Saturday, December 10, 2011

Margano Wins!!!! Morning Line Favorite Margano Racing Saturday, Post Time 3:21

Margano wins!!!!

What a perfect race by Margano and Javier!  Margano stalked perfectly, then came flying home at the end!  More to follow...

Link to replay on Bloodhorse:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/12/10/7/race-7


Photo of Margano entering the winner's circle (thanks to Alex Brown on twitter!).


Link: http://twitpic.com/7rip3f




Margano, the morning line favorite (3/1 odds), will be racing Saturday on the Gulfstream turf in race #7, at a distance of 1 1/16 miles (rail at 96 feet), post time is about 3:21.   Thank you to Margano for his return, since it marks my return to racing since his last start (R.I.P. Royal Brush...).


As most Gulfstream maiden races, the field came up extremely tough for Margano.  Javier Castellano will be guiding Margano from gate #9 in the field of twelve two year olds.  Margano is coming off a very impressive second place finish at Belmont Park back on October 15th.  Since then, he has had six solid works, with the last two at Gulfstream Park, all on the dirt.  Margano will be making his third start, out of his three older brothers before him (Barbaro, Nicanor, Lentenor), he has reached his third start quicker then all of them.  Which, to me, shows that Mr. Tagg thinks very highly of him, both in his maturity level and fitness level.  In his last race, which was a 1/16 of a mile shorter and on a yielding turf course at Belmont Park, Margano almost went wire to wire, tiring a bit at the end to finish a very impressive second place.  I love the fact that he was given a short break and has been down in Florida training, I fully expect Margano to run a huge race.


What can I say about this field?  I see plenty of potential in many, but, a majority of the field lacks the experience to show that potential tomorrow.  Out of the twelve, I see three or four that could challenge Margano.  There is plenty of speed in the race, where Margano runs will greatly depend on his break and how well Javier can guide him into the first turn.  I love his post position and think it will leave Javier with plenty of options. 


After looking at the field, my ideal scenario would be for Margano to be about third or fourth into the turn.  I see Silver Max going straight to the lead from the rail, with Get Right challenging him from the get go.  Margano should follow right behind those two, with maybe No Play involved early.  If Javier can get Margano to rate comfortably behind the leaders, I think the leaders will fight each other and Margano should be able to take advantage of this rounding for home.  Shaun Washington is the biggest threat to Margano, but, breaking from the eleventh hole could give Margano just enough of a advantage in the stretch.  If Shaun Washington can get ahead of Margano before the first turn, it could be very tough for Margano to catch him in the stretch.   So, with that said, I will go with Margano to break his maiden, Shaun Washington to come in second, and Godard coming on strong to take third.  Just hope it is a safe race for all, and it sure will be nice to see the Jackson's join Margano in the winner's circle!



Here is a link to watch the race live, remember, post time is about 3:21 eastern time!

Link to Margano's race:  http://www.gulfstreampark.com/portal/gulfstream-video-and-xpressbet-racechat



Race #7, 1 1/16 Miles On The Turf, Maiden Special Weight, Two Year Olds, Purse: $51,000

P.P.   Horse                       Jockey                  Trainer                    Odds

1.      Silver Max               M. Cruz                D. Romans               4-1
2.      Get Right                 Edgar Prado         J. Jerkens                10-1
3.      Kanati Kid               A. Solis                 C. Gambolati            12-1
4.      No Play                    J. Sanchez             E. Gray                    20-1
5.      Arthur                      P. Lopez                K. Ritvo                   15-1
6.      Awesome Life         J. Castanon           P. Byme                   12-1
7.      Godard                    J. Leparoux           T. Proctor                 6-1
8.      Optionality              E. Trujillo              T. Proctor                 8-1
9.      Margano                 Javier Castellano    Barclay Tagg          3-1
10.    Little Nicholas        J. Alvarez                L. Olivares             20-1
11.    Shaun Washington  J. Bravo                  J. Jerkens               5-1
12.    Privacy Invasion     J. Leyva                  D. Fawkes               20-1

Also eligible:

13.    Superiority               L. Panici                 J. Hennessy            10-1
14.    Pikestar                   J. Castanon            M. Nihei                  12-1
15.    Saturday Classic     L. Contreras          M. Casse                  8-1
16.    Super Saturday       J. Castellano          M. Trombetta          8-1



Here are some videos and photos I took from Margano's last race, enjoy...


















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Godspeed Margano...

55 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update, Greg! Here is my wish that Margano will break his maiden in this race and all will race safely.

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  2. God Bless you, baby boy. Run well, Margano and listen to Javier, he's a good jockey. Safe and sound return and safe race for the field.
    We love you, Margano.

