Thanks for the memories

The sad news this morning is that champion Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy-Better Than Honor, by Distorted Humor) has been retired and is booked to first class Storm Cat son Giant's Causeway. Retiring with a record of 5-1-0 from 7 starts, which included impressive wins in the Kentucky Oaks (g.I), over the likes of Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies and Champion 2-year old female Dreaming of Anna, and the Santa Anita Oaks (g.I). And of course, there was her history making win over eventual Horse of the Year Curlin in the 2007 Belmont Stakes, where she went eye to eye with some of the most talented colts in America for a mile and a half and made her name as only the third filly to ever win that classic race (and the only one to win it at that distance). She was sidelined last year after fracturing her pastern in the Gazelle Stakes (g.I), which race remains her lone second place, to high quality older mare Lear's Princess. All signs pointed to her triumphant return to Todd Pletcher's stable this season, and a work several days ago seemed to show her in fine form. However, it was not to be. She re-injured her leg and her connections decided to take advantage of the breeding season while they still could.

I do love a good filly, and I will never forget this one. How could I? The image of her battling down the stretch at Belmont with a game partner by her side is seared into my memory forever. I'll never forget my husband's comment at the end of it.

"They should breed."

I had to explain that they shared broodmare sires and that it probably wouldn't be advisable. Before I got into horse racing blogging I thought I was the only person who ever sat down with a stallion register and tried to pick out a worthy match for Rags to Riches. I had thought something in the Unbridled line would suit her well. Giant's Causeway will no doubt do fine, but I feel he brings too much grass into a pedigree made to go the US classic distances on dirt. Additionally, their offspring will be inbred 5x5 to Secretariat and to Blushing Groom. That's a little close for my comfort, but whatever. We can't all be complete outcrosses.

Meanwhile, with her dam having now produced two consecutive Belmont winners, and a potential third in Casino Drive (Mineshaft), we can expect equally great things from her champion daughter.

Good luck in the bluegrass my darling. You will be missed.

In other news

-Curlin is ready to rumble in Dubai. They even have someone blogging about it. Perhaps I'm just buying in to the hype, but seriously, this horse just looks good. He shines in the desert sun like a new penny. His connections in Dubai seem almost at a loss to describe his fitness, and though they try to skirt around the language, essentially catch themselves declaring him to have the "look of eagles".

- Did anyone else catch Fierce Wind's most recent work? Four furlongs in 46 and change! Thank you for cementing yourself in place on top of Elysium Fields for my picks this coming weekend.

- Pepper's Pride (Desert God-Lady Pepper, by Chili Pepper), a New Mexico bred racing primarily in state-bred races just won the Sydney Valentini Handicap to remain unbeaten in 15 lifetime starts. As such, she's brought her lifetime winnings up to $816,665 and, should she be able to hang on for just one more race, will have tied the modern Thoroughbred record of 16 unbeaten starts and share title with such racing greats as Citation, Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams.