Good vibrations for 2012
If you were too preoccupied with a bounty of turkey and pumpkin pie to pay attention to the races this past weekend, you missed out on some nice performances. And unlike the recent string of bad news plaguing the racing world, the outcomes of these stakes can be seen as signs of good things to come for the new year.
The Grade I Clark Handicap did not turn out to be the last-ditch score for Horse of the Year candidates, but it did give us a glimpse of what we may have to look forward to in 2012. Flat Out flattened out, as he tends to do come race time at Churchill, and Mission Impazible enjoyed his second second-place finish beneath the twin spires in grade I competition. Wise Dan turned out to be the show-stopper, as he capped a season with wins in the Grade II Firecracker and Fayette Stakes with a decisive Clark victory. Now a graded stakes winner on dirt, turf, and synthetic, Wise Dan will rest up for the year and is being pointed toward a 2012 campaign. This versatile 4-year-old gelding has virtually every door open to him, and seems to only be getting better with maturity. He’s just one of the solid horses who turned in a big performance last weekend that we can look forward to next year.
To Honor and Serve always had the makings of a colt with a bright future. The son of Bernardini won the Grade II Nashua and Remsen Stakes as a 2-year-old, and came back at 3 to win the Pennsylvania Derby, but that grade I victory remained ever elusive with losses in the Florida Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic. But this past Saturday, against older horses, To Honor and Serve finally put it all together and won the Grade I Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Facing a small, but tested field of older horses, including grade I winner Haynesfield and multiple stakes-winner Calibrachoa, To Honor and Serve stamped himself as a horse worth following into 2012. In a year where so many 3-year-olds went positively AWOL, it’s nice to have one grade I winner survive the sidelines and go on to do greater things.
Speaking of horses that came flying from the sidelines, the win-streak continued on Saturday for the undefeated champion Awesome Feather. Injured after her romp in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, we didn’t see her again for eleven months; this October, Awesome Feather returned to the track to win the $60,000 Le Slew Stakes at Belmont Park. The race proved the filly had overcome the long time off and was still a race horse, but it was an easy spot in preparation for the real acid test, the Grade I Gazelle. The race marked the first time Awesome Feather would run 1 1/8th-miles, and it would be only her second grade I start since the Juvenile Fillies. What she showed us is how special she really is. Awesome Feather handled the race like a pro, drawing away to win the Gazelle by 5 1/4th-lengths. Now 8-for-8, Awesome Feather will target the Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream in January. If she continues to stay fit and healthy, we could be in for a spectacular campaign next year.
I’m also thrilled to report the future continues to look bright for next year’s 3-year-old crop. Churchill Downs’ Stars of Tomorrow Day featured the Grade II Golden Rod and Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes for 2-year-olds, and both races were won by juveniles with star power to spare. Turning in a positively Rachel-esque performance, 5/2 favorite On Fire Baby blew the doors off her competition to pull away by 6 1/4th-lengths in the Golden Rod. The gray filly by Smoke Glacken now has 3 wins in 4 starts, with another stakes victory in the Grade II Pocahontas. Her only loss came with a 5th-place finish in the Grade I Aclibiades, over Keeneland’s wonky Polytrack; needless to say, she won’t be going back to Lexington anytime soon, because this little beauty has proven her class on the same dirt the Oaks will be run over in May. Consider me firmly planted on the On Fire Baby bandwagon. The winner of the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes has deserved his fans, as well; Gemologist remained perfect in three starts when he stepped up at Churchill to take his first stakes race. The son of Tiznow broke his maiden at Turfway Park by 5 lengths before going on to win an allowance at Churchill Downs by 2. His 1 3/4th-length score over a good-looking field of juveniles in the KY Jockey Club is a sign this guy might be the real deal, and has options for where he may go as a 3-year-old, as well.
While it’s too soon to see if 2012 will be the cure for the constant disappointment that was 2011, these highlights from last weekend give the sport some hope for the future. With no real excitement surrounding this year’s Horse of the Year Award, it’s time to start looking ahead. Clear your virtual stables and start adding fresh faces. These are the times to start paying attention to those little races so you can claim, “I knew them when.”
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.