2008 Bargie Awards!

Sunny Puerto Rico hosts the first Bargie Awards function. Last week Bargie Awards where announced for several runners for their past contributions. If you missed out on those awards here is the link http://blacktypebugler.com/default.asp?artid=7404. Also the website will be updated soon to show case our Bargie winners.  This week all the focus is on the best performers from the 2008 Bargain Bred Racing Season. We had several rivalries that continued in 2008, some really nice three year olds and nearly complete chaos in the turf mile division.

The structure for the awards is based on a point system. Races where sectioned into divisions, for example in the dirt route division we had the Death Valley Classic, Summer Classic and Bargain Bowl Classic. Points are awarded to the top five finishers (10, 6, 4, 2, 1). Bargain Bowl races are worth more points (15, 9, 6, 3, 2). Division leader earns the Bargie at the end of the year. There are exceptions if the division leaders are not separated by many points like our turf mile division, I will ask bargain trainers to vote and in that case the leading vote getter will earn the Bargie.

All divisions have at least three races with the exception of two year olds. Older turf runners have four races. Three year olds have four races restricted to them, three dirt and one turf, and late in the year they compete with older runners. Now that the formalities are out of the way lets get to the awards.

Two Year Olds

There are not separate divisions for fillies and colts in the two year old division. On Bargain Bowl day there are two races for two year olds the Charlie’s Tiger Juvenile on turf and the Class Ack Juvenile on dirt. So we will award the two winners of these races be with Bargie Awards.

Two Year Old Dirt Bargie

Goes to Inuit Legend. This little filly kept tradition alive by beating the boys in the 2008 version of the Charlie’s Tiger. No colt has ever won this race which has been dominated by the girls. Inuit Legend had a very nice two year old season outside the Bargain Bowl coming up a nose short in a listed stakes and taking an allowance race. Since the Bargain Bowl she is continuing to show she has talent placing again in a listed stakes event. Congratulations Lamepony Stable and good luck in the coming year. 

Two Year Old Turf Bargie

Goes to Monarch’s Sunshine. This colt progressed nicely as a two year old. He went from maiden win to a listed stakes before the Class Ack Juvenile and placed in the stakes race with a solid speed figure. He showed good improvement facing fellow bargain breds sitting off the pace and pouncing to the lead in the stretch to win by almost two lengths. He made his three year old debut not too long ago with an improved speed figure finishing fourth in a listed stakes just two lengths from the winner. Congratulations Okdavid and good luck in the coming year. 

Three Year Old Filly Bargie

This division had a rivalry brewing for most of the season. Rendezvous Rate and Twazzo squared off in all three of the three year old filly races finishing first or second in two of the three races. The year began for three year old fillies in the Ozark Diamond. Rendezvous Rate was ready to go on Diamond day closing from mid pack to win by a length and a half over Wariuz Legion. Twazzo had an off day on the off surface finishing fourth. The Bargain Oaks rolled around in May. Rendezvous Rate’s mid pack style had her a couple of lengths ahead of Twazzo in the early stages. Both fillies made big moves on the turn but Rendezvous Rate had the jump and held Twazzo off by two lengths taking the Bargain Oaks. In the Queens, the last three year old only restricted filly race, Twazzo turned the tables on Rendezvous Rate. With the extended distance Rendezvous Rate set the pace with Twazzo not far behind. Twazzo wore down her rival in the stretch to win by two and a quarter lengths in a faster time than the boys ran the same day at the same distance.

When it came to facing their older rivals neither filly really stepped forward. Rendezvous Rate at least held her own with a third place finish in the Summer Distaff and a fourth place finish at the Bargain Bowl less than two lengths from the winner.

The Three Year Old Filly Bargie goes to Rendezvous Rate. This three year old looks like she will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2009 series. Congratulations to foxon.