    Daffodil

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  3. What time central? Good luck Margano
    Jiminy Cricket

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  4. He won!!!! He looked wonderful, I don't think he even got hit with the stick.
    Jiminy Cricket

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  5. I saw Margano win and he did it with ease, like a romp in the park. Thank you Margano for making my day. Good luck in the future. Thank you Javier and thank you Mr. Tagg for your training. Thank you Dynaformer and Ms. Rouge. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson for Barbaro and his Brothers. And thank you Greg for this blog.

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  6. Thanks Kathy :)

    I posted a link to the replay on the top of this page.

    SO proud of Margano, a perfect race !!!!!

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  7. Horse 3, Kanati Kid, was pulled up. I don't know of he's alright. Wonderful job, Margano, and Greg, great job with the blog. It's such a blessing to have you back. What a great day this's been for us FOBS! I hope that Kanati Kid is okay.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  8. YEA!!!!!!! Our boy finally broke his Maiden! I'm so happy for him and all his connections. Sorry the Jackson's weren't there to see it. He's on his way now.

    So glad your back Greg and thanks for this wonderful place to post.

    Lou in TX

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  9. YEA!!!!!!! Our boy finally broke his Maiden! I'm so happy for him and all his connections. Sorry the Jackson's weren't there to see it. He's on his way now.

    So glad your back Greg and thanks for this wonderful place to post.

    Lou in TX

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  10. It really was a perfect race. Javier never did have to hit him once. I really believe there are great things in store for Margano. I'm so proud of him. Its great to see you back, Greg. BTW, has anyone heard any updates on Nicanor?

    Joy in Texas

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  11. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Yay! Margano!
    SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

    I'm so excited. So happy. So so so happy!!!
    I knew he'd win this time. I KNEW it!!!

    -Arem

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  12. Magic (aka Margano) did it! He was touted afterwards by the HRTV announcers (reportedly) as saying he is a Star on the Rise. They are having trouble with his name, so henceforth, I will refer to him as Magic, because he is magic, and because that is easier than MARgano or MarGANo or MarJano.


    Daffodil

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  13. Daffodil,

    Before he was officially named and there were the MarCano/MarGano, debates I've always thought of him as "Marc" (Mark) :p

    That's just easier untill I know for sure how his name is pronouced. lol

    How do the Jacksons say it, I wonder?

    -Arem

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  14. Mrs. Jackson pronounced his name MARgano, and commented that announcers call him MarGANo.

    I have always gone with MARgano like BARbaro.

    Karen, PA

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  15. Margano's on his way, huh? Keep it up, fella. What a great race!

    ~American Quail Lover

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  16. Karen, PA that was my thinking-- pronounced like Barbaro. Those silly announcers keep confusing me, though. lol

    -Arem

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  17. Karen,thank you! I've always called him MARgano but have been given an argument about it. If his owner calls him MARgano, sobeit!

    Can't wait to see what's next for this talented, gorgeous boy!

    Daffodil

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  18. P.S. To me he is Magic.

    Daffodil

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  19. Since Gretchen Jackson pronounces it MARgano, you can bet the announcers will get it right next time. If you'll remember they mispronounced Barbaro's name until he made a slash on the scene. It just seems so easy so pronounce his name MARgano. That's the way I've always said his name. Couldn't say it any other way if I tried.

    That's very interesting about LVR and Bernadini. I guess since he was good enough for Queen Z he is good enough for LVR. Has anyone ever decided if she is in foal with Dynaformer right now? I keep getting mixed messages.

    Hope everyone is getting ready for Christmas. It will be here before we know it. I keep thinking I'm through getting gifts but keep remembering someone I forgot.

    Lou in TX

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  20. What's this about Bernardini and LVR?

    -Arem

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  21. Arem,

    Gretchen Jackson mentioned yesterday, after Margano's impressive victory, that La Ville Rouge is booked to Bernardini in 2012.

    She also mentioned that she can't help but to compare Margano to his big brother Barbaro, saying that Margano has faced better competition in New York and Florida then Barbaro did in his first start in Delaware. She was impressed that he has learned quickly and that when Javier asked him to run yesterday, he knew what to do. Very exciting...

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  22. Ah. Thanks for the info.
    5-6 crosses to Dynaformer is enough, eh? :p

    Speaking of number 6... will there be a number six? Any word?

    -Arem

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  23. Happy to hear LVR is carrying another foal, not too happy bout the Bernardini thing, though. Dyno doesn't have many seasons left, and I thought they were going for a sister? Bernardini has never been a favorite of mine....
    Jiminy Cricket

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  24. After watching the replay, yet again, I am so impressed by how easy he made it look. It's as though he just decided "O.K. I'm going to go win this thing now." and off he went to do just that!

