History Lesson: The Plate Trial Stakes' initial running took place in 1944 at the old Woodbine Racetrack, downtown Toronto, at a distance of six furlongs. The race has since been run a variety of different lengths from six furlongs to the current mile and an eighth. The prep race has produced many Queen's Plate winners, but only one over the last sixteen years (Not Bourbon '08)and holds, what seem to be, unbreakable records; twelve wins E.P. Taylor's Windfield Farms, nine wins by hall of fame jockey Avelino Gomez, and George J. McCann's nine wins as a trainer. The current race record time is held by two horses in a time of 1:50.00. (Alydeed '92 and Northface '96)
Plate Trial Stakes 2009: As usual, this prep for the plate will answer some questions of the potential Queen's Plate runners. Can some of the sprinters go the distance? and are some of these runners as good as their last races would suggest? The competitors in this season edition are very tough and should 'duke it out' from wire to wire. There is a good mix of speed, endurance, and tactical maneuverability needed to win this race, just who will put it all together on this day? Will it be Southdale, Eye of the Leopard, the Canadian runner from France Eastern Promise, or Thor's Piper? These are just a few of the talented individuals going for the $150,000 purse.
Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 El Brujo by Candy Ride (Arg) out of Enchanted Spell (Devil's Bag) Own: Windways Farm, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
2 Rapid Release by Action This Day out of Bail Money (St. Juvite) Own: Dolantori Racing, Trainer: Roger Attfield, Jockey: Jono Jones
3 Eastern Promise by Grand Slam out of Light Show (Pleasant Colony) Own: Earle I. Mack, Trainer: Mark Frostad, Jockey: Justin Rose
4 Active Duty by Deputy Commander out of Punchbowl (Two Punch) Own: Woodford Racing LLC, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Corey Fraser
5 Southdale by Street Cry (Ire) out of Pinafores Pride (Saint Ballado) Own: Roderick Ferguson, Trainer: Ian Black, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
6 Bucephalus by Cape Canaveral out of May Time (Cure the Blues) Own: Knob Hill Stables, Trainer: Kevin Attard, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
7 Keino West by Kissin Kris out of Vanetta Hill (Crown Attorney) Own: Track West Racing Inc., Trainer: Steve Attard, Jockey: Gerry Olguin
8 Thor's Piper by Thunder Gulch out of Lone Piper (Dehere) Own: Chiefswood Stable, Trainer: Eric Coatrieaux, Jockey: James McAleney
9 Costalivin by Tomahawk out of Sylky Market (Market Control) Own: Jam Jar Racing, Trainer: John Ross, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
10 Eye of the Leopard by A.P. Indy out of Eye of the Sphynx (Smart Strike) Own: Sam-Son Farms, Trainer: Mark Frostad, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
The Skinny: This race is loaded with Canadian talent. Though past winners over the past while have not gone on to win the Queen's Plate other runners of the race have. The Plate Trial is exploding with ten top colts and geldings all of which were foaled in Ontario. Let's see if we can narrow it down to a winner.
Start with the ship-in from France. Mark Frostad will take over the training duties of the Earle Mack owned Eastern Promise. The well-bred colt had been racing in France to start his career where he would break his maiden last December in a seven and a half-furlong event over polytrack. The son of Grand Slam has not gone two-turns yet and this will be a big test in his North American debut to see what his future has in store. Eastern Promise has been second or better in four of five lifetime starts, with earnings of $36,136. The purse earnings don't sound impressive, but, his May 27 work of five furlongs in :59.4/5 is and was the best on the Woodbine poly that day. Still, looking elsewhere.
The other Frostad trainee is Eye of the Leopard, quite possibly the most well-bred horse in this race. The bay colt would get a win around two-turns in his Woodbine debut and second career start on May 10th against maiden allowance company. He would go on to post a 75 Beyer in the two and three-quarter length victory. This will be his first race against winners and will show what Eye of the Leopard is made of. Like his chances, as breeding alone suggests he can win at the distance and the fact that he has improved drastically from his first contest in Keenland back on April 15th. Don't leave him out of your exotics.
Rapid Release is sent out by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield. The chestnut colt had raced his entire two-year-old season in Great Britain where he would post a record of 7-1-3-1. Since coming to North America, Rapid Release has raced in three conditoned allowance races, each going at a distance of a mile and a sixteenth. He has picked up a cheque in each of those races, but, was a fair distance out of the winners. The Attfield trainee has posted decent Beyer figures since being on this side of the pond, but nothing to brag about. The Plate Trial will be his fourth start of the '09 campaign and will be the furthest contest of his career. Not much to go on here, though Attfield has a knack for getting his horses to win at the right time.
Chiefswood Stable's chestnut gelding, Thor's Piper, is a very interesting individual. The son of Thunder Gulch broke his maiden this year in his third career start, May 18th over the polytrack at the Toronto oval, at a mile and a sixteenth. He would post an improved 73 Beyer driving to a short neck win at the wire. Expect him to be very competitive in this event, looking to make a strong bid down the homestretch. He has not put up a work since April 24th, but you can be sure conditioner Eric Coatrieaux and journeyman Jimmy McAleney will have this guy ready for the Plate Trial. Good chance here.
Trainer John Ross sends out Costalivin, a proven horse at two-turns and against winners. This big Tomahawk colt was a winner last time out against non-winners of two allowance company and came through nicely down the homestretch. He'll get a jockey change for this event, but it shouldn't be a factor as seasoned veteran Chantal Sutherland picks up the reins. Costalivin's two lifetime wins come at a mile and a sixteenth, which should indicate that he'll love the extra distance in the Trial. He has been improving in his Beyer figures as well and will look to continue doing so here, in his third start of his '09 season. Should get great value on this day, best bet for the price anyway.
Active Duty is another proven horse against winners. Mark Casse's trainee was the winner of the Coronation Futurity as a two-year-old at a distance of a mile and an eighth. He would also start of the '09 campaign with a game third place effort in an optional-claiming allowance at Santa Anita. This season at Woodbine, Active Duty would finish third in the Queenston Stakes going seven furlongs in an all out chase at the leaders. He should benefit from the distance in the Plate Trial, getting back to where he runs best. Casse is one of the best conditioners on the grounds and will have this horse ready to go. Outside chance.
Keino West comes into the Plate Trial as a longshot. He has started the '09 season off pretty much trying to get fit. He has raced in two sprints which do not fit his running style. He is a router through and through and we should see his best effort of the year in this race. Steve Attard knows his guy likes distance and will look to get him back to form, as Keino West did win at a mile and a sixteenth to break his maiden in '08. Expect a better race here, but you may want to stay away from the windows with this guy.
