I didn't realize they (Rammstein) played... my ex husband is a huge fan.

Not really my thing but sounds fun to have seen them live anyway and I'm sure there were tons of other great bands. :)

Glad you had a nice weekend away.

So Veloce Bella... do you know which race is her swansong?

What's next for Jimmy and well, all of them?! :D

Where are the headlines??? I've seen maybe two about Mufhasa and nothing else.

What is wrong with the world???!!! :D

Veloce Bella will say her goodbyes to racing in the G1 International Stakes at Te Rapa on Feb 12. It's the same race that she won her first ever G1 in last year, so that's a really good choice.

Jimmy's still heading for the Derby. He'll have a G3 race over 2000m on Feb 5 (against He's Remarkable again!), then go straight to the Derby on March 5.

Mufhasa's heading for the Waikato Sprint at Te Rapa on Feb 12. He won this race two years ago. He'll probably go to Australia for the George Ryder Stakes in April - he's run third in that race both of the last two years, so I hope he can win it this time!

A few familiar names in these races on Saturday!

G1 Thorndon Mile

1 01423 Red Ruler 17 108 58.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
2 95713 Joku (AUS) 5 107 57.5 Trudy Thornton Jim Litt, Hawera
3 3X101 Booming 4 106 57.0 Masa Tanaka Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
4 41017 Fritzy Boy 16 106 57.0 David Walker Alby MacGregor, Opaki
5 11115 Salvatore 6 105 56.5 Matthew Cameron Anne Herbert, Cambridge
6 X8120 Atapi 12 103 55.5 James McDonald (a) Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
7 11251 The Meista 18 103 55.5 Opie Bosson Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
8 12916 November Rain 7 99 53.5 Jason Collett (a) Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
9 81345 Obsession 3 98 53.0 Craig Grylls Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
10 82001 Irish Opera 19 100 52.5 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
11 51321 Fears Nothing 8 96 52.5 Mark Du Plessis David Haworth & Matt Dixon, Foxton
12 110X1 Heza Karma Karzi 14 96 52.5 Noel Harris Leo Molloy, Byerley Park
13 00216 Eileen Dubh 11 95 52.5 Michelle Payne Francis Finnegan, Woodville
14 X6241 Roxon 13 98 52.0 Mark Hills Lionel Greig, Otaki
15 31453 Chinon 1 93 52.0 Paul Taylor Dave Enright, Foxton
16 20712 Jack's Point 9 90 51.5 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
17 01021 Dasoudi 10 95 51.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Jon Miller, Pukekohe Park
18 13445 King Raedwald 15 85 51.0 Lisa Allpress Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge, Palmerston North
19 1L051 Our Ella Belle 2 84 51.0 Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Maungatautari



G2 Wellington Cup

1 72101 Veloce Bella 23 105 57.0 James McDonald (a) Mark Brosnan, Matamata
2 08X29 Mandela 18 102 55.5 Chad Ormsby Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson, Waiuku
3 14752 Borninthestates 24 100 54.5 Lisa Allpress Michael Pitman, Yaldhurst, Riccarton
4 52474 Six O'Clock News 10 100 54.5 Leith Innes Trent Busuttin, Cambridge
5 97190 Bruce Almighty 12 99 54.5 Robert Hannam Stuart Manning, Tauranga
6 1X001 Mr Tipsy 6 103 54.0 Opie Bosson Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
7 23181 Showcause 15 97 53.5 Darryl Bradley Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
8 41790 Butch James 22 96 53.0 Rosie Myers (a) Adrian Bull, Hunterville
9 16225 Spiro 5 95 53.0 Kane Smith Sylvia Kay, Levin
10 21026 Loose Change 4 94 52.5 Jason Collett (a) David Haworth & Matt Dixon, Foxton
11 03668 Zabene 8 92 52.5 Paul Taylor Stephen McKee, Ardmore
12 X0891 Fazza 1 93 52.0 Masa Tanaka Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
13 61647 Blood Brotha 2 90 52.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Raymond Connors, Wanganui
14 51882 Can't Keeper Down 17 90 51.5 Noel Harris Lisa Latta, Awapuni
15 35815 Crocodile Canyon 16 87 51.5 Trudy Thornton Howie Mathews, Otaki
16 01123 He's Under The Gun 3 86 51.5 Craig Grylls Michael Moroney & Andrew Clarken, Matamata
17 38820 Dawn Ghost 19 85 51.5 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
18 41115 Innocent Lady 11 85 51.5 Sam Spratt Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
19 81063 Aintree 14 85 51.5 Scratching Gary Freeman, Kopane
20 X8116 Prairie Star 9 83 51.5 Anne Herbert, Cambridge
21 11375 The Terminator 20 79 51.5 Roger James, Cambridge
22 10310 Annie 7 76 51.5 Don Dwyer, Pukekohe
23 21760 Mr Zatopek 13 76 51.5 Francis Finnegan, Woodville

