Road to the Breeders Bowl!

I am certainly learning the ropes here at the Breeders Bowl. It is sure a lot different being here as an owner and trainer than it has been in the past as a journalist and spectator. I was at the track early yesterday morning watching workouts on my two possible entries into the BB Classic and I ran into TexasAce, owner of HORSESHOE BAY and all of his accolades. I didn’t even feel worthy of being in the same stable as him with all of his Breeders Bowl experience. I finally worked up the nerve to ask him if he had a good recommendation for dinner in the area. I was a little let down and even felt a bit foolish when he remarked that he had rented a house for the entire two week period of the Breeders Bowl and that the house came with a personal chef to cook for them during their stay! Of course I felt a whole lot better when he asked me to bring my wife and come on over for dinner that evening and sample the great cooking myself!

This was no little cottage we are talking about either. When we drove through the front gates we were astonished at the size and majesty of this house they were in. And the food was fantastic too. I finally realized that this is what is like when you finally make it big in the racing game and have horses like HORSESHOE BAY that have accumulated more than $10 million in earnings! His Lone Star stables have accumulated more than $7.5 million this year alone. My biggest mistake was letting my better half in on this “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” evening as she thinks that she could get used to that really easily. I am rooting for my horse GRACEPOINTE PRAYER harder than ever in the Classic as I think that in her mind she has already spent the purse!

But as wonderful as the house and meal was, (BTW, we had an incredible cinnamon-roasted pheasant with applewood smoked bacon, and red chile pecan sauce for dinner!) the company was even better as TexasAce really shared about his past Breeders Bowl experiences and gave us some great insight into his fantastic horse as well.

HORSESHOE BAY who is going for his third Breeders Bowl win this year. They would surely love to be the first horse to do that. You have to wonder if this incredible stallion has one more great race in him. Here are TexasAce’s thoughts on that:

PazJazz-This will be Horseshoe Bay’s fourth start in the Breeders Bowl. He is trying for an unprecedented third win. There are rumors that this will be his final BB? Any truth to that?

TexasAce-Man, time does really fly. It only seems like yesterday that he was making his start in the Breeders Bowl Juvy Turf against General’s Chariot, Jupiter’s Moon, the winner Like a Porcupine and a host of others. 3 years later it’s come full circle and he’ll be making his final Breeders Bowl start. So yes, this is his final time to race in the Breeders Bowl.

PazJazz-How do you feel about his chances this year? Who are your biggest challengers?

TexasAce-Honestly, I would be really shocked if he won. He’s a little long in the tooth at this point in his career. If he does win, it would be on guts and sheer class. The main goal this year was to win in Dubai and to get back to the Breeders Bowl for a record 4th time. He’s accomplished that and who knows, maybe he has one more big race left in him!

This is going to be a tough race no doubt, it’s wide open and anyone’s race to win. At the top of my list I would certainly rank Lex Luthor at the head of the class. Lex is certainly tough to run down when he’s on the top of his game. If Puppet Regime goes then he’s going to be right there and he’s on a 4 race win streak. Jumpin Java is another that can fire big from time to time with the big boys.

I wouldn’t forget the 3yo’s either. Kirby’s Best Yet was unbeatable throughout most the year and Rural Law seems to be hitting his best stride as of late. Galatic Bomber beat older horses last time out in a Grade I so he’s certainly in with a chance. Should be a great race!

PazJazz-He’s certainly had an incredible career. Are there one or two races or awards that meant the most to you as an owner?

TexasAce-Without a doubt winning the Breeders Bowl Turf in 05′ against Allied Assault, Bristol Rovers, Rain God and Sunnybank Memorial was his greatest win. That’s four Hall of Famers right there and they were all still in their prime. The field was incredible, just a historic race. I’m not sure you’ll ever see a field like that assembled again.

I would also rate his Arc win, his 2nd Breeders Bowl win last year and his English Derby win right up there as well. He holds the stakes record in all three of those races, which is really amazing and shows how talented he has been.

PazJazz-Tell us a little about Horseshoe Bay’s famous rivalries during his career.

