Oaks Post # 1: ESPRESSO D’ITALIA

–          BLUEGRASS OAKS 2006          –

ESPRESSO D’ITALIA
(MEDAGLIA D’ORO x MISWAKI x SEEKING THE GOLD)

OWNER: DIXIEDOTCO RACING STUD                TRAINER/BREEDER: LASTHOPE1

 Starts: 13  1st 3  2nd 2  3rd 3                 Earnings: $566;600.00

2005 Season

• 3rd (70) Mar 19 Vermont   2yo Open  Restricted Maiden 5 fur 13 starters 0:59.0 beaten 1 3/4L
• 1st (70) Apl 16 Ontario 2yo Fillies Maiden 5.5 fur 10 starters 1:05.4 by 2 1/4L
• 5th (70) May 21 Nth California 2yo Fillies G3 Baby’s 1st Stakes 4.5 fur 9 starters 0:52.2 beaten 3 1/2L
• 2nd (79) Jul 9 Nth California 2yo Fillies Allowance NW1x 8 fur 9 starters 1:37.4 beaten 2 1/2L
• 1st (78) Aug 20 Nth California 2yo Open Allowance NW1t 8 fur 6 starters 1:38.0 by 2 1/4L
• 4th (87) Oct 8 New Jersey 2yo Fillies Gr1 Frickazee 8.5 fur 14 starters 1:43.6 beaten 4L
• 1st (94) Nov 19 Arizona 2yo Fillies Gr2 Mistaken Soda Identity 8.5 fur 14 starters 1:43.4 by 1 1/4L
• 4th (88) Dec 17 New Jersey 2yo Fillies Gr1 Mother Story Hcp 8.5 fur 14 starters 1:42.8 beaten 8L

2006 Season

• 3rd (84) Jan 14 New Jersey 3yo Fillies Spanish Fly Stks 9 fur 4 starters 1:50.6 beaten 4L
• 2nd (94) Feb 11 Vermont 3yo Fillies Gr1 Equinics 8 fur 20 starters 1:35.8 beaten 2 1/4L
• 4th (95) Mar 11 Louisiana 3yo Fillies Gr2 Lousiana Oaks 8.5 fur 14 starters 1:42.8 beaten 2 1/4L
• 4th (95) Apl 1 Sth Dakota 3yo Fillies Gr2 Sth Dakota Oaks 8 fur 14 starters 1:35.4 beaten 3 3/4L
• 3rd (96) Apl 15 Pennsylvania 3yo Fillies Gr1 IooI Oaks 8.5 fur 14 starters 1:42.6 beaten 3 1/4L

On my way to meet with the connections of Espresso D’Italia I thought it best to do a little research. So while sitting on the shuttle on my way to Churchill Downs where trainer lasthope1 had rented some stable space I hooked my laptop up to the internet. Well, well, well……. it seems that lasthope1 works for the well known Racing Stud Dixiedotco. That’s right readers the same Dixiedotco that had 3 runners in the 2005 Bluegrass Oaks. A little more research found that this highly successful owner has also owned or owned/trained 2 Breeder’s Bowl Champions a Middle Jewel winner and has over 1500 lifetime winners in his 7 main racing stables. Looks like I am off to interview one of the most successful modern day trainers.

On arrival at Churchill Downs I go to the Stewards Office and ascertain which stables Dixiedotco has rented for the meeting, and a few minutes later I am introducing myself to the man himself as he is just finishing up his morning stable rounds. How about we do the interview over a bite of lunch he suggests.  (Great idea I think to myself – I can claim it on my expense account that way as long as Snowchief doesn’t find out). We head to a little Bar and Grill that Dixie knows of just outside the course, we find a corner booth and settle in, a couple of Buds later and a hearty Steak meal on it’s way to being digested we settle down to the interview.

BTB: Well Dixie that was great meal, but there is no way you would ever want to turn your great filly Espresso D’Italia into steaks – 13 starts and 13 prize checks.

Dixie: Definitely not, she may have only won 3 of her races but she already has over half a mil in prize money.

BTB: I see that last year you had 3 runners in the Oaks, do you consider it a bad year this timevwith only 1 starter?

Dixie: No way, Espresso D’Italia is all class, although last years were all handy fillies they don’t come close to this lil lass.

BTB: Which reminds to ask, how did you come by the name for her – it means Italian Coffee doesn’t it – can’t be to do with her color seeing she is such a pretty dark Grey.

Dixie: Nothing too fancy…  Medaglia D’oro, the sire, is named after a brand of Italian Coffee I believe.  Espresso = coffee.  And then D’Italia = from Italy.

BTB: Ah, now that’s very clever, and while we are talking of coffee, waiter Irish Coffees thanks….now where were we …..oh can you tell me how you chose Medaglia D’Oro as the sire for your mare Arequipa.

Dixie: I chose Medaglia D’oro because I had seen him run often, and he was a gorgeous horse with immense talent. Originally I bred this particular horse for a series I sponsor at Vermont, called the Freshman Sires Series. In that series locals are invited to breed 2yo’s by freshman sires. I thought this pedigree would fit well for that series. I like to breed for classic distances in general, but Medaglia D’oro figured to pass on enough speed to his foals to compete at shorter distances.  Therefore I felt fine using him early in his 2yo season.

BTB: Well she has certainly proved her versatility with fine performances and times from 4.5 to 9 furlongs, and unlike some owners you have shown a willingness to take on the best in her age group. I notice you have even taken on the boys twice, beating them once in an allowance early on in her carreer. When did you think she may be able to take on the best in the Oaks?

Dixie: When she won the Gr2 Mistaken Soda Identity Stakes back in November last year. She beat some nice horses that day with a good speed figure.

BTB: Can you tell our readers what your instructions will be to your jockey Hogin on Saturday?

Dixie: Well, I won’t divulge any huge secrets.  But I question her ability to outkick some of these monsters going 9f.  So ideally, I’d like to see her placed ahead of the really huge closers.  She will still be rallying from near the back though, especially in this bulky field.

BTB: What do you think her chances are on Saturday?

Dixie: She’s coming up to the race in fine fashion, and she’s extremely consistent. She is competitive every single time out, as her pp’s show.  She will run her race, that’s no question. Whether that’s good enough, we’ll find out on Saturday. It’s an honor just to be in the field, but I expect a good performance from her. I don’t have any expectations. If she’s lucky enough to win or hit the board, that’s great.

BTB: Well with the Vegas bookies setting the boardvat 10/1 the field and your girl at 12/1 they certainly are keeping her safe in a very open race. The more I hear about her the more I am sure that anyone that bets against her especially in the exotics has more money than horse sense. I’m sure that all your friends at Vermont will be cheering for her on Saturday Dixie. Thanks so much for your time, would you like another beer before you head back to the stables. It’s on my BTB expense account (Snowchief you didn’t hear that)

Dixie: Sure why not if the BTB is buying