Thoughts and observations on Churchill Downs’ 2008 Fall Meet from high atop the clubhouse in the sixth floor Joe Hirsch Media Center . . .
Stars of Tomorrow II, a dozen races exclusively for 2-year-olds, didn’t disappoint on the Nov. 29 closing day card at Churchill Downs’ 2008 Fall Meet. The Hal Wiggins-trained Rachel Alexandra was spectacular in the Grade II Golden Rod, as she easily handled the talented Sara Louise by 4 ¾ lengths. Meanwhile, Beethoven, Giant Oak and favored Capt. Candyman Can were separated by a half-length in the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club, and each left their connections encouraged as we approach the winter racing season.
However, Silver City, the flashy gray son of Unbridled’s Song, might have stolen the show on Stars of Tomorrow II with an authoritative 4 ½-length romp in a first-level allowance.
The Bret Calhoun trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:15.98 for 6 ½ furlongs and the folks at Daily Racing Form credited him with a 101 Beyer speed figure. He’s headed to Fair Grounds with Calhoun’s other promising juvenile Indygo Mountain, the grand-looking chestnut who crushed nine rivals in a Nov. 19 maiden special weight and ran one mile in 1:35.54 en route to a 6 ¼-length score over Futuristic. . . .
Both Silver City and Indygo Mountain race in the silks of colorful Midland, Texas resident Clarence Scharbauer Jr., who purchased the duo during a spending spree at Keeneland’s 2007 September yearling sale. It was his first trip there in 11 years and he purchased three horses: Afleet Alex’s half-sister Awesome Fleet for $1.4 million, Silver City for $700,000 and Indygo Mountain for $600,000. . . .
Scharbauer’s late wife Dorothy and daughter Pam raced 1987 Kentucky Derby winner and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba. They bought the bay colt for $500,000 as a yearling with Dorothy intent on maintaining the Kentucky Derby-winning tradition started by her father, Fred Turner Jr., who owned 1959 Derby winner Tomy Lee.
Alysheba, trained by Jack Van Berg and ridden in 17 consecutive starts by Chris McCarron, would go on to win the 1987 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Super Derby to earn Champion 3-Year-Old honors.
After beating Bet Twice in the Preakness, Alysheba looked like a solid contender for a Triple Crown sweep and a $5 million bonus, but finished a distant fourth in the Belmont. Alysheba also would fall a nose short of 1986 Kentucky Derby champ Ferdinand in one of the most memorable Breeders’ Cup Classics in history.
Alysheba got his redemption in 1988 as he was even better in his 4-year-old season, winning six Grade I races: the Strub Stakes, the Santa Anita Handicap, the Iselin Handicap, the Woodward, the Meadowlands Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic by a half-length over Seeking the Gold under darkness at Churchill Downs. Alysheba’s career earnings of $6,679,242 established a world record, since surpassed, and he owned 1 ¼-mile track records at Belmont Park and The Meadowlands. . . .
Dorothy passed away on Feb. 24, 2005 at the age of 73 after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She owned and operated Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas with her husband since 1991. Ken Carson currently serves as the manager. . . .
After a five-year stud stop at Lane’s End Farm near Versailles and eight years with HRH King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, it was announced in November that Alysheba, now a 24-year-old son of Alydar, would return to America and spend the rest of days at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington.
