Shelley Lee Riley's Blog: https://shelleyleeriley.com/my-thoughts/, page 7
March 22, 2014
Spiral Stakes, My Thoughts
March 22, 2014
Dear Reader, Its eight-thirty in California, it’s going to be seventy-five glorious degrees today, and my garden beckons. Drought resistant plants are lined up, where water hungry ones used to reside, and I will mulch, mulch, mulch. But first, high octane coffee and a good look at today’s GIII Spiral Stake at Turfway Park. A full field of twelve horses will compete, the one-mile and one-eighth distance, over Turfway’s Polytrack surface. 1. Big Bazinga – The last race was a “Big” improvement, but the company was without a doubt a lot easier. (No Speed) 2. Asserting Bear – Would be a surprise. (stalker) 3. Poker Player – Lacks speed, and that was a big handicap to overcome on the speed biased Santa Anita surface on Breeders’ Cup Day. (No Speed at all) 4. Tamarando – When you come from that far off the pace, and circle the field, you’ll need fast fractions up in front of you and the early speed to come back sharply. (No Speed) 5. Coastline – Been running with some of the best, his stalking the leader style should manifest into a front runner with this group. (Speed/stalker) 6. Smart Cover – Throw out the last race after he stumbled out of the gate. Talented but I need to see more. (No Speed) 7. All Tied Up – Would be a surprise. (No Speed) 8. Solitary Ranger – Got speed, and he’ll use it. Probably the one I would pick for the win. 9. Almost Famous – He’s been getting outrun by some really nice horses. He has some early speed and will need to employ it if he is to have any chance. He won’t be alone on the front end and I think he might prefer a solitary lead. (Speed) 10. Harry’s Holiday – Should improve off his last race. But he couldn’t go with Solitary Ranger before. Would be a surprise. (Speed) 11. We Miss Artie – Which horse shows up today? There seems to be an every other race pattern forming. So if that pattern holds true, he should run big. (stalker/sorta) 12. Arctic Slope – After a layoff, I would think he needs a race. (No speed) This is a remarkably tough race to handicap. My gut tells me to look for the speed. Real speed, speed that can get hooked and hold on. If I do that, I’ll have to ignore the horses that have been running in the tougher races, and who don’t have any speed, or if they do have some speed, they don’t like getting hooked. It might come down to watching how the track plays today. I’m not sure I would put any of my hard earned money on this race. But if I did, it would be no more than a $10.00 bet. I suppose I could peel a few singles off my big $10.00 wad and place an exacta on Solitary Ranger and Coastline. If the speed stops, I’d be looking for Tamarando. This should be a fun race to watch. I’ll try to take a look at tomorrow’s Sunland Derby and post my thoughts tonight or tomorrow. Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Reader, Its eight-thirty in California, it’s going to be seventy-five glorious degrees today, and my garden beckons. Drought resistant plants are lined up, where water hungry ones used to reside, and I will mulch, mulch, mulch. But first, high octane coffee and a good look at today’s GIII Spiral Stake at Turfway Park. A full field of twelve horses will compete, the one-mile and one-eighth distance, over Turfway’s Polytrack surface. 1. Big Bazinga – The last race was a “Big” improvement, but the company was without a doubt a lot easier. (No Speed) 2. Asserting Bear – Would be a surprise. (stalker) 3. Poker Player – Lacks speed, and that was a big handicap to overcome on the speed biased Santa Anita surface on Breeders’ Cup Day. (No Speed at all) 4. Tamarando – When you come from that far off the pace, and circle the field, you’ll need fast fractions up in front of you and the early speed to come back sharply. (No Speed) 5. Coastline – Been running with some of the best, his stalking the leader style should manifest into a front runner with this group. (Speed/stalker) 6. Smart Cover – Throw out the last race after he stumbled out of the gate. Talented but I need to see more. (No Speed) 7. All Tied Up – Would be a surprise. (No Speed) 8. Solitary Ranger – Got speed, and he’ll use it. Probably the one I would pick for the win. 9. Almost Famous – He’s been getting outrun by some really nice horses. He has some early speed and will need to employ it if he is to have any chance. He won’t be alone on the front end and I think he might prefer a solitary lead. (Speed) 10. Harry’s Holiday – Should improve off his last race. But he couldn’t go with Solitary Ranger before. Would be a surprise. (Speed) 11. We Miss Artie – Which horse shows up today? There seems to be an every other race pattern forming. So if that pattern holds true, he should run big. (stalker/sorta) 12. Arctic Slope – After a layoff, I would think he needs a race. (No speed) This is a remarkably tough race to handicap. My gut tells me to look for the speed. Real speed, speed that can get hooked and hold on. If I do that, I’ll have to ignore the horses that have been running in the tougher races, and who don’t have any speed, or if they do have some speed, they don’t like getting hooked. It might come down to watching how the track plays today. I’m not sure I would put any of my hard earned money on this race. But if I did, it would be no more than a $10.00 bet. I suppose I could peel a few singles off my big $10.00 wad and place an exacta on Solitary Ranger and Coastline. If the speed stops, I’d be looking for Tamarando. This should be a fun race to watch. I’ll try to take a look at tomorrow’s Sunland Derby and post my thoughts tonight or tomorrow. Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure www.shelleyriley.com
March 20, 2014
Rough Riders in the Rebel
March 21, 2014Dear Readers,
I took a long look at the Rebel Stakes, and I repeatedly hit rewind in order to watch the brouhaha going on in the stretch run from several angles. By the way, the pin ball action all started at the top of the stretch when Tapiture’s jockey chose to put it all on the line, running up on Strong Mandate’s heels and pushed Hoppertunity out of his way in order to find clear running room. My heart was in my throat, if he’d clipped heels, Tapiture could have gone down. I’ve seen back tendons severed in similar situations. I hope Strong Mandate is all right.
