Hong Kong Phooey

American runners found no pot of gold at the end of the Hong Kong rainbow, as all four of our runners failed to hit the board in the rich series of Hong Kong International races held today at Sha Tin Racecourse. America’s best hope appeared to be in the Hong Kong Sprint, as we were represented by two quality entrants. The California bred speedster, and recent Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champion, California Flag would contest the early pace while the Wesley Ward globetrotter, Cannonball would hope to make his presence known down the lane. Things were not made easy for California Flag and jockey Joe Talamo early on as he was pressed hard for the lead in the first three furlongs by a Japanese sprinter. California Flag spurted clear as they straightened out but had no answer for the winner’s challenge in mid-stretch and faded to 5th in the last few meters. Beaten just under two lengths, it was a good performance for California Flag, but not quite good enough. Meanwhile, Cannonball made up some ground but never threatened and finished at the back of the middle pack in 10th. The winner, Sacred Kingdom, scored in this race for the second time as he moved powerfully by California Flag at the furlong marker and was much the best. Favored in the field of 14, Sacred Kingdom, a Hong Kong local, is rated as the best sprinter in the world and did nothing to dispel that notion with the impressive win. The Hong Kong Mile attracted one horse from our borders in the Californian, Ferneley. Unfortunately, he ran into a true Hong Kong superstar, Good Ba Ba. Ferneley actually ran a big race and was hampered by a little traffic as he uncoiled his run from the back of the pack. He did manage to get up for 5th in the 14 horse field. With more racing luck, he may well have been closer at the finish, but most likely not good enough to displace the winner and first three-time winner of a Hong Kong International race, Good Ba Ba. The former Horse of the Year in Hong Kong, made his patented late run to get up in the final 50 meters and thrill the local fans. He had not won his last few races in preparation for the Mile, but when the big race was run, Good Ba Ba once again proved himself a champion. In the Hong Kong Vase, distance loving mare, Black Mamba was the American entrant. Hopes for a win in this one did not last long as Black Mamba had nothing, in what will likely be her final career race. She backed out early and was a distant trailer through the entire Hong Kong stretch. At the other end of the field, there may have been a new star born in the Vase, as French three-year-old filly Daryakana closed from last with a fantastic rush to get up in the shadow of the wire over recent Breeders’ Cup 4th place finisher, Spanish Moon. It was the fifth win for the undefeated daughter of Selkirk, and her first outside of her native country. Three time Arc runner-up Youmzain finished a disappointing 10th. The French kept it going in the day’s richest race, the Hong Kong Cup. The 10 furlong affair attracted a field of ten, although no Americans. Proving best was Vision D’etat. The classy four-year-old French colt rebounded from his poor showing in the Arc, with a stylish ¾ of a length score. It was the ninth win in only 13 starts for the son of Chichicastenango. Last year’s winner and former BC Turf runner-up Eagle Mountain finished 5th. I wish I had better news to report American race fans, but the final tally today from Hong Kong is: Hong Kong - 2, France - 2, America - 0. Better luck next year.

The Goodbird, Lady Z, Yellow Mamba and Oak Tree Cal

Four major stakes punctuate Oak Tree at Santa Anita’s most important day of racing leading to the Breeders‘ Cup. A Breeders’ Cup that will be hosted for the second straight year by Santa Anita. Like it or lump it, in their infinite wisdom, the good people at Breeders’ Cup have found reason to hold our biggest day of racing at the same place in consecutive years. Your storyteller makes no choice on that contentious topic today, rather I choose to celebrate in what we do have in the land of sunshine and synthetics. The Goodwood asks the old age question of 3-year-olds taking on their elders. Mine That Bird, the star of the first Saturday in May, prepares for a Classic run in his first try against older horses. So far Mine That Bird has yet to win since the Derby, although he has run well. Most racing fans want to see him do well, they want the winner of the most prestigious race in the world, the Kentucky Derby, to win races after he departs Churchill Downs. On this topic, you can call me Joe Regular Guy, as I also want to see the plucky gelding do well. Am I predicting victory for him today? No, but I will be rooting for him to have a good run in the stretch which will set him up with a chance in the Classic at his preferred distance of 10 furlongs. Today I think the pace scenario sets up well for a horse who can stay closer to the early lead. Colonel John and Parading should stalk the mediocre pace set by the Three Drunks and be ready for a winning first run. Of the two, I prefer the good Colonel to prove best today. The Lady’s Secret features the amazing mare Zenyatta. Today is the day she can tie the record for longest winning streak to start a career of any major horse on a national scale. Personal Ensign won all of her 13 races in 1986 through 1988. The similarities between these mares on opposite Coasts some 21 years apart is almost scary. Personal Ensign won her final race by her chinny, chin, chin, much as Zenyatta did in her last race, but the big Z has more work to do, with at least two more races in her future. Her explosive late run and physicality is reminiscent of the great gelding of the seventies Forego and today the hulking mare will get it done and tie the record. This will move her one step closer to her ultimate destiny on November 6 or November 7 in which she will go for number 14. In the Yellow Ribbon, Black Mamba, who has been a top turf mare in California for years, sees her racing career almost to an end and what could be a better way to go out than as a winner in the Yellow Ribbon and then the BC Filly & Mare Turf. The six year old mare will be sold as a broodmare prospect soon and I predict she still has a trick or two up her sleeve. Whether or not she can beat all the best in the Breeders’ Cup remains to be seen, but I look for her to turn the tables today on her top rival Magical Fantasy. Last time they faced each other at this distance, Mamba was beaten a nose. In her last race she regained her confidence against lesser mares and is now fully ready to fire one last best shot. Look for a Yellow Mamba. The Oak Tree Mile sees the return to California of Cowboy Cal. It has been a while since the Cowboy has seen the winner’s circle, but he has done nothing but run against the best. I expect him to thoroughly enjoy a race with no Gio Ponti or Justenuffhumor in the mix. This alone might be enough to see him get it done, but I believe he will also be better off on the firm Santa Anita lawn at a flat mile. Today Oak Tree Cal will earn his ticket to face the best in the BC Mile.