El Brujo is sent out by Malcolm Pierce. He is two for two in his '09 campaign and looks to his first two-turn event of the season. He should take a fair bit of money on the tote board as the fans should see that he can run in a route. He was runner-up to rival Active Duty in last year's Coronation Futurity at a mile and an eighth, and Pierce and leading jock Patrick Husbands will have this horse up to the challenge once again. El Brujo is looking like a much more mature and stronger individual this season and should be very tough here. Certainly like his chances, hot outfit, top jock, two '09 stakes wins and a very determined horse looking to silence any critics.
Ian Black brings a very good looking and talented colt into the Plate Trial, in Southdale. The son of Street Cry has only two lifetime starts, but has picked up a cheque in each of them, with a third and a first place finish. Yet to go two-turns, Southdale is bred for the distance and should improve from his maiden win, where he posted a fantastic 89 Beyer figure in the five and a quarter length romp, over the Woodbine poly. Expect big things here, may be an early favorite and should not be left out. Jockey Emma Wilson has been a hot of late and will get the best out of Southdale, to date, in here.
Knob Hill Farms colt Bucephalus is a very tough competitor and will be making his third start of the '09 season in the Plate Trial. This will be his first lifetime route race and will answer some questions as to whether or not he stays in sprints or goes on to the Queen's Plate. He finished fourth in the Queenston Stakes back of rivals El Brujo and Active Duty and will try to get back to the win column for the first time this year. He has not posted very credible Beyers this season with both races resulting in the high sixties. Not sure what to expect, but, gut feeling says he's a sprinter not a router.
My Picks: 5-9-4
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 67th running of the Plate Trial Stakes.
Read more!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Saturday May 30th, 2009 - The Nassau Stakes Gr. II, Fillies & Mares, Three-Year-Olds & Upward
History Lesson: The inaugural running of the Nassau Stakes dates back to 1956 where it was run at Woodbine Racetrack. The race has also been held at Fort Erie Racetrack ('67, '68, '94). The Nassau originally raced as a seven furlong dirt event and also as a mile race on the dirt until 1968 when it was transferred over to the turf at a distance of one mile and one sixteenth permanently. Sam-Son Farm holds the most wins by an owner in the Nassau with six ('89, '91, '92, '98, '01, '07), while Todd Kabel will take honors for most wins by a rider with five. Four trainers are tied with three wins each in the Nassau including the likes of Jimmy Day and Mark Frostad, both Sam-Son trainers. Roger Attfield will be looking to join the group this year as he sits at two. Over the fifty-three previous Nassau races, fans have seen seven back-to-back winners, a feat Attfield's Callwood Dancer will vie for in the fifty-fourth edition of the race. The fastest current time in the Nassau Stakes was posted by Bold Ruritana in 1996 in a time of 1:39.60.
Nassau Stakes 2009: This seasons' edition of the race brings in some tough competition with the likes of '08 winner Callwood Dancer, ship-in Rutherienne and Dance to My Tune. The $300,000 event should promise to get people out of their seats as a group of ten fillies and mares will charge down the homestretch on the E.P. Taylor turf course.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Tell It as It Is by Chester House out of Talltalelady (Naskra) Own: Cinnamont Stable, Trainer: James J. Smith, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
2 Roses 'n' Wine by Broken Vow out of Regent's Fancy (Vice Regent) Own: The Estate of Firestone Farms Ltd., Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
3 Remarkable Remy by Hennessy out of Most Remarkable (Marquetry) Own: Live Oak Plantation, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
4 Scenery Change by Royal Academy out of You'd Be Surprised (Blushing Groom (Fr)) Own: Hill n Dale Equine Holdings Inc., Trainer: Josie Carroll, Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
5 Rutherienne by Pulpit out of Ruthian (Rahy) Own: Virginia Kraft Payson L.L.C., Trainer: Christophe Clement, Jockey: Alan Garcia
6 Favorite Fantasy by Richter Scale out of Fantasy of Care (Cares Love) Own: Richard and Nancy Kastor, Trainer: Gregory DeGannes, Jockey: James McAleney
7 Meadow Saffron by Military out of Gigi Gear (Golden Gear) Own: Frederick J. Seitz, Trainer: Frederick J. Seitz, Jockey: Robert Landry
8 Dance to My Tune by Stravinsky out of Bandore (Forty-Niner) Own: Overbrook Farm, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Corey Fraser
9 Callwood Dancer (Ire) by Danehill Dancer (Ire) out of Ahdaab (Rahy) Own: Three Chimney's Racing L.L.C. and Harlequin Ranches, Trainer: Roger Attfield, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
10 Points of Grace by Point Given out of Fateful (Topsider) Own: Live Oak Plantation, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: There are some very talented individuals in this race and we should be looking at the fact that the turf has taken a lot of rain over the last three days when handicapping the Nassau.
James J. Smith is sending out five-year-old mare Tell It as It Is, ridden by Emma Wilson; who is on fire right now. This daughter of Chester House is going out in her second start of the season; finishing a very game fifth in an allowance race in Keenland on April 17th, with John Velasquez aboard. A career earner of $353,515 includes three wins in nine tries on the turf and $176,140. She has posted consistently decent Beyer numbers including two 92's in '08 over this very same turf course, one of which was a win over a yielding surface in the Tattling Stakes. Have to like her chances with Wilson up as the two have combined for all of the mares turf wins lifetime. Look for her to close down the long homestretch. Has a shot.
Roses 'n' Wine comes into the Nassau with two straight wins of the shelf in '09. However, both wins come in conditioned allowance company and this is a big step up. We should keep in mind that this filly does like the turf and the distance. Last season she would have two strong runner-up finishes in the Wonder Where Stakes and the Carotene Stakes. Though her Beyers have not been as strong as others in the field, she comes into this one with a very hot rider in Chantal Sutherland who is currently in second in the jockey standings at Woodbine and has done very well on the E.P. Taylor turf course. Outside chance carrying only 115lbs, best of the worst in this field.
Live Oak Plantation and Malcolm Pierce have two individuals in this race starting with ship-in, turf specialist, Remarkable Remy. This four-year-old filly has five life time wins over the grass in fourteen starts, with earnings just over 280k. She has veteran Emile Ramsammy aboard in her second start of the '09 season, looking to improve on the outfits remarkable start to the season: no pun intended. She has posted four respectable works in May and should be sharp and ready to go for this race. Throw out the first start of the season as she would have a poor outing just as she did to start the '08 season. It appears she needs to get one into her before she begins to run creditably. Like her chances, should be in contention throughout.