They've decided to change it from one more start to two more for Veloce Bella. :)


And I'm excited about going to this one at Ellerslie on Sunday...

Karaka Million (2yo)

1 21154 Antonio Lombardo 7 56.0 Andrew Calder Peter McKay, Matamata
2 1153 Savabill 18 56.0 Hugh Bowman John Sargent, Matamata
3 12 Super Easy 15 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
4 1135 Brackenwood 3 56.0 Darryl Bradley Lisa Latta, Awapuni
5 5X53 Chateauneuf Dupape (AUS) 5 56.0 Benjamin Melham Lee Freedman, Rye
6 2331 Dollario 4 56.0 Chad Ormsby John Sargent, Matamata
7 61 Jackthelad 6 56.0 Reese Jones Andrew Scott, Matamata
8 14536 Fort Lincoln 2 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Lisa Latta, Awapuni
9 221 Release Me 17 56.0 Jason Collett (a) Stephen McKee, Ardmore
10 242 Lady Chapel 11 54.5 James McDonald (a) Keith & Brendon Hawtin, Te Awamutu
11 2278 Venetian Raider 10 54.5 Matthew Cameron Jim Collett, Matamata
12 21 Planet Rock 13 54.5 Michael Coleman Peter & Dawn Williams, Riccarton Park
13 15 Cracker 9 54.5 Opie Bosson Andrew Scott, Matamata
14 3104 Queen Boudicca 8 54.5 Vinnie Colgan Jason Price, Matamata
15 35320 The Aftershock 12 56.0 Shane Marr, Riccarton Park
16 1 Beejay Belle 14 54.5 Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
17 23630 Smoke 'N' Mirrors 16 54.5 Francis Finnegan, Woodville
18 262 Witz End 1 56.0 Stephen McKee, Ardmore

I'm glad she'll have a couple more starts.

Those first two fields!!!

Who do you like in the MIllion?

It's almost a relief to see a field and not be familiar with the names cause there are always toooooooooooooo many good horses I like.

Wow the field for the Mile...

My dream come true would be Red Ruler, Atapi and Fritzi Boy in any order. (Hey at least I didn't say in a triple dead heat). :D

Who wins, ed?

I hope Red Ruler goes well in the Mile, but I think he might find it just a bit too short for him. Salvatore and Fritzy Boy might be the likeliest, but you can't rule out November Rain, Fears Nothing or Eileen Dubh.

I think the Cup is between Veloce Bella and Innocent Lady. Innocent Lady might just beat her this time because she has to carry a much lower weight.

The Million is confusing! All the horses that have really impressed me so far have drawn very wide gates, which is difficult in 1200m races at Ellerslie. I think Planet Rock and Super Easy are the most talented, but I can't see them getting easy trips.

Oh, and there's also a big 3yo race at Ellerslie on Sunday, with one name in particular you should recognise...