There is no doubt that Hoppertunitysmacked into Tapiture, who then slammed into Strong Mandate. I think the stewards must have agreed that the move Tapiture made at the head of the stretch was just as egregious as the one Hoppertunity made further down the lane. Thus, the one cancelled out the other. But what about poor old Strong Mandate, minding his own business, running a strong race, when he was mugged, both by Hoppertunity and Tapiture. Strong Mandate wasn’t out of contention when they started fouling him.
Since I’m entitled to voice my opinion, I felt both horses that fouled Strong Mandate should have been disqualified and placed behind him. Thus, if I was the one making the call, the order of finish would have had Ride On Curlin winning the race, with Strong Mandatesecond.
That’s not the case, and not what happened, so we'll never know if Strong Mandate would have hung on and made a race of it all the way to the wire. All we can do is look ahead and use this race to gauge his chances in future races. I like all four of those horses and its always unfortunate when a race, as important as the Rebel, ends up a stewards call. I don't envy them their job. You can't please all the people...yadda yadda.
I have a busy schedule tomorrow, but I will try to get around to looking over this weekend’s two big races, the Spiral and the Sunland Derby.
Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
March 18, 2014
Finalists Announced for Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award
March 18, 2014Dear Readers,
The finalists for the 2013 Castleton Lyons Dr. Tony Ryan award were announced yesterday, and I’m delighted that my memoir, Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure,has been chosen as a finalist in this prestigious international literary competition. I’ve included the press release from Castleton Lyons at the end of this post.
As a writer, getting published has never been easy. Many a fine author, after repeated rejection letters, has ended up putting a terrific story on the shelf to gather dust. With the advent of print-on-demand publishing, a whole new world opened up for would be authors. Once called vanity presses, rejected authors could contract with a printer to produce their book. The more copies you ordered, the more reasonable the per copy price. Self-published authors would often end up with a pallet of several hundred books gathering dust in their garage.
Now, print-on-demand for self-publishing, has eased the sometimes grueling task of finding an agent to represent your work to publishers. Publishers who are already inundated with proposals and are unlikely to consider unsolicited manuscripts. With print-on-demand presses, you don’t need an agent, and you can order one or one hundred books, and each is the same set price. Furthermore, you can come back at anytime, and order more books at the same cost per copy. This has opened up the business of self-publishing to an unlimited audience. Last year 750,000 self-published books were produced.
Yikes! 750,000? That doesn’t include the titles published by the traditional publishing houses. As you can well imagine this opens up a whole new set of difficulties for would-be bestselling authors. Build it and they will come? Write it and they will read? Maybe, if the reading public can find it. Can you imagine pawing through 750,000 plastic pearls trying to find the genuine? Neither can most readers, they return to the mainstream authors and publishing houses they are familiar with to find their next read.
This is why competitions like the Castleton Lyons Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award are so important. The late Dr. Ryan loved a good story, and by starting this competition, Dr. Ryan has given me and others like me, a chance to rise up out of the depths of obscurity. Making the finals, in such a prestigious literary competition, gives credibility to my endeavor, and I wish I could’ve thanked Dr. Ryan for this opportunity.2013 Dr. Tony Ryan finalists announced
All three finalists for the 2013 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award are tales of unexpected equine stars who grabbed racing’s headlines in their respective eras—with two being set against the dramatic backdrop of England’s Grand National Steeplechase, and two featuring strong, barrier-breaking women.
As with the prestigious National Book Award, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award annually offers a $10,000 winner’s prize, with $1,000 going to each of two finalists. It was launched in 2006 by the late Dr. Ryan to recognize high-quality full-length literary work that focused on all things Judges for 2013 were: Kay Coyte, managing editor of the Washington Post-Bloomberg News Service; Caton Bredar, broadcaster and producer for HRTV; and Patrick Smithwick, winner of the 2012 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for his autobiographical Flying Change: A Year of Racing and Family and Steeplechasing.
This year’s winner will be announced during an invitation-only reception at the Ryan family’s historic Castleton Lyons farm near Lexington on April 9.
Finalists :
Battleship: A Daring Heiress, A Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse
Author: Dorothy Ours
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Battleship, the tale of a strong-willed, enigmatic woman and the tiny but well-bred stallion she believed in, takes us on a literary gallop from historic Montpelier in Virginia, to Aintree, England, to Randolph Scott’s Hollywood. Ours’ character-driven work, based in the first half of the 20th century, centers on Marion du Pont—a woman of wealth and privilege, who nonetheless had to battle the strict limitations placed on women of her time. A supreme horsewoman, she acquires little Battleship, in whose veins flows the fiery blood of Man o’ War, then points him for the world’s toughest race, England’s Grand National, where the fences are taller than the horse himself. She then pairs him up with an inexperienced 17-year-old jockey … and the rest, as they say, is history
Casual Lies: A Triple Crown Adventure
Author/Publisher: Shelley Lee Riley
A story of true inspiration, Casual Liesproves emphatically that lightning can, indeed, strike anywhere. Trainer and part-time newspaper journalist Shelley Riley guides us with joy and humor down her own life path from horse-obsessed girl to history-making woman—who in 1992 up-ended a male-dominated sport by becoming the first of her gender to saddle a starter in all three American Triple Crown races. The history-making horse who took her there was Casual Lies, an undersized $7,500 auction bargain, whose outsized heart and extraordinary character was slowly revealed under Riley’s patient, loving care. This feel-good narrative may not be a fairytale in the truest sense of the word … but it’s close enough.
Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset
Author: David Owen
Publisher: Wisden Sports Writing
On April 7, 1967, the author witnessed this greatest of Grand National upsets on black-and-white television, as a seven-year-old boy from his home in Taunton, England. Now a retired sports editor for the London-based Financial Times, David Owen never forgot the chaos and wreckage … the almost slow-motion victory of a hopeless 100-to-1 shot that ignited within him a life-long passion for the world’s most demanding—and dangerous—horse race. In Foinavon, he pens a detailed account of the underdog winner that day 47 years ago, tracing the protagonist’s life from its beginnings, through his post-victory travels with a white nanny-goat companion, and ultimately defines what he came to mean to the sport he represented so sensationally.
