No. 1 post: National Treasure, 4-1
No. 2 post: Chase the Chaos, 50-1
No. 3 post: Mage, 8-5
No. 4 post: Coffeewithchris, 20-1
No. 5 post: Red Route One, 10-1
No. 6 post: Perform, 15-1
No. 7 post: Blazing Sevens, 6-1
Mage, the fave and Derby winner?
Or National Treasure the Baffert trained colt that would make Baffert the winningest trainer with 8 career wins at Plimlico – he’s been banned from the Derby for two years.
Or an outsider … like Blazing Sevens??
You gotta watch! NBC – Post time 6:50
For the 2023 we have a special guest post about some of the GREATEST horses of all time!! By our friend Tobi Lopez Taylor.
Thanks for Reading … and writing!
Remembering Two Racing Champions:
Secretariat and Orzel
Guest Post by Tobi Lopez Taylor
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s triumph in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, which he would soon follow up with victories in the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, making him the first Triple Crown winner since Citation in 1948.
As we remember this Thoroughbred champion, nicknamed “Big Red of Meadow Stable,” it’s also appropriate to celebrate another chestnut racing phenomenon—an Arabian stallion named Orzel, who was a favorite of Walter Farley.
Orzel and Secretariat shared a number of characteristics. Like Secretariat, Orzel (who name means “eagle” in Polish) was tall, flashy, and charismatic. Both were well-bred sons of two bay parents, both had stakes-winning older sisters (Syrian Sea and Orla), and both were famous for their come-from-behind running style. Each colt won on dirt tracks and the turf, beat older horses, defeated his archrival (Secretariat’s was Sham, and Orzel’s was Kontiki), and was associated in the public eye with a lovely blond woman—Penny Chenery Tweedy was the owner of Secretariat, and Shelley Groom Trevor showed Orzel to many victories after he had retired from the track.
While Secretariat’s Triple Crown consisted of wins in three icon races, Orzel won his own kind of Triple Crown in three different disciplines: first, as a stakes winner on the racetrack; and then as a halter champion, with wins at Scottsdale, Santa Barbara, and the Arabian National Show; and last, as a performance horse, winning in English Pleasure at venues like the Cow Palace in San Francisco, and then becoming the first horse to win the Arabian U.S. National Champion Ladies’ Sidesaddle title.
Walter Farley first saw Orzel when Shelley Groom Trevor rode him in racing tack at the 1972 Arabian National Show in Oklahoma City. He was so taken with the big chestnut that he later wrote to Orzel’s owner, Ed Tweed, that “if you take Orzel, paint him black, add a little high and speed, you’ll have my Black Stallion.” High praise indeed!
Later, after Orzel’s retirement, his measurements were taken by a company called Computer Horse Breeders, and his conformation score was said to be second only to that of Secretariat in terms of form to function.
As we celebrate Derby Day this weekend, and look back on Secretariat’s accomplishments fifty years ago, we should also remember Orzel, the Arabian racing legend. His triumphant story is recounted in a book by Tobi Lopez Taylor published by The History Press: https://www.amazon.com/Orzel-Scottsdales-Legendary-Arabian-Stallion/dp/1626199620
Don’t forget Saturday May 6, 2023 at 6:57est on NBC
1. Hit Show (30-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manny Franco
2. Verifying (15-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
3. Two Phil’s (12-1)
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
4. Confidence Game (20-1)
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
5. Tapit Trice (5-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
6. Kingsbarns (12-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
7. Reincarnate (50-1)
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
8. Mage (15-1)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
SCR. Skinner (20-1)
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
10. Disarm (30-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
11. Jace’s Road (15-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
12. Sun Thunder (30-1)
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez
13. Angel of Empire (8-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
14. Forte (3-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
15. Raise Cain (15-1)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
16. Derma Sotogake (10-1)
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Jockey: Christopher Lemaire
17. Rocket Can (15-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
18. Cyclone Mischief (30-1)
Trainer: Dale Romans
19. Mandarin Hero (20-1)
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
20. King Russell (50-1)
Trainer: Ron Moquett
New article on the Black and Kelly!
Should be a GREAT evening!!
The Black Stallion Challenge Cup; A Salute to Literacy.
Come join us as all five Marion County School Board Members, the Superintendent of Schools, The Mayor of Ocala, and the Sheriff of Marion County compete for the Cup. Coached by world class professionals. Free Admission!
Can Rich Strike do it again? Or is it We the People – political favorite! Or Mo Donagal?
You gotta watch to see the action – c’mon you can spare the two minutes!
Post time Saturday June 11 – 6:45 NBC – TV coverage starts at #
Here’s the line up;
