First I’ll start with the Triple Crown series for the three year old thoroughbreds. While it’s easy to say that we’ll not have a Triple Crown winner again for the 31st year in a row, my prediction won’t be on any certain one horse. Instead it will be where the contenders for the Triple Crown will come from. It won’t be from the deserts of Dubai, but from Europe. Since we had the one / two finishers in the Breeders’ Cup Classic come from across the pond in Europe, I think we’ll see much more European trainers take a shot at the American Triple Crown races. Even though the Kentucky Derby is run on “natural” dirt at Churchill Downs, the prestige of winning the American classics and future breeding rights with such winner will be very appealing with the Breeders' Cup success.
The hot jockey and trainer for the upcoming year will be from the younger generation. Julien Leparoux set all kinds of records this past year on the Kentucky circuit and this year will be his breakout year nationally. Already one of the top ten jockeys in the nation, Julien will get that one big mount that will catapult him into the national spotlight. The young trainer with local ties will burst on the scene as one of the new upcoming faces on the training circuit. Chad Brown wasn’t really known until this past Saratoga season and his Breeders’ Cup victory last Fall. In 2009, Chad Brown will become a household name.
Two of the thoroughbreds who are on the verge of becoming top handicap horses this year are Court Vision and Cocoa Beach. Once thought as a Triple Crown contender on dirt, Court Vision had a relatively disappointing efforts in those races on dirt. But once switch to grass; he has become a different horse. Reeling victories versus three year old competition last year, as a four year old he’ll only get better as the distances stretch out. To say that Cocoa Beach isn’t a top notch horse now would be an understatement. But in 2009, she could be one of the most talked about runners. Winning on both dirt and grass, the sky is the limit for this five year old mare and may become bigger than the boys.
Things will be looking up for the once beleaguered New York Racing Association (NYRA) in the coming year. The hard times and problems the past several years that have haunted the organization will give way to a banner year and best yet of this decade. But, the same cannot be said for Breeders’ Cup Limited and their World Champion races. Problems internally with the organization and the over extension of the races themselves will mire their product and cause them to have a very rough 2009.
As for myself, I’m looking for another prosperous year at the windows betting like everyone else. I’m looking forward to the long awaited return to the races for our first Dee Tee Stable runner; Sumwonlovesyou who hasn’t raced since August of 2007 and the possible prospect of several new Dee Tee runners in the upcoming year. Also hoping that our own local Capital Off Track Betting (OTB) doesn’t forget about the players and continues to stride for what’s best for all customers. Rumors are about that they could take away something that is vital for drawing customers into their parlors. This would be a major mistake and hurt the company financially in the long run. We shall see if this rumor comes true and more on this possible problem in the weeks to come.
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