A strong set of finalist, and I’m honored that my memoir is in the running. I’ll be looking at this weekend’s racing, and sharing my thoughts with you on Friday.
Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure www.shelleyriley.com
March 14, 2014
My Pick for the GII Rebel Stakes
March 14, 2014
Dear Readers,
As promised, here are my thoughts on the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Going one mile and one-sixteenth on the dirt, it runs tomorrow with a field of eight.
1. Jet Cat – Unless his connections have discovered something about this colt they could address and that this discovery would move him up considerably, I couldn’t pick this colt without being privy to that information.
2. Ride on Curlin – I believe this horse needed that last race, and should come off it stronger and even more competitive.
3. Tapiture – What’s not to like, comes off a short layoff and runs off with a Grade III race? Very impressive.
4. Strong Mandate – Could this horse have gotten in any more trouble than he did in the Southwest? Right out of the gate he was bumped hard. Then he got shut off and climbed heels in the first turn. When he recovered he was completely off stride and way to the outside. It was at this point his jockey asks him to set the backstretch on fire, passing the pack on the far outside, and they all looked like they were tied to a post. Down the lane he hooks up with the leaders and outlasts Ride on Curlin, and even though he switched leads several times, he was clearly out of gas, and yet he persevered to finish second to Tapiture.
5. Hoppertunity – Hard to figure this one in here. I’m just guessing, but I would think that his trainer, who has a very strong stable of three-year-olds in Southern California, decided to spread the wealth and send this colt east. The colt had a terrible trip over the Fairgrounds strip and still managed a fourth place finish. It would be very impressive if he outran the favorites in this race.
6. Sheltowee’s Boy– Nice colt, but I don’t see him winning here. Would be a surprise and you would need a wheelbarrow to carry away your winnings.
7. Street Strategy – I’d like to see more races before I’d back this nice colt.
8. Kobe’s Back– Yikes! Oh dear…a case could certainly be made that this colt is a come from behind sprinter, and a really good one at that. I’m terribly afraid to ignore him, and his connections add weight to that fear. But I just can’t back him.
SO WHO DO I PICK?
Tapiture is the obvious pick in this race, and yet I’m going with Strong Mandate. Might be fun to throw a two dollar show bet on Hoppertunity.
Good Luck everybody,Shelley Lee Riley – Author of; Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
As promised, here are my thoughts on the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Going one mile and one-sixteenth on the dirt, it runs tomorrow with a field of eight.
1. Jet Cat – Unless his connections have discovered something about this colt they could address and that this discovery would move him up considerably, I couldn’t pick this colt without being privy to that information.
2. Ride on Curlin – I believe this horse needed that last race, and should come off it stronger and even more competitive.
3. Tapiture – What’s not to like, comes off a short layoff and runs off with a Grade III race? Very impressive.
4. Strong Mandate – Could this horse have gotten in any more trouble than he did in the Southwest? Right out of the gate he was bumped hard. Then he got shut off and climbed heels in the first turn. When he recovered he was completely off stride and way to the outside. It was at this point his jockey asks him to set the backstretch on fire, passing the pack on the far outside, and they all looked like they were tied to a post. Down the lane he hooks up with the leaders and outlasts Ride on Curlin, and even though he switched leads several times, he was clearly out of gas, and yet he persevered to finish second to Tapiture.
5. Hoppertunity – Hard to figure this one in here. I’m just guessing, but I would think that his trainer, who has a very strong stable of three-year-olds in Southern California, decided to spread the wealth and send this colt east. The colt had a terrible trip over the Fairgrounds strip and still managed a fourth place finish. It would be very impressive if he outran the favorites in this race.
6. Sheltowee’s Boy– Nice colt, but I don’t see him winning here. Would be a surprise and you would need a wheelbarrow to carry away your winnings.
7. Street Strategy – I’d like to see more races before I’d back this nice colt.
8. Kobe’s Back– Yikes! Oh dear…a case could certainly be made that this colt is a come from behind sprinter, and a really good one at that. I’m terribly afraid to ignore him, and his connections add weight to that fear. But I just can’t back him.
SO WHO DO I PICK?
Tapiture is the obvious pick in this race, and yet I’m going with Strong Mandate. Might be fun to throw a two dollar show bet on Hoppertunity.
Good Luck everybody,Shelley Lee Riley – Author of; Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
March 13, 2014
Road to the Kentucky Derby Schedule
March 13, 2014
Dear Readers,
Okay, I admit it; I get a form of jet lag when the time changes twice a year. Here it is Thursday and I’m still completely discombobulated. But I promise, tomorrow afternoon I will post my thoughts on the GII Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
With a contentious eight horse field lined up to compete over one mile and one-sixteenth, it should be a great race. I’m looking forward to combing through the entrants and sharing my thoughts.
Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventurewww.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
Okay, I admit it; I get a form of jet lag when the time changes twice a year. Here it is Thursday and I’m still completely discombobulated. But I promise, tomorrow afternoon I will post my thoughts on the GII Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
With a contentious eight horse field lined up to compete over one mile and one-sixteenth, it should be a great race. I’m looking forward to combing through the entrants and sharing my thoughts.
Take care,Shelley Lee Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventurewww.shelleyriley.com
March 7, 2014
Thoughts on GII San Felipe Stakes
March 7, 2014
Dear Readers,
So here we are on the west coast this Saturday for the $300,000 GII San Felipe Stakes. It’s a one mile and one-sixteenth race run over the dirt course at Santa Anita. More importantly for those horses whose connections have aspirations of running in the Kentucky Derby, winning this race is worth fifty points towards qualifying.
