Making the "Winners circle"

Last Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm eastern standard time (2:30 central) the culmination of 15 months of hard work, dedication and the support of over 50 members of a group came true with the first victory of a Dee Tee Stables runner as Kickin N Screamin won the fourth race at Arlington Park just outside Chicago, Illinois. Racing in the lime and royal blue silks for the fifth time, she rallied from second to last for a three quarter of a length victory at 7-1 odds. It was the 11 time that a Dee Tee runner had gone to the post with six starts from Sumwonlovesyou, six times last year with three 2nd place finishes and five starts from Kickin N Screamin with a second and third place finish. This small time racing partnership was the "brain child" of Steve Byk, who is host of the satellite radio show; "At the Races" and the man who was the creator of DerbyTrail.com, a inter-net website the is devoted to thoroughbred racing. Steve along with the help of Kentucky and Saratoga based trainer; Chuck Simon put together this racing partnership to bring together people who love the sport of thoroughbred and never thought they could become horse owners.
The idea from Steve Byk and the thoroughbred knowledge from Chuck Simon and his racing team has taken these two thoroughbred runners and given a group of people the ride of a lifetime. From Keeneland racetrack last April to Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, Saratoga and Tampa Bay Downs this winter, Dee Tee Stables and their merry group of people have enjoyed the excitement of thoroughbred racing and while our runners have come close in victory in the past, last Saturday in was realized. I myself can’t not find the words what this experience has meant to me. Never in my life, did I think I would ever own a piece of a thoroughbred racehorse. It was beyond my wildest dreams to ever think I would have a horse compete at Saratoga racecourse let alone be the post time favorite for the race. When the opportunity came up to have a share in our second runner, not only did I get involve but also brought two of my friends into the group. After watching the race last Saturday from the Gloversville OTB and cheering our filly on to victory will always have a special place in my heart. It took awhile, but finally our racing silks made it to the winner’s circle. If anyone could afford a partnership like this one, I say give it a try. The pleasure and excitement is well worth the investment and the payouts; win or lose are worth a lifetime of memories. This is the link to the race replay -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O369Ia3_Mkg

Kickin N Screamin gets Dee Tee Stables first victory!

Saturday wasn't only a big day for Big Brown capturing the second leg of the Triple Crown, but Dee Tee Stables made it to the winner's circle on thier 11 try with Kickin N Screamin in the 4th race at Arlington Park. Let go at 7-1 odds, "KNS" rallied from the back of the pack to a three quarter of a length victory. It was her fifth start for her connections after running at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year where she had a 2nd and 3rd place finish. Her victory tops off a long fun ride since claiming thier first runner; Sumwonlovesyou in February of 2007. She raced six times last year with three straight 2nd place finishes before she got hurt training last fall. Hopefully she'll return to training in a few weeks. All the credit goes out to Steve Byk and the Chuck Simon Racing team with thier efforts getting to the winner's circle with this mare. It was a dream come true when we set foot on the track last spring the first time to race and an even bigger one with a photo in the winner's circle today.

Hickory Hill Hoff's 2008 Preakness graded selections

BIG BROWN (#7) Desormeaux / Dutrow 1-2
As much as I didn’t like him one bit in the Kentucky Derby… I love him in this spot, Proved me wrong two weeks ago and should handle this group of “new shooters”, looks like a “lock”… bet him today.

YANKEE BRAVO (#4) Solis / Gallagher 15-1
Looking for a price underneath the logical winner & this closer could be the one, late charge in the Santa Anita Derby and recent workout points to improved effort, looks the best of the late closers.

HEY BYRN (#13) Lopez / Plesa 20-1
Became a different horse at Gulfstream Park as a three year old with three out of four victories , may be forced to go to the lead from far outside post, solid shot for in the money finish.

KENTUCKY BEAR (#8) Theriot / Baker 15-1
Rallied at 27-1 in the Bluegrass Stakes for 3rd which is now looking like a negative “key” race, only other stake race effort was no factor & lightest raced of the group, should be a square price.

ICABAD CRANE (#3) Rose / Motion 30-1
Won the Federico Tesio Stakes a prep for this over the Pimlico strip, this NY state bred closer teams up the ’05 winning jockey of this race,
could he be this year’s Oliver’s Twist?

GAYEGO (#12) Smith / Lobo 8-1
Only other horse from the Derby to run back here two weeks later, no factor with dull effort that day & gets blinkers on for this effort, taking a stand against this possible second choice in the betting.

