Kentucky Derby Power Rankings

A look at how the Kentucky Derby field shapes up based on the Racing Rag Power Rankings.

1. Isca's Revenge - 123.656 (Revenge x Isca, 14:6-8-0, $1,121,250)
2. Perfect Bell - 121.992 (Bellbuster x Perfect Arc, 6:4-0-1, $1,109,200)
3. Fly So High - 115.993 (Trippi x Peach Sorbet, 14:7-4-1, $1,883,500)
4. Union Jack - 111.287 (Portsmouth x Dragon Flyer, 10:6-1-0, $639,850)
5. Notice Me - 109.395 (Take Note x Forgotten Folly, 13:1-1-4, $752,900)
6. Sunrena - 107.901 (Sahara Desert x Camarena, 6:1-1-0, $560,500)
7. Princess Royale - 107.790 (Crown Prince x Affaire Royale, 24:7-8-4, $1,332,800)
8. Lager Beer - 104.665 (Encosta De Lago x Champagne, 15:3-4-3, $832,500)
9. Case Closed - 101.614 (Dawn Patrol x Grinder's Daughter, 9:4-3-0, $783,300)
10. Poseidon's Gift - 101.522 (Revenge x No Secret, 9:3-2-1, $884,500)
11. Magic Wand - 97.831 (Appearing Now x Go For Wand, 14:2-2-3, $423,100)
12. Handsome Gesture - 97.500 (Suave Dancer x Mannerism, 8:0-2-1, $125,000)
13. Tension - 97.474 (Akhenaton x Traipse, 7:0-1-1, $96,900)
14. CusterleftStanding - 96.041 (Century Kid x Fionnay, 14:0-5-0, $312,250)
15. Dalal - 95.711 (Bellbuster x Regal Kiss, 14:3-4-1, $602,500)
16. King of the Sea - 92.460 (King Midas x Sea Of Streets, 11:4-2-0, $360,050)
17. Will's Wizard - 90.223 (Will's Way x Mystic Lady, 10:0-1-3, $79,950)
18. True Ensign - 84.195 (Ensign Day x Alymiss, 10:2-1-1, $318,250)
19. Beer Tap - 81.367 (Pleasant Tap x Fashion Statement, 10:2-1-2, $457,500)
20. Storm Surge - 76.142 (Storm Cat x Surfside, 8:2-1-1, $244,400)

The Rag's Power 20

1. Pegasus Song - 137.261 Two starts, two wins, two track records. She's scary good.
2. Jewel Mint - 136.241 Her second WR on the year propels her into the second spot.
3. Red Star - 133.598 Looks to show that she belongs up here this week in the Humana Distaff.
4. Machete - 133.064 Does a 2YO belong on this list? I have a feeling that this speedy Revenge colt makes another statement this week in the WHAS-11.
5. Ab-Daledigaeth - 131.875 Don't be too surprised by this name. After all, she's half to Revenge...and VERY speedy.
6. A Bus - 129.074 Don't let this "low" ranking fool you. Still one of the best around, and looks to prove it yet again this week in the Fruit & Veg.
7. Flow Diagram - 128.418 Consistently good while always running in tough races. The formula notices such things.
8. Shatter - 126.479 Stop me if you've heard this before, another speedy Revenge offspring. Going an extra panel this week in the La Troienne.
9. Blast of Storm - 124.078 "Only" ran second in his debut. It was the second best time ever though. I think the formula likes that kind of stuff.
10. Isca's Revenge - 123.656 The name says it all...yet another one. She's yet to finish worse than second in her career. Though, last week's second dropped her down a bit. Taking a shot at the Derby. Kind of disappointed not to see her in the Oaks though.
11. Attack At Dawn - 123.582 Won her first three of year at G2 level, but hasn't been able to carry that up to G1...two seconds since. Three of five starts have resulted in top-20 times.
12. Precious Elegance - 123.280 Tries turf for the first time this year in the San Francisco BC Mile. Also trying a mile for the first time in a long time. Wouldn't be a shock to see a big result though.
13. Lil Belle - 123.063 Leaves the grass to set a WR, and now it's back to the green stuff for the 2000 Guineas.
14. Vivaldi - 122.952 Look out Revenge, two Bellbuster's in a row. Disappointing to see him scratch out of the Derby. Probably had a good shot at it.
15. Lucky Me - 122.843 Tries to go three for three on the year in the Winterbottom.
16. Missmelodramatic - 122.034 You'd think that four for four with three TR's would come out better. Let's see if the Yerba Buena helps out this week.
17. Perfect Bell - 121.992 A filly goes two for two on the turf and goes to the Derby. Makes perfect sense, I guess. Oh yeah, another Bellbuster.
18. On The Prowl - 121.836 Moves into this spot after others drop. Will try to solidify position through a tough 1000 Guineas.
19. Lazy Loper - 121.444 A win, a track record, and a drop of ten spots. Ouch! A win over A Bus in the Fruit & Veg. would probably result in a nice reversal.
20. Skip Practice - 120.810 Suffered her first loss after debuting with three wins, and almost dropped out. Will have to put up a big number in next one to remain on the list.

Player Interview - Ryan from Spartan Racing Stables

Racing Rag -

Welcome Ryan, what stables do you run here at Photo Finish?

Ryan -

Spartan Racing Stables.

Racing Rag -

About the name Spartan Racing Stables, does that make you a Michigan State alumni or just a fan?

Ryan -

Graduated in 1993.

Racing Rag -

Well, at least it is not that other school from up north. How long have you been with PF?

Ryan -

Since Season 3, whenever that was.

Racing Rag -

How many horses?

Ryan -

Currently have 31.

Racing Rag -

Would you have a best and/or favorite of the bunch?

Ryan -

"Best" is probably a term that doesn't really describe my horses. Vampirical has made nearly $7M but has only won 7 races. He spent his career losing to the top horses in PF history. Brave Trick has only made just under $4M but has won 15 races. To say one of them is better than the other wouldn't be fair to either of them. As for my favorite horse, I guess you'd have to call that a tie between the aforementioned duo. Vampirical has finished 2nd in the BC Turf three times. Brave Trick was purchased in the auction and was quickly managed a lot differently than she was used to which ultimately made her the best auction purchase in PF history.

Racing Rag -

How about any prospects (yearlings or foals) you are expecting big things from?

Ryan -

I expect big things from every foal I breed. As a Thoroughbred Breeder in real life, I expect that the bloodlines I chose in PF will produce foals who will all be champions. Unfortunately, the game doesn't follow real life nickings and my foals generally are not very good. With that said, I have a slew of ARs that say "could set records" so let's just wait and see.

Racing Rag -

What would be your biggest win to date?

Ryan -

Hmm....Vampirical's 3yo season had some big wins. He won the Santa Anita Derby and set the track record that held for a long time. Vampirical also took the Grand Prix Stakes, setting a track record. His 118 speed seemed special to me at the time, but then I quickly realized that speed ratings in PF are very inflated. His 3yo season ended with the first of three consecutive victories in the Hollywood Turf Cup (another track record on that day). Cyclonic won The Oaks at Epsom. Dreamingofdiamonds took the 1000 Guineas. Both exciting races.

Racing Rag -

Vampirical’s 3 year old season definitely finished with a bang. How about stable goals for this season?

Ryan -

My only goal this season is to actually not have any of my older horses lose to 3yos. It's my biggest pet peeve about the game. Older horses should not lose to 3yos. They never do in real life.

Racing Rag -

Sounds like a reasonable goal to me. Where were you born?

Ryan -

Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Racing Rag -

Are you still living there?

Ryan -

I live in Livonia, Michigan – the largest suburb of Detroit.

Racing Rag -

How about your family?

Ryan -

Married to Karie (KRF Stables) and our son, Trent, is six months old.

Racing Rag -

Congratulations to you both, albeit belated. What do you do for a career?

Ryan -

I work for the 4th largest of over 15,000 private security firms in the nation. I've been with them for 12 years. I'm considered an expert in the field of Physical Security and am also a National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor as well as a certified instructor in several disciplines through the American Red Cross. My secondary job is a Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder. As many people know, our stallions Perfect Circle and Double Deposit, stand in Michigan.

Racing Rag -

Your stallion, Perfect Circle, certainly has some nice bloodlines. I was unable to locate anything regarding his racing career. Do you have any information for us about it? Also, do you envision big things from him as a sire?

