Showing Up
Encyclopedia
Showing Up is an American
thoroughbred
race horse. Foaled near Wilmore, Kentucky
in 2003 at Peter Taafe's Taafe Farm, he was bred by Nellie M. Cox of Rose Retreat Farm. Showing Up spent the first year of his life on Nellie's Goochland, Virginia
farm. The chestnut colt was sold as a yearling for $85,000 at the Keeneland September sale
in 2004, but was later found and acquired as a two-year-old in training by the trainer Barclay Tagg
for the owners of the 2006 Kentucky Derby
winner Barbaro
for only $60,000 at Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic sale in May 2005.
. He was trained by Barclay Tagg (who also trained the dual classic winner Funny Cide
) and was ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. Bred for the turf on both sides, Tagg believed the colt would come alive on the grass, and he certainly proved that in his first turf run in the Colonial Cup, even though his sixth place showing in the Kentucky Derby dirt was more than credible.
"He's small," says Tagg, "he's not that good-looking; he's not a robust horse by any means. He just goes out there and gets it done." Showing Up has a good long stride and high knee action, boding well for his racing future.
. Racing as a homebred for Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud, Strategic Mission won or placed in all five of the graded stakes races he raced on turf. These included winning the 2001 gr3 Fort Marcy Handicap. Miss Alethia, Showing Up's dam, was the daughter of T.V. Commercial, himself the son of successful turf racer T.V. Lark
. In 1961, T.V. Lark won the Washington, D.C. International, a prominent turf race. Showing Up is a half-brother to six-time stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Gimmeawink (Elusive Quality), also bred by Rose Retreat Farm.
Unraced as a two-year old, Showing Up started his career with three consecutive wins.
When Showing up won the mile allowance at Gulfstream Park, he set a new track record of 1:34, slicing a full second off the old record, but it was his convincing win in the Grade II
Coolmore Lexington Stakes
at Keeneland
that punched his ticket for the 2006 Kentucky Derby. It not only provided him with enough graded stakes earnings to enter, but Tagg felt he deserved a chance. As Tagg says of that Derby, "They're only a 3-year-old once. I decided to make the switch to the grass because I thought Barbaro would win the Triple Crown. I can't imagine he'd have beaten Barbaro who went into the Preakness undefeated in six races. I thought Showing Up might have a chance to be the national champion turf horse." He added, ""He did beat 14 horses in that race. He's no slouch."
In his first race on turf, the million dollar Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs in Providence Forge, Virginia
, Showing Up's strong come-from-way-behind win by 3 and 1/4 lengths over a gallant Kip Deville (by Kipling, who at one point was twenty lengths in front of the winner, running a huge race and holding on for second), was a triumph. Kip Deville scorched the first quarter mile in 22.54 seconds, six furlongs in 1:08.61—faster than the fastest turf sprinters—and a mile in 1:34.55, and it seemed no one could catch him. But Showing Up did...in grand style. He simply blew by him. Showing Up's time of 1:52.98 bested the previous mark, set eight years ago, by almost two seconds. That time for 1ths miles compares very well to any winner in the history of the Preakness, run on dirt at the same distance. The record for the Preakness Stakes
, held by both Tank's Prospect and Louis Quatorze, is only 1:53 seconds.
The win was number 2,000 for jockey, Cornelio Velasquez
.
The Colonial Turf Cup was the first is a series of four races called the Grand Slam of Grass
whose possible winner would reap a large financial reward...a five million dollar bonus. The second, third, and fourth legs are the Virginia Derby, the Secretariat at Arlington Park
and the Breeders' Cup Turf
at Churchill Downs. The million dollar Grade II Virginia Derby is run three weeks after the Colonial. But as Barclay said: "In mid-summer to ask horses to run their 'A' races back-to-back in three weeks is very hard to do. I wish it was at least four weeks. He's a skinny little horse, but if he's doing well, we'll certainly come."
Eventually, Tagg decided against the complete Grand Slam for Showing Up. Instead, he ran him in the $400,000 Grade I Secretariat Stakes
which the colt won easily, achieving the second-fastest Secretariat on record, and a Beyer Speed figure of 107. His win also put him over the one million dollar mark in earnings in only six starts. Go Between, the winner of the Viginia Derby (the race Showing Up skipped), faded on the far turn, finishing last.