The second of the Pierce outfit is Points of Grace. She is a lightly raced four-year-old who has an amazing 100% in the money record, going 6-4-2-0 lifetime with earnings of $124,474. She gets Woodbine's leading jockey Patrick Husbands for this one. She has been racing in the Fairgrounds over the winter against condition allowance and optional claiming allowance company, where she would pick up two wins over the turf there. This is her toughest test to date, but, seeing Husbands take the call here may be a good indication that she is ready for this next step in her career. Just watching this time around.
Conditioner Josie Carroll's ship-in, Scenery Change, is also taking a big step up in her career. The five-year-old mare has come to Woodbine in late April after being raced in the Fairgrounds and Keenland over the winter. She has three lifetime wins over the grass, mainly against allowance company and has career earnings of just under 100k. She has ran well over a firm turf course over her years though we have to look at her last start over a yielding course back in November '06 where she finished way out of contention, seventeen lengths back of the winner. This may prove to be a bad spot for the Carroll student after all this wet weather in Toronto. Looking elsewhere.
Rutherienne is sent out by Christophe Clement. This ship-in is going to be taking a bundle of money on the tote board as she has been the most consistent earner out of the field. She has posted Beyers in the 90's or better in every race in '08 and continued the trend in her first start off the shelf this year in a second place effort in the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keenland on April 11th posting a 97. She has a very good turf record at 18-9-1-6 lifetime with earnings of $961,555, which happens to be her career record, she's a turfer through and through. She has been beaten for second by rival Callwood Dancer and will look to exact revenge here in the Nassau. Top choice, don't think the soft track should make a difference for this grass horse.
Roger Attfield will bring back last year's Nassau winner Callwood Dancer. She is a Woodbine favorite and has come back here after being winter-raced at Gulf Stream Park and a training stint at Keenland. Callwood Dancer was eased in her last start in February but has come back to train well breezing over the Woodbine turf course at four and six furlongs. Attfield will be looking to join the record books again, as a win here will tie him with four others for most Nassau Stakes wins at three. With a 18-5-4-3 turf record and earnings of over 600k on the sod, Callwood Dancer should be a very tough competitor in her third start of the '09 campaign, as she is consistently in the money and is bred for the surface. She will be tough to beat on her home turf. (Pun intended)
Trainer Greg DeGannes sends out a winter-raced individual in Favorite Fantasy. She will go out in her fifth start of the season and second straight graded turf contest; finishing fourth and fifth in the latter. She does not have the consistent Beyers of others in the field, but has run her best figures with rider Jim McAleney aboard, who will reunite with the filly here. She has career earnings of just over 140k and is no stranger to the turf with ten lifetime starts over a grass surface with a record of 10-1-1-1. Could hit the board with the right trip.
Freddy Seitz has shipped in Meadow Saffron, a lightly raced filly with the least career earnings out of this group with $52,008 in the bank. She has only raced over a grass surface in seven lifetime starts and posted a high Beyer of 91, which came in her last start; a win at Keenland against condition allowance company. This will be her first stakes contest and will have to be at her best to beat the favorites here. Meadow Saffron has never raced over a soft or yielding turf which should play a factor on this day.
Dance to My Tune is a non-winner in six tries on the grass. She has been in Keenland since October '08 after being sold by Dave Cotey and connections and come back to work at the Toronto oval on May 1st for conditioner Mark Casse. The five-year-old mare has posted Beyers in the mid-eighties over her last three starts, all over the turf, but has yet to get the win. She hasn't faced stakes company since September 27th, 2008, where she would finish seventh, five lengths out, in a seven furlong event. Corey Fraser is up for the first time in a race with her, but, it shouldn't make a difference against these foes, she's in tough.
My Picks: 5-1-3
Please feel free to leave your picks and comments on the 54th running of the Nassau Stakes Gr.II. Read more!
Nassau Stakes 2009: This seasons' edition of the race brings in some tough competition with the likes of '08 winner Callwood Dancer, ship-in Rutherienne and Dance to My Tune. The $300,000 event should promise to get people out of their seats as a group of ten fillies and mares will charge down the homestretch on the E.P. Taylor turf course.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Tell It as It Is by Chester House out of Talltalelady (Naskra) Own: Cinnamont Stable, Trainer: James J. Smith, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
2 Roses 'n' Wine by Broken Vow out of Regent's Fancy (Vice Regent) Own: The Estate of Firestone Farms Ltd., Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
3 Remarkable Remy by Hennessy out of Most Remarkable (Marquetry) Own: Live Oak Plantation, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
4 Scenery Change by Royal Academy out of You'd Be Surprised (Blushing Groom (Fr)) Own: Hill n Dale Equine Holdings Inc., Trainer: Josie Carroll, Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
5 Rutherienne by Pulpit out of Ruthian (Rahy) Own: Virginia Kraft Payson L.L.C., Trainer: Christophe Clement, Jockey: Alan Garcia
6 Favorite Fantasy by Richter Scale out of Fantasy of Care (Cares Love) Own: Richard and Nancy Kastor, Trainer: Gregory DeGannes, Jockey: James McAleney
7 Meadow Saffron by Military out of Gigi Gear (Golden Gear) Own: Frederick J. Seitz, Trainer: Frederick J. Seitz, Jockey: Robert Landry
8 Dance to My Tune by Stravinsky out of Bandore (Forty-Niner) Own: Overbrook Farm, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Corey Fraser
9 Callwood Dancer (Ire) by Danehill Dancer (Ire) out of Ahdaab (Rahy) Own: Three Chimney's Racing L.L.C. and Harlequin Ranches, Trainer: Roger Attfield, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
10 Points of Grace by Point Given out of Fateful (Topsider) Own: Live Oak Plantation, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: There are some very talented individuals in this race and we should be looking at the fact that the turf has taken a lot of rain over the last three days when handicapping the Nassau.
James J. Smith is sending out five-year-old mare Tell It as It Is, ridden by Emma Wilson; who is on fire right now. This daughter of Chester House is going out in her second start of the season; finishing a very game fifth in an allowance race in Keenland on April 17th, with John Velasquez aboard. A career earner of $353,515 includes three wins in nine tries on the turf and $176,140. She has posted consistently decent Beyer numbers including two 92's in '08 over this very same turf course, one of which was a win over a yielding surface in the Tattling Stakes. Have to like her chances with Wilson up as the two have combined for all of the mares turf wins lifetime. Look for her to close down the long homestretch. Has a shot.
