The Best Division in Racing: Older Females

[twogunsid]

From bloodhorse.com: In previous blogs, I wrote about the jumbled and messy nature of many of the racing divisions. Whether resulting from early retirements to our best horses, injuries to key players, or the overall lack of depth in racing this year, with nearly six months in the books we have not solved a whole heck of a lot so far.

Fortunately, we have the older females help generate excitement. Without them, who knows where we would be. In what has to be termed a down year of 3-year-olds and male handicap horses, the fillies and mares appear to be our best/deepest division. In Havre de Grace, Blind Luck, and Awesome Maria, we have three justifiable superstars, and the first two have a legitimate rivalry, something rarely seen these days.

Older Males

Pool Play's 36-1 upset in the Stephen Foster only added to the confusion.

1. Twirling Candy--By default. We won't know how good he is until the Breeders' Cup

2. First Dude--Baffert got his confidence back. Watch out.

3. Mission Impazible--Ran great in defeat.

3-Year-Old Males

Injuries have decimated this division.

1. Coil--A reach, I know, but I've made my feelings known.

2. Shackleford--Will be very tough in 1 1/8-mile races.

3. Astrology--I'm really reaching now but with Animal Kingdom out I need someone.

3-Year-Old Females

R Heat Lightning's injury was a big blow.

1. Royal Delta--Dealing with a minor injury but should be Ok for Saratoga; she has a world of ability.

2. Plum Pretty--Oaks was awesome. How good is she? We will find out this summer; illness will keep her out of Mother Goose.

3. Joyful Victory--Didn't get the right trip in Oaks. She is better than that and will get a chance to prove it in Mother Goose.

Turf Males

The loss of Paddy O'Prado was devastating.

1. Sidney's Candy--I know he might be pointed to Whitney but I still think turf is his best surface. If he stays on dirt, I have no idea who to put No. 1.

2. Gio Ponti--I really do think he's lost a bit.

3. Courageous Cat--His comeback was very good; Has a chance to have a special second half.

Sprinters

Division got off to a slow start, but it's heating up.

1. Big Drama--Will be back for Saratoga after freshening. Breeders' Cup is at at CD again. The question is, will he be the same?

2. Apriority--I know he's not even a stakes winner yet but he's run some big races in defeat and should have more to offer.

3. Noble's Promise--Finally found his niche. Ready for a big second half.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/triplecrowntalk/archive/2011/06/21/the-best-division-in-racing-older-females.aspx

[madinmaryland]

1. Oh, nevermind. I thought this was a car racing thread. The only older female

race driver I could think of is Janet Guthrie, but I think she is retired.

BTW, there used to be someone here that had a sn almost identical to yours who also posted about horse racing.

Oh and welcome to DU!!