Showing Up came in third in the September run Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park. The youngest horse in a strong field, he was beaten by the Irish
bred Cacique, third by a nose to Go Deputy. A longer race than he was used to, Showing Up pressed in strong fractions for the lead, but tired in the stretch.
Trainer Barclay Tagg skipped the Breeders' Cup Turf
on Nov. 4th at Churchill Downs and entered Showing Up in the Grade II $300,000 Jamaica Handicap
at Belmont. Winning the Jamaica (and earning a 110 BRIS Late Pace rating), Tagg then pointed him towards the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby
on Nov. 26, both races restricted to 3-year-olds.
"The Breeders' Cup races are too tough this year, either of them," Tagg said. "He's only a 3-year-old. There are a couple of good 3-year-old races left. Hopefully, he can win them. Finishing third in a Breeders' Cup, either one, isn't going to do me a bit of good with the horse; it's not going to make him a champion, it's not going to make me rich enough to retire." He says running young horses so hard might ruin them for a longer career. (It is possible he's thinking of Funny Cide
who ran inhaling fiery soot from a raging forest fire very near Santa Anita Park
in his Breeders' Cup Classic
in 2004. Funny has had respiratory problems off and on ever since.)
As the odds-on favorite in the Hollywood Derby, Showing Up won his second Grade I race by 2 lengths in the excellent time of 1:59, which is the fastest Derby yet at its current distance. In the turn for home, after running as far back as fifth, Showing Up powered by the leaders, leaving the entire field in his wake.
Tagg who rarely jokes, joked, "He just keeps showing up." But he'll be given a rest for the winter and return to the races in the spring.
Showing Up's earnings to date amount to $1,660,500.
for a fee of $7,500 as the property of Adena Springs and Lael.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
race horse. Foaled near Wilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore is a city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,134 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area...
in 2003 at Peter Taafe's Taafe Farm, he was bred by Nellie M. Cox of Rose Retreat Farm. Showing Up spent the first year of his life on Nellie's Goochland, Virginia
Goochland, Virginia
Goochland is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Goochland County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 861. The community is also known as Goochland Courthouse or by an alternative spelling, Goochland Court House...
farm. The chestnut colt was sold as a yearling for $85,000 at the Keeneland September sale
Keeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
in 2004, but was later found and acquired as a two-year-old in training by the trainer Barclay Tagg
Barclay Tagg
Barclay Tagg is an American thoroughbred horse trainer. A 1961 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry, he is best known for conditioning Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Funny Cide. Horses in Tagg's stable have included Showing Up and...
for the owners of the 2006 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner Barbaro
Barbaro
Barbaro was an American thoroughbred who decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but shattered his leg two weeks later in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, ending his racing career and eventually leading to his death....
for only $60,000 at Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic sale in May 2005.
Connections
Showing Up is owned by Gretchen and Roy Jackson's Lael Stables in West Grove, PennsylvaniaWest Grove, Pennsylvania
West Grove is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,854 at the 2010 census.-History:The village of West Grove derived its name from the Friends Meeting House on Harmony Road built in 1787 several miles west of the Friends Meeting House in the village of...
. He was trained by Barclay Tagg (who also trained the dual classic winner Funny Cide
Funny Cide
Funny Cide is a Thoroughbred race horse who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 2003. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.-Bloodlines:...
) and was ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. Bred for the turf on both sides, Tagg believed the colt would come alive on the grass, and he certainly proved that in his first turf run in the Colonial Cup, even though his sixth place showing in the Kentucky Derby dirt was more than credible.
"He's small," says Tagg, "he's not that good-looking; he's not a robust horse by any means. He just goes out there and gets it done." Showing Up has a good long stride and high knee action, boding well for his racing future.
Breeding
His sire is Strategic Mission, a son of the hugely influential stud Mr. ProspectorMr. Prospector
Mr. Prospector was a thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Kentucky, whose descendants have been dominant in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He won half of his 14 career races.-Background:...