Roses 'n' Wine comes into the Nassau with two straight wins of the shelf in '09. However, both wins come in conditioned allowance company and this is a big step up. We should keep in mind that this filly does like the turf and the distance. Last season she would have two strong runner-up finishes in the Wonder Where Stakes and the Carotene Stakes. Though her Beyers have not been as strong as others in the field, she comes into this one with a very hot rider in Chantal Sutherland who is currently in second in the jockey standings at Woodbine and has done very well on the E.P. Taylor turf course. Outside chance carrying only 115lbs, best of the worst in this field.
Live Oak Plantation and Malcolm Pierce have two individuals in this race starting with ship-in, turf specialist, Remarkable Remy. This four-year-old filly has five life time wins over the grass in fourteen starts, with earnings just over 280k. She has veteran Emile Ramsammy aboard in her second start of the '09 season, looking to improve on the outfits remarkable start to the season: no pun intended. She has posted four respectable works in May and should be sharp and ready to go for this race. Throw out the first start of the season as she would have a poor outing just as she did to start the '08 season. It appears she needs to get one into her before she begins to run creditably. Like her chances, should be in contention throughout.
The second of the Pierce outfit is Points of Grace. She is a lightly raced four-year-old who has an amazing 100% in the money record, going 6-4-2-0 lifetime with earnings of $124,474. She gets Woodbine's leading jockey Patrick Husbands for this one. She has been racing in the Fairgrounds over the winter against condition allowance and optional claiming allowance company, where she would pick up two wins over the turf there. This is her toughest test to date, but, seeing Husbands take the call here may be a good indication that she is ready for this next step in her career. Just watching this time around.
Conditioner Josie Carroll's ship-in, Scenery Change, is also taking a big step up in her career. The five-year-old mare has come to Woodbine in late April after being raced in the Fairgrounds and Keenland over the winter. She has three lifetime wins over the grass, mainly against allowance company and has career earnings of just under 100k. She has ran well over a firm turf course over her years though we have to look at her last start over a yielding course back in November '06 where she finished way out of contention, seventeen lengths back of the winner. This may prove to be a bad spot for the Carroll student after all this wet weather in Toronto. Looking elsewhere.
Rutherienne is sent out by Christophe Clement. This ship-in is going to be taking a bundle of money on the tote board as she has been the most consistent earner out of the field. She has posted Beyers in the 90's or better in every race in '08 and continued the trend in her first start off the shelf this year in a second place effort in the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keenland on April 11th posting a 97. She has a very good turf record at 18-9-1-6 lifetime with earnings of $961,555, which happens to be her career record, she's a turfer through and through. She has been beaten for second by rival Callwood Dancer and will look to exact revenge here in the Nassau. Top choice, don't think the soft track should make a difference for this grass horse.
Roger Attfield will bring back last year's Nassau winner Callwood Dancer. She is a Woodbine favorite and has come back here after being winter-raced at Gulf Stream Park and a training stint at Keenland. Callwood Dancer was eased in her last start in February but has come back to train well breezing over the Woodbine turf course at four and six furlongs. Attfield will be looking to join the record books again, as a win here will tie him with four others for most Nassau Stakes wins at three. With a 18-5-4-3 turf record and earnings of over 600k on the sod, Callwood Dancer should be a very tough competitor in her third start of the '09 campaign, as she is consistently in the money and is bred for the surface. She will be tough to beat on her home turf. (Pun intended)
Trainer Greg DeGannes sends out a winter-raced individual in Favorite Fantasy. She will go out in her fifth start of the season and second straight graded turf contest; finishing fourth and fifth in the latter. She does not have the consistent Beyers of others in the field, but has run her best figures with rider Jim McAleney aboard, who will reunite with the filly here. She has career earnings of just over 140k and is no stranger to the turf with ten lifetime starts over a grass surface with a record of 10-1-1-1. Could hit the board with the right trip.
Freddy Seitz has shipped in Meadow Saffron, a lightly raced filly with the least career earnings out of this group with $52,008 in the bank. She has only raced over a grass surface in seven lifetime starts and posted a high Beyer of 91, which came in her last start; a win at Keenland against condition allowance company. This will be her first stakes contest and will have to be at her best to beat the favorites here. Meadow Saffron has never raced over a soft or yielding turf which should play a factor on this day.
Dance to My Tune is a non-winner in six tries on the grass. She has been in Keenland since October '08 after being sold by Dave Cotey and connections and come back to work at the Toronto oval on May 1st for conditioner Mark Casse. The five-year-old mare has posted Beyers in the mid-eighties over her last three starts, all over the turf, but has yet to get the win. She hasn't faced stakes company since September 27th, 2008, where she would finish seventh, five lengths out, in a seven furlong event. Corey Fraser is up for the first time in a race with her, but, it shouldn't make a difference against these foes, she's in tough.
My Picks: 5-1-3
Please feel free to leave your picks and comments on the 54th running of the Nassau Stakes Gr.II. Read more!
We're Back!
After a brief hiatus, The Toronto Thoroughbred Insider is back into the swing of things. All apologies for the delay.
Read more!
Read more!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ship-In Hooh Why Holds On in La Lorgnette Stakes
It was a sunny, but continuously windy day at Woodbine Racetrack on May 17th, 2009. Race eight on the card would have fans watch the tenth running of the La Lorgnette Stakes, which contained many star three-year-old fillies. Ship-in Hooh Why, owned by Derby Daze Farm Inc. and Mark Hoffman would take the wire by a half-length over a surging Tasty Temptation in a time of 1:45.46 in the $150,000 race.
The La Lorgnette provided an abundance of excitement on this day from the very get go. The field of nine, due to two scratches, would see a clean break with the exception of Yukari who would have a horrible start to keep her out of contention. Woodsmoke would take to the lead from the outside, practically running off with Pizarro, and she would open up a huge lead on the pack down the backstretch. Hooh Why and Bear's Lightning would watch the Keogh filly set the fractions, eight lengths in front, and put their bid in at the start of the second turn, being joined by Milwaukee Appeal. By the top of the stretch the aforementioned three would swallow Woodsmoke up and drive toward the wire separating themselves from the field, save a determined Tasty Temptation, who would join the battle to the wire. With Bear's Lightning weakening and Milwaukee Appeal unable to keep up to the Ashland Gr.I winner, Hooh Why, Tasty Temptation and rider Patrick Husbands would plug away closing the gap on the leader, but in the end, the Kenneth Hoffman trained filly would hold off the Casse pupil by a half-length.
