Looking Back On 2007

By Jude T. Feld

Here are a few of my thoughts on Thoroughbred racing in 2007. Do you agree or disagree? What are your racing favorites or our sport’s biggest concerns? Share them at racehorsereport@aol.com.

FAVORITE NEW RACETRACK VISITED IN 2007: CALDER – My exact words were, “How long has this place been going on?” Being a fan of tropical flowers and ocean breezes made Calder a wonderful place to visit but the people who work there make it special – especially the crew in the pressbox, who discuss racing like it is the only sport on earth.

MOST DISAPPOINTING NEW RACETRACK VISITED IN 2007: SARATOGA – History aside, the place has a county fair atmosphere that was a tremendous letdown to me, as well as a near Hall of Fame trainer who said, “Welcome to Fairplex,” when he greeted me in the paddock. I’ll take Del Mar, thank you.

FAVORITE SIRE IN 2007: MIZZEN MAST – I played several of the Juddmonte stallion’s maidens debuting on or switching to turf and was rewarded handsomely for my efforts.

FAVORITE NEW JOCKEY in 2007: JOE TALAMO – It’s like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval when trainer Bobby Frankel puts an apprentice on his horses. Little Joe hadn’t ridden much when I first met him at Fair Grounds during Louisiana Derby (G2) week, yet he was riding first call for the Hall of Fame trainer. I was impressed with how articulate Talamo was and how patient he was on a horse.

BEST SPEECH ABOUT RACING IN 2007: DINNY PHIPPS (at the Jockey Club Round table on August 19) – The Blood-Horse reported it thusly:

Phipps over the years has used the Round Table podium to convey the message that the racing industry must take steps to stop cheating, be it real or perceived. He again did so Aug. 19, but his comments were more targeted and forceful.

“To be quite candid, the stewards of The Jockey Club think it’s a disgrace that numerous horses in our sport’s most prominent and highly visible races are routinely trained by people who have repeated medication violations,” Phipps said.

“At the present time, there are no penalties for owners of horses that test positive for a banned substance,” he said. “In the past, we believed that was correct. But if owners are picking trainers who are routinely fined or suspended for medication infractions, we should reconsider an owner-responsibility rule.”

Phipps said “there is nothing more important” to the Jockey Club stewards than the medication issue. He said the organization is committed to providing “significant funding” to tackle the matter, but all industry stakeholders must cooperate.

BIGGEST DISENCHANTMENT: PATRICK BIANCONE – A brilliant trainer, as well as an engaging man with a marvelous sense of humor – so great for racing in so many ways – yet able to deal our sport a tremendous blow. I hope he misses racing as much as racing misses him, straightens his ship and shows the world he is talented enough at his craft to achieve the same level of results with hay, oats and water.

BEST PADDOCK INTERVIEWER IN 2007: CHRISTINA OLIVARES – Former jockey Frank Olivares’ daughter might just be the best female “sideline” reporter on sports television. She never asks stupid questions and has a tremendous grasp of what horseplayers want to know, plus, she is always lucid.

FAVORITE RACE OF THE YEAR: MARYFIELD’S BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE SPRINT (SHOULD BE A GRADE 1) – The look on my former employee Doug O’Neill’s face when he came to the paddock said it all – “Bet your lunch money.” Doug could not contain his glee at the inclement weather and sloppy racetrack for his ultra-consistent filly who adores the gumbo.

BEST RACE OF THE YEAR: RAGS TO RICHES’ BELMONT STAKES (G1) – It was one of those days at the track that you know you’re gonna remember the rest of your life – from meeting racing fan deluxe Jessica Bedard and her sister sporting custom-made “Carnations Are For Girls” sweatshirts early on, to a scintillating Belmont stretch run, followed by an historic, once in a hundred years photo finish, it was a magnificent Saturday afternoon that only racing fans have the opportunity to experience and appreciate.

SPECIAL MENTION: MONMOUTH PARK – It is no secret to regular readers how much I enjoyed the two-day Breeders’ Cup card at Monmouth Park. The staffs of the New Jersey track and the Breeders’ Cup put on a great show against all odds. For my money, it was the most enjoyable two racing days of the year.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 7:33 am and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.