Here are my thoughts;
1. Home Run Kitten – Nice colt and in only his third start, and it’s his first time going a distance. But he’s taking on GII company. He made a nice move on the last turn in his last race, angled out at the head of the stretch, and ended up way to the outside. When everything was said and done, it didn’t matter which lane he finished in, he wasn’t going to beat the winner. There’s no doubt he needed the last race. But I think I’ll wish him luck and just watch.
2. Unstoppable Colby – I like his breeding, I like his connections, but I’m not sure why he’s in this race. I can’t decide if he wants to come from off the pace, press the pace or lead. Would be a surprise.
3. Rprettyboyfloyd – You’re not going to see this colt on the front end. But he should be closing and this is his first time going two turns. Still a maiden, his connections must be very confident to run him in this race.
4. California Chrome – Yikes….awesome in his last two outs. He runs like a horse that’s going to be a really good one. He looks like he’s on a Sunday stroll cruising along, listening to his jockey, and then bam..it’s all over. I’m not going to compare the way he looked to any other horse I’ve seen, but he looked larger than life galloping along on the front end. He picks up the pace with ease and then cools his jets after he’s embarrassed the rest of the field. I can’t see why he won’t go the distance.
5. Sawyer’s Hill– I can’t say much about this horse, he’s only run twice and didn’t run good or bad in either race. This will be his first time around two turns, but it sure looks like tough company to be taking on at this point in his career. Would be a surprise, though a pleasant one.
6.Bayern
– Unfortunately this colt is injured and has been scratched. But oh boy what a start to his career. If reports are to be believed, his injury is minor and he should be back soon. I will enjoy following his career and I can’t blame his trainer for not wanting to take on California Chrome at this point.
7. Kristo – In what was basically a match race between Kristo and Midnight Hawk, and in a four horse field they hooked up from the get go. Finally down the lane the latter clearly showed he was the better of the two under those conditions. I hope Kristo can stalk the leader and hold on down the lane, rather than beat it out in a head and head confrontation. Clearly this horse belongs in this race.
8. Schoolofhardrocks – Oh boy, how do you figure this horse? He breaks his maiden first time out going one mile back in August, now he is in a really tough race. I’ll need to watch him; if he wins…he’ll be a really nice horse.
9. Midnight Hawk– Clearly a nice horse, going head to head on the front end won’t hurt him, as he has already proven.
10. Recanted – I can’t think of a thing to say about this horse, well maybe the distance will help. I would suspect we will hear more from him later in the year, going a distance and on the turf. Would be a surprise here.
So who would I put my two dollar flutter on? Nobody. I can’t bet against California Chrome, and I can’t put my money on him because he’ll be an even money favorite. But I’m sure going to enjoy watching the race.
Take care,
Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure
For speaking engagements; contact me at www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
So here we are on the west coast this Saturday for the $300,000 GII San Felipe Stakes. It’s a one mile and one-sixteenth race run over the dirt course at Santa Anita. More importantly for those horses whose connections have aspirations of running in the Kentucky Derby, winning this race is worth fifty points towards qualifying.
Here are my thoughts;
1. Home Run Kitten – Nice colt and in only his third start, and it’s his first time going a distance. But he’s taking on GII company. He made a nice move on the last turn in his last race, angled out at the head of the stretch, and ended up way to the outside. When everything was said and done, it didn’t matter which lane he finished in, he wasn’t going to beat the winner. There’s no doubt he needed the last race. But I think I’ll wish him luck and just watch.
2. Unstoppable Colby – I like his breeding, I like his connections, but I’m not sure why he’s in this race. I can’t decide if he wants to come from off the pace, press the pace or lead. Would be a surprise.
3. Rprettyboyfloyd – You’re not going to see this colt on the front end. But he should be closing and this is his first time going two turns. Still a maiden, his connections must be very confident to run him in this race.
4. California Chrome – Yikes….awesome in his last two outs. He runs like a horse that’s going to be a really good one. He looks like he’s on a Sunday stroll cruising along, listening to his jockey, and then bam..it’s all over. I’m not going to compare the way he looked to any other horse I’ve seen, but he looked larger than life galloping along on the front end. He picks up the pace with ease and then cools his jets after he’s embarrassed the rest of the field. I can’t see why he won’t go the distance.
5. Sawyer’s Hill– I can’t say much about this horse, he’s only run twice and didn’t run good or bad in either race. This will be his first time around two turns, but it sure looks like tough company to be taking on at this point in his career. Would be a surprise, though a pleasant one.
6.
7. Kristo – In what was basically a match race between Kristo and Midnight Hawk, and in a four horse field they hooked up from the get go. Finally down the lane the latter clearly showed he was the better of the two under those conditions. I hope Kristo can stalk the leader and hold on down the lane, rather than beat it out in a head and head confrontation. Clearly this horse belongs in this race.
8. Schoolofhardrocks – Oh boy, how do you figure this horse? He breaks his maiden first time out going one mile back in August, now he is in a really tough race. I’ll need to watch him; if he wins…he’ll be a really nice horse.
9. Midnight Hawk– Clearly a nice horse, going head to head on the front end won’t hurt him, as he has already proven.
10. Recanted – I can’t think of a thing to say about this horse, well maybe the distance will help. I would suspect we will hear more from him later in the year, going a distance and on the turf. Would be a surprise here.
So who would I put my two dollar flutter on? Nobody. I can’t bet against California Chrome, and I can’t put my money on him because he’ll be an even money favorite. But I’m sure going to enjoy watching the race.
Take care,
Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure
For speaking engagements; contact me at www.shelleyriley.com
2013 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award Semi-finalists
March 7, 2014
Dear Readers,
Very exciting news came my way day before yesterday. Castleton Lyons and the Doctor Tony Ryan Book Award have announced the semi-finalists for the 2013 competition, and Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure has made it into the semi-finals of this prestigious international literary competition.