Winning jockey Emile Ramsammy would talk about his first ride aboard the big, tough, chestnut filly, "What can I say about her, Hooh Why" begins the elated Ramsammy, "She ran as what was expected of her, and was bet down by the public, and won like a favorite should. I haven't been on her until today and I expected her to run well. She seems to be a proven horse. She won the grade one Ashland already this year and ran in California very creditably. With all the conditions today, a very windy day, it really takes away from a good race and a good horse because it's such a factor, I don't think you can see the best out of a horse in these kind of conditions."
When asked if there were any special instructions upon Hooh Why for their first time together Ramsammy explains, " No, I just want to thank Mark Hoffman for giving me the opportunity to be on this filly, he basically left it up to me. He told me, 'she's a nice horse, just ride her like a nice horse and best of luck.' She was a pleasant ride and I enjoyed it and rode her with a lot of confidence. She seemed like the best horse on paper and I rode her like the best horse and she ran pretty nice."
For the full results to the 10th running of the La Lorgnette Stakes click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO051709CAN8.pdf Read more!
Awesome Rhythm Comes Out on Top in 54th Running of the Marine Stakes
Saturday May 16th, 2009 would provide a surprisingly fantastic finish to the 54th edition of the Marine Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. Trainer John Ross' three-year-old colt Awesome Rhythm would wow the crowd with a strong stretch drive that would see him win the $150,000 event by two and one-quarter lengths, over Graham Motion's ship in Colonel Rutledge, in a time of 1:45.25.
It was a filthy day at the Toronto oval with gusting winds and periods of rain, but that didn't take much away from a race that appeared to be rather average in stock on paper. Awesome Rhythm, owned by Domenic Truimbari, would pick up his second win in two starts at Woodbine this season. The son of Toccet, would begin the mile and one-sixteenth race at the back of the pack, while Bear's Prospector would dictate the pace, taking a lead from His Greatness around the first turn, setting the quarter in :25.0. Along the backstretch Awesome Rhythm and rider Jim McAleney would sit back and wait to make a move, back roughly three and a half lengths at the half-mile. Around the second turn four horses would vie for the lead, only to be joined by McAleney and Awesome Rhythm, at the top of the stretch, who were out five wide. His Greatness would take a brief lead, while the other ship in Colonel Rutledge would come on between horses at the eighth pole and Awesome Rhythm would be right there driving hard to take the lead away and by the sixteenth pole the young colt would have a widening lead that would ultimately bring him to the wire by two and one-quarter lengths. The southern invaders Colonel Rutledge and His Greatness would finish second and third respectively.
Jim McAleney would later speak about the trip "Well, the first quarter unfolded just as I expected, which was exactly what I didn't want, it was slow. But the second quarter we picked it up almost a full second, I believe, and that helped the race evolve. I didn't want to move when I did, I would've rather stayed in and saved some ground on the last turn, but, I couldn't tell exactly how much horse Jono had down on the inside and what type of a turn of foot he had. I knew I would never get through so I didn't want Jono to squeak away from me at the head of the stretch and that I would be in contention of grabbing him. So, I dipped this horse out and he just gave me all the confidence in the world both in his last race and the way he was in post parade. I knew that I had the horse to give up the ground and get the job done, it wasn't my preference, but I didn't mind doing it either.
Click here for the final results to the 54th running of the Marine Stakes: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO051609CAN6.pdf Read more!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday May 18th, 2009 - The Vigil Stakes Gr. III, Four-Year-Olds and Upward, Seven Furlongs
History Lesson: The Vigil Stakes Gr. III was first run as the Vigil Handicap at Fort Erie Racetrack in 1956 at a distance of five and one-half furlongs. The race had been run up to a mile and a sixteenth until 1980 when it was set at its current distance of seven furlongs and is raced at the Toronto oval over synthetic polytrack. There have been six horses to win the Vigil in back-to-back fashion, starting back in '58,'59 with Nearctic then again over thirty years later in '89, '90 when Mr. Hot Shot would complete the feat. The latest horse to win two years in a row was Judith's Wild Rush in 2005 and 2006. Currently the race record is also the Woodbine polytrack record at seven furlongs in a time of 1:20.51 set by Disfunction in the '08 edition of the Vigil.
Vigil Stakes Gr. III, 2009: This year's race is a very competitive field of eleven older, accomplished and talented horses, which will provide even more excitement to the May long weekend. Past champions of the sprint return to face off. Disfunction, the current record holder at seven furlongs and '08 Vigil winner, Just Rushing won this event in '07, and Judith's Wild Rush had won the race twice in a row in 2005 and '06. Along with that story is the rematch of the Jacques Cartier Stakes on April 25th/09; four horses within a length of each other at the wire, Disfunction, Shadowless, Field Commission, and Timely Advice will all vie for the $150,000 purse and don't forget about the ship-ins Passager(Fr) and Rebellion(GB), both very much in the hunt for the win.
Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 D Flutie by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Mike Keogh, Jockey: Constant Montpellier
2 Judith's Wild Rush by Wild Rush out of Tie Talk(Black Tie Affair(IRE)) Own: Tenenbaum Racing Stables, Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
3 Wollemi Pine by Aljabr out of Toogie Pine(Pine Bluff) Own: Kinghaven Farms, H. Clarke and G. Thompson, Trainer: Ian Black, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
4 Passager(Fr) by Anabaa out of Passionnee(Woodman) Own: Johanna Louise Glen-Teven, Trainer: Roger Attfield, Jockey: Jono Jones
5 Shadowless by Stormy Atlantic out of Life in Fiction(Whiskey Wisdom) Own: Heather Takahashi, Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Justin Stein
6 Just Rushing by Wild Rush out of Daybydaybyday(Shananee) Own: Tucci Stables, Trainer: Sid C. Attard, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
7 Field Commission by Service Stripe out of Tearfull Moment(Schossberg) Own: E. Seltzer and D. Vella, Trainer: Daniel J. Vella, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
8 Disfunction by Vying Victor out of Summers Prospect(Gold Crest) Own: JMJ's Stable and Weila Ye, Trainer: Julia Carey, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
9 Dozen Dancer by Chief Seattle out of Prairie Dancer(Dumaani) Own: George Robertson, Trainer: Tony Mattine, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
10 Timely Advice by A.P. Indy out of Confessional(Holy Bull) Own: Pin Oak Stable, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: James McAleney
11 Rebellion(GB) by Mozart(Ire) out of Last Resort(GB)(Lahib) Own: Hickory Tree Stable, Trainer: Graham H. Motion, Jockey: Edgar Prado
The Skinny: Wow! The Vigil Stakes Gr.III looks up for grabs this year. A nice field of talent, but, who to pick? A process of elimination could work here, like a multiple choice quiz. Start with the least likely to win.