Ryan -

Perfect Circle was rushed into his racing career as a 2yo by the powerful breeding and racing people at Pin Oak. When you breed to race like Pin Oak does, every horse races -- even if they aren't ready. Perfect Circle could have been sold at Keeneland for millions of dollars. His pedigree speaks for itself. Instead, they saw a huge, muscular son of Unbridled out of a G1 winning Storm Cat mare that was the next KY Derby winner. He might have been if he were smaller. Perfect Circle stands at around 18 hands high. He is still growing and is still very immature. He shouldn't have raced as a 2yo, but when you have 10 Perfect Circles in your barn it doesn't matter if one doesn't make it. He raced twice, getting injured in his second try. He was then retired. I bought him as a stallion prospect because quite simply he is the best bred stud in Michigan by far. We got 19 mares to him without much advertising. When his foals hit the ground next year we'll see what he can produce. I expect to get 25-30 mares next year and then see where we stand after that.

Racing Rag -

In real life Thoroughbred breeding, what traits/characteristics do you look for when matching stallions to mares?

Ryan -

If the Werk Nicking isn't at least an "A" it isn't worth trying in my opinion. Most of the nickings we use are A or A+. Of course, being a small time breeder we can't afford the big sires so we have to settle for their sons. In Michigan, the races stop at around 8.5-9F because of the lack of a suitable track to run longer. There is no need for stamina in this state. Everyone breeds sprinters and milers. There is no turf here. Of course when you own a broodmare by Doyoun (distance/turf) it doesn't matter much who you breed her to because the foal isn't going to run in Michigan. With that said, we have bred her to Equality, Black Minnaloushe and Castledale. Our other broodmares are by Mehmet, Tomorrow's Cat, Cryptoclearance and Gold Fever. They are in foal to Equality, Equality, Equality and Dumaani respectively.

Racing Rag -

Sounds like you have a nice little operation there Ryan. I have heard it said, "Breed the best to the best and hope for the best." Do you subscribe to this line of thinking? Why or why not?

Ryan -

If you breed junk to junk you'll get junk. It starts with the mare. You can breed to Storm Cat all day but if your mare is junk it won't matter. In all reality, the good stallions have hand picked mares so that would never really happen, but you get my point. The good mares typically produce good runners. It helps if the stallion is good as well. Take a look at a sales page. There's a reason why the sales page lists the female side and not the male side.

Racing Rag -

You used the term "nickings" in regards to breeding. Personally, I had to look it up to see what it meant. I think I understand but, wondered if you would be able to tell us more about it.

Ryan -

Nick ratings are based on the percentage by which a certain sire line, when combined with a certain broodmare sire line, exceeds its performance, on average, with other lines. To make the rating easier to understand, we have developed a scale which converts the percentage to a letter grade ranging from "F" to "A". In rare cases, the rating may be as high as "A+" or even "A++". An "A" rated nick does not guarantee success, nor does an "F" rated nick guarantee failure. There is never a guarantee. In short, the probability of a hypothetical mating becoming successful is calculated by examining the history of crossing a particular sire line with a certain broodmare sire line.

Racing Rag -

Double Deposit's son Sheikh's Dynasty has been running at Mountaineer. Is he performing up to your expectations?

Ryan -

He was until John Semer brought him to Michigan to run in a stake race when he was already sore. When he finished up the track with bucked shins that were sticking out an inch, we knew his career would then be as a claimer at best. You can’t break down a 2yo who broke his maiden in open company at the Mountain. If he was hurt he should have sat out the rest of his freshman year and came back strong as a 3yo. Instead, he's a low end claimer now (he did win two races this year). In fact, he didn't finish his last race and he hasn't worked out or been entered since. I'm not sure he is even alive.

Racing Rag -

Sorry to hear that. Tell us a little about working in private security.

Ryan -

The private security field is one of the fastest growing fields because of the constant need to ensure employee safety. Where once the local police were the only tool for ensuring safety, the private sector has pushed them aside. With over 15,000 private security companies in the USA, the field gets a bad name because most of the small companies cannot afford to compete with the big four or five. This leads to a lesser qualified security officer, lower pay, no benefits and virtually no background screening. My company has the most extensive application process there is. We only hire one in 60 applicants. Our application itself is 42 pages long. The private security industry will continue to grow as long as the threat of terrorism exists. Since that threat is only expected to escalate, our business will flourish.

Racing Rag -

Have you traveled a lot?

Ryan -

I've been to every Breeder's Cup since 1994. I've been to the following race tracks: Detroit Race Course, Mt. Pleasant Meadows, Great Lakes Downs, Thistledown, River Downs, Beulah Park, Hoosier Park, Sportsman's Park, Hawthorne, Arlington, Balmoral, Ak-Sar-Ben, Hollywood, Santa Anita, Lone Star, Gulfstream, Tampa Bay Downs, Meadowlands, Belmont, Aqueduct and Woodbine. I might have forgotten a few, but you get the idea. I've also traveled to Europe, own a time share in Vegas and have a condo on the gulf side of Florida.

Racing Rag -

Wow, you have done quite a it of traveling. Would you have a dream vacation?

Ryan -

My wife wants to go to Ireland because she is Irish and because she has to see Coolmore. I don't have a dream vacation. I've already been to Amsterdam.

Racing Rag -

Amsterdam, enough said. Do you have a favorite movie?

Ryan -

Don't really have one. I write tales about vampires so any vampire movie is always high on my list.

Racing Rag -

You write tales about vampires, eh? Why the interest in vampires?

Ryan -

I am intrigued by the concept of immortality and living under the shroud of darkness.

Racing Rag -

Any actor/actress you consider a favorite?

Ryan -

No favorites, although everyone says Christian Bale is my twin so he comes up a lot in conversation.

Racing Rag -

What tastes in music do you prefer?

Ryan -

My top ten artists would be (in no specific order): Tool, Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle, The Cure, Queensryche, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Led Zeppelin, Prince and Pearl Jam (old, not now). I guess heavy/hard rock is my preference but I'll listen to just about anything. As a songwriter, inspiration comes from many different places.

Racing Rag -

Are there any other hobbies or interests you enjoy?

Ryan -

We have two stallions, five broodmares, four weanlings, two yearlings and a two-year-old so we are very busy at the farm. I play soccer in the MUSL for the Canton Celtic FC. We were just visited by the Glasgow Celtic FC Developmental Team. They came over the pond to visit some of the Celtic clubs in the US. It was an honor for them to come here to see my team and scrimmage us as they have won the Scottish League 40 times in their history. I write a lot of songs, prose and poetry whenever I get time. Most of my stuff is copy written on www.storymania.com under my pen name of R. Bennett Okerstrom. I ride my motorcycle when the weather agrees and when Karie doesn't throw a fit. I am currently playing hockey as part of the practice squad for my 17 year old cousin's select travel team. I don't have time to play hockey all year anymore, so I just help out the kids in the summer before their leagues start in the fall. Once the season starts, I will be bowling once a week. Last year, I finished with a 201 average and had one 300 game. Having a six month old son is very demanding. He takes up the remainder of my time. Yeah, I'm busy.

Racing Rag -

Busy would be an understatement. How long have you been playing with Canton Celtic FC? What position do you play? Any career highlights to share?

Ryan -

I've been playing soccer for 30 years. I once played on the #1 ranked youth team in the USA. Played four years in High School and then turned down scholarships to play at UC-Berkeley, Arizona State and about 30 small Division 1A and II teams because I wanted to play hockey at MSU. Found out that college hockey was much more difficult than I expected and only made it to the practice squad. Tried out for the soccer team at MSU after hockey, didn't pan out, and it was basically too late. So, I played Intramural soccer and did well enough to get asked back to the varsity tryouts. I then broke some bones in my ankle playing hockey and that pretty much ended my collegiate sports career. After college, I played soccer here and there for local teams before I joined the Celtic in 2000. I started as a forward and led the team in goals three years in a row. Scored in 13 straight matches in 2003 and that broke some consecutive goal scoring record that nobody knew about. I thought that was pretty funny. In 2004 I was turned into my nemesis - a defender. I now play Central Defense (also known as a stopper in American soccer) and at 6'0" 200 pounds people don't typically enjoy it when I challenge them.

Racing Rag -

Racetracks you visited?

Ryan -

See my previous answer. I lived less than a mile from DRC before it got demolished. I was at the track every day from about age 15 to age 19. I try to get to Arlington (the best track in the USA) at least a few times per year. I never miss BC (until it goes back to Belmont because I refuse to return to that dump).