I’m including the full press release posted on the Castleton Lyons web-site; it includes a short synopsis on all six of the great books that are being considered for the finals.
Writing about Casual Lies, turned into far more than a long winded recollection of a very heady experience. It brought back, in vivid color, Stanley’s electrifying personality, character, and how powerful and contagious was his joie de vivre to everyone who came into contact with him.
The epiphany, while writing the memoir, was the realization that it was never just about an unlikely Triple Crown adventure. But even today as I write this, it’s still difficult for me to comprehend the way in which this wonderful horse came into my life and how he changed it in so many ways. I marvel that even with the whimsical nature of luck and circumstance that I was blessed to be in the right place and at the right time, to have this special horse come my way, and that is the true wonder.
Reaching the semi-finals of an award dedicated to the recognition of entertaining stories about the wonderful world of Thoroughbreds is extremely gratifying and I am honored.Here is the press release from Castleton Lyons;2013 Dr. Ryan semi-finalists exceptional group
The 2013 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award competition has drawn the strongest slate of semi-finalists in its eight year history to date, an impressive assortment of well-penned histories, fiction, biography, and autobiographies—both human and equine. In the end, the underdog theme ruled the day in this cycle of uniquely award-worthy entries.
Launched in 2006 by the late Dr. Ryan, the award, worth $10,000 to the winner, was the industry’s first to honor full-length literary work focusing on racing. Dr. Ryan loved good writing as much as he loved a good Thoroughbred, and thus placed few parameters on his concept other than skill with the written word.
Three 2013 finalists will be revealed via press release on March 17 (see: http://www.castletonlyons.com/). The winner will be announced during an invitation-only reception at the Ryan family’s historic Castleton Lyons farm near Lexington on April 9.
Book Award Semifinalists:
Battleship: A Daring Heiress, A Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse
Author: Dorothy Ours
A character-driven work based in the early decades of the 20thcentury. Battleship centers on enigmatic Marion DuPont of the famed chemical manufacturing family … her battles against the gender limitations of her time, her marriage to a Hollywood movie star, and most importantly, her undying love for horses—most specifically her faith in a pint-sized son of Man o’ War, who, in 1938, packed her colors to victory in the world’s most heart-testing race: England’s Grand National Steeplechase.
Casual Lies: A Triple Crown Adventure
Author: Shelley Lee Riley
The feel-good narrative of a woman trainer who sees potential in a small, nondescript bay colt and runs with it—literally—parlaying a meager $7,500 purchase price into $795,991 in career earnings. Under the name Casual Lies, the colt took Shelley Riley on the ride of a lifetime, winning in graded company and, more importantly, placing in both the 1992 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset
Author: David Owen
Another with the Grand National as a backdrop, this one provides an account of the 1967 renewal, unimaginably upset by the 100-to-1 title character, Foinavon. Owen details how the winner and his companion, a white nanny goat named Susie, thereafter charmed the British masses as they traveled the country on a “victory tour,” while reminding one and all of the true meaning and glory of the Grand National itself.
Jack: From Grit to Glory
Author: Chris Kotulak
The story of a living American legend, told via anecdotal material, interviews of those who know him best, and through memories from the man himself. The down-to-earth Nebraskan is a Hall of Fame horseman and himself the son of a Hall of Fame trainer; and in the course of his nearly 60 years—and counting—on the track, Van Berg has remarkably developed both racehorses and other trainers of Hall of Fame caliber.
Other People’s Horses
Author: Natalie Keller Reinert
The only fiction entry among the finalists, this one brings back a pair of married trainers, Alex and Alexander, from 2012’s Head and Not the Heart. In this one, the husband is abroad on family business, leaving Alex at Saratoga running the stable, battling sexism, dealing with a naïve assistant, and falling hard for a crazy filly she thinks she can fix.
Ride the White Horse: A Checkered Jockey’s Story of Racing, Rage, and Redemption
Author: Eddie Donnally
Gut-wrenching autobiography of a jockey on a road straight to hell, replete with race-fixing schemes, batteries, and squandered dreams. Stalked by alcoholism, drug and sex-addiction, and mental illness, we follow Donnally’s life as it descends from nascent talent into hopelessness, homelessness, and total despair. Donnally’s gritty mea culpa of a life not well lived may be a tough read, but is ultimately, one of hope and redemption.
I’ll try to get a chance to look over the entries for the San Felipe later today and I will post them here tomorrow…hopefully.
Take care,Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
Very exciting news came my way day before yesterday. Castleton Lyons and the Doctor Tony Ryan Book Award have announced the semi-finalists for the 2013 competition, and Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure has made it into the semi-finals of this prestigious international literary competition.
I’m including the full press release posted on the Castleton Lyons web-site; it includes a short synopsis on all six of the great books that are being considered for the finals.
Writing about Casual Lies, turned into far more than a long winded recollection of a very heady experience. It brought back, in vivid color, Stanley’s electrifying personality, character, and how powerful and contagious was his joie de vivre to everyone who came into contact with him.
The epiphany, while writing the memoir, was the realization that it was never just about an unlikely Triple Crown adventure. But even today as I write this, it’s still difficult for me to comprehend the way in which this wonderful horse came into my life and how he changed it in so many ways. I marvel that even with the whimsical nature of luck and circumstance that I was blessed to be in the right place and at the right time, to have this special horse come my way, and that is the true wonder.
Reaching the semi-finals of an award dedicated to the recognition of entertaining stories about the wonderful world of Thoroughbreds is extremely gratifying and I am honored.Here is the press release from Castleton Lyons;
2013 Dr. Ryan semi-finalists exceptional group The 2013 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award competition has drawn the strongest slate of semi-finalists in its eight year history to date, an impressive assortment of well-penned histories, fiction, biography, and autobiographies—both human and equine. In the end, the underdog theme ruled the day in this cycle of uniquely award-worthy entries.