MACHO AGAIN (#1) Leparoux / Stewart 20-1
Winner of the Derby Trial at seven & a half furlongs last start, all three lifetime victories were sprinting & one “two turn” race was no factor, needs to step up big time.
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GIANT MOON (#11) Dominguez / Schosberg 30-1
Even no factor third in the Wood Memorial, this NY bred may keep Big Brown busy up front, bullet work at Belmont Park for this.

RILEY TUCKER (#10) Prado/ Mott 30-1
Zayat runner winless as a three year old, only victory was first lifetime start sprinting last July.

RACECAR RHAPSODY (#6) Albarado / McPeek 30-1
Like the above horse…shows only maiden win sprinting on polytrack, another of several horses entered here way over their head.

TRES BORRACHOS (#2) Baze / Greely 30-1
This gelding’s claim to fame was a no factor third in the Arkansas Derby well behind Gayego, never been less than 7-1.

STEVIL (#9) Velazquez / Zito 30-1
A Zito runner that has been 68-1 & 95-1 in his last two starts, an unusual “throw out” from the Zito barn much like the above three horses.

One man's opinion on the events of Kentucky Derby 134

The sport of thoroughbred racing is quite different than most mainstream sports. Like most professional sports, there is the triumph side with victories that earn acolytes of being the best the sport has to offer. Last weekend, Big Brown proved he was the best in a twenty horse field of three year old horses with his overwhelming victory in the Kentucky Derby. He should have been the main topic of our sport the last week with his ability to overcome the twenty post, out run his speedy opponents and erase any questions of foot problems with his magnificent win. But, the main topic on everyone’s mind was the tragic part of thoroughbred racing, the breakdown of a horse. This is the tragic side of thoroughbred racing and it exists where it doesn’t in other mainstream sporting events.
Anytime a thoroughbred animal falls victim to an injury, it is very tragic to our sport. But, when it is seen on a national screen; like the Kentucky Derby, it takes on a world of it’s own and puts everything else involved with the sport on the back seat. The gallant second place finish of Eight Belles in this year’s Kentucky Derby only lasted but a few short minutes. What happen next has once again put the sport in the spotlight and not in a favorable view.
Her breakdown and being euthanized on the track has been the main topic coming out of last weekend’s Kentucky Derby. What has been forgotten was the brilliant victory of Big Brown overcoming all the odds to win. The questions arose on Saturday evening whether three-year-old fillies should race against their male counterparts. Soon after that, questions came out if she was injured during the race and if there was anyway her catastrophe injury could have been prevented. With the injury in clear view of the public on national television, once again the sport of thoroughbred racing was the main topic, but in a negative way. The last week, all the so called special interest group have come out with their “take” on just what happened to Eight Belles and how it could have been prevented. But, like most times when such an event like this happens in thoroughbred racing, the mainstream public just doesn’t get it.
I’ve followed this sport for well over twenty years; I know plenty of people involved with it and respect their opinion. The incident with Eight Belles was just an unfortunate accident and that’s all it was. It didn’t matter whether she was racing versus male competition, she proved with her second place finish that she belong with this group. Her jockey; Gabriel Saez had nothing to do with her getting hurt nor did her trainer; Larry Jones. The racing surface at Churchill Downs (which is dirt) had nothing to do with the injury like some are saying and use of the whip did not have anything to do with her demise. It was a tragic accident, one that could have happened at any racetrack, whether it was prestigious like the Kentucky Derby or the 9th race at Aqueduct. But because it happen this day in full view of the nation, we have the “backlash” that the sport is cruel to the thoroughbred animal. It’s not fair and not right, the people involve with thoroughbred racing have the up most respect for the animal and for those who think different are uninformed. The outsiders, who don’t know a thing about thoroughbred racing and formed the opinion that it’s a cruel sport, don’t know what they are talking about. To make an unfortunate accident and paint a broad brush on the sport from this incident is unfair. Not one person I know involved with thoroughbred racing would want this to happen to any horse. But, this sport unlike others has a tragic side and accidents do happen. To jump to conclusions and blame those who are connected with the sport is wrong. Thoroughbred racing will survive this incident and those who love it will make sure.

Hickory Hill Hoff's 2008 Kentucky Derby graded selections

COLONEL JOHN (#10) Nakatani / Harty 4-1
Two for two this year at Santa Anita on the polytrack surface
and bullet work over the Churchill strip for the big race,
his running style suits him well & gets ideal post position. His experience factor should make him the favorite…but it won’t.

