The action here last week was fast and furious in more ways then one. We're at the halfway point of the season, we had our first "Starlight" Friday night racing program and the Eclipse Award winners were announced on Monday night. Where should I start this blog, First things first, cuz there is certainly a lot shakin' out there.
Let's review the standings at this halfway point of the season. In the jockey's race it's as close as ever, and as I suspected it's going to be competitive down to the very end. James Graham, fresh off of an enforced seven-day suspension for carless riding, still sits atop the standings with 37 wins. His week-long absence didn't cost him as many winners as expected and he's picked-up where he left off without missing a beat. Corey Lanerie, who will begin serving a seven-day suspension on Sunday for careless riding, is second in the standings with 33 wins. It remains to be seen how many winners this unwanted vacation will cost Corey and agent Tony Martin. A lot of their clients will be forced to look for different riders and could be looking to secure the services of James and his agent Britt McGehee.
The remaining eight spots in the top 10 of the jocks standings looks like this: Jamie Theriot has 31 wins; Shane Sellers has 29; John Jacinto and Shawn Bridgmohan each have 26; Brian Hernandez, Jr. and Curt Bourque have 25 a piece; and Francisco Torres and Richard Eramia are tied with 24 each.
Keep in mind, Robby Albarado is lurking in 11th place with 19 and is beginning to win races in bunches, as he did on Monday's card winning three. There are not many guarantees in life, but I do guarantee you this, he will be moving-up in the standings rapidly and consistently. Now, the question is, can he move-up fastest enough and consistently to be in contention for leading rider? I know Robby's agent, Lenny Pike, has been concentrating on quality over quantity, but if the numbers get close, then I promise you'll see Lenny strap on his six shooter and do his impression of Dog the Bounty Hunter and get real aggressive.
Has my prediction for leading rider changed? The numbers are closer than I thought they would be, but no, I'm still going to stick with James Graham, although two jocks to watch that aren't far behind are Jamie Theriot and Shawn Bridgmohan. James has consistent, steady business, but then again, so does Jamie and Shawn. It's going to be an interesting race down to the wire, so like Yogi Berra said, "it ain't over till it's over."
In the trainer's race, Steve Asmussen has started to open-up a little daylight on the field at this halfway mark. He's in front with 25 wins and I think from here-on-out his lead will just increase. Fact is, Steve's arsenal is just too strong and too vast. He comes here with horses that fit every condition and category, from maiden claiming to special weights, from $5,000 claimers to high-dollar claimers, to allowance and stakes horses; boys and girls. The condition book can't miss him and that takes proper planning on a trainer's part.
Rounding-out the other nine spots in the top10 trainers list are Merrill Scherer with 19; Tom Amoss and Bret Calhoun each with18; Steve Margolis and Cody Autry tied with 13 each; Mike Stidham with 12; Al Stall, Jr. with 11; Sturges Ducoing with 10 and three trainers are tied with nine each.
There's not suppossed to be any sure things in horseracing, but I'm going to stick my neck out (LOL) and give the trophy to Steve. Steve, I hope you're not superstitious and think this prediction can put any gris-gris (New Orleans term for a curse or a spell cast on you) on the barn. I firmly believe the "Big Blue Machine" can even overcome one of my predictions. I believe Team Asmussen is that good.
The first Friday night "Starlight" racing was deemed a big success. In spite of rainy, dreary weather; in spite of a major power outage, that pushed post time back one hour; it went very well. Steady crowds were coming in all night and the atmosphere was very festive. Drago's chargrilled oysters were a big hit (you know what they say about oysters), as was the Miller Beer Gardens tent in front of the grandstand (we're gonna need a bigger tent).
Upstairs in the clubhouse, the Wise Guys played high-energy tunes to a mixture of newcomers and race track veterans. They kept the joint jumpin' while fancy blinking glasses of Cosmopolitans were the choice of the who's who of the New Orleans society scene. The dancing girls (in jockey attire) were also a big hit with the gentlemen in the crowd. Oh yeah, there was also great horse racing to complete the night. The next "Starlight" racing program is scheduled for Friday, February 19th. To be part of this hip, in-crowd, mark your calendar and don't miss the next "Starlight" program.
Now, on to the Eclipse Awards. Congratulations to Rachel Alexandra and all of her connections on being voted "Horse of the Year" over Zenyatta. Principal owner Jess Jackson accepted the award on behalf of the filly at the banquet held this past Monday night at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The racing world is anxiously awaiting a possible match-up between Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated Zenyatta.
Congrats to Steve Asmussen on winning his second consecutive Eclipse Award for top trainer when he "eclipsed" his own record for number of wins in a single year. The eight-time Fair Grounds leading trainer had another incredible year and won 650 races. In addition to training "Horse of the Year" Rachel Alexandra, Steve also trained this year's Eclipse Award winning Male Sprint Champion Kodiak Kowboy.
On a sad note, racing lost two members of it's family over the last two weeks. Kyle Williams son of long-time racing fixture Claude Williams passed away last week unexpectedly in Florida. Kyle, 50, previously held the position of editor of the Louisiana Horse Magazine. Former jockey Weston "Buddy" Soirez, 66, died in Abbeville, Louisiana this past week. Buddy was a popular rider on the Fair Gounds - Jefferson Downs circuit for many years. Two more good guys have gone on to the big racetrack in the sky. Say hello to Mervin and "Black Cat" for us.