1 23012 Icepin 11 85 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Jason Bridgman, Matamata
2 11455 Encosta Diablo 7 76 56.0 Opie Bosson Jason Bridgman, Matamata
3 10542 Hammer Down 14 76 56.0 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
4 17923 Hoofit 16 76 56.0 Andrew Calder Stephen McKee, Ardmore
5 30X11 Eightlives 6 74 56.0 Michael Rodd Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
6 20074 Sweet Suitor 1 73 56.0 Jonathan Riddell Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
7 12130 Eight Schillings 2 72 56.0 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
8 45102 Rimsky 9 70 56.0 Mark Du Plessis Bruce Wallace, Takanini
9 83313 Yourein (AUS) 12 70 56.0 Michael Coleman John Sargent, Matamata
10 X4X78 The Diamond Duke 10 67 56.0 Patrick Holmes Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
11 X3232 Szyslak 8 59 56.0 Mark Hills Garry & Steven Barlow, Woodville
12 0X443 Beam Me Up 17 58 56.0 Chad Ormsby Bryce Revell, New Plymouth
13 96521 Banchee 13 85 54.5 James McDonald (a) John Sargent, Matamata
14 11X21 Miss Confidential 4 79 54.5 Hugh Bowman Mark Wallace, Warwick Farm
15 74307 Lady Kipling 3 73 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
16 44483 Fastnet Lady (AUS) 15 68 54.5 Mark Sweeney Graeme & Mark Sanders, Te Awamutu
17 81606 Dreamcatcher 5 67 54.5 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
18 96252 La Grande Dame 19 59 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge
19 32371 Run To The Bank 18 68 54.5 Stephen Marsh, Cambridge

I started reading the names and thought oh well okay I like Icepin but not the most exciting... but then I saw the name you meant. :D :tro:

Good luck to her.

Who is the favorite in the Mile?

Banchee is, just ahead of Icepin, Hammer Down and The Diamond Duke.

Oh, did you mean the Thorndon Mile? Oops, sorry! November Rain is the favourite for that. Then The Meista and Fears Nothing.

Don't be sorry and yes I meant this one but I'm glad you answered for both cause I had no clue besides Banchee and Icepin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhfgLGHYzk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSOsRVvbF_s

Booming is suddenly a dual G1 winner. :)

This G3 fillies races was good as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U7Lg1skrAs

I was about to write how exciting these were after each one and am so thrillied for Booming (wow I didn't expect that) but the thing is the last one I watched was the MIle and Fritzy Boy at the end..... is he okay ed? I'm watching and trying to see who that is way at the back and checked them off in my head when the announcer called the order and once I realized who it was... just made my heart sink.

Hope he''s alright.

Thrilling races though.

Dating? Very nice!

All of them were.

I found this: "A post-race veterinary examination of FRITZY BOY revealed superficial abrasions to the right eye, left nostril and left hip."

Sounds like he had a bit of a rough race. :( Nothing serious at least, but that's probably why he performed so badly. I don't blame him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO-CDZOWe1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvT3dNjpqk

Another great day at Ellerslie. :)

Good girl!!!

Thanks for both links and for the Fritzy news, poor guy.

Oh forgot to ask in the Karaka Million? Who is the horse out wide who is flying at the end?

That was Savabill. He was only 5th, but it was a very good performance. He's definitely one to watch over more distance.

That was a great performance by Banchee! She has such a huge sprint.

Awfully nice run... I hadn't heard his name before but will remember it now.

* * *

Banchee! :) :tro:

And poor old Icepin! In the last year or so:

2nd Karaka Million (behind Sister Havana)
2nd Hawke's Bay Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Great Northern Guineas (behind Jimmy Choux)
2nd Karaka Mile (behind Banchee)

Waikato Guineas tomorrow! This is the first of the two main Derby prep races. We were expecting Jimmy and He's Remarkable to clash here, but He's Remarkable is going to the other race instead - that's the Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie in two weeks.

