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My 2012 Kentucky Derby pick: Union Rags, who finished 7th.

I think I will always remember the 2012 Triple Crown, even if it ended in disappointment for me… except for that Belmont race of course. (Photo by Thoroughbred Champions)

Einstein (Photo by Adena Springs)

Continuing the “UNF conformation” series is Henrythenavigator. Unfortunately, Henry is back in Ireland so that pretty much KOs my hopes of Zenyatta ever going to him (though her dam Vertigineux has a yearling filly by him I’m excited about). He was a terrific miler who could get the classic distance, albeit on grass. As far as modern, living horses go, Henry is just about the picture of perfection.

As much as I love his breeding (by Kingmambo— Mr. Prospector x Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Miesque— out of a Sadlers Wells mare), he does have quite a bit of inbreeding. Can’t win them all…

While pretend-window-shopping for nice “horsey ships” (I don’t know how else to describe it for Tumblr), I encountered this picture of Pure Prize on WinStar’s site. He wins “Shinest Pony” award and gets bonus points for being a good dad of Pure Fun..

As a primer for my critique on Verrazano later today, here is an example of a horse I think is [surprisingly, unknowingly] beautiful and has very good conformation: Court Vision, who we all know bested Goldikova and Turallure in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Even the Score

Macho Uno (Photo by Adena Springs)

Tale of Ekati: Champion miler at 2 & 3 by distance-getter Tale of the Cat and out of a Sunday Silence daughter who happens to be a half to Filly Triple Crown winner Sky Beauty (making him a cousin of Violence). Might be a good sire…

War Front (Photo by Sarah K Andrew)

The first prize winner of the 2nd Annual Derby Handicap Contest wins this!

Gato del Sol was a long 21-1 on the board of the 1982 Kentucky Derby, where he trailed early before making up ground slowly then made a stretch move that would hand him victory by 2 1/2 lengths. He was ridden to his greatest win by the legendary jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, but would skip the Preakness due to its tight turns and finish second in the Belmont to Conquistador Cielo. The first Derby winner for the prominent Hancock family, he retired back to their care in Kentucky where this photo and lock of hair were taken shortly before he died.

This is a beautifully-framed 8x10 photograph of Gato in his old age with a nice plate at the bottom bearing his name with a lock from his mane. I managed to purchase this timeless collectible from a horse racing enthusiast who traveled back and forth to Kentucky over the years, visiting favorites like Gato frequently. The frame will ship sturdy and has ample display brackets for easy mounting. Contest to be officially announced soon… good luck!