COURT VISION (#4) Gomez / Mott 20-1
Has yet to reach the winner’s circle this year… but closed well in his two prep races, showed speed in bullet work at Churchill & gets blinkers on for today. Sharp two year old form & improving races this year make him a dangerous contender.

VISIONAIRE (#8) Lezcano / Matz 20-1
Won the foggy Gotham Stakes on a sloppy sealed track closing from behind, made a lot of ground up in the Bluegrass Stakes on that quirky Keeneland surface, trainer knows how to win this race.

SMOOTH AIR (#12) Cruz / Stutts 20-1
Second best behind the “monster” Big Brown in the Florida Derby,
Had a slight fever last week that questioned whether he would race, His seventy year old trainer is very excited to be here and you can’t help but root for his connections.

Z FORTUNE (#6) Albarado / Asmussen 15-1
This N.Y. bred has been a gem of consistency expect one race in six starts, closed in the Arkansas Derby & earned a 102 Beyer speed figure while galloping out well, figures to be a “live longshot” in the gimmicks.

PYRO (#9) Bridgmohan / Asmussen 6-1
He along with War Pass were the early derby favorites this year,
Came to Keeneland as the even money favorite in the Bluegrass Stakes and failed, now the question is…was it the track surface or is he going off form?

EIGHT BELLES (#5) Saez / Jones 20-1
This talented three year old filly chose this spot instead of running in the Kentucky Oaks the day before, She’s a top three year old filly…but found a very tough spot to go longer than she’s ever been,
may have wished they ran one day earlier in the end.

MONBA (#14) Dominguez / Pletcher 15-1
Made it to this spot with a victory in the Bluegrass Stakes, well bred colt must now prove his victory just wasn’t a polytrack fluke, haven’t given up on the colt and may be a good one later on this year.

TALE OF EKATI (#2) Coa / Tagg 15-1
Returned to his excellent two year old form with a victory in the Wood Memorial on that slow Aqueduct surface, connections won this race five years ago with Funny Cide, a price to use underneath.
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COOL COAL MAN (#1) Leparoux / Zito 20-1
Loved Gulfstream Park earlier this year with two wins there and then like so many others failed on the Keeneland polytrack surface, nice work over the Churchill strip & won here as a two year old, never count out Zito!

BOB BLACK JACK (#13) Migliore / Kasparoff 20-1
Speedy world record holder for six furlongs on the polytrack surface at Santa Anita, very game when stretching out to route distances in last two starts, blinkers on today & will attend the pace.

DENIS OF CORK (#16) Borel / Carroll 20-1
Got lucky and made the field after bizarre prep race path, very talented horse might have waited for the Preakness than this spot, gets the “acid” test today against seasoned runners.

GAYEGO (#19) Smith / Lobo 15-1
Had the second best speed figure (103) of any three year old prep this year in his Arkansas Derby victory, gets the worst draw from the outside with other speed horses, may get cooked in a duel.

ADRIANO (#15) Prado / Motion 30-1
Another runner who was undecided to race in the Derby until the last minute, sharp in his Lane’s End victory at Turfway Park on the polytrack, one dirt try was terrible though, better on grass.

BIG BROWN (#20) Desormeaux / Dutrow 3-1
You would think that this horse is the second coming of “Big Red”, unbeaten…yet NOT tested. Trainer took a lot of guts picking post 20 to go from… foot issues & facing pressure from the other speed horses is a BIG question, if he wins from there…I tip my hat, but also he could end up being the next Arazi.

COWBOY CAL (#17) Velazquez / Pletcher 20-1
Just missed on the polytrack in the Bluegrass Stakes, but ALL his better races are on grass, confident “throw out” here,
like Adriano…should point for just grass races.

ANAK NAKAL (#3) Bejarano / Zito 30-1
Never under 4-1 in his career, dull in all three starts this year, blinkers off may get him closer to the pace.

RECAPTURETHEGLORY (#18) Baird / Roussel 20-1
Upset winner of the Illinois Derby at 16-1 wiring the field, will be company for Big Brown on the front end, good chance to finish last.

Z HUMOR (#11) Douglas / Mott 30-1
Only reason he’s here is from the big purse earnings from his Delta Jackpot dead-heat win last December, blinkers off…but shown nothing this year.

BIG TRUCK (#7) Castellano / Tagg 50-1
Got the victory in the Tampa Bay Derby when War Pass didn’t fire, statebred would be better pointed to the “Big Apple” Triple Crown than here.