Three Year Old Colt Bargie

This division also had a good rivalry going between Rugs to Roaches and Its Out. In their first meeting Rugs to Roaches stalked the early pace and had the jump into the stretch on Its out in the Ozark Derby. Rugs to Roaches held on to win. The table was set for a good Bargain Derby and this time Its Out turned the tables on Rugs to Roaches. Its Out swept from last to first to claim the 2008 Bargain Derby by two and a half lengths. The two would meet again in the Bronx. It was It’s Out again  in a slower time. No one in the field seemed to want the distance but It’s Out proved the best by three lengths. Neither runner had much impact against older in the second half of the year.

The Three Year Old Colt Bargie goes to It’s Out. Two wins on the series carries him to victory. Congratulations greywolf stables.

Turf Sprint Bargie

This was a division that was pretty open for the entire year. All of the races in this division take place in the last half of the year. In July the Everglades at seven furlongs was the first race for the division. Seven year old Magpie in the Sand took the Everglades picking up where he left off the previous year by winning the Silent Witness at the Bargain Bowl. He was in sharp form coming into the race and looked almost dominating winning the Everglades by two lengths. The next race was across the pond in Japan for the Tokyo Sprint. Count Zimzam would make his debut in the BBRS a winning one winning by three quarters of a length. He had put together a couple of listed stakes wins over the summer so the Bargain Bowl was starting to look interesting.

On Bargain Bowl day there was a surprise entry into the Silent Witness. The filly Wu Jen, who had mostly competed in dirt events for the last couple of years. She was prepped for the Bargain Bowl on turf and she did so well in her prep she was entered into the turf sprint. She did not disappoint becoming the second filly to take the Silent Witness defeating both Magpie in the Sand and Count Zimzam on her way to a three quarter length victory. Neither Magpie in the Sand or Count Zimzam could muster an on the board finish in this race finishing fourth and seventh respectively.

The Turf Sprint Bargie is awarded to Wu Jen. Had she run on turf the whole year this division might not have been as close. Her defeat of the other two winners sealed the deal in the Turf Sprint Bargie. While it did not calculate into this division she was also a factor in the Filly Dirt Sprint division taking the Sugar & Spice over the summer. Her 2009 debut was a listed stakes win so maybe the old girl is not quite done yet. Congratulations txbred stable.

Turf Mile Bargie

What a division race this turned out to be. Much like the turf sprint this division would have three different winners. The year started off with the Silenus Mile in May. This race drew a short field but featured a really nice battle in the stretch between newcomer Houndville and Far Beyond the Sun. Houndville would wear down his rival claiming victory in the Silenus Mile. The next race was in October in the Kamikaze Mile. This race would be the second BBRS try for Dakota a listed stakes winner and grade two placed runner. He had his hands full with the superb filly Shoaib Akhtar to win by a quarter of a length at the wire. Houndville would finish this race in third just a little over a length from the winner.

In Novemeber the Bargain Bowl brought a class of Houndville and Dakota with Shoaib Akhtar the 2007 winner on hand as well. A new comer to the series, Pricey Magpie, had the race set up perfect for him with a hot pace he swooped to the lead to win by two lengths Dakota would lose out in a photo for second settling for Third with Houndville finishing up fourth. All three runners where separated by 1 point in the standings making this a toss up for the award. A vote was requested from the Trainers of BBRS runners to decide the winner.

The Turf Mile Bargie goes to Houndville, and Dakota. While Pricey Magpie won at the Bargain Bowl the both Houndville and Dakota finished ahead of him by a point in the standings. As the votes returned from fellow trainers it was a two horse race and that voting was far too close to claim just one winner in this division. Congratulations to our two winners, ceclaim stables and platypuscz stables.