Racing Rag -

Is there anything you would add/change in PF?

Ryan -

PF is getting better every year. It has a very long way to go to become one of the elite simulation games. There are a lot of things missing from the game. When Karie first introduced me to PF I said, "Every race is a stake race? What's the point?" Although we have moved forward with some MSW races, we are a long way off. The starter allowance races that have been created don't follow the rules of starter allowances in real life. There are no claiming races so there shouldn't be starter allowances. No horse has earned that right. There are plenty of horses that can't win a race. There needs to be lower level racing for those types. Conditioned races (NW2L, NW3L, NW4L, NW1x, NW2x, NW3x, Nw4x, MSW, MCL and STR) need to be introduced if PF is to be considered an elite game. Without real life conditions PF is just a bunch of fake horses running in stake races with no real rhyme or reason to their being there. Again, 3yos beating older horses just doesn't happen in real life yet in PF it is the norm. My other biggest complaint is the number of fillies that continually beat colts. I know that flaw was supposed to be fixed, but I don't think it has. Finally, I won't plug the better game in this interview, but the better game is better because it simulates real life.

Racing Rag -

I also believe the addition of more maidens and the NW allowance races would be a great. Not sure how easily this could be added but, it is something to think about. Being a relatively new stable myself, I have found it difficult to compete with the more established stables. Do you feel if these races were added, it would benefit the smaller stables who do not have the horses to compete at the stakes levels? Allowing them to build up a bankroll to improve their operation? Or will we see the higher caliber horses "dropping down" for the purse money?

Ryan -

There is no doubt that restricted races would help new stables. I refer back to my opening statement when my wife asked me if I wanted to join PF. I couldn't believe that every race was a stake race. I guess if every horse was a stake horse it really doesn't matter, but as we know that isn't the case now that there are ten times the people playing. I have been dropping my horses into lower races just to win once in a while.

Racing Rag -

Is there a dream breeding you would like to try out? No price or horse limit.

Ryan -

Dream Breeding doesn't matter in PF. Breeding doesn't matter. It's all the luck of the creator's draw.

Racing Rag -

You say that breeding in PF doesn't matter. Why do you feel this way?

Ryan -

Take my foals as an example. Ghostseeker is by Ghostzapper out of the multiple G1 winner, Sightseek. Indivisible is by A.P. Indy out of the multiple G1 winner, Ashado. Islegetrevenge is by PF phenom Revenge out of multiple G1 winner Islington. Not one of those three has what I would call an exceptional AR. None of them "could set records" while my foal Fallendownthewell by Sadler's Wells out of my PF mare that never won a race, Fallen Angel, "could set records". My foal Turkish Diamond by Johannesburg out of my PF mare that never won a race, Turkish Lady,"could set records". It makes absolutely no sense. Of course, ARs are never right so we'll see.

Racing Rag -

If someone was to visit your area in Michigan, where would you suggest they go for entertainment? A good meal? Sightseeing?

Ryan -

I'm not the guy to ask. I'm too busy to do any of that. Michigan is a huge tourist spot. Some of the wealthiest people on earth have vacation homes in Traverse City. Oakland County (near Detroit) is the 3rd wealthiest county in the USA. There is plenty to do – it just depends on what you are looking for.

Racing Rag -

Has there been one book you have read that "changed" your life?

Ryan -

"What To Expect When You Are Expecting". By far.

Racing Rag -

I have read that as well and understand completely what you mean. What is the one thing your parents taught you that you will never forget?

Ryan -

“Don't get into horse racing “. I didn't listen. Now, I'm poor.

Racing Rag -

Who is your best friend and what is the best part of that relationship?

Ryan -

My wife is my best friend and the best part is that after six years of living together we are both still alive!

Racing Rag -

Ryan, thank you so much for your time. We wish you success this season and in the future.

The Racing Rag Power Rankings

Recently, I've been working on a formula to rank the horses in Photo Finish. The formula incorporates PSR, on the board finishes, grade of race, best times (in terms of WR's, TR's, and top-20 times), and number of races. Keep in mind that it's still early in the season, so there could be quite a bit of fluctuation from week to week. Hopefully, as the season progresses, the formula won't be in too much need of any tweaking. Now that I have all that out of the way, here is the inaugural Power Rankings.


The Rag's Power 20

1. Pegasus Song - 137.261
2. Red Star - 133.598
3. Machete - 133.064
4. Ab-Daledigaeth - 131.875
5. Jewel Mint - 130.833
6. A Bus - 129.074
7. Flow Diagram - 127.936
8. Isca's Revenge - 127.758
9. Lazy Loper - 127.670
10. Skip Practice - 127.388
11. Shatter - 126.479
12. Missmelodramatic - 125.270
13. Blast of Storm - 124.078
14. Attack At Dawn - 123.582
15. Precious Elegance - 123.280
16. Lil Belle - 123.063
17. Vivaldi - 122.952
18. Lucky Me - 122.843
19. Time Traveler - 122.295
20. Perfect Bell - 121.992

Top 10 Handicap Males

1. A Bus - 129.074
2. Lazy Loper - 127.670
3. Lucky Me - 122.843
4. Time Traveler - 122.295
5. Naive - 118.992
6. Braveheart - 118.307
7. Take A Gander - 115.828
8. Smart Money - 114.431
9. Levicorpus - 112.918
10. Open Fire - 110.599

Top 10 Handicap Females

1. Pegasus Song - 137.261
2. Red Star - 133.598
3. Flow Diagram - 127.936
4. Missmelodramatic - 125.270
5. Precious Elegance - 123.280
6. Informative - 120.250
7. Tranquil Scene - 119.897
8. Victory Dance - 116.422
9. Memorabilia - 116.131
10. Bubble Star - 115.451

Top 10 3YO Colts

1. Vivaldi - 122.952
2. Felix of France - 113.328
3. Swept Away - 112.197
4. Union Jack - 111.287
5. Sunrena - 107.901
6. Seeing Things - 106.287
7. Money Pit - 105.729
8. Unknown Direction - 105.672
9. Lager Beer - 104.665
10. Gold Coast - 104.248

Top 10 3YO Fillies

1. Ab-Daledigaeth - 131.875
2. Jewel Mint - 130.833
3. Isca's Revenge - 127.758
4. Shatter - 126.479
5. Attack At Dawn - 123.582
6. Lil Belle - 123.063
7. Perfect Bell - 121.992
8. On The Prowl - 121.836
9. Smart Habit - 120.796
10. Domitila - 119.427

Top 10 2YO Colts

1. Machete - 133.064
2. Blast of Storm - 124.078
3. Waltz on the Stars - 115.408
4. Exquisite Secret - 108.285
5. Mighty Gaze - 107.135
6. On The Fly - 103.352
7. Galapagos - 99.955
8. Silver Slicker - 96.928
9. Aimless Revenge - 95.740
10. Lazy Patrol - 94.466

Top 10 2YO Fillies

1. Skip Practice - 127.388
2. Mental Edge - 114.743
3. Sky Ensign - 113.410
4. Linköping - 107.750
5. Diabla - 96.144
6. Redskyatdawn - 93.398
7. Wishing Wells - 87.326
8. Just Peachy - 87.140
9. Greek Gazer - 82.263
10. Money Maker - 81.082

More new top-20 members

Waltz on the Stars (7th @ 5)
Skip Practice (8th @ 5)
Memorabilia (19th @ 8T)
On The Prowl (18th @ 8T)
Flow Diagram (3rd @ 13T)
Braveheart (4th @ 13T)
Dieresis (11th @ 13T)
Sunrena (15th @ 13T)
Stormy Wedding (19th @ 13T)
All For Dansilver (8th @ 4.5T)
Exquisite Secret (16th @ 4.5T)
Mighty Gaze (17th @ 4.5T)
Enlightenment (16th @ 16)
Silver Crown (10th @ 11)
In Shining Armor (20th @ 11)
Pegasus Song (7th @ 10)
Take A Gander (14th @ 10)
Perfect Bell (16th @ 12T)
A Bus (19th @ 12T)
Isca's Revenge (17th @ 8.5)
Lucky Me (3rd @ 4.5T)
Peak Hour (7th @ 4.5T)
Landscaper (8th @ 4.5T)
Love For Thunder (9th @ 4.5T)
Lady's Man (10th @ 4.5T)
Rampage (12th @ 4.5T)
Apoetandidntknowit (14th @ 4.5T)
Open Fire (15th @ 4.5T)
Secret Liason (19th @ 4.5T)
Lil Belle (1st @ 6)
View Of Paradise (8th @ 6)
Victory Dance (12th @ 6)
Fly So High (13th @ 6)
Baron Gregor (14th @ 6)
Missmelodramatic (12th @ 12T)
Flow Diagram (19th @ 12T)
Pegasus Song (3rd @ 10)
Lazy Loper (10th @ 10)
Notice Me (20th @ 10)
Bearly Legal (1st @ 5.5)
Swept Away (2nd @ 5.5)
Silent Tear (4th @ 5.5)
Dare The Storm (8th @ 5.5)
Dazzling Touch (19th @ 5.5)

New top-20 members of 2008

Through the first two months of racing, there have been a number of horses (55, to be exact) that have cracked top-20 time lists. Here is a list of them with where they have placed themselves on their respective list (listed in furlongs). The horses are listed in the order in which they acheived these results.

