Sunday Silenced

3-year-old War Glory colt War Spun (out of the stakes winning...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:00:03 -0500

3-year-old War Glory colt War Spun (out of the stakes winning mare Twist), wins the 1946 California Derby at Golden Gate

After leading through the first turn, War Spun was passed by two horses. He surged to the front again at the three-quarter pole and lead into the stretch, where runner-up Darby D-Day made a furious but unsuccessful late run

“War Admiral, sturdy little son of Man o’ War, who...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:44:19 -0500

“War Admiral, sturdy little son of Man o’ War, who won the Kentucky Derby a week ago Saturday, made it a double triumph yesterday as he romped home in front to win the Preakness. War Admiral beat Pompoon, the horse who trailed him in the Derby, by a head at Pimlico yesterday. His sire, Man o’ War, won the same event 17 years ago”

Photo and caption from The Palm Beach Post - May 16, 1937

in a race with rachel alexandra, ruffian, zenyatta, and go for wand, what places do you think they would get? let's say the race is 1 and 1/8th miles long

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:11:00 -0500

Well the first thing I would consider is distance. Rachel Alexandra achieved some of her greatest wins at that distance, and Zenyatta also won a few times going it. Go For Wand was also successful, as was Ruffian (but in significantly fewer races)

So, seeing as how every horse has proved they can run the distance, we move onto another criteria

Looking at the names mentioned, I can almost automatically throw out Zenyatta as the winner. Not from any anti-Zenyatta feelings I have, but simply because she would be the late closer facing three very speedy front runners. The reason that Seabiscuit was forced to change racing tactics in his match race with War Admiral was because late closers are at a huge disadvantage in small fields

The race would probably go something like this: Ruffian, Rachel, and Go For Wand break fast and all go for the lead. Zenyatta is quickly left behind as the other three blaze through some pretty damn fast fractions. I can see Go For Wand weakening late in the race, but not by much. Zenyatta makes her late move and passes Go For Wand, but can’t quite catch the lead two. Ruffian and Rachel would stay close for almost the whole way. I would probably say that Ruffian would win, but by maybe a length at most (remember, Rachel broke her record in the Mother Goose, so she’s not such a slouch as to be beaten by that much)

Final order of finish: Ruffian by a length from Rachel Alexandra, with a charging Zenyatta three lengths behind and Go For Wand about two lengths behind her

(Side Note: What a strange collection of names. I kinda expected Rachel, Zenyatta, and Ruffian, but Go For Wand threw me)

During the opening stages of the 1938 Kentucky Derby, Wood...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:04:30 -0500

During the opening stages of the 1938 Kentucky Derby, Wood Memorial winner Fighting Fox (#5) hugs the rail while dueling with former champion juvenile Menow (#10) for the early lead

Though he was a full brother to Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox, Fighting Fox could finish no better than 6th in the Derby. Menow, after drifting in the stretch, finished 4th behind surprise winner Lawrin

Have you heard anything about Rags to Riches' foals?

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:49:00 -0500

Oy I get asked this at least once a week, usually more. Seriously, does no one want to find info on any other mare? It’s always Rags to Riches…

Opulence is pretty much retired for bloodstock. She was unraced due to a sessamoid injury

Her Henrythenavigator colt is still unnamed and rumors still have him maybe coming stateside to race

The Galileo colt, now a juvenile, is called Auguste Rodin. He’s starting to look a lot like his mum

She was bred back to Galileo for 2012, but no real word on that one or this year’s

Her Majesty’s Horse Agreement, a beautiful gelded chestnut...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:21:42 -0500

Her Majesty’s Horse

Agreement, a beautiful gelded chestnut son of spectacular sire Persian Gulf, was undoubtedly a classic stayer. Bred and owned by HM the Queen, he won the Doncaster Cup twice - at the grueling distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs. He also took the Chester Cup in 1959, at the same distance

Do you like Secretariat? I always liked him. A lot of my friends don't.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:12:00 -0500

I feel like we might need to switch friends - all of mine love him (except Rapture, who is awesome) and yet I am definitely not a fan

So the answer would be

“GUERIN-TEEING VICTORY Veteran jockey Eric Guerin tries to...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:50:05 -0500