Waikato Guineas field:

1 11011 Jimmy Choux 6 94 56.0 Jonathan Riddell John Bary, Hastings
2 2112 Historian 10 77 56.0 Chad Ormsby Tony Pike & Mark Donoghue, Cambridge
3 311 Hidden Asset 8 76 56.0 James McDonald (a) Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
4 31233 Yin Yang Master (AUS) 9 75 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
5 21216 On The Level 7 74 56.0 Opie Bosson Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
6 12457 Mr Pedantic 3 68 56.0 Matthew Cameron Patsy Riley, Pukekohe
7 91583 Ransomed 11 68 56.0 David Walker Gary Vile, Awapuni
8 517 Kings Rag 4 67 56.0 Craig Grylls Ken Harrison, Wanganui
9 335 Essential 2 57 56.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
10 24638 Queen Of Pop 1 72 54.5 Jason Collett (a) Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
11 120P4 Keenly 5 69 54.5 Michael Coleman Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu

I love this field. :) Jimmy should win if he gets the distance...but will he?

Poor guy he and Red Ruler are BOTH like Youmzain! :D

Nice field and yeah smart for avoiding Jimmy :{>: :tro: .

I only know half these horses but nice field!

Who else is going to the race at Ellerslie instead?

You will post any Fritzy Boy update, right (I know you will).

Hopefully there's no news cause he's just fine!

It sounds like he's fine. He was going to run in a big G1 race on the 12th, but I think they've decided to take it easy with him for a while. The G1 Easter Handicap in April is the big target for the next few months.

Confirmed/likely for the Avondale Guineas: He's Remarkable, Arakti, Yourein, Encosta Diablo, O'Reilly's Prize, Nippin, Starcheeka

And I heard a rumour that Banchee might run in it. :eek: They're really seriously considering the Derby with her.

I think they should go for it!

You?

Glad to hear Arakti will be in that one and that they'll take it slow with Fritzy. :)

She's definitely good enough. But she's another one that you just don't know about the distance - she's never been tried over further than a mile. Her half-sister Katie couldn't do it last year. But there's only one way to find out!

I totally understand owners finding the Derby more attractive than the Oaks - $2.2 million v $500,000.

It'll be exciting to see what they decide!

Um, wow. Speechless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ5tofvX9pc


You might also like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiwcvBRG7jo

Are you kidding? Oh my God I read "speechless" and honestly thought uh oh he's probably being sarcastic, wonder what happened.

Hahahaha he is ****ing awesome! Man He is something.

And that 2nd race? He looked fantastic! He almost did it. Looked like a kid.

SOOOO happy.

How thrilled are you? :D

I didn't pick up my jaw from the floor for about 5 minutes after Jimmy's race! Horses aren't meant to win big races as easily as that. It's crazy. The crowd at the track started clapping when he was only halfway down the stretch! As the race caller said as Jimmy came back after the race, "He's a joy to watch." He's the 2-1 Derby favourite now. It's getting kinda hard to see him get beaten in that.

Sir Slick was so brave! And it took a really good mare in Veronica Franco to hold him out. That was a great race.

Oh my God. Have a look at these early entries for Te Rapa this Saturday.

International Stakes (G1)

Booming
Red Ruler
Sir Slick
Vosne Romanee
Veloce Bella
Doctor Fremantle
Mill Duckie
November Rain
Sharp Princess
Obsession
Passchendaele
Arakti


Waikato Sprint (G1)

Wall Street
Mufhasa
Bulginbaah
Coup Align
Salvatore
Richard Beymer
Vonusti
Jacowils
Keep The Peace
Katie Lee
We Can Say It Now
Bella Renza

:eek:

:eek: :cool:

I want to go!