Lil Belle (9th @ 5.5T)
Broken Dream (16th @ 8.5)
Taco Bell (11th @ 3)
Hold That Train (16th @ 3)
Sky Ensign (17th @ 3)
Watching & Waiting (18th @ 3)
Braveheart (6th @ 16)
Bold Alanna (14th @ 16)
Bubble Star (15th @ 16)
Precious Elegance (7th @ 8.5)
Parisian Sheikh (10th @ 7T)
Child of War (20th @ 7T)
Informative (2nd @ 7)
Upbeat (6th @ 7)
Attack At Dawn (7th @ 6T)
Shatter (17th @ 6T)
Felix of France (14th @ 6T)
Lager Beer (17th @ 7T)
Isca's Revenge (9th @ 7)
Hell Hath No Fury (13th @ 7)
Blushing Allanna (6th @ 7T)
Baden Hill (15th @ 6)
Time Traveler (16th @ 6)
Battle Song (5th @ 5.5)
Attack At Dawn (10th @ 6T)
Lil Belle (15th @ 6T)
Field of Dreams (15th @ 8.5T)
A Bus (7th @ 11T)
Lazy Loper (18th @ 9)
Precious Elegance (9th @ 9)
Missmelodramatic (5th @ 11T)
Domitila (6th @ 11T)
Linköping (5th @ 4.5T)
Diabla (8th @ 4.5T)
Money Maker (10th @ 4.5T)
Union Jack (6th @ 9.5T)
Smart Habit (5th @ 8)
Deauville (14th @ 8)
Causality (19th @ 5)
Hold That Train (5th @ 4.5)
Magic Wand (11th @ 9.5T)
CusterleftStanding (14th @ 9.5T)
Jewel Mint (1st @ 7.5T)
Notice Me (2nd @ 11)
Enlightenment (3rd @ 11)
False Demon (12th @ 11)
Miss Gold (15th @ 11)
Red Star (3rd @ 8T)
Storm Point (11th @ 8T)
Dane Carson (2nd @ 7.5)
Honour My Name (6th @ 7.5)
Golden Bullet (8th @ 7.5)
Money Pit (17th @ 7.5)
Moet (7th @ 7T)
Naïve (16th @ 7T)

Player Interview - DJ from Under The Weeping Moon

Racing Rag -

Say hello to DJ who is our next guest to be interviewed. DJ, your stable has a different name than most. What is it and why?

DJ -

Under The Weeping Moon. I took the name from a song by the band Opeth. It's a little different than a "normal" stable name. But, I like the way it sounds. Plus, it's a cool song from one of my favorite bands.

Racing Rag -

Your stable website is one of the nicest I have seen. Especially the artwork. How much work do you put in to it each week? And where did you find that great artwork?

DJ -

Thanks. Freewebs certainly makes it easy for those who really don't have a clue what they are doing. Unfortunately, the site is woefully out of date. It's definitely on my to-do list for the near future. The artwork came from searching the web. There's a lot of great stuff out there! I used Yahoo! Images search. I just tried different key words until I found things I liked.

Racing Rag -

How long have you been with PF?

DJ -

Somehow, I managed to sneak past security and got through the PF doors right before the auction at the end of the 2003 racing season.

Racing Rag -

I think we have since found a better security company but, since you’re already here, how large a string do you manage?

DJ -

I have 45 at the moment. 22 racers, 7 yearlings, 11 foals, 1 stallion, 4 broodmares, and 2 empty stalls. Which is better than it was for the first half of the year or so, as I sent out some emails, made a post on the forum, and then went on a little bit of a spending spree.

Racing Rag -

A nice size group you have. Do you have a favorite or best horse among them?

DJ -

My best would have to be Lava Drop. She's been the flag bearer for my stable from the very beginning. She just finished her racing career with a record of 37:15-8-5, $2,640,250, and in her prime was one of the better 7 furlong horses around. Not bad at all for a $29,000 auction purchase. She'd also have to be considered my favorite, though all of mine have something about them that makes them a "favorite" to me.

Racing Rag -

How does the stable’s future look? Any prospects you are expecting big things from?

DJ -

Well, hopefully all of them! I've put lots of thought into the breeding process and have modified my philosophy over the three crops I've had so far. Hopefully, I perfect it over time because that will be a big key to my stable's success...homegrown talent. Anyway, I'll have a Dansilver colt (Exquisite Secret), a Memcay filly (Moonlapse Vertigo), a Spanish Midnight filly (Spanish Nanny), and two Majestic Son colts (Majestic Mannerism and Majestic Mogul) hitting the track this season. Next year, I'll have a Bold N' Free colt (Bold N' Generous), an Octagonal Waltz filly (Enchanting Waltz), a Shogun Lodge colt (Maroon Lodge), and another Majestic Son colt (Majestic Motion). (Yes, I do have a thing for Majestic Son!).

Racing Rag -

It appears you do. What is it you like about Majestic Son as a sire?

DJ -

Majestic Son has the speed/stamina combo that I favor in my breeding plans, and he was good on any surface (I actually have one of his that prefers every surface!). He was a bit overlooked, but had a nice little career even though he didn't start until he was 4. 20:4-6-3, $2,817,500. His four wins were all G1's. At 4, he won the Oaklawn Handicap (beating Purple Passer and Missy's Bridle) and the Woodward Stakes (beating Bold N' Free, Wekiva Bay, and Demoness). Plus, he finished second to Succubus in the BC Mile. At 5, he won the Santa Anita Handicap and won the Woodward again (this time beating Supreme Court, Troll Tower, Spendthrift, and Congenial). He also finished second to Succubus (again!) in the Doncaster Handicap, but just take a look at the list of horses he finished ahead of in that race...Bold N' Free, Palm Island, Alytrain, Dubai Gold, Octagonal Waltz, and All For Camena!

Racing Rag -

What would be your biggest win to date?

DJ -

That is such a tough question. Last season, with the lack of wins from my stable, really drove home the point that they're ALL big. All of their first wins are always big moments. My first win from a homebred this year (Smartly Dubai) is special. I'm sure the first win from a "true" homebred (out of one of my mares) will really be something, but that's a few years down the road yet. I guess one that really sticks out for me is Dare To Bay's first (and only) win. I picked him up at auction after he had gone winless in his first 29 starts. Then watching him take the lead late in his 38th start (the Stanley Wootton Stakes) was a very cool feeling.

Racing Rag -

Do you have any goals for this season?

DJ -

First off, I'd like to get my win percentage back up above 20%, where it was for my first three seasons. I'd also like to continue the trend of my wins, places, and shows increasing over the previous year. I'd like to get a horse nominated for an Eclipse for the first time. The main thing for me though would be to continue to place my horses well, putting them where they belong and can compete.

Racing Rag -

At the Racing Rag you are known as the Statman. What prompted you to keep such detailed track of the PF stats?

DJ -

I've always had a love of numbers. Back when I was a kid, I used to play "games" with my baseball cards. I would keep detailed stats with pencil and paper. It would keep me busy for hours on end. Tracking the stats for the game could be a little time consuming, but the more I did them, the more I refined my routine, and it isn't all that bad anymore. It's a good thing too, because I can get lost in messing around with them and completely lose track of time!

Racing Rag -

Getting a bit ore personal now, where were you born?

DJ -

Barberton, Ohio. The Magic City or The Chicken Capital of the World, take your pick.