“GUERIN-TEEING VICTORY

Veteran jockey Eric Guerin tries to cheer up Impetuosity after learning of the colt’s 20th post position in the 97th running of the Kentucky Derby set for today at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. The entry of Impetuosity and stablemate Twist The Axe joins the largest Derby field since 1928 when 22 hopefuls made a “Run for the roses”

Photo and caption Schenectady Gazette - May 1, 1971

“I’se apullin’ for yuh, Lord”, croons groom Bob Alexander. as...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:36:26 -0500

“I’se apullin’ for yuh, Lord”, croons groom Bob Alexander. as he fondles the head of Lord Boswell, one of the favorites in Saturday’s running of the derby at Churchill Downs. Lord Boswell is one of a three horse entry by the Maine Chance Farms”

Photo and caption from The Milwaukee Journal - May 3, 1946

“Kentucky Derby winner, Needles, yawns in his stall Sunday,...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:35:00 -0500

“Kentucky Derby winner, Needles, yawns in his stall Sunday, possibly bored by the quiet following the previous day’s victory celebration. Visitor Dave Erb Jr, son of the jockey who piloted the Florida colt to victory, mimics the action of his dad’s frisky mount.”

Photo and caption from The Milwaukee Sentinel - May 7, 1956

1978 Champion Older Female Late Bloomer pulls away from Pearl...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:08:03 -0500

1978 Champion Older Female Late Bloomer pulls away from Pearl Necklace in the stretch of the Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park

afleetalexandra: A Beautiful British Lady: Champion turf mare...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:38:06 -0500

afleetalexandra:

A Beautiful British Lady: Champion turf mare Pebbles in 1985

theprodigyandthelegend replied to your photo: British mare Pebbles, in America for the...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:35:11 -0500

theprodigyandthelegend replied to your photo: British mare Pebbles, in America for the 1985…

What a beautiful mare! Love her blaze

Pebbles was gorgeous, and this is from someone who rarely likes chestnuts

British mare Pebbles, in America for the 1985 Breeder’s...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:33:34 -0500

British mare Pebbles, in America for the 1985 Breeder’s Cup

With her win in the Breeder’s Cup Turf in track record time, Pebbles solidified her status as the Champion Turf Mare in America, and Champion Older Female and Champion Miler in England

Could you post some pictures of the filly Pebbles? I'd look through your archive but it won't let me search for specific tags for some reason!

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:29:00 -0500

Yeah, my archive is a wee bit fucked up at the moment…

The link for what you’re looking for is:

http://afleetalexandra.tumblr.com/tagged/pebbles

I have a few more pictures I can put up, though

Spreading Her Wings! Following the successful of Belmont...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:25:06 -0500

Spreading Her Wings!

Following the successful of Belmont Stakes-winning half brother Palace Malice, three-year-old Curlin filly Butterfly McQueen will take on 9 rivals in the Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes at Newbury on Thursday

In her last start, the Dave Dee Memorial Maiden Fillies Stakes at Lingfield, she easily dominated the field to win by nine lengths

1997 Champion 3-Year-Old colt Silver Charm, looking good at...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:47:49 -0500

1997 Champion 3-Year-Old colt Silver Charm, looking good at 19!

(Photo by Kate Hunter/Paca Paca Farm)

Future top sire Broomstick winning the 1904 Travers Stakes at...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:05:04 -0500

Future top sire Broomstick winning the 1904 Travers Stakes at Saratoga

Rivals: Nashua and Summer Tan

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:23:26 -0500

Rivals: Nashua and Summer Tan

“Bill Hartack watches Preakness Stakes on his television...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:19:37 -0500

“Bill Hartack watches Preakness Stakes on his television set. Star jockey roots for Tim Tam during party at his Miami Springs home”

Photo and caption from The Miami News - May 18, 1958

25-year-old Hartack, recovering from a broken leg suffered the week before the Kentucky Derby, was hoping to be able to recover the mount on Tim Tam in time for the 1958 Belmont Stakes. He was unable to, and Ismael Valenzuela retained his ride. As it turned out, Tim Tam broke down on the way to certain victory