Dirt Sprint Filly Bargie

This was a division dominated by Chance for Delta in the first couple of years and the excellent competition did not end with her retirement. The fist race of this series took place in March opening the 2008 Bargain Season with the Paint Brush Sprint. The battle for the division got started off in roaring fashion. Enthusiasm Spreads would head out for the lead with Back Road stalking on her flank. These two where in a different race than the others as they separated and battled the whole stretch with Back Road getting by in the final strides for a three quarter length win. Back Road earned a 108 speed figure in her effort. This field was deep as well with Shadowy Muff, Wu Jen and Chance for Delta rounding out the top five. Summer would bring us the Sugar & Spice but Enthusiasm Spreads did not enter the event. Wu Jen stalked off the pace and nailed Back Road in deep stretch to earn a win in the division.

The stage was set on Bargain Bowl day with Enthusiasm Spreads, and Back Road taking center stage as Wu Jen opted for the turf. Enthusiasm Spreads was better prepared and laid off the early pace staking just behind Back Road. As they entered the stretch Enthusiasm Spreads jumped to the lead as Back Road took up the chase. Enthusiasm Spreads would hold off her rival this time for a Bargain Bowl win.

The Dirt Filly Bargie goes to Back Road. Back Road danced every dance the division had to offer winning one and finishing second in the other two. Congratulations to the Plong Stable.

Dirt Sprint Colt Bargie

This division has always been one that never really has a divisional leader. At the Bargain Bowl in 2007 Ballista exploded onto the scene earning a 109 speed figure but that did not carry over to the 2008 season. The 2008 season started off with the Broadway Sprint. Wonnaby Great set the pace and despite some drama at the wire made every pole a winning one holding off the hard charging Who’s The Boss at the wire. The Bargain Dash was next on the schedule over the summer where Almost Scary took advantage of an off performance by Wonnaby Great to win by a length and a half over Nice Keychain and Who’s The Boss.

When the Bargain Bowl came around not much separated this bunch. Three year old Rugs to Roaches was entered, Who’s The Boss, Almost Scarry and a few newcomers. It turned out to be a day for the newcomer as True Blue Tu stalked the early pace making a winning move on the turn for home holding off Wonnaby Great by a length at the wire putting this division race in a bit of chaos.

The Dirt Sprint Colt Bargie goes to Wonnaby Great. A win in the Broadway Sprint and a second in the Bargain Bowl wrapped up division honors for the colt. Had he not had an off day in the Bargain Sprint he might have run away with the division. Congratulations Wonnaby Stables.

Filly & Mare Turf Bargie

This division has been an exciting one over the years despite the fact the lack of larger fields. The first race of 2008 in the division was the Bluebonnet on opening day 2008. The outstanding Shoaib Akthar picked up where she left off in 2007 after beating the boys in the Kaif Mile at the Bargain Bowl. She stalked the early pace and drew away to a clear three and a half length win looking much the best. Her competition would catch up to her in the next race on the schedule the Bargain Princess. King of Wariuz would turn in a dominating effort beating Shoaib Akthar by six and a half lengths the largest margin of victory in the 2008 BBRS series.

The Bargain Bowl distance of a mile and three sixteenths is a bit too far for Shoaib Akthar who opted to face the boys again in the mile. The door was wide open for a new comer or for King of Wariuz to wrap up the division. Both sort of happened as newcomer Lot at Steak closed from thirteen and a half lengths back to get by King of Wariuz in deep stretch earning a two length win.

The Bargie goes to King of Wariuz. Her win and second place finish in the Bargain Bowl lifted her to the top of the standing. She was just a three year old so was only eligible for the last two races in the series. Her future looks bright congratulations wariuz stable.

Colt Turf Bargie

The torch was passed in the 2007 Bargain Bowl as Pepe’s Pipes finished second to Ten Lost Pyramids. The first race of the season was in May in the Hunt Turf Cup. It was an off day for Ten Lost Pyramids and Far Beyond the Sun took advantage. Far Beyond the Sun got loose on an early lead and never looked back winning by two and a half lengths never really threatened with the filly Shoaib Akthar finishing second and Ten Lost Pyramids third. The next race on the schedule was the Arc de Maleleve ( Ark of the ilbred). Ten Lost Pyramids dominated the race stalking the early pace and exploding into the stretch for a five and a half length win. The Wombat Cup at two miles is the third race in the series which Ten Lost Pyramids skipped. The always interesting two mile affair was taken by Rollokin. He closed from almost fourteen lengths back to nail Craig Stadler by three quarters of a length.