Racing Rag -

I have actually been to the "Magic City" since I only live about 45 minutes away. Why is Barberton called the Magic City? (I've always wondered but, never asked)

DJ -

Barberton was founded in 1891. Because it sprang into being and prospered so rapidly, it was dubbed the "Magic City". If you go to the city's web site, http://www.cityofbarberton.com/index.shtml , it's also called "the biggest small town in the country". The "Chicken Capitol" name came from there being five chicken restaurants within the city. Since you've been here, you know it's not that big of a place for that many chicken places! And the thing is, when I say chicken restaurants, I mean CHICKEN restaurants. Back in the day, that's pretty much all they served. And, they're always busy! Nowadays, there are just four left, but they serve a combined 7 1/2 tons of chicken a week! If you'd like to read more about "Barberton chicken", here's a nice little article... http://www.attachemag.com/archives/03-03/passions/passions2.html

Racing Rag -

I take it you are still living there?

DJ -

Well, I'm back to living there. I've lived in this area my entire life.

Racing Rag -

How about your family? Wife? Kids? Do tell..

DJ -

I have a 13 year old daughter, Chelsea. It's basically been just the two of us for the better part of those 13 years. Probably, because no one else will have me!

Racing Rag -

Speaking of teenager daughters, as I will have one in a couple of years, any tips on how to handle her? She drives me crazy now and boys aren't even in the picture yet!

DJ -

All I can say is good luck and start looking into convents! Seriously though, it hasn't been all that bad so far. I think the one thing I have going in my favor is that I'm starting out with a really good kid. Some of the kids I've come across, I couldn't even imagine what they'll be like as teens. Scary. The one big change that I've noticed is that they're perfectly willing to spend less time with you. Friends and activities definitely are coming to the forefront. Mine is a little hard-headed (I have NO idea where she gets that from.), but other than that, it's not so bad.

Racing Rag -

Convents, eh? Sounds good to me. Thanks it looks like I have a whole lot to look forward to. How is your career going?

DJ -

At the moment, I work for a place called Little Tikes. I'm sure most everyone has seen one of their toys at one time or another. As far as what I do there? Well, that depends on what day you ask me I guess. I do a little bit of everything basically. I usually end up where they need me at that particular moment.

Racing Rag -

I have plenty of Little Tikes toys in my home. Any chance for a discount or something? Seriously though, working there must keep you very busy.

DJ -

Actually, we can get discounts on stuff. But, my daughter is a bit old for their stuff, so I never really took advantage of it. And, I don't know if you've seen any of the recent news on Little Tikes, but they are seriously downsizing. My last day is the 11th. I still had another month or so left, but I went out and found something else before I ended up getting the boot. Interestingly enough, I'll be working for a place that is one of their raw material suppliers.

Racing Rag -

Glad you were able to line something up so quickly. Do you and your daughter get to travel much?

DJ -

Not a whole lot. East coast from Maryland down to Florida. Ohio's neighboring states; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana. Plus, Wisconsin. I've never been west of the Mississippi. Been to Canada a few times, and that's it as far as out of the country. Not very exciting.

Racing Rag -

That should make this next question interesting. Tell us about your dream vacation?

DJ -

Anywhere with a nice warm beach would be fine with me. But, my real dream vacation would be to take a baseball vacation. I'd travel across the country seeing as many major and minor league games in as many different stadiums as I possibly could.

Racing Rag -

On your "dream" baseball vacation, what are the stadiums that would be MUST see for you?

DJ -

You mean besides all of them?! Even though I absolutely hate two of these three teams, I'd have to see Fenway, Yankee Stadium, and Wrigley. The three oldest stadiums in the majors being used, and so much history there. There are so many minor league stadiums to choose from that it's almost impossible to narrow it down. John O' Donnell in Davenport, Iowa would be one though. Old park that sits right on the Mississippi. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, even though it's not the one made famous by "Bull Durham", they did move the bull from the original stadium here. The truth of the matter is that there really is no such thing as a bad baseball stadium. Just walking in and looking at that diamond is heavenly perfection.

Racing Rag -

I can tell you from experience, Wrigley is something to see. The other two, well, I can’t stand either of those teams myself. Since you mention “Bull Durham”, what did you think of the movie?

DJ -

It's a really good movie. Probably what I like best about it is the banter between "Crash" and "Meat". Great stuff. I'm very picky about sports movies in general and baseball movies in particular. I just can't enjoy the ones that don't pass the "reality test". Baseball is sacred, don't mess with it!

Racing Rag -

Amen to that. How about your favorite movie?

DJ -

A tough one to limit myself on. Ferris Bueller's Day Off; For Love Of The Game; The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly; The Lord Of The Rings movies; The Ref; Godzilla flicks; Oscar; and the original Pink Panther movies. Not much of a discernible pattern in that list!

Racing Rag -

Just watched “For Love Of The Game” again the other night. Great baseball movie. Any actresses or actors you particularly enjoy?

DJ -

Don't really have any that I'd consider favorites that I HAVE to see their movies. There's a few that come to mind that I usually enjoy their movies; Matthew Broderick, John Cusak, Christopher Walken, Owen Wilson, Jackie Chan. Is it because they are great actors? Or do they just pick good roles? Probably a combination of the two. On the actress side, I'm always watching Law & Order SVU because I have a "thing" for Mariska Hargitay. She does "it" for me. How about a "favorite" actor to avoid? I refuse to watch anything that Jim Carrey is in. He just completely rubs me the wrong way.

Racing Rag -

Mariska Hargitay? (Google search) Aha, I understand the interest now. What type(s) of music are you into?

DJ -

I'm a one-trick pony when it comes to this. As the old Helloween song says, "Heavy Metal (Is the Law)"! My main interest lies along the progressive metal path, but I own anything from glam to black metal. My favorite artists would have to be Opeth, Nevermore, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, oh I could go on and on. I remember being told when I was a lot younger, that my musical tastes would mellow out as I got older. The funny thing is, the exact opposite happened. I listen to heavier stuff now than I ever would've dreamed of listening to back then.

Racing Rag -

As they say, “If it’s too loud, you’re too old.“ What type of interests or hobbies do you have outside of PF?

DJ -

I'm a baseball nut. Absolutely love the game. I'm in an online simulation league that just started it's 8th year, and I've been in it from the beginning. If anyone is into baseball, give our site a look, it's quite good. http://www.bigdaddybaseball.com/ I also like to read, when I get the chance. I enjoy cooking. I also bowl and play golf.

Racing Rag -

I had a look at Big Daddy baseball. Very detailed. How is the Akron Ryche going fare this season?

DJ -

Oh yes, it's quite detailed. I'm sure a lot of people would consider us geeks for going into so much detail. As far as the Rÿche's prospects for the year, we're hovering just above the .500 mark at the moment, but that's good enough for first place in my division. I don't see any of the other three teams really challenging me for the division crown at the moment (Unless they make some drastic moves). What I'm going to have to decide is whether or not to try and make some blockbuster deals to improve the team or just go with what I have into the playoffs. I could probably use a little better starting pitching, but acquiring it will be quite pricey, and I've always had a hard time trading away my young talent. I'd rather have consistently good teams than try to build up a "super" team one year and then having to rebuild for a few years after that.

Racing Rag -

You must have played some baseball from reading your profile at BDBL. What was the highlight of your baseball career?

DJ -

You're probably seeing now the can of worms you've opened by asking me about baseball. I could go on and on talking about it! There's a few highlights that come to mind. Back when I was 12, I was the #1 starter on our league's all-star team. My dad was the manager and he wanted to save me for a match up with Kenmore in the second round. One of his coaches cautioned him that we had to actually win the first one before we could worry about the second round. Well, dad went with his original plan and we ended up losing the first game. We ended up making a nice little run (five or six games) through the loser's bracket, but we never did face Kenmore. Fast forward to the next year. Kenmore had went on the previous year to win the state championship I believe. Anyway, as fate would have it, we got them in the first round this time. They arrived at our home field and had a banner that they ran through onto the field. Very full of themselves. Anyway, I ended up beating them that day 1-0 on a two-hitter. The other highlights come from high school. We basically had two starting pitchers that we normally went with, another guy and myself. Well, coming up to a Saturday doubleheader against Kenmore (yes, that same group of guys again!), the other starter ended up getting himself a Saturday detention. That left us in kind of a bind. I ended up getting a complete game victory in game one. During game two, we used a variety of guys who hadn't pitched much. Meanwhile, I was on the bench keeping the scorebook, listening to an Indians game, and generally have a good time with the other guys on the bench. Well, it got to the bottom of the seventh, we were on our last pitcher, were clinging to a 15-14 lead with one out, and the bases were loaded. The coach goes out to the mound to talk with the pitcher, who promptly informs the coach that his arm is killing him. Being out of other option, the coach tells me to get out there and warm up...it's up to me. The first warm up pitch I throw is about five feet short and three feet outside. My arm feels like jelly. I have absolutely nothing left after pitching the first game. Never felt anything like that before. Anyway, the first batter I faced, jumps on a pitch and hits an absolute screamer down the third base line that just barely hooks foul. Later in the at bat, I somehow manage to jam him a bit and he hits a little looping liner to short center. Our center fielder comes sprinting in to make a nice running catch, and throws to second to catch the runner off for a double play to end the game. A complete game victory and a save in one day, not bad. The other one that sticks out from high school was in a game where our starter went the first four innings and struck out eight batters, leaving with a 2-1 lead. I came in to relieve him and went the last three innings, getting all nine outs on strikeouts. Can't do much better than that.