Mike Keogh's having a great start to the 2009 meet, but, can't like his horse D Flutie in this one. D Flutie has somewhat under-achieved and comes into the Vigil with only one career win. The son of Langfuhr and full-brother to three-year-old stakes filly Woodsmoke, has a record of 12-1-2-2 with $73,940 in the bank, hardly intimidating to the competition. In two starts this season D Flutie has run well, with the first start being excusable with repeated checks throughout, until finally finding room down the stretch, but much too late. His second start was much better in a second place effort that would see D Flutie needing a little more room in the closing of the six furlong event. The distance of seven-eighths of a mile will help here, but don't expect to see him in the money with this group of foes.
Dozen Dancer is sent out by longtime Woodbine conditioner Tony Mattine. This is a huge mountain to climb for this horse second time off the shelf in '09, though, he has raced and vied well against foes Disfunction and Field Commission in the past. A four-time winner in eight tries with earnings eclipsing 160k, Dozen Dancer has mostly raced against allowance company throughout his racing career. The grandson of Seattle Slew is in a difficult spot on this day, looking elsewhere.
Kinghaven Farms trainer Ian Black has a nice competitor in Wollemi Pine. The five-year-old gray has been very successful at Woodbine, but for the most part, on the E.P. Taylor turf course. An earner of over 300k and five wins in twenty-three tries, Wollemi Pine is coming into this one as a longshot after he had a disappointing first start, in the Jacques Cartier Stakes, back in April. He should not be much of a factor here, but, look for this guy later in the season as the turf races start up at Woodbine.
Judith's Wild Rush is a two-time winner of this race and is the only million dollar earner of the group. Didn't look very sharp in his '09 Woodbine debut and is in for a rough go once again. The eight-year-old horse has not won a race in his last five attempts and has not had the Beyer figures he once drew up as a champion sprinter. He may have seen his day on the oval with his owners still hanging on to the past. He'll give it his best, but, it won't be enough against these guys.
Another eight-year-old in the fray is Sid Attard pupil Just Rushing. A very talented individual with a record of 32-14-4-6 and $869,645 career earnings, Just Rushing will come into the Vigil for his first race of the '09 campaign. Don't think he will be a major factor on this day as he should need to get this race into him for some conditioning, plus, this horse carries the most weight in here at 123lbs. Just Rushing won the Vigil in '07 and has faced some of the rivals here, in Wollemi Pine and Shadowless, with much success. Most of his earnings in 2008 were obtained on the turf, but, he is no stranger to the polytrack. Watch for this horse next time out.
Passager is sent out by Roger Attfield with much promise to pick up a cheque here. He has raced very well, to-date, with three starts in '09 down south in the States. Passager is a turf horse through and through and though he has raced on poly before, in France, he hasn't raced on the Woodbine oval, but, has worked over the surface honestly. His career earnings have surpassed 380k and his last two starts have shown incredible Beyers at 100 in each race. He's a player in here and the light 115lbs should be an advantage for the Attfield student. Still like him on the turf more so than this spot.
Field Commission is coming into the Vigil after a very game third place effort in the Jacques Cartier Stakes in April. He comes back to face foes Disfunction and Shadowless who would get up to pass him just before the wire in that race. Danny Vella's trainee has won at this distance before, but, he showed a little weakness late in that last start, which leaves one to ponder if he will have enough endurance to get it done on this day. Field Commission has been third or better in ten of his twelve career races and has earned over 230k. This will be his third straight stakes competition and will only carry 115lbs this time. Could be dangerous, skeptical.
Dave Bell sends out pupil Shadowless. The ever improving four-year-old was out-finished at the wire, a neck, by rival Disfunction in the Jacques Cartier. A career record of 15-4-4-4 and earnings of $318,612, Shadowless will be a huge contender in the Vigil. This is his third start off the shelf in '09 and he has posted Beyers of 91 and 97 in his first two races. The son of Stormy Atlantic will handle this distance with ease, but, can he hold off Disfunction in the late going? Expect a good race on this day, top five choice.
Malcolm Pierce is going to be looking for victory here as his trainee Timely Advice should improve drastically after the Jacques Cartier. The son of A.P. Indy finished the race in the fastest time and galloped out on top. Jim McAleney knows he just missed on that day and will certainly like his chances in the Vigil's distance. Once again, Timely Advice will carry 115lbs to his advantage and may come from off the pace to pass rivals down the stretch. This well-bred individual seems to be improving with every race as a four-year-old as he has put up two straight 95 Beyer performances and may just do better here. Top three, don't leave him out.
Graham Motion brings up the very talented and well decorated Rebellion. The six-year-old horse has been third or better in sixteen out of twenty-two lifetime starts with earnings over 790k. Dating back to '07, Rebellion has posted Beyer numbers in the 90's over is last eleven starts; talk about consistency. This guy has been placed in many graded races including a win in last year's Commonwealth Gr.II at Keenland, going seven furlongs and finished second in that same event this season. Rebellion has one of the best in North America on his back on this day in Edgar Prado, who has had success here before. Expect this one to push the field to their limit physically, as he will put in a huge bid for the wire down the stretch. Looks like a no brainer, but....
We come to Disfunction, the Julia Carey student who is turning into a monster with every race. He owns Woodbine's track record at seven furlongs and is two for two this season posting a 98 Beyer in the Jacques Cartier. Should go off as the favorite in the Vigil, mostly because the fact he is a home town hero. Hard to say how Disfunction will run, it depends on the trip. Ramsammy had to bide his time in their last start, getting up late to take the wire, and may have the same task in front of him here with such a big field. Expect nothing but the best effort from this five-year-old son of Vying Victor, who will look to pick up his ninth win in his fifteenth career start. Have to put this one on top.
My Picks: 8-11-10
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Vigil Stakes Gr.III. Read more!
Vigil Stakes Gr. III, 2009: This year's race is a very competitive field of eleven older, accomplished and talented horses, which will provide even more excitement to the May long weekend. Past champions of the sprint return to face off. Disfunction, the current record holder at seven furlongs and '08 Vigil winner, Just Rushing won this event in '07, and Judith's Wild Rush had won the race twice in a row in 2005 and '06. Along with that story is the rematch of the Jacques Cartier Stakes on April 25th/09; four horses within a length of each other at the wire, Disfunction, Shadowless, Field Commission, and Timely Advice will all vie for the $150,000 purse and don't forget about the ship-ins Passager(Fr) and Rebellion(GB), both very much in the hunt for the win.
Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 D Flutie by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Mike Keogh, Jockey: Constant Montpellier
2 Judith's Wild Rush by Wild Rush out of Tie Talk(Black Tie Affair(IRE)) Own: Tenenbaum Racing Stables, Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
3 Wollemi Pine by Aljabr out of Toogie Pine(Pine Bluff) Own: Kinghaven Farms, H. Clarke and G. Thompson, Trainer: Ian Black, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
4 Passager(Fr) by Anabaa out of Passionnee(Woodman) Own: Johanna Louise Glen-Teven, Trainer: Roger Attfield, Jockey: Jono Jones
5 Shadowless by Stormy Atlantic out of Life in Fiction(Whiskey Wisdom) Own: Heather Takahashi, Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Justin Stein
6 Just Rushing by Wild Rush out of Daybydaybyday(Shananee) Own: Tucci Stables, Trainer: Sid C. Attard, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
7 Field Commission by Service Stripe out of Tearfull Moment(Schossberg) Own: E. Seltzer and D. Vella, Trainer: Daniel J. Vella, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
8 Disfunction by Vying Victor out of Summers Prospect(Gold Crest) Own: JMJ's Stable and Weila Ye, Trainer: Julia Carey, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
9 Dozen Dancer by Chief Seattle out of Prairie Dancer(Dumaani) Own: George Robertson, Trainer: Tony Mattine, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
10 Timely Advice by A.P. Indy out of Confessional(Holy Bull) Own: Pin Oak Stable, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: James McAleney
11 Rebellion(GB) by Mozart(Ire) out of Last Resort(GB)(Lahib) Own: Hickory Tree Stable, Trainer: Graham H. Motion, Jockey: Edgar Prado
The Skinny: Wow! The Vigil Stakes Gr.III looks up for grabs this year. A nice field of talent, but, who to pick? A process of elimination could work here, like a multiple choice quiz. Start with the least likely to win.
Mike Keogh's having a great start to the 2009 meet, but, can't like his horse D Flutie in this one. D Flutie has somewhat under-achieved and comes into the Vigil with only one career win. The son of Langfuhr and full-brother to three-year-old stakes filly Woodsmoke, has a record of 12-1-2-2 with $73,940 in the bank, hardly intimidating to the competition. In two starts this season D Flutie has run well, with the first start being excusable with repeated checks throughout, until finally finding room down the stretch, but much too late. His second start was much better in a second place effort that would see D Flutie needing a little more room in the closing of the six furlong event. The distance of seven-eighths of a mile will help here, but don't expect to see him in the money with this group of foes.
Dozen Dancer is sent out by longtime Woodbine conditioner Tony Mattine. This is a huge mountain to climb for this horse second time off the shelf in '09, though, he has raced and vied well against foes Disfunction and Field Commission in the past. A four-time winner in eight tries with earnings eclipsing 160k, Dozen Dancer has mostly raced against allowance company throughout his racing career. The grandson of Seattle Slew is in a difficult spot on this day, looking elsewhere.
Kinghaven Farms trainer Ian Black has a nice competitor in Wollemi Pine. The five-year-old gray has been very successful at Woodbine, but for the most part, on the E.P. Taylor turf course. An earner of over 300k and five wins in twenty-three tries, Wollemi Pine is coming into this one as a longshot after he had a disappointing first start, in the Jacques Cartier Stakes, back in April. He should not be much of a factor here, but, look for this guy later in the season as the turf races start up at Woodbine.
Judith's Wild Rush is a two-time winner of this race and is the only million dollar earner of the group. Didn't look very sharp in his '09 Woodbine debut and is in for a rough go once again. The eight-year-old horse has not won a race in his last five attempts and has not had the Beyer figures he once drew up as a champion sprinter. He may have seen his day on the oval with his owners still hanging on to the past. He'll give it his best, but, it won't be enough against these guys.
Another eight-year-old in the fray is Sid Attard pupil Just Rushing. A very talented individual with a record of 32-14-4-6 and $869,645 career earnings, Just Rushing will come into the Vigil for his first race of the '09 campaign. Don't think he will be a major factor on this day as he should need to get this race into him for some conditioning, plus, this horse carries the most weight in here at 123lbs. Just Rushing won the Vigil in '07 and has faced some of the rivals here, in Wollemi Pine and Shadowless, with much success. Most of his earnings in 2008 were obtained on the turf, but, he is no stranger to the polytrack. Watch for this horse next time out.
Passager is sent out by Roger Attfield with much promise to pick up a cheque here. He has raced very well, to-date, with three starts in '09 down south in the States. Passager is a turf horse through and through and though he has raced on poly before, in France, he hasn't raced on the Woodbine oval, but, has worked over the surface honestly. His career earnings have surpassed 380k and his last two starts have shown incredible Beyers at 100 in each race. He's a player in here and the light 115lbs should be an advantage for the Attfield student. Still like him on the turf more so than this spot.
Field Commission is coming into the Vigil after a very game third place effort in the Jacques Cartier Stakes in April. He comes back to face foes Disfunction and Shadowless who would get up to pass him just before the wire in that race. Danny Vella's trainee has won at this distance before, but, he showed a little weakness late in that last start, which leaves one to ponder if he will have enough endurance to get it done on this day. Field Commission has been third or better in ten of his twelve career races and has earned over 230k. This will be his third straight stakes competition and will only carry 115lbs this time. Could be dangerous, skeptical.
Dave Bell sends out pupil Shadowless. The ever improving four-year-old was out-finished at the wire, a neck, by rival Disfunction in the Jacques Cartier. A career record of 15-4-4-4 and earnings of $318,612, Shadowless will be a huge contender in the Vigil. This is his third start off the shelf in '09 and he has posted Beyers of 91 and 97 in his first two races. The son of Stormy Atlantic will handle this distance with ease, but, can he hold off Disfunction in the late going? Expect a good race on this day, top five choice.
Malcolm Pierce is going to be looking for victory here as his trainee Timely Advice should improve drastically after the Jacques Cartier. The son of A.P. Indy finished the race in the fastest time and galloped out on top. Jim McAleney knows he just missed on that day and will certainly like his chances in the Vigil's distance. Once again, Timely Advice will carry 115lbs to his advantage and may come from off the pace to pass rivals down the stretch. This well-bred individual seems to be improving with every race as a four-year-old as he has put up two straight 95 Beyer performances and may just do better here. Top three, don't leave him out.