The Bargain Bowl was next on the list and Ten Lost Pyramids was the even money favorite. The lack of speed lead the filly Brigerand to be entered against the boys. She opened up an early lead taking a four and three quarters length lead into the stretch but it was not enough to hold off Ten Lost Pyramids. He caught her and put another two and three quarters lengths on her by the time he crossed the wire capping off an impressive season.

The Colt Turf Bargie goes to Ten Lost Pyramids. His two wins where both very impressive. On an off day he managed a third place finish in the other race. This was by far one of the more easy Bargie selections. For those that where hoping he might slow down at age six now, he just posted a 113 speed figure in allowance company. Congratulations curiostud.

Filly and Mare Dirt Bargie

The older division of fillies and mares proved to be one where older horses where still hanging on while younger runners where stepping up. The series beginning was the Death Valley Distaff. Shadowy Muff would stalk and pounce holding off a late charge from Berosus to win by a half length. The Summer Distaff would see six year old Tap Dancer Semvi close and out finish four year old Rundo by half a length with three year old Rendezvous Rate in third.

Bargain Bowl Day had no Shadowy Muff and a Tap Dancer Semvi rolling in off two subpar races in a row. That left the door open for Rundo who had improved all year long. She took advantage stalking the early pace setter. In the stretch she was all out and the pace setting Evil Mounister was stubborn on the lead as Wigelsworth was closing fast. Rundo just got by Evil Mounister and held off Wigelsworth for a quarter length win, with just a half length separating the top three.

The Filly and Mare Dirt Bargie goes to Rundo. Her steady progress through out the year landed her a nice second in the Summer Distaff and a win at the Bargain Bowl to wrap up the division. She will have her work cut out for her this year congratulations runvus1.

Colt Dirt Bargie

This division turned out to be a highly competitive division. The year started off in the Death Valley Classic where four year old Spare Key was about to grow up. He stalked the early pace from third jumped on the leaders at the top of the stretch and put in a strong effort to hold off the fast closing Bare Whip winning by a nose. Join Em joined the party for the Summer Classic as Bare Whip and Spare Key where also entered. Join Em would show why he was favored by stalking his way to a two length win over Bare Whip while Spare Key had to settle for fourth.

All three runners would meet again at the Bargain Bowl Classic. There was not any disappointment as Bare Whip, Join Em and Spare Key where the race favorites. Bare Whip fell further from the early pace than usual and that seemed to cost him right from the start. Join Em and Spare Key took up stalking positions in fourth and fifth. Both made moves on the turn and when they entered the top of the stretch Join Em had a short lead with Spare Key on his hip as they where putting distance on the rest of the field. Spare Key just had more in him and he would draw off to win by two and a quarter lengths earning a 107 speed figure.

The Colt Dirt Bargie goes to Spare Key. His Bargain Classic win sealed the division. He was right there all year long and the rivalry with Join Em turned out to be a good one to watch. Congratulations Bursar stables.

That concludes the 2008 Bargie Award Ceremonies but before we go here are a couple of other stats to pass along. In total points for the series Rendezvous Rate led all runners with 33 points. Three year olds always have an advantaged over older runners here because they are eligible for more races. Second was Shoaib Aktar who ran against boys and girls on the turf to accumulate her points ending the year with 32. Ten Lost Pyramids was next with 29 while Spare Key and Wu Jen rounded out the top five with 27 each. Hawkz stables won three Bargies and Planoaxia took two Bargies for the 2008 season. Congratulations to all the participating entrants and may 2009 bring you more Bargain glory!