Racing Rag -

Did your baseball career advance any further than high school?

DJ -

Nope, high school was it. I actually still have a letter I received from the coach at Marietta College. That was pretty neat. My arm is pretty shot though. Whenever we go to places that have the "speed pitch" booth, my daughter wants us both to do it. I don't even "cut loose", and my elbow just feels horrible! I'm afraid to know what an MRI would show. Probably some bone chips floating around in there...at least. I still have my "knuckler" though, and they pitch forever, so you never know!

Racing Rag -

Your story could be “The Rookie II”. Another good baseball movie. But back to work here, do you get the chance to any live racing?

DJ -

I finally got to the track a few times last year. Thistledown isn't all that far from me, and that's the only one I've made it to so far.

Racing Rag -

Would there be anything you would add or change in PF?

DJ -

Having an open entry system through the site would be pretty neat if Laurie could figure out an easy way to do it. But, that's just an "icing" type of thing. I'm fine with the game as it is right now.

Racing Rag -

Tell us your dream breeding, if there were no horse or price limit?

DJ -

Well, sending Lava Drop to Revenge this year is a pretty dreamy pairing! If there weren't so many nice PF stallions that I want her to visit, I'd probably send her to Silver Charm. He was always one of my favorites, so I may try to squeeze him into her date book at some point.

Racing Rag -

Now, about that disclaimer on your website "Ohio's Premier Thoroughbred Stable" well, we'll just see about that!

DJ -

Hey, it was easy enough to claim when I was "the only show in town"! I look forward to the competition for the "crown" though!

Racing Rag -

The “crown” is safe for the next couple of seasons as my best horses are yet to come but, after that, who knows. Best of luck to you DJ and thanks for your time.

Player Interview - Steven from Golden Acres

Racing Rag -

Our next guest to share his secrets to success is Steven. And your stable is?

Steven -

My stable name is Golden Acres

Racing Rag -

Have you been at PF for long?

Steven -

This is my 2nd season of PF.

Racing Rag -

That’s right, we started around the same time. How many head do you currently have?

Steven -

I currently have 10 stalls all of which are filled. I have 6 racer's, 1 stallion Missy's Bridle, 2 foals and a yearling who will hit the track next season.

Racing Rag -

Who would you rate as your best horse then? Your favorite?

Steven -

I’d have to say my best horse would have to be Levicorpus. He won me my 1st major international grp 1 in the Golden Shaheen. My favorite would be Missy's Bridle as he got me off too a very good start by winning his 1st race for me and I have kept him as my foundation stallion.

Racing Rag -

How are those babies looking? Any monsters the rest of us should be on the lookout for?

Steven -

I have a yearling by Dansilver which as stated before will hit the track this season. According to his AR, he won’t mature for a little bit. So, he might not see the track(but who can resist the temptation not to run them!!!!) for a little bit. My 1st foal from Missys Bridle looks an excellent type and I can’t wait for him to run. I also have a foal from the almighty Revenge and well, by the looks of his 1st crop with so many winners I might have a good Revenge horse also.

Racing Rag -

What would be the highlight win for your stable?

Steven -

My biggest win to date would have to be the Golden Shaheen. It's the richest sprint on the PF calendar worth 2 million and my horse Levicorpus won it in just his 4th start which was pretty remarkable.

Racing Rag -

What was your goal(s) for this past season?

Steven -

My goal for this season was to win 20 races and as many group 1's as possible. I’m not sure if I have reached that goal I have only won 2 grp 1's :( Which after Levi won the Shaheen so early in the season I thought he could really go on with the job but, I think I overaced him and expected too much. After all he is only 3yrs old and I was racing against the likes of Victory Dance, Mars, Blushing Allanna etc.. He won’t race again this season and his season reads 12 starts for 4 wins 2 2nds and 2 3rds for a total of around 1.8 million and change which isn’t bad on a 300k auction purchase!!

Racing Rag -

Not too shabby my friend. Now to the personal side, where were you born?

Steven -

I was born in Sydney, Australia at a hospital called Canterbury.

Racing Rag -

Are you still in Sydney or have you moved on?

Steven -

I still live in Sydney but want too move either interstate or overseas.

Racing Rag -

Where would you move to Steven?

Steven -

If I was too move within Australia I'd move to western Australia and overseas, it would be somewhere within Europe.

Racing Rag -

Very nice indeed. How about the family?

Steven -

I don’t have any children :) I do however, have a fiancé her name is Stacey. We have been together 5 years. We were friends for 4 years before we started dating.

Racing Rag -

Fiance, eh? When is the big day?

Steven -

Well the big date hasn’t been fixed as yet still a few things too work out but, probably some time this year my guess is around October September time.

Racing Rag -

Where will the honeymoon take you two?

Steven -

We have discussed plans for our honeymoon and we will probably only have 6-8 weeks. So what we want to do is go on a cruise for 2 weeks. When we get off in Fiji fly over to the UK for a week then onto Paris for another week. Then onto New York for the remainder off our time. It all looks ok but, whether it is achievable is another question.

Racing Rag -

You will be racking up the frequent flyer miles on that trip. How goes the career?

Steven -

I currently work for a company called Kimberley Clark. I do import costing and arrange all of our international freight and intra country movements which is a little boring but you have to pay the bills right!

Racing Rag -

So very true. Do you plan to stay there at Kimberley Clark or are you looking to expand your horizons?

Steven -

I can see myself staying at my current job for a while. They are a big organization and I have just started in a new section. I’m now doing global sales which is just a little bit more stressful but much more rewarding than my previous job. It’s very secure as they are a world-wide company that turns a very high profit which I need as marriage and kids are just around the corner.

Racing Rag -

That you will, Steven. Have you had the chance to travel much?

Steven -

When I was younger and single I traveled through Europe. I have relatives in England, Scotland, and Poland. So I have seen them plus I went to Paris, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, and Italy. I was abroad for 12 months so I spent a bit of time in each location.

Racing Rag -

That is a fair amount of time. What was your favorite spot of those you visited?

Steven -

My favorite place in Europe would have to be a town in the UK called York. It is just so full of history the whole country is. There is real Viking village underground which I checked out. Being from Australia we have next to no history so seeing things on the corner of streets in the UK like so and so was burned at the stake here for whatever reason was just so amazing. I also liked going too Poland as that’s were my parents are from so it was good too see were my parents were born etc..

Racing Rag -

Would you have a dream vacation or have you done that already?

Steven -

I'd have too say my dream vacation would have to be going to the Seychelles, hiring a yacht and just sailing around them pristine waters with my fiancé. No phones or worries. Being able to anchor and row ashore in a tiny little hideaway and just spend time talking over an open fire.

Racing Rag -

Quite the romantic I see Steven. Were you involved in sports growing up? Any highlights to share?

Steven -

I played a lot of sports as a child/teenager cricket, soccer, rugby league my greatest moments were being selected for south Sydney Harold Matthews and s.g bal sides which is junior development teams for the professional comps. Harold Matthew’s is for 15 year olds and sag ball is 17 yr olds. I regret not continuing on playing as I had snapped the ligaments in my knee and spent the next 12 months on crutches and just sort lost interest. Which is a shame as a lot of people I played with and against made the grade teams and are now playing for big dollar contracts but such is life :) I am however making a comeback some 10 years later and playing for my local team. Which I am happy about as I’m back into full time training, doing my weights, and on a strict diet(which I broke by having pizza and beer last night). I have shed some 25 kilos or 55 pounds so I’m stoked really I feel healthy and much younger.