    He and Javier made a good team. Anyone know what Javier had to say after the race? Margano raced to the Winner's Circle, he just seems to love to run.

    Daffodil

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  25. Jiminy Cricket, I agree about the Bernardini thing. That horse won the Preakness Barbaro broke his leg in . . . and Bernardini's owners bragged on and on in the morning paper where I'm from how THEY defeated the great Barbaro. I wonder what the Jacksons' are hoping for out of this. I really wanted the Barbaro sister, too, and alas, the hope for a full-blooded sister has come to an end, for now anyway. Margano looked wonderful, didn't he?

    ~American Quail Lover

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  26. Yes, margano did look wonderful, and I didn't want to say it, but you said it for me. That is definetely why I dont like Bernardini. I don't really care for zenyatta either, because her owners/fans were so rabid when she lost hoy to Rachel, when Rachel definitely deserved it more. if races had a point system that hoy were determined on, zenyatta would've never been close to hoy. But, oh well, ill shut up on those subjects for now.;)
    Jiminy Cricket

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  27. I like Zenyatta, but I do agree that her owners weren't fair. Rachel Alexandra earned that HOY easily. I hope that I didn't offend anyone with my comments on Bernardini's owners. Sorry if I did, but that still hurts when I think about it. A point system sounds like a good idea, to be honest. This way, the best horse really would win. Not much can be done currently. But we'll have to wait and see. Congratulations again, Margano! And La Ville Rouge, though Bernardini, you know, . . . he wasn't the one who was mean about Barbaro's accident. Don't be mean to him, but don't be all nice either. In my mind, Dynaformer is your husband or long-time boyfriend or something like that. Anyway, I'm ranting again. Love you all.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  28. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble liking Bernardini because of that. I just don't know if I can ever like that horse... It's not his fault, but still....

    -Arem

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  29. Agreed Arem, but to put things on a lighter note, rapid Redux ran his streak to 21! He is now tied with Citation for most wins in one year(19). I believe they will be starting him one more time this year, so he will probably be the sole owner of that record too by years end! He is simply amazing! :)
    Jiminy Cricket

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  30. Agreed. He's not at fault, but it still, he can breed to any mare in all of the country, so why La Ville Rogue?! Congratulations to Rapid Redux. Bernardini's owners were very cruel about it, for they thought that their win was more important then Barbaro. No win is worth more then a horse's life, no matter the race.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  31. Did anyone else notice this? In Margano's winning race, after he got the lead, he slowed down a bit. I noticed that, but maybe it was just my imagination.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  32. Greg sure called it! "Godard coming on strong and taking third!" Godard was too far back to win it but he certainly took a few lives off me! Watch out for him, too! But it's our Margano...sigh. What a horse!

    Daffodil

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  33. I agree. What a horse Margano is! Light a candle for the Mustangs! It's the 40th year anniversary of the Wild Horse and Burro Act!

    ~American Quail Lover

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  34. FYI,

    I just wanted everyone to know that La Ville Rouge is not currently in foal. Her 2011 colt with Dynaformer will be the last of Barbaro's full brother's.

    As far as La Ville Rouge being booked to Bernardini in 2012, I think it is a great match and I do not hold any ill feeling's towards Bernardini due to him winning the Preakness. Extremely sad memories of that day, but, they have nothing to do with Bernardini at all.

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  35. Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New.

    This thing about Bernardini...we've got to move on. We all knew the day was coming when LVR wouldn't be bred back to Dynaformer. We have 4 beautiful brothers to love and cherish. And one little Babynor 2 that we haven't had a chance to get to know but look forward to it.

    Bernardini had nothing to do with Barbaro's accident in the Preakness. He was running a race and knew nothing about Barbaro. Barbaro himself wouldn't want you holding this against him. He is here in spirit with all his brothers. We need to support LVR because we do love her very much. She's lucky to have owners like the Jackson's who want only to breed her to the best stallions and Bernardini is one of those. I know how you feel because I felt that way to at first but realized I wasn't being fair to such a wonderful horse. I'm sad because there won't be any more full brothers but also realize I need to get over it. Life must go on. We need to focus on the brothers we do have to love and how fortunate we are to have them. I can't wait to learn more about Babynor 2 and see how he grows up. We have alot to be thankful for now. Those are just my thoughts and hopefully we will all come together one day.

    Lou in TX

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  36. We do indeed have much to be thankful for. Has Babynor 2 been named yet?

    ~American Quail Lover

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  37. Bonjour Margano,

    Congratulations,Margano,for winning your first race!

    I just knew it. That you would win.

    I am still hoping that you will win the Kentucky Derby of 2012.

    I will be watching your progress.

    I haven't watched your winning race yet because the link didn't work. It said that the video was not available.

    Does anyone on here have a working link so I can watch the race?

