Oak Tree Ends with a Bird

On Sunday the Ambassador Program had the opportunity to host a group of twenty-five college age students from the Cal Poly Pomona Horse Show Team. The morning started off with a bang, each participant receiving a welcome package to the Sport of Kings that included a personal welcome letter, Santa Anita Post Times, a $5 mystery voucher for Breeder's Cup Friday, and either a copy of Paddock or Horseplayer’s Magazine. In addition they received a chance few ever get, a one on one session with a Kentucky Derby winner.

In this case that winner was Mine That Bird and Chip Woolley, the 50-1 pair who shocked the world in the Derby and two weeks later nearly upset Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Besides a Q&A with Chip, the group had a moment to see "The Bird" in person. Chip was very personable and giving of his time, sharing with the group the highs of winning such a prestigious race. By the smiles one thing was certain; the group was impressed by all the stops pulled by Santa Anita's sharp marketing department that was able to arrange the meeting on short notice.

Afterwards the group spent a moment with racing steward Scott Chaney who spoke about his part in the sport, better insuring honesty and helping arbitrate conflicts between personas on the backside. Allen Gutterman, head of marketing, played a surprise visit to the group and was impressed at the turnout. By his smile and his upbeat tone it seems that the program made him a believer in what it is trying to accomplish. If only more executives and administration could see the Ambassador Program at work, I'm certain that it would quickly take to multiple tracks across the nation.

HRTV also had a part to our morning by hosting an informal chat with Scott Hazelton about what goes on behind the scenes. Scott took a moment to make a real emphasis on how major the Breeder's Cup is and what it means to the sport. Many of the students decided on the spot to return for the Cup. The $5 vouchers they had received earlier only helped sweeten the deal.

Afterwards the group headed up to their front row private boxes at the 1/16th pole. Most of the students stayed throughout the day, even after the program's conclusion with the paddock tour. There were smiles a plenty and even some winners with a group of friends in one box doing fairly well by picking the most "angry" horse as their selection for each race.

In all it was a great way to close out the Ambassador Program for Oak Tree as well as for 2009 since Hollywood Park is a very long drive for many. Again I would like to thank Chip and Mine That Bird for taking time out of their morning as well as Nate and Michael from Santa Anita's marketing department for helping assemble a great day. Finally thanks to Barbara for her ties with HRTV as well as her photography.

Perseverance!

Princess a Rose in Flower Bowl

Princess Azula (V) proved that her scintillating win in the John C Mabee Handicap-G1 was no fluke in yesterday's Flower Bowl-G1 where she clashed hooves with multiple graded winner Miz Liz (V) in a two horse duel that ended with the Princess coming up a neck ahead of her outside rival. Liz Miz, winner of the Diana-G1 and the Ballston Handicap-G2, was the strong even money favorite, and rightfully so after her dominating performance in the Diana where she bested some of the top turf females in the country in a resounding stakes record of 1:46.63. She paid $2.60 and $2.30 respectfully. With Princess Azula coming off a surprising loss at Presque Isle in the Masters Stakes-G3 and losing her weight advantage she held in the Mabee, there were definite concerns.

"Liz Miz was coming into the Flower Bowl with few questions to answer other than the extra furlong. On the other hand Princess Azula is something of a late comer to the division. It was a shock to see her in the John C Mabee after her performance in the Princess Rooney. You just don't see a horse instantly jump from dirt sprints to turf routes. She's essentially making a three sixty," stated professional handicapper Jimmy "the Hat", from his table at Santa Anita's Frontrunner Restaurant. Concerning the race, "It was a real slug fest all the way. Either of these fillies could win the Filly and Mare turf. Had Liz Miz been on the inside, she'd likely have won. The Breeder's Cup will determine who comes out with the Eclipse."

Princess Azula, breaking from the one post, took charge early in the event, with Liz Miz quickly taking to her outside. Garret Gomez aboard Azula kept a mild pace and briefly allowed Liz Miz to take the lead. "The Princess likes a fight; she's got lots of heart. I gave the three horse just little ground so she had something to run at. Then bam!" Run they did, with the final quarter in :23 flat.

"The Princess is a real lady. She goes after whatever we throw at her with everything she has," said owner-trainer Troy Racki. "I don't know what happened in the Masters but the track was wet that day and she got a lot of dirt in her face. She's not used to that and I think it really threw her off."

Concerning Princess Azula's next start Racki said, "It really depends on how she comes back in the next couple of days. This was her toughest test yet. She fought fought fought all the way. I'd like to run in the Taylor in two weeks but it’s really up to her." As to the Breeder's Cup in which Princess Azula is both guaranteed a berth in the Filly Sprint and Filly Turf, "Her race today is evidence that she belongs on the turf. Without a doubt. She set a stakes record and bested the top horse of the division."

Indeed the final time for the Flower Bowl-G1 was 1:59.71 and stamps Princess Azula as the likely favorite for the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf, barring any significant events in the E. P. Taylor scheduled to be run on October 17th. Princess Azula returned $7.60, $2.90, and $2.50 while Valibert (v) finished third and paid $9.40 to show.