Racing Rag -

Any favorite movies out there?

Steven -

My favorite movie would have to be American Me or Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Racing Rag -

I see were your horse Levicorpus gets his name then. I finally saw that this past weekend. Very well done. How about a favorite actor or actress?

Steven -

My favorite actor is Christopher Walken (I just love the trilogy the Prophecy) and actress well take your pick I like pretty much all of them.

Racing Rag -

A big fan of music are you?

Steven -

I like all types except heavy metal. Probably my favorite would be top 40 or r'n'b.

Racing Rag -

What interests you outside of PF?

Steven -

My hobbies would have to be going fishing, taking a ferry across the harbour(Sydney harbour) too manly and go for a walk on the beach whilst having a cone of ice cream and SLEEPING!!!!

Racing Rag -

Do you usually come away with many fish?

Steven -

About the only thing I catch when I go fishing is a cold :) It’s a good way too unwind. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. For a few hours sitting there and having no one harassing you for anything only the fish for more food lol!!

Racing Rag -

Ice cream, one of my favorite things. What kind is your favorite?

Steven -

What kind of ice cream cone would it be well, that all depends on what I'm craving that day. Most likely toffee and peppermint or mango delight yum!! Now I feel like some mango ice cream.

Racing Rag -

Make mine a mint chocolate chip while you're at it Steven. Do you get out to the track often?

Steven -

I go to the race's at least 8-10 times a year. I go to Randwick which is 30 minutes from were I live or Rosehill which is 5 minutes down the road. I will be going to Rosehill on 8th of April to watch the Golden Slipper/ The BMW both grp 1's and will definetly be going to the Doncaster Hcp. Derby Day at Royal Randwick over Easter I just cant wait. I have gone with fellow player and good mate Finlay (fdl lodge) quite a few times and have never met another person like him. We are both racing fanatics!!! You remember at Canterbury Fin spark of life??

Racing Rag -

Any changes you would like to see made in PF?

Steven -

I wouldn’t change PF. I like it the way it is. As they say, “If it aint broke don’t fix it”. I think Laurie is doing a fabulous job. This is without doubt the best online game ever!!!!!

Racing Rag -

Okay, dream breeding?

Steven -

Dream breeding for me would have to be Missys Bridle x Serena’s Song. I think Missys Bridle will turn out to be a very good stallion and well Serena’s Song doesn’t need any introduction now does she?

Racing Rag -

No, she doesn’t. Any thing to add Steven?

Steven -

I’d also like to take the time out to thank Laurie for all the time and hard work she puts into this game. Because without her there would be no Photo Finish. I’d also like to thank Tom from Moose Hollow Farms for running the pick winners comp. It adds more fun to a wonderful game. Chris (rail rider) for doing his weekly form, to Darren for his psr spreadsheet and his many other wonderful things that he contributes to this game. Amanda from BallyDoyle for all her positive feedback and help which is invaluable. Lastly, to Finlay from FDL for introducing me to this game, for his advice and helpfulness. It is greatly appreciated and to everyone else who plays this wonderful game, you couldn’t get a nicer bunch of people. I enjoy all the forum banter and week to week chit chat.

Racing Rag -

Well thank you Steven and best of luck in the upcoming season. Next up..we travel to “The Heart Of It All”, until then adios.

Eclipse Award PSR's

Horse of the Year

1. A Bus - 108.296 (16)
2. Take A Gander - 106.470 (14)
3. Madam De Francais - 100.576 (15)

Champion Older Male

1. Smart Money - 101.930 (14)
2. Star Studded - 100.895 (12)
3. Sovereign Sword - 97.608 (12)
4. Winds Of Change - 94.996 (16)
5. Congenial - 90.797 (12)
6. Pleasant Galaxy - 75.767 (10)

Champion Older Female

1. Precious Elegance - 102.219 (14)
2. Madam De Francais - 100.576 (15)
3. Tolerance - 95.706 (15)
4. Promised Land - 93.218 (8)
5. Escena's Slew - 84.685 (12)

Champion 3YO Colt

1. Braveheart - 108.381 (13)
2. A Bus - 108.296 (16)
3. Take A Gander - 106.470 (14)
4. Hideaway - 95.810 (14)

Champion 3YO Filly

1. Pegasus Song - 110.965 (9)
2. Tranquil Scene - 106.613 (14)
3. Flow Diagram - 105.208 (13)
4. Memorabilia - 98.601 (13)

Champion 2YO Colt

1. Patchers - 110.845 (11)
2. Moet - 109.996 (8)
3. Landmine - 96.214 (7)

Champion 2YO Filly

1. Case Closed - 107.729 (6)
2. On The Prowl - 106.173 (9)
3. Fly So High - 105.056 (10)
4. Shatter - 101.136 (12)
5. Attack At Dawn - 100.331 (13)

Champion Male Turf Horse

1. A Bus - 109.492 (12)
2. Braveheart - 107.911 (3)
3. The River Wild - 103.969 (11)
4. Big N' Rich - 103.749 (6)
5. Star Studded - 103.438 (10)
6. Smart Money - 101.930 (14)
7. Vampirical - 92.588 (10)

Champion Female Turf Horse

1. Flow Diagram - 107.180 (6)
2. Tranquil Scene - 106.613 (14)
3. Missmelodramatic - 105.156 (12)
4. Dancing Delaware - 104.660 (6)
5. Precious Elegance - 101.307 (1)
6. Madam De Francais - 96.787 (3)
7. Promised Land - 93.556 (7)

Champion Sprinter

1. Blushing Allanna - 113.747 (7)
2. Parisian Sheikh - 109.522 (7)
3. Victory Dance - 108.817 (16)
4. Mars - 101.365 (7)
5. Levicorpus - 99.038 (13)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Player Interview - Laura from Red Wing Stables

Racing Rag -

Welcome Laura up next. What is your stable name?

Laura -

Red Wing Stables.

Racing Rag -

How long have you been with PF?

Laura -

Since 2003 - I joined right after the 2002 season concluded.

Racing Rag -

And how many horses do you have at present?

Laura -

45.

Racing Rag -

A lot to keep track of. Do you have a best and/or favorite?

Laura -

Celebration is my favorite horse, and Promised Land is probably my best horse.

Racing Rag -

Why is that?

Laura -

Celebration was the first big horse I had - she beat the boys on a few occasions, too. Not in the same league as Revenge, Spanish Midnight, TearDrop and Demoness, but she was still a pretty nice runner. Promised Land just cracks me up - she's a two miler. Period. This is one case where the horse lives up to the A/R (her distance range is listed at 2 miles to 2 miles). I've given up running her at anything else. But, she's managed to earn almost $7 million from just 29 starts, running at that weird two mile distance. I'm leaning towards running her again at age seven, partly because she's still doing so well, and partly because I'm afraid her foals will take after her in terms of wanting only two miles, but that would be her final season.

Racing Rag -

Well, $7 million is nothing to be ashamed of, lol. What prospects, yearlings or foals, you are expecting big things from?

Laura -

My best yearling, at least on paper, is Astaire (Sadler's Wells x Plenty ofGrace). Several look like they'll be good, but like this year's juveniles, I think they'll ultimately be better at three than at two. As for my foals,I'm pretty happy with all of them. Of the four I bred, I'm expecting the most out of Fireheart. I also purchased three foals privately this year(Arctic Fox, Castle Rock, and Remington Steele) that I'm pretty excited about.

Racing Rag -

Which would be your biggest win to date?

Laura -

Probably the Breeders' Cup Endurance with Promised Land last year.

Racing Rag -

What are you hoping for your stable this season goal wise?

Laura -

Other than my long term goal of continuing to upgrade my horses, I don't have a specific goal in terms of winning a particular race. I like classic distance type horses, so I suppose if I pointing for anything it would be the Kentucky and Epsom Derbies, and tend to sell off the sprinters. I also try to place my horses well, so that they have a decent chance of winning, or at least earning a check.

Racing Rag -

Winning either of those races would be a great accomplishment. Now, where were you born?

Laura -

Teaneck, New Jersey.

Racing Rag -

Still live there?

Laura -

Nope, I currently live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Racing Rag -

How goes the family life, spouse, kids, etc. ?

Laura -

No spouse, no kids - one of these days, LOL. For immediate family, I've got my parents, who still live in New Jersey, and my brother and his wife, who live near the NJ/PA border.

Racing Rag -

Nothing wrong with that. How about on the career front?

