find out

Back to I Want Revenge. He worked like a star should. He seemed to be a bit more keyed up than usual on the track. He regularly goes out by himself but with all the excitement the colt was accompanied by his workmate and Troeger on his pony. 'Revenge and Talamo broke three behind, dropped a length or two father back in the first quarter in 24 flat, moved nicely on the turn to be two back at the 1/4 in 35.2, and then showed a tremendous acceleration to draw along side while in tight along the rail and exploded to finish breezing to the wire in 58.1. Folks, that was a 22.4 final 1/4 and galloped out in 111.2 and 126 flat for seven furlongs.

I Want Revenge is heading to the Wood, in New York. Should he pass that test with flying colors, and there is no reason right now he shouldn't, we are looking at a very live horse on the first Saturday in May.

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