TexasAce-Well I guess I’ll start with his original rival, Jupiter’s Moon. I think Horseshoe and Jupiter’s Moon battled over a year or so, about 7-8 times starting with the 04′ BB Juvy Turf. Jupiter’s Moon was his arch rival while Horseshoe set the Grade I streak in the SIM, with 6 consecutive wins. Kevin (kevoman) was and still is a class act, who I really enjoyed racing against. I think the wars on the track we had took a toll on Jupiter’s Moon and he never seemed the same again, he’s since been retired.

Others that I’ve really enjoyed running against are Allied, Sunnybank, Rain God and Lex Luthor………mainly because their owners are such class acts. More importantly, it’s fun to run against the best in big races.

PazJazz-Do your remember when you actually realized what a special horse you had?

TexasAce-Believe it or not it came in an allowance race, let’s see, that would be way back on January 08, 2005. It was just an ordinary allowance race with a NW1T condition at 9 furlongs. It was the first time I had really stretched Horseshoe out and he popped to life. After that race I told several people close to me in the game, he was the next Allied Assault/Sunnybank Memorial. While a bold statement, I had no idea of the things he would go on to accomplish.

Another funny story about Horseshoe was his 1st Grade I win in the Sydney Derby. I was actually on a golfing vacation with some buddies that week and I had Tony (afc) do my entries and jocks. I saw an email from him on Friday or so that he didn’t even pick a jock because I think Horseshoe was about 10th or so on the entry list. Anyway, we drove home from Florida that day, about a twelve hour trip. I watched the Sydney Derby late that Saturday night, his first of 6 straight Grade I wins. So Tony always tells me he has a hand in Horseshoe Bay being so great!

PazJazz-I guess you know how excited I am with my very first runners in the BB. Do you remember back to your first time?

TexasAce-I wish every player in the game could experience a Breeders Bowl runner. I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have multiple BB runners every year for the last four or five years. Some have won and some have gotten blasted, but it’s always fun and exciting to have a runner.

And of course, congratulations Paz on your Breeders Bowl runners. Enjoy the week and enjoy the races……..win or lose this is every SIM player’s goal. Best of luck!

PazJazzAny suggestions for new trainers?

TexasAce– If I could offer any advice to a new player in regards to the BB, is PATIENCE. First you have to stick with the game, secondly you need to learn SIM pedigree which at times can be different than real-life pedigree. Lastly, once you get a nice stakes horse, you need to learn how to plan a schedule accordingly. While that may seem easy, it isn’t always the case.

PazJazz– Where do you and Horseshoe Bay go from here? What are your thoughts on retirement or a future breeding?

TexasAce– Horseshoe is obviously not the same horse he once was, although he can still give a big effort with proper rest, etc… I’ve tried to race him sparingly this year to save a little something in the tank. Father time has caught up with him and the “R” word is imminent, although I don’t envision it coming until after the end of the year. I’m just really trying to enjoy his last few races, but the inevitable is in the back of my mind.

I’ve researched and thought about what Sire I would breed Horseshoe to when he retires. Galileo’s pedigree really strikes me as a pedigree that would go very well with him. Galileo presents some obvious crosses that would fit his (Horseshoe Bay’s) pedigree and is a great son of Sadler’s Wells. Personally, I didn’t think that Sadler’s Wells would still be active next year, but if he is……then he’ll get strong consideration as well. So it will be either of those two and likely Sadler’s Wells if he’s still standing at stud.

PazJazz-Do you have anyone in your stables that you hope can fill even a small bit of this great horses ample shoes in the future

TexasAce– Horseshoe Bay is a once in a lifetime SIM horse, there’s no way I’ll ever have another like him.

PazJazz-Anything else that you can think of that may be of interest to our readers?

TexasAce– Not really, just enjoy the game……just enjoy the game.

It was certainly an evening to remember. Unfortunately for me, I am remembering the incredible horse talk and meal and my wife is remembering what it is like to live on the other side! She is certainly excited about watching HORSESHOE BAY run in his final Breeders Bowl this weekend though. It is amazing how close you can get to some of these wonderful horses. We are both looking forward to more experiences this week and hopefully I will be able to share them with all of you as well.

Good luck to all!

Email your comments to pazjazz.btb@gmail.comI love to hear from you!