Final fields for the three features on Saturday, after the barrier draw:

G2 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic

1 21111 King's Rose 8 87 56.0 Opie Bosson Jason Bridgman, Matamata
2 32581 Dating 4 85 56.0 James McDonald (a) Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
3 13200 Blinding 9 78 56.0 Noel Harris Dick & Chris Bothwell, Stratford
4 44432 Annie Higgins 15 75 56.0 Michael Coleman Lance Noble, Matamata
5 22116 Chennai 12 74 56.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
6 43074 Lady Kipling 2 74 56.0 Jason Collett (a) Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
7 79101 Midnight Oil 7 74 56.0 Hayden Tinsley Paul Duncan, Cambridge
8 X3154 Shamabelle 13 74 56.0 Allan Peard Donna, Dean Logan & Chris Gibbs, Ruakaka
9 21104 Born To Rock (AUS) 5 73 56.0 Leith Innes Stephen McKee, Ardmore
10 10428 Hot Pursuit 16 70 56.0 Lisa Allpress Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield, Te Awamutu
11 21322 Suaza (AUS) 3 70 56.0 Chad Ormsby John Sargent, Matamata
12 2136 Insurgent 1 69 56.0 Matthew Cameron Roger James, Cambridge
13 514 Chaparral Lass 6 68 56.0 Sam Spratt Lance Noble, Matamata
14 24190 Designacat 14 68 56.0 Tasha Collett Ben Foote, Byerley Park
15 82551 Shibboleth 11 68 56.0 Vinnie Colgan Roger James, Cambridge
16 58327 Last Picasso (AUS) 10 57 56.0 Danielle Johnson (a) Paul Gordon, Cambridge


G1 International:

1 X1011 Booming 9 109 59.0 Opie Bosson Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
2 14230 Red Ruler 1 108 59.0 Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata
3 00832 Sir Slick 7 106 59.0 Samantha Collett Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon, Te Aroha
4 00870 Vosne Romanee 12 106 59.0 Hayden Tinsley Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
5 X00X6 Doctor Fremantle (GB) 8 103 59.0 Chad Ormsby Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge
6 21010 Veloce Bella 10 104 57.0 James McDonald (a) Mark Brosnan, Matamata
7 4X332 Mill Duckie 3 100 57.0 Tasha Collett Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
8 29160 November Rain 11 98 57.0 Jason Collett (a) Richard Collett, Pukekohe Park
9 68342 Sharp Princess 4 98 57.0 Sam Spratt Fraser Auret, Marton
10 13459 Obsession 6 97 57.0 Matthew Cameron Frank Ritchie, Cambridge
11 23X52 Passchendaele 2 97 57.0 Vinnie Colgan John Sargent, Matamata
12 12631 Arakti (AUS) 5 76 54.0 Michael Coleman Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge


G1 Waikato Sprint:

1 1171X Wall Street 2 114 59.0 Michael Coleman Jeff Lynds, Awapuni
2 30X61 Mufhasa 9 112 59.0 Sam Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore
3 30520 Bulginbaah 11 107 59.0 Trudy Thornton Catherine Wilson, Wanganui
4 19143 Coup Align 1 107 59.0 Lisa Allpress Michael Pitman, Yaldhurst, Riccarton
5 48764 Richard Beymer 4 104 59.0 Reese Jones Richard & Chris Otto, Te Awamutu
6 27394 Vonusti 10 104 59.0 Noel Harris Tim & Margaret Carter, Cambridge
7 X30X0 Jacowils 3 102 59.0 Mark Hills Kristine Stead, Te Rapa
8 1333X Keep The Peace 5 102 57.0 James McDonald (a) Shaune Ritchie, Cambridge
9 31970 Katie Lee (AUS) 6 99 57.0 Mark Du Plessis Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
10 06147 Bella Renza 7 94 57.0 Chad Ormsby Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Tuhikaramea
11 51411 We Can Say It Now (AUS) 8 95 53.5 Leith Innes Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge

And confirmation of Banchee's plans:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/new...ectid=10705315

Oh I'm really glad to see that! She belongs in the Derby!

Amazing fields... good luck if you're playing.

I wouldn't know what to do with too many really great horses in every single field. I'd be hopeless!

Good luck to all my favorites, too many to name. :)

The Sir Tristram is the only one I can really pick with confidence. I think King's Rose should win that and make it five stakes wins in a row.