. Racing as a homebred for Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud, Strategic Mission won or placed in all five of the graded stakes races he raced on turf. These included winning the 2001 gr3 Fort Marcy Handicap. Miss Alethia, Showing Up's dam, was the daughter of T.V. Commercial, himself the son of successful turf racer T.V. Lark
T.V. Lark
T.V. Lark was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse owned by Chase McCoy of CR Mac Stables and trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame member, William Molter.At age two, T.V. Lark won the Arlington Futurity...
. In 1961, T.V. Lark won the Washington, D.C. International, a prominent turf race. Showing Up is a half-brother to six-time stakes winner and Grade 3-placed Gimmeawink (Elusive Quality), also bred by Rose Retreat Farm.
Races
| Finish | Race | Distance | Track | Condition |
| 2nd | Maker's Mark Mile Stakes Maker's Mark Mile Stakes The Maker's Mark Mile Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of April at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky... GII |
One Mile | Keeneland Race Course | wet |
| 1st | Hollywood Derby Hollywood Derby The Hollywood Derby is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November/early December at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to horses, age three willing to race a mile and a quarter on turf. It currently offers a purse of ... GI |
One and One-Quarter Miles | Hollywood Park | firm |
| 1st | Jamaica Breeders' Cup Handicap Jamaica Handicap The Jamaica Handicap is American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run annually on the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, New York... GII |
One and One/Eighth Miles | Belmont Park Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905... |
firm |
| 3rd | Man O' War Stakes Man O' War Stakes The Man o' War Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Now Raced in July, it is a Grade I event offering a purse of $500,000 and is open to horses three-years-old and up. Run at one and three-eighths mile on the grass, the race sometimes attracts top European horses... GI |
One and Three-Quarter Miles | Belmont Park Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905... |
firm |
| 1st | Secretariat Stakes Secretariat Stakes The Secretariat Stakes is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1¼ miles . Held annually in mid August, it is the brother of both the Arlington Million and the Beverly D... GI |
One and One-Quarter Miles | Arlington Park Arlington Park Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area... |
firm |
| 1st | Colonial Turf Cup Colonial Turf Cup The Colonial Turf Cup is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 2005 at Colonial Downs race track in New Kent County, Virginia... |
One and Three-Sixteenth Miles | Colonial Downs Colonial Downs Colonial Downs is a racetrack for Thoroughbred flat racing and Standardbred harness racing located in New Kent County, Virginia adjacent to Interstate 64, halfway between Richmond, Virginia and Williamsburg, Virginia.-History and information:... |
firm |
| 6th | Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry... GI |
One and One-Quarter Miles | Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs... |
Fast |
| 1st | Coolmore Lexington Stakes Coolmore Lexington Stakes The Lexington Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Open to three-year-old horses, the Grade III event is contested on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles... GII |
One and One-Sixteenth Miles | Keeneland Keeneland Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial... |
Fast |
| 1st | Allowance | One Mile | Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America.... |
Fast |
| 1st | Maiden | Six and One-Half Furlongs | Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America.... |
Fast |
Unraced as a two-year old, Showing Up started his career with three consecutive wins.
When Showing up won the mile allowance at Gulfstream Park, he set a new track record of 1:34, slicing a full second off the old record, but it was his convincing win in the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Coolmore Lexington Stakes
Coolmore Lexington Stakes
The Lexington Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Open to three-year-old horses, the Grade III event is contested on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles...
at Keeneland
Keeneland
Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial...
that punched his ticket for the 2006 Kentucky Derby. It not only provided him with enough graded stakes earnings to enter, but Tagg felt he deserved a chance. As Tagg says of that Derby, "They're only a 3-year-old once. I decided to make the switch to the grass because I thought Barbaro would win the Triple Crown. I can't imagine he'd have beaten Barbaro who went into the Preakness undefeated in six races. I thought Showing Up might have a chance to be the national champion turf horse." He added, ""He did beat 14 horses in that race. He's no slouch."
In his first race on turf, the million dollar Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs in Providence Forge, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Showing Up's strong come-from-way-behind win by 3 and 1/4 lengths over a gallant Kip Deville (by Kipling, who at one point was twenty lengths in front of the winner, running a huge race and holding on for second), was a triumph. Kip Deville scorched the first quarter mile in 22.54 seconds, six furlongs in 1:08.61—faster than the fastest turf sprinters—and a mile in 1:34.55, and it seemed no one could catch him. But Showing Up did...in grand style. He simply blew by him. Showing Up's time of 1:52.98 bested the previous mark, set eight years ago, by almost two seconds. That time for 1ths miles compares very well to any winner in the history of the Preakness, run on dirt at the same distance. The record for the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
, held by both Tank's Prospect and Louis Quatorze, is only 1:53 seconds.