Launched in 2006 by the late Dr. Ryan, the award, worth $10,000 to the winner, was the industry’s first to honor full-length literary work focusing on racing. Dr. Ryan loved good writing as much as he loved a good Thoroughbred, and thus placed few parameters on his concept other than skill with the written word.
Three 2013 finalists will be revealed via press release on March 17 (see: http://www.castletonlyons.com/). The winner will be announced during an invitation-only reception at the Ryan family’s historic Castleton Lyons farm near Lexington on April 9.
Book Award Semifinalists:
Battleship: A Daring Heiress, A Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse
Author: Dorothy Ours
A character-driven work based in the early decades of the 20thcentury. Battleship centers on enigmatic Marion DuPont of the famed chemical manufacturing family … her battles against the gender limitations of her time, her marriage to a Hollywood movie star, and most importantly, her undying love for horses—most specifically her faith in a pint-sized son of Man o’ War, who, in 1938, packed her colors to victory in the world’s most heart-testing race: England’s Grand National Steeplechase.
Casual Lies: A Triple Crown Adventure
Author: Shelley Lee Riley
The feel-good narrative of a woman trainer who sees potential in a small, nondescript bay colt and runs with it—literally—parlaying a meager $7,500 purchase price into $795,991 in career earnings. Under the name Casual Lies, the colt took Shelley Riley on the ride of a lifetime, winning in graded company and, more importantly, placing in both the 1992 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset
Author: David Owen
Another with the Grand National as a backdrop, this one provides an account of the 1967 renewal, unimaginably upset by the 100-to-1 title character, Foinavon. Owen details how the winner and his companion, a white nanny goat named Susie, thereafter charmed the British masses as they traveled the country on a “victory tour,” while reminding one and all of the true meaning and glory of the Grand National itself.
Jack: From Grit to Glory
Author: Chris Kotulak
The story of a living American legend, told via anecdotal material, interviews of those who know him best, and through memories from the man himself. The down-to-earth Nebraskan is a Hall of Fame horseman and himself the son of a Hall of Fame trainer; and in the course of his nearly 60 years—and counting—on the track, Van Berg has remarkably developed both racehorses and other trainers of Hall of Fame caliber.
Other People’s Horses
Author: Natalie Keller Reinert
The only fiction entry among the finalists, this one brings back a pair of married trainers, Alex and Alexander, from 2012’s Head and Not the Heart. In this one, the husband is abroad on family business, leaving Alex at Saratoga running the stable, battling sexism, dealing with a naïve assistant, and falling hard for a crazy filly she thinks she can fix.
Ride the White Horse: A Checkered Jockey’s Story of Racing, Rage, and Redemption
Author: Eddie Donnally
Gut-wrenching autobiography of a jockey on a road straight to hell, replete with race-fixing schemes, batteries, and squandered dreams. Stalked by alcoholism, drug and sex-addiction, and mental illness, we follow Donnally’s life as it descends from nascent talent into hopelessness, homelessness, and total despair. Donnally’s gritty mea culpa of a life not well lived may be a tough read, but is ultimately, one of hope and redemption.
I’ll try to get a chance to look over the entries for the San Felipe later today and I will post them here tomorrow…hopefully.
Take care,Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
February 28, 2014
Thoughts on Saturdays Gotham Stakes
February 28, 2014
Dear Readers,
As promised I took a look at the entries for tomorrows Gotham Stakes. In 1973 Secretariat added this race to his resume while he was on his way to winning the Kentucky Derby and ultimately the Triple Crown. So to say this race is officially considered a prep for the Kentucky Derby might be a bit of an understatement.
The list of horses to win the Gotham Stakes includes some very memorable ones. Besides the aforementioned Secretariat, there was Native Dancer, Jaipur, and a thrilling dead heat between Lure and Devil His Due. The latter ran in the 1992 Kentucky Derby along with my own horse, Casual Lies.
The inaugural running of the Gotham was in 1953, and has been run at various distances over the years. But since 2006 the (gr.III) event has been run at one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York.
After looking at their charts and watching the videos that are available, here are my thoughts on the horses running tomorrow.
In Trouble: Yikes, he hasn’t started since the end of September last year. He did win both of his lifetime starts and looks to be a nice horse. But those two starts were both in races going six furlongs or less. In Trouble does look like he will go longer distances; I just think he might’ve needed a race under his belt before taking on some of the horses in this race. If he does win, oh boy that would be impressive.
Financial Mogul: I suspect when the connections of this horse were looking for a race to run their talented horse in, it was any race that wouldn’t include Cairo Prince in the entries. When I look at this horse’s charts, I can’t really detect a pattern. He can run with the leaders and yet he made a strong move in the Holy Bull after dropping back to next to last in the early stages of the race. So with all the speed in this race, I suspect they will try lying back off the leaders.
Uncle Sigh: This lightly raced colt is very impressive. He was never challenged in his second race and romped off by so far, I’d have to throw that race out. The other two, he fought gamely down the lane. He’s a trier, and definitely could reverse the order of his last race and outrun Samraat.
Noble Cornerstone: That last race is a head scratcher.
Monopolize: I think he’s going to go off with a big price.
Deceived: I don’t think this horse’s connections are pleased to see Samraat in this race. But hope springs eternal and something I embrace every day.
Classic Giacnroll: Seems to be getting better with racing, but I don’t see him outrunning the horses who beat him so easily in the Withers.
Samraat: Oh my…how could anyone bet against this horse? Admittedly Uncle Sigh probably made Samraat’s connections pucker up for a bit in that last race. But it looked to me like Uncle Sigh was clearly going to get outrun from the three-eighths pole on. Now let me play devil’s advocate. It’s hard to tell from the angle I got while watching the race replay, but it looked like Samraat was lugging in for the last three-eighths of a mile in the Withers. The jockey was flagging him pretty good with the left handed whip. But there must have been sufficient room for Uncle Sigh to keep on running full out, or Samraat would have been punished by the stewards. So my question is; if Samraat was lugging in, why? Also this is an entry, and I don’t imagine Noble Cornerstone was entered just to fill the race. Very interesting.
