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If you thought the Triple Crown series was the highlight of the season in Thoroughbred racing, this past weekend answered emphatically. The run towards the Breeders’ Cup is always huge and can really separate the pretenders and contenders. Let’s give a quick thought or two on a few recent happenings. Laoban going gate to wire in the Jim Dandy…that big tall rascal got what he wanted and it was made to order for a frontrunner that ran unpressed. How about Exaggerator in the Haskell? is he now the class of the three-year olds? Brilliant ride by Kent Desormeaux and that crafty Cajun Keith Desormeaux had his horse right. Right behind Songbird, he is the best. How Stellar was the Wind in upsetting Beholder? When you really look at it, this was way bigger than Laoban at 27-1 in the Jim Dandy. Beholder is one of the best horses in California racing history, so to beat her really speaks volumes for jockey Victor Espinoza, trainer John Sadler, and Stellar Wind. Lastly, Lord Nelson in the Bing Crosby was some sweet music. If he runs like that the rest of the year, nobody will catch him. Like trainer Bob Baffert laughingly says, “fastest horse since 1962”! My advice, stay tuned cause like another crooner says “the best is yet to come”!
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Hronis Racing’s Stellar Wind and jockey Victor Espinoza, outside, overpower Beholder (Gary Stevens), inside, to win the Grade I, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar CA.
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