    Good luck in your future races. Barbaro would be proud of you.

    Lots of love to you, Margano.

    Lise from Maine

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  38. Equibase would have the race, and was it the Bloodhorse link that didn't work? Margano's my 2012 Derby pick as well. I'll see what I can do about finding a link, Lise from Maine.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  39. Hi!

    I eventually found a link on Bloodhorse, and actually watched the race a few times.

    Great race, Margano!

    I hope my dreams come true in that Margano will be the Kentucky Derby winner of 2012.

    Thank you!

    Lise from Maine

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  40. He's beautiful, poised, confident, calm, intelligent, and talented. The perfect race- horse!

    He has so much of Barbaro in him, he runs like his big bro, has the same turn of foot and tactical speed.

    He's going to be so much fun to watch!!!

    Daffodil

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  41. Margano worked a quick 4 furlongs on the dirt in 48.2, 2nd of 12. Maybe he will race on the dirt next time, he certainly seems to like it, if his works show anything.<3
    Jiminy Cricket

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  42. I believe that Margano can handle both surfaces, but dirt defiantly seems to be his preferred surface. Happy Holidays!

    ~American Quail Lover

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  43. Lentenor is entered on the 23rd at Tampa Bay. Race 7, a 32,000 optional claimer(he's not entered for a tag of course).1 1/16 miles on the turf. Most of the horses are entered for a tag, I haven't looked yet, but hopefully that means he's got a good chance(but, when does he not ;)). I guess I'm the news bearer today.<3
    Jiminy Cricket

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  44. He's 7/2 on the morning line, its a field of 10 with 4 also-eligibles. Oh, and did I mention he didn't draw the 1!!! he drew the 4, so he's about in the middle!
    Jiminy Cricket

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  45. Post time about 3:12 friday,

    Godspeed Lentenor...

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  46. Thanks, Jiminy Cricket, for the information on Lentenor! Good luck, Lentenor, run safely! Thank you also, Greg, for the post time.

    ~American Quail Lover

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  47. Article on bloodhorse about lens race, first article about the beisbol that I've seen on rhere since this sitr left.:o nick is mentioned, but not Margano. Also Little Mike won at gulfstream today in race 7. Isn't he the one that was also beating nick this spring?
    Jiminy Cricket

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  48. Beisbol=bros, dumb phone
    Jiminy Cricket

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  49. Hi!

    Just saw on Bloodhorse that Lentenor will be racing at Tampa Bay in the 7th race on December 23rd, and he is not eligible to be claimed (allowance/optional claiming).

    Good luck, Lentenor!

    I won't be able to watch the race live but hopefully I will be able to watch a replay of it later on.

    Lise from Maine

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  50. I LOVE, LOVE that photo of Lentenor gazing off into the distance with his "Look of Eagles"!!! He, like his brothers is a really gorgeous horse. The handsome Jackson brothers are not challenged in the looks department. They are ALL beautiful, beautiful horses. Via Con Dios Lentenor, come home safely and sound.

    Daffodil

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  51. Bernardini is a very promising YOUNG stallion. I think "young" being the key word here. While Dynaformer is a great stud, he is aging, and is already past the age where many stallions begin to lose their fertility.

    Bernardini is a beautiful horse, and was very talented on the track. If Barbaro had not been injured I honestly think the two of them would have had a rivalry for the ages - along the lines of Affirmed and Alydar or Sunday Silence and Easy Goer.

    Sadly, that could never be.

    Please do not hold what happened to Barbaro against Bernardini. He literally had nothing to do with the injury. And please do not hold the actions of his human connections against him, either. He had no control over anything they said or did.

    When I was young I was lucky enough to see some of the all time greats on TV - horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alydar, Spectacular Bid. And the great and immortal Ruffian.

    I have always thought that yet one more dimension of the tragedy the great filly's breakdown was the way people have sort of forgotten Foolish Pleasure, who was a pretty good race horse in his right. It's as if the horror of what happened that day to Ruffian combined with the horridness of some of his human connections in the aftermath of the breakdown (I cannot even quote one of those quotes, as it is so disturbing) have combined to make people ignore the fact that a fine colt who won the Kentucky Derby along with many other major stakes races once existed. And none of what happened was his fault at all.

    A horse should not be held at fault for the rudeness or foolishness of human beings, IMHO.

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  52. TO ANONYMOUS: Well said!!

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  53. Does anyone know anything about Nicanor? He just kinda dissappeared so I was wondering about him. Also Margano looks Amazing. Best of luck to La Ville Rouge with her Bernerdidi(sp?)foal

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  54. Margano runs again this Sun. Jan 8th. @ Gulfstream Park race #8 w/ E. Prado in the saddle. Good Luck Margano!

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