Extrasexyhippzster: I don’t think this horse is going to like all the competition on the front end in this race. If he goes with the speed and finishes strong, he will definitely be a horse to watch going forward.
Master Lightning: This horse has run behind some very nice horses. He comes from a strong stable, but nonetheless he would be a surprise.
Harpoon: In his last race, though he ran second, to me this horse never looked comfortable in his race. Coming out of the turn he practically ended up in the grandstand and yet, once he straightened out he was still running erratically coming down the lane. It’s just a feeling, but I think he will love this outside post position.
So what do I think? I can’t get past the chart on Samraat. But if I was going to take a flutter, and bet against the obvious favorites, it would be Financial Mogul. I’m also very curious about Noble Cornerstone, though I wouldn’t bet on him, something wasn’t right in that last race; I wonder if he swallowed his tongue or something.
Don’t forget to take a look at my memoir about Casual Lies. It’s a candid look about traveling the road to the Kentucky Derby with a horse nobody thought had a chance and a trainer so many felt didn’t belong.
Take care,Shelley Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
As promised I took a look at the entries for tomorrows Gotham Stakes. In 1973 Secretariat added this race to his resume while he was on his way to winning the Kentucky Derby and ultimately the Triple Crown. So to say this race is officially considered a prep for the Kentucky Derby might be a bit of an understatement.
The list of horses to win the Gotham Stakes includes some very memorable ones. Besides the aforementioned Secretariat, there was Native Dancer, Jaipur, and a thrilling dead heat between Lure and Devil His Due. The latter ran in the 1992 Kentucky Derby along with my own horse, Casual Lies.
The inaugural running of the Gotham was in 1953, and has been run at various distances over the years. But since 2006 the (gr.III) event has been run at one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York.
After looking at their charts and watching the videos that are available, here are my thoughts on the horses running tomorrow.
In Trouble: Yikes, he hasn’t started since the end of September last year. He did win both of his lifetime starts and looks to be a nice horse. But those two starts were both in races going six furlongs or less. In Trouble does look like he will go longer distances; I just think he might’ve needed a race under his belt before taking on some of the horses in this race. If he does win, oh boy that would be impressive.
Financial Mogul: I suspect when the connections of this horse were looking for a race to run their talented horse in, it was any race that wouldn’t include Cairo Prince in the entries. When I look at this horse’s charts, I can’t really detect a pattern. He can run with the leaders and yet he made a strong move in the Holy Bull after dropping back to next to last in the early stages of the race. So with all the speed in this race, I suspect they will try lying back off the leaders.
Uncle Sigh: This lightly raced colt is very impressive. He was never challenged in his second race and romped off by so far, I’d have to throw that race out. The other two, he fought gamely down the lane. He’s a trier, and definitely could reverse the order of his last race and outrun Samraat.
Noble Cornerstone: That last race is a head scratcher.
Monopolize: I think he’s going to go off with a big price.
Deceived: I don’t think this horse’s connections are pleased to see Samraat in this race. But hope springs eternal and something I embrace every day.
Classic Giacnroll: Seems to be getting better with racing, but I don’t see him outrunning the horses who beat him so easily in the Withers.
Samraat: Oh my…how could anyone bet against this horse? Admittedly Uncle Sigh probably made Samraat’s connections pucker up for a bit in that last race. But it looked to me like Uncle Sigh was clearly going to get outrun from the three-eighths pole on. Now let me play devil’s advocate. It’s hard to tell from the angle I got while watching the race replay, but it looked like Samraat was lugging in for the last three-eighths of a mile in the Withers. The jockey was flagging him pretty good with the left handed whip. But there must have been sufficient room for Uncle Sigh to keep on running full out, or Samraat would have been punished by the stewards. So my question is; if Samraat was lugging in, why? Also this is an entry, and I don’t imagine Noble Cornerstone was entered just to fill the race. Very interesting.
Extrasexyhippzster: I don’t think this horse is going to like all the competition on the front end in this race. If he goes with the speed and finishes strong, he will definitely be a horse to watch going forward.
Master Lightning: This horse has run behind some very nice horses. He comes from a strong stable, but nonetheless he would be a surprise.
Harpoon: In his last race, though he ran second, to me this horse never looked comfortable in his race. Coming out of the turn he practically ended up in the grandstand and yet, once he straightened out he was still running erratically coming down the lane. It’s just a feeling, but I think he will love this outside post position.
So what do I think? I can’t get past the chart on Samraat. But if I was going to take a flutter, and bet against the obvious favorites, it would be Financial Mogul. I’m also very curious about Noble Cornerstone, though I wouldn’t bet on him, something wasn’t right in that last race; I wonder if he swallowed his tongue or something.
Don’t forget to take a look at my memoir about Casual Lies. It’s a candid look about traveling the road to the Kentucky Derby with a horse nobody thought had a chance and a trainer so many felt didn’t belong.
Take care,Shelley Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
February 26, 2014
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Review
February 26, 2014
Dear Readers,
I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi as a child, and due to the quality of the story, I was not only captivated, but I was motivated to continue reading Rudyard Kipling’s children’s stories, and I didn't stop until I’d read them all.
I’ve just finished Rikki-Tikki-Tavi again, and this time with a sound track on Booktracks.com. I was a rapt reader as well as listener and I’m inspired to travel down the Rudyard Kipling path once again.
Thank you Booktrack.com and Chazz Hill-Hayr, for reminding me what a great narrative gift to the world of literature are Rudyard Kipling's writings.
There are three more of Rudyard Kipling’s works that have been enhanced with sound effects on the Booktrack.com site. I intend to read each and everyone of them now that they are enhanced with sound.Tomorrow I will take a look at the entries for the (gr. III) Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct to be run on Saturday.