The win was number 2,000 for jockey, Cornelio Velasquez
Cornelio Velásquez
Cornelio H. Velásquez is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He was introduced to horse racing at age fifteen by trainer Carlos Salazar Guardia in his native Panama and enrolled in the national jockey school...
.
The Colonial Turf Cup was the first is a series of four races called the Grand Slam of Grass
Grand Slam of Grass
The Grand Slam of Grass is a series of American Thoroughbred horse races made up of four turf events for three-year-old horses.The series offers a $5 million bonus for any horse who wins all four races...
whose possible winner would reap a large financial reward...a five million dollar bonus. The second, third, and fourth legs are the Virginia Derby, the Secretariat at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
and the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
at Churchill Downs. The million dollar Grade II Virginia Derby is run three weeks after the Colonial. But as Barclay said: "In mid-summer to ask horses to run their 'A' races back-to-back in three weeks is very hard to do. I wish it was at least four weeks. He's a skinny little horse, but if he's doing well, we'll certainly come."
Eventually, Tagg decided against the complete Grand Slam for Showing Up. Instead, he ran him in the $400,000 Grade I Secretariat Stakes
Secretariat Stakes
The Secretariat Stakes is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 1¼ miles . Held annually in mid August, it is the brother of both the Arlington Million and the Beverly D...
which the colt won easily, achieving the second-fastest Secretariat on record, and a Beyer Speed figure of 107. His win also put him over the one million dollar mark in earnings in only six starts. Go Between, the winner of the Viginia Derby (the race Showing Up skipped), faded on the far turn, finishing last.
Showing Up came in third in the September run Man O' War Stakes at Belmont Park. The youngest horse in a strong field, he was beaten by the Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
bred Cacique, third by a nose to Go Deputy. A longer race than he was used to, Showing Up pressed in strong fractions for the lead, but tired in the stretch.
Trainer Barclay Tagg skipped the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
on Nov. 4th at Churchill Downs and entered Showing Up in the Grade II $300,000 Jamaica Handicap
Jamaica Handicap
The Jamaica Handicap is American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run annually on the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, New York...
at Belmont. Winning the Jamaica (and earning a 110 BRIS Late Pace rating), Tagg then pointed him towards the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby
Hollywood Derby
The Hollywood Derby is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November/early December at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to horses, age three willing to race a mile and a quarter on turf. It currently offers a purse of ...
on Nov. 26, both races restricted to 3-year-olds.
"The Breeders' Cup races are too tough this year, either of them," Tagg said. "He's only a 3-year-old. There are a couple of good 3-year-old races left. Hopefully, he can win them. Finishing third in a Breeders' Cup, either one, isn't going to do me a bit of good with the horse; it's not going to make him a champion, it's not going to make me rich enough to retire." He says running young horses so hard might ruin them for a longer career. (It is possible he's thinking of Funny Cide
Funny Cide
Funny Cide is a Thoroughbred race horse who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 2003. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.-Bloodlines:...
who ran inhaling fiery soot from a raging forest fire very near Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in his Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
in 2004. Funny has had respiratory problems off and on ever since.)
As the odds-on favorite in the Hollywood Derby, Showing Up won his second Grade I race by 2 lengths in the excellent time of 1:59, which is the fastest Derby yet at its current distance. In the turn for home, after running as far back as fifth, Showing Up powered by the leaders, leaving the entire field in his wake.
Tagg who rarely jokes, joked, "He just keeps showing up." But he'll be given a rest for the winter and return to the races in the spring.
Showing Up's earnings to date amount to $1,660,500.
Retirement
On April 16, 2008, Barclay Tagg announced that Showing Up would retire sound. In 2009, he will stand at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs South near Williston, FloridaWilliston, Florida
Williston is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,297 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 2,467.-Geography:Williston is located at ....
for a fee of $7,500 as the property of Adena Springs and Lael.