Even Without Pharaoh, 2016 Looks Like a Big Winner

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Bernies Blog

Can American Pharaoh's ride through the thrilling Triple Crown saga really have been that long ago? Seems like yesterday. Where did 2015 go?

All the recent reports from racetracks around the U. S. have been positive. Nothing but gains from the largest to the smallest, and it's my guess it's not about to end. Gulfstream Park reported today that 2015 was a record-breaking year - a handle of more than $1.338 billion (Gulfstream West included) - compared to the 2014 record of $1.174 billion.

The Hallandale track kicked off the New Year in style yesterday, too, with a handle of $9,021,628. Tampa Bay Downs followed suit with a handle of its own of $4,153,247. Today will be better at both.

One of the sure indicators for upcoming success this season is the great number of hero-like runners who will be back for 2015. Pharaoh is gone, but California Chrome is returning for another crack at it and that will make for big crowds wherever he shows up. Same is true for the super mare Beholder, who just turned six. Kudos to Spendthrift Farm for not invoking ye olde "insurance is too costly" excuse and giving the daughter of Henny Hughes a chance to add to her already impressive legacy.

I haven't heard that Frosted, Effinex, Tonalist or Keen Ice and several others are retired and if it stays that way, the handicap division will be in good stead. Liam's Map will be gone, and that's too bad because he would have been a handful this year.

Then there are the newly-turned 3-year-olds and won't they be fun to watch. Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird is 4-for-4 and is pointing for the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita on Feb. 6. The filly she beat in the Juvenile, Rachel's Valentina, will be no slouch. Songbird worked in 36 2/5 recently.

Nyquist, the Juvenile winner, is even one better at 5-for-5 and is headed for the San Vicente at seven furlongs on Feb. 15. His latest work was 48 2/5, and the son of Uncle Mo could also end up at Gulfstream for the Florida Derby as his final prep before Louisville.

And what about Runhappy? Despite all the controversy involving former trainer Maria Borell and owner Mattress Mac, the colt by Super Saver closed out 2015 with a walk in the park in the Gr. I Malibu at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, winning by 3 1/2 lengths before a crowd of 44,873. Last January, Runhappy was bumped all over the place and finished ninth in the Gr. III LeComte at Fair Grounds. The Malibu was his sixth victory in a row since, coming by a combined total of about 20 lengths. He was clocked in 1:21.76 for the seven furlongs but it could have been a ton faster if Gary Stevens had so decided.

The year 2015 was a very good year, but 2016 promises to be better.

FINAL WINNER - Big Drama was the only Florida freshman sire to get a winner in the last couple of days and he wound up with 13 for the year, second to First Dude's 16. Ronto's Lily won at Gulfstream on Friday and the filly was bred by M375 Thoroughbreds, the nom de breeding of former Red Sox ace relief pitcher Rob Murphy. (By the way, if the analysts at TVG and TVG2 continue to introduce Paul LoDuca as "former 4-time Major League All-Star Paul LoDuca" a few more times, I'm going to lose whatever is left of my mind). Guys and gals, after four or five years. we get it already!!! And why do we need all the repetition of the two racing channels, both owned by Frank Stronach?

FACTUM OF LIFE - Stonehedge Farm's Factum had just one winner on the frosh chart before the deadline, but he picked up No. 2 yesterday at Tampa. Lisa's Secret won the fifth race for Stonehedge Farm owner Gilbert Campbell and trainer Kathleen O'Connell. Leading rider Antonio Gallardo was aboard the filly, but my leading rider, Ademar Santos, had an $11 winner and a long shot runner-up. If Ademar could ride all the favorites that Gallardo and Daniel Centeno are aboard, he'd be unstoppable.