In the International, I really want to see Veloce Bella end her career with another G1 win. She's such a lovely horse. But Booming must be tough to beat. And Vosne Romanee. And Arakti. And Mill Duckie. And November Rain. And Passchendaele. And Sir Slick...

I'll be sticking with Katie in the Sprint. She's having a bad season, but I still think she's the best horse in NZ. I believe she'll turn things around some day, and I hope that day will be tomorrow. But jeez, what a field - Wall Street, Mufhasa, Keep The Peace, We Can Say It Now.

I wonder about Dating but only cause of that recent win of hers.

I suppose we both know that there's not a tremendous chance of either Sir Slick or Red Ruler winning (I mean if either did I'd be thrilled and I know you would too but the reality of it... :wf) so sure that would be just fine if she won her swansong. Such a nice girl. I just don't think Booming does it again. If I'm wrong I'm wrong.

I love Katie and so many in that one but I'm going to say Wall Street.

If Katie wins it fantastic.

As far as I'm concerned she's proven her greatness and whatever happens from here on out well it takes nothing away from her. :)

Come home safe, Sir Slick. :{>:

(Well everyone, of course).

Just on for a sec ed and am obviously hallucinating cause it says Red Ruler and Mufhasa both won.

What????? :) :tro::eek:

Oh my God that is fantastic! Can't wait to see replays.

Can't find Arakti in results. Scratched?

Where did Katie finish? Sir Slick? I had to look so fast and don't remember seeing any of their names!

edit - Okay I just looked again and I guess Sir Slick was scratched but Arakti... thee's no mention of him at all! What's up with that??? So confused and still in a state of shock from the results! Tell me about Katie when you have time. Not a good day for her huh?

Very sad news about Arakti. :( So sorry to have to report this. Tragically, I had to make a post about him in the Angels thread. RIP boy.

Katie is in a terrible slump at the moment. Four bad losses in a row. She doesn't seem to have that sprint we know and love. I think they might give her a rest now and hope she's back to her old self next season. I want the old Katie Lee back.

So it was a day of highs and lows. Those were the lows, but the highs were so amazing.

The fabulous King's Rose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ciuYUnqxI

The sensational Red Ruler (I've edited it so you don't have to see what happened to poor Arakti): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0qorT2WKDE

The big, brilliant Mufhasa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE90Cd420g0

Oh my God ed I feel like I'm having a heart attack. What???????????

I need to go see your post.

I'll watch replays later.

I just cannot.... this isn't real.

Watching the replays of King's Rose and Mufhasa makes me feel a bit better.

This is a lovely photo of the beautiful King's Rose.

Five wins in a row. Impossible not to love her.

She is lovely and extraordinary and I'm so glad you posted the picture and the race but yeah the Mufhasa replay... that's what did it for me. :)

You were right.

I need to thank you again cause I was afraid to even click on the link but Red Ruler finally gtting that G1... had to see it so thank you for editing out most of the race cause I really did just want to see that boy not be kind once again and let someone else pass at the last second. :)

That was a long time in the making and oh... such a heartbreaking win but fantastic for him so we can't take anything away from that.

I love the race caller cause when he gets really really excited I have to play it over and over and I still can't quite make out the very end of the Mufhasa call right before the wire.

Just the way he says his name though... I love that he has so much emotion in three syllables.

He sure looked like the horse of the year once again!

Veloce Bella... that's it? Any chance they changed their minds?

George is an awesome caller. I think what he said this time was "He's a beauty! Mufhasa wins the G1, dominant in the end." I love how excited he gets in these big races. His call in Jimmy's last start was great too - "here comes Jimmy!" :D

I think that's it for Veloce Bella. It's a shame she didn't go out on a more successful note. She's pregnant though, and I think there's a rule here against pregnant mares racing after February.

Wow, Muse at the Grammys! Did you see them?

They did a really spectacular performance of Uprising, then they won Best Rock Album. They sounded completely surprised that they won. Matt said "our 10 fans must have voted 20,000 times each".