Laura -

I'm an attorney. Currently, I'm working for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Racing Rag -

Guess I better watch what I say then. Do you specialize in any particular area of law? What is the strangest case you have worked on to date?

Laura -

I've done some bankruptcy, some real estate and corporate work, but right now, I'm doing mostly litigation - a lot of constitutional issues and interpreting statutes (I've learned that legislatures are horrible writers). I'm not so sure about strange - although when I was in law school, I was doing an internship with the prosecutor's office, and we went to this competency hearing for this guy. He was crazy, and had a guardian to manage his finances, but his son had persuaded him to go to the bank and take out money and give it to the son (the son knew full well about the guardian). Why the teller gave them money, when he wasn't authorized on the account, I have no idea, but in any event, the son was on trial, and the son's attorney wanted the father to testify. Anyway, the father shows up sporting orange tinted lenses set into aviator goggles and a shaved head. I got to listen to him testify that we were here to set up the Constitution for this fine commonwealth, that he would lie for God and country, and then he really couldn't answer any other question asked of him. The attorney got more and more desperate, and finally, the crazy guy replied, "Sir, you are a fine gentleman. If there is anyone I would recommend for a full frontal lobotomy, it would be you." It was all I could do not to burst out laughing - I just about choked trying to keep it in. Needless to say, the guy wasn't ruled competent to testify.

Racing Rag -

That would have been interesting to say the least. Have you had the opportunity to travel a lot?

Laura -

A bit. I actually lived in England for four months, when I spent a college semester there - loved it. Also went to Scotland and Ireland when I was over there. I've been back to England since. I've also been to Canada, just about every state east of the Mississippi, several cities in Texas, andLos Angeles, San Jose and San Francisco in California.

Racing Rag -

Quite the globetrotter. Do you have a dream vacation?

Laura -

There's a ton of places I'd like to go, but I guess I'll go with spending a month traveling around Europe. I was originally going to do that at the end of my college semester in England, but stuff came up, and so I didn't get to go. I'd still like to do that sometime. I'd love to compete on the Amazing Race, just to get to travel, although you really don't get to linger anywhere that way. But, it would be a great opportunity to sample a bunch of places, and then you could go back later and spend more time in the places you really like. I wouldn't mind living a few months in England again, either.

Racing Rag -

Funny how life gets in the way of things we want to do. If you were to compete in the Amazing Race, would you do some of the wild stunts they propose? What would be your limits?

Laura -

Some of the ones involving food might be tough, and by that, I'm thinking of the one where they had to eat four pounds of different types of meat. Four pounds of anything is really too much. I could muddle through most of them. I also wouldn't be wild about a bungee jump or sky dive, although most other stunts involving heights would be okay - hopefully, I could pass those off on my partner in crime.

Racing Rag -

I never understood why someone would jump out of a perfectly good airplane but, it takes all kinds. Do you have a favorite movie?

Laura -

That's an easy one: A Christmas Story, mostly because I can never decide which line is my favorite - a consistently great movie from start to finish. A Christmas Story is a true classic.

Racing Rag -

Mine would be “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.“. That movie was filmed in part in my hometown Cleveland. They have begun renovating the home from the movie into a museum. Fancy a visit? (they sell leg lamps, by the way, lol.)

Laura -

I did not know that! I may very well head up there at some point. I kind of want to go to Cedar Point sometime (I love rollercoasters), and I think that's not too far from there.

Racing Rag -

They certainly have those there. Sixteen in fact. Any actor or actress you would call your favorite?

Laura -

I don't know that I really have one. There are actors and actresses I like, but there's no one that I like so much that I make a point of seeing every movie that they do.

Racing Rag -

What type of music and artists do you prefer?

Laura -

My music interests are pretty varied, ranging from classical to heavy metal - the only thing that can consistently be said that is if has a good drumbeat and bass line, I probably like it. A good example of this is to describe the CDs getting the most play in my car right now - AFI's Sing the Sorrow (which is probably my favorite at the moment), No Doubt, The Killers, Nine Inch Nails and a mix CD. I got to meet Liz Phair when she performed at the Hard Rock Cafe here in Louisville, and she is as cool as I thought she'd be. I'm not as into her new stuff, but her first two albums are great.

Racing Rag -

What interests you outside of PF?

Laura -

I run - I did my first marathon in January, down at Disney World. I'll probably run another one this fall. I do a bunch of creative writing and have had several stories and articles published. I'm a horse racing fan, and own two racehorses (although both were retired in November and are beginning a new career as broodmares; I'm looking to buy another sometime this spring). I work on my family tree in fits and starts, I love NFL football and am in a cutthroat fantasy league. I also like to read, mostly mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy, although I don't have much time for it these days.

Racing Rag -

A marathon, eh? How much training does one need to compete in one? Not that I have any visions of doing so, lol. My idea of exercise is running to the fridge between commercials.

Laura -

It depends, partly on your condition when you start the training, and partly on what time you're shooting for. If you're already running longer distances it takes less time. I trained for about three months for mine (I had been doing 10-14 miles for my weekly long run for several months prior to that), running three or four times a week, and did two 20 mile runs prior to running the 26.2. Some people do more 20's, others do less. In my case, it worked fine, I didn't hit any wall, and I wasn't sore the next day, other than a minor toe injury (deep bone bruise) that I'd had to deal with between mile 17 and the finish. Lesson learned - buy shoes with a wider toe area to them.

Racing Rag -

Which will be your next marathon?

Laura -

Chicago, in October. I kind of wanted to do one sooner than that, but that bone bruise was just enough to be annoying and kept me from running for about a month.

Racing Rag -

Back to horses for a bit then. Had the chance to see any racing live? If so, where?

Laura -

I go to Churchill Downs and Keeneland fairly regularly, and go to Ellis, Turfway, River Downs and Hoosier once or twice a year, usually on their big stakes day. I even braved Kentucky Downs once. Growing up, I went to the Meadowlands once, Aqueduct once (I swore never to go back, it was such a wretched experience, but I went back to see my filly Hudson Valley make her racing debut), and Monmouth fairly regularly. I've also been to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and Lone Star.

Racing Rag -

Some of the nicest track there are. Did either of your mares have any success on the track? Who do you plan to breed these mares with?

Laura -

Hudson Valley won one race, placed second four times, was fourth four times and sixth once before bowing a tendon, which was a shame, because in two starts on turf, she showed a tremendous amount of ability and we were looking forward to running her in some New York bred stakes this year. Racing Heart fell on her head in her first start and was distanced early, then closed like a rocket to finish fourth. She bled horribly in her next start, then was stretched out to a route and tired in the stretch. I would have loved to see what she could have done with a race that went smoothly, but she couldn't maintain race weight. Racing Heart was bred to Grand Reward on February 21st and Hudson Valley was bred to Medaglia d'Oro on February 28th. Both will be sold at the Keeneland November sale. Part of me would like to keep them, but I knew this would happen because it was part of the deal when I bought in. Here's a link to a picture of Hudson Valley at the track: http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/ontrack/HudsonValley

Racing Rag -

Great photo, that photographer does some really nice work. A couple of nice sire choices there. I am assuming it's the younger Grand Reward (Storm Cat/Serenas Song).

Laura -

It is. I actually saw him at Hill N Dale Farm a few weeks back. He's pretty nice looking, although I still think Harlington, who just won this weekend, is Serena's best looking foal.

Racing Rag -

Any chances you are looking to get back to the racing side or strictly going to stay with breeding?

Laura -

I'm looking. I will probably buy into a 2yo or older horse sometime this spring, it's just a question of finding the right opportunity (a horse you like, and can afford).

Racing Rag -

Would you like to see anything added or changed in PF?

Laura -

I wish there was more of an open entry system. I play in two other simulated horse racing games, and when you enter, you can see who you're running against, and whether a field is coming up super tough or super easy. If an automated method could be figured out, that might help Laurie save some time, too.

Racing Rag -

What would be your dream breeding? No price or horse limit.

Laura -

Silver Charm x Serena's Song. I'm still annoyed that Bob Lewis, rest his soul, never did that pairing, although since Silver Charm hasn't been a rousing success in real life, and he's been able to sell her Storm Cat foals for a ton of money, I can understand it from a business decision. That said, when I bred to Serena's Song two seasons ago, I bred her to Danehill, because that was my one shot to breed to him, but in any other year, I would have used Silver Charm.

Racing Rag -

Thank you so much for your time and best of luck to you.