Take care,Shelley Riley, Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventurewww.shelleyriley.com
February 24, 2014
Intense Holiday, Albano and the Risen Star
February 24, 2014
Dear Readers,
Since I concentrated on the Fountain of Youth in Florida, I didn’t watch the Grade II Risen Star Stake at the Fairgrounds until today. Intense Holiday won the race in a very close, head-bobbing photo finish over Albano, and a tiring Vicar’s in Trouble.
Everybody loves a winner, as do I. However, wait for it…but, and a big but it is. Intense Holiday has, no doubt, been running against some of the best three-year-olds that are out there so far, and no one can argue he doesn’t have the right connections.
So I took a good look at his races, all of them. Throw out the first career start, five and half furlongs, green…yadda yadda.
Second race: He made the lead and he liked it.
Third race: Foxwoods Champagne Stakes GI at Belmont, well placed and had good position at the head of the lane, but came up empty.
Fourth race: He broke well and settled behind a tightly bunched pack. Then he was checked slightly down the backstretch as he ran up on heels. At this point his rider moved him to the outside where he passed a few horses on the turn. Down the lane he ducks sharply over to the rail, interfering with another horse while doing so. He then passed some tiring horses on the way to the wire. Intense Holiday didn’t look like he came up empty, nor did it look like he was out classed. He just didn’t look enthusiastic about running down the leaders. Now that might have been the jockey, who could clearly see he wasn’t going to be able to improve his position, so why beat up on the colt.
Fifth race: Broke well, settled nicely in a race with a very slow pace being set on the front end. He had a clear path coming down the lane, and he did extend himself. However, it did look, to me, that he was lugging in and the jockey had to keep checking him slightly. He wasn’t going to win, but he could have been closer.
Sixth race: For me this was his best race yet. He looked like he tried. His move on the turn was impressive and he ran between horses. He didn’t look to be lugging down the lane and though he couldn’t come anywhere close to the winner, he did try.
And that brings us to the Risen Star. There were a lot of really long priced horses in this race—I’m just saying. Intense Holiday was reported to have been fractious in the saddling paddock, but he was perfect in the gate, and one of the first loaded in a big field. He broke in a little and rounding the first turn had to be checked strongly when a hole closed up on him. I thought he looked more focused throughout the race and he took dead aim on Albano once he passed a tiring Vicar’s In Trouble.
Now I love speed, hey Quarter horse roots here, but I think Albano is a lightly raced question mark. His jockey, more-or-less, implied he didn’t see Intense Holidaycoming. With Vicar’s in Troubleoccupying the lane between the two, I can see how that happened.
So what do I think? I would like to own any one of the horses in that field. But as far as the Kentucky Derby goes, can anybody spell Cairo Prince?
Lots of fun to be had over the next few weeks on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and I must admit it’s a lot less stressful tapping away at my computer, than campaigning a Kentucky Derby contender. But I would do it again, acid indigestion, sleepless nights and all. The wonder and excitement, easily outweighs the trials and tribulations.
Take care,Shelley Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
Dear Readers,
Since I concentrated on the Fountain of Youth in Florida, I didn’t watch the Grade II Risen Star Stake at the Fairgrounds until today. Intense Holiday won the race in a very close, head-bobbing photo finish over Albano, and a tiring Vicar’s in Trouble.
Everybody loves a winner, as do I. However, wait for it…but, and a big but it is. Intense Holiday has, no doubt, been running against some of the best three-year-olds that are out there so far, and no one can argue he doesn’t have the right connections. So I took a good look at his races, all of them. Throw out the first career start, five and half furlongs, green…yadda yadda.
Second race: He made the lead and he liked it.
Third race: Foxwoods Champagne Stakes GI at Belmont, well placed and had good position at the head of the lane, but came up empty.
Fourth race: He broke well and settled behind a tightly bunched pack. Then he was checked slightly down the backstretch as he ran up on heels. At this point his rider moved him to the outside where he passed a few horses on the turn. Down the lane he ducks sharply over to the rail, interfering with another horse while doing so. He then passed some tiring horses on the way to the wire. Intense Holiday didn’t look like he came up empty, nor did it look like he was out classed. He just didn’t look enthusiastic about running down the leaders. Now that might have been the jockey, who could clearly see he wasn’t going to be able to improve his position, so why beat up on the colt.
Fifth race: Broke well, settled nicely in a race with a very slow pace being set on the front end. He had a clear path coming down the lane, and he did extend himself. However, it did look, to me, that he was lugging in and the jockey had to keep checking him slightly. He wasn’t going to win, but he could have been closer.
Sixth race: For me this was his best race yet. He looked like he tried. His move on the turn was impressive and he ran between horses. He didn’t look to be lugging down the lane and though he couldn’t come anywhere close to the winner, he did try.
And that brings us to the Risen Star. There were a lot of really long priced horses in this race—I’m just saying. Intense Holiday was reported to have been fractious in the saddling paddock, but he was perfect in the gate, and one of the first loaded in a big field. He broke in a little and rounding the first turn had to be checked strongly when a hole closed up on him. I thought he looked more focused throughout the race and he took dead aim on Albano once he passed a tiring Vicar’s In Trouble.
Now I love speed, hey Quarter horse roots here, but I think Albano is a lightly raced question mark. His jockey, more-or-less, implied he didn’t see Intense Holidaycoming. With Vicar’s in Troubleoccupying the lane between the two, I can see how that happened.
So what do I think? I would like to own any one of the horses in that field. But as far as the Kentucky Derby goes, can anybody spell Cairo Prince?
Lots of fun to be had over the next few weeks on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and I must admit it’s a lot less stressful tapping away at my computer, than campaigning a Kentucky Derby contender. But I would do it again, acid indigestion, sleepless nights and all. The wonder and excitement, easily outweighs the trials and tribulations.
Take care,Shelley Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure
www.shelleyriley.com