Graham Motion brings up the very talented and well decorated Rebellion. The six-year-old horse has been third or better in sixteen out of twenty-two lifetime starts with earnings over 790k. Dating back to '07, Rebellion has posted Beyer numbers in the 90's over is last eleven starts; talk about consistency. This guy has been placed in many graded races including a win in last year's Commonwealth Gr.II at Keenland, going seven furlongs and finished second in that same event this season. Rebellion has one of the best in North America on his back on this day in Edgar Prado, who has had success here before. Expect this one to push the field to their limit physically, as he will put in a huge bid for the wire down the stretch. Looks like a no brainer, but....
We come to Disfunction, the Julia Carey student who is turning into a monster with every race. He owns Woodbine's track record at seven furlongs and is two for two this season posting a 98 Beyer in the Jacques Cartier. Should go off as the favorite in the Vigil, mostly because the fact he is a home town hero. Hard to say how Disfunction will run, it depends on the trip. Ramsammy had to bide his time in their last start, getting up late to take the wire, and may have the same task in front of him here with such a big field. Expect nothing but the best effort from this five-year-old son of Vying Victor, who will look to pick up his ninth win in his fifteenth career start. Have to put this one on top.
My Picks: 8-11-10
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Vigil Stakes Gr.III. Read more!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday May 17th, 2009 - La Lorgnette Stakes, Three-Year-Old Fillies,One Mile & One-Sixteenth
History Lesson: La Lorgnette was an amazing filly owned by Windfields Farms who would beat the boys in the 1985 Queen's Plate, which would bring her name to stardom in Canadian thoroughbred racing history. This stakes race was inaugurated in 2000 at Woodbine Racetrack with the first winning combination being that of trainer Catherine Day Phillips, jockey Gerry Olguin and three-year-old filly Heat It Up. There is not a trainer or owner with more than one win in the La Lorgnette, while jockey Patrick Husbands is the owner of most wins with two. 2008 winner Sugar Bay would go on to break the race record time, finishing in 1:43.56. Used as a final prep for the Canadian Classic, Woodbine Oaks, the race has always run at a distance of one mile and one-sixteenth and currently has a purse of $150,000.
La Lorgnette Stakes 2009: This promises to be a fantastic race with a very sharp group of eleven individuals. Todd Pletcher has sent in a well-bred filly, coming off her first win, while Kenneth Hoffman is bringing in a more accomplished filly in Hooh Why, winner of the Ashland Stakes Gr.I at Keenland on April 4th/09. Along with the ship-ins, the Woodbine based fillies are very tough sophomores looking to continue on their road to the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser, including stakes winners Milwaukee Appeal and Woodsmoke. This will prove to be one of the more exciting races of the young season at Woodbine.
Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 Bear's Lightning by Maria's Mon out of Cloud's Ambro(Two Punch) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
2 Dance for Us by Monashee Mountain out of Heart Beat(Apalachee) Own: Minshall Farms, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
3 Milwaukee Appeal by Milwaukee Brew out of Appealing Forum(Open Forum) Own: C.E.C. Farms, Trainer: Scott Fairlie, Jockey: Na Somsanith
4 La Rocca by Toccet out of Perfect Wave(Boston Harbor) Own: Winstar Farms L.L.C., Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher, Jockey: C.P. DeCarlo
5 Yukari by Cactus Ridge out of Unforgettable R N(Supremo) Own: Bryan Porter, Trainer: Gary Aimonetti, Jockey: Rohan R. Singh
6 Hooh Why by Cloud Hopping out of Magic Merger(Corporate Report) Own: Derby Daze Farm Inc. and Mark Hoffman, Trainer: Kenneth E. Hoffman, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
7 Closing Speed by Cherokee Run out of Indira(Kingmambo) Own: Woodford Racing Stable L.L.C., Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
8 Politelyprecocious by Langfuhr out of Stop Looking(Dr. Adagio) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Constant Montpellier
9 Double Malt by Whiskey Wisdom out of Matching Sox(Tale of the Cat) Own: M. Ambler and Partners, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
10 Woodsmoke by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
11 Tasty Temptation by Medaglia d'Oro out of Parisia(Tethra) Own: Woodford Racing L.L.C., Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: Getting started, let's take a look at the ship-ins. Todd Pletcher will be sending out La Rocca, a grand-daughter of Awesome Again, who is very lightly raced to this point with only four starts under her belt. She must have showed promise to the renowned Pletcher as she will be facing a very tough group here. She was a winner in her last start in a maiden special weight event, where she posted a very nice 86 Beyer on the Keenland oval, going a mile and one-eighth, driving to the wire. She has hit the board three out of four times in her career, accumulating earnings of just over 40k. She may be in too tough here despite her very nice effort last time out.
The other southern invader is a very talented filly, Hooh Why, sent out by conditioner Ken Hoffman. She is returning to Woodbine after a very busy winter and spring that would see her race in Tampa, Santa Anita, Keenland, and Arlington Park. She is the most accomplished filly in the field with eleven races under her belt which includes wins in the Grade One Ashland Stakes at Keenland where she would exact revenge from a third place finish in the Santa Anita Oaks(Gr.I) by a head to champion filly Stardom Bound. She has a record of 3-1-1-1 here at Woodbine where she could not capture a win in a stakes event. She has accrued earnings of $477,627 lifetime and she has no problem with new riders as she will have her eighth jock in as many races. The horse to beat by far. Unsure whether she will stalk the leaders or be the leader as she was in the wire to wire win in the Ashland.
Gustav Schickedanz and Mike Keogh have two trainees going out in the La Lorgnette in '09. Politelyprecocious is a nice looking filly who really has improved since her two-year-old campaign. In two starts this season at Woodbine she has a third place finish and a win in her last start against maiden special weight company. Her Beyers have improved as she has come into this event and she should really like the two turns here as she has a closing speed that may see her pass rivals late down the stretch. This is a big test for her against multiple winners, just watching.
The other Keogh student is the impressive Woodsmoke, winner of the Fury Stakes on May 3rd, 2009. She is two for two lifetime, with earnings just over 100k. Woodsmoke really showed a lot of speed and endurance in the seven furlong Fury where she pulled rider Pizarro to the lead and would hold on until the wire. It may be too much distance in this event if she runs the same way as she did in the Fury. Pizarro will not want to fight with her, but, he will need something in reserve for the stretch run against this tough field. Should take a lot of money on the tote board, don't like the distance.
Another long time connection, Mark Casse and Woodford Racing LLC, come into this race with two fillies. The first is Closing Speed, a winner of her last two starts, and she is a nice looking individual but may be used as a rabbit here. She has never gone two turns and though she has an impressive record of 7-2-3-1 the distance may prove too much. Closing Speed has not put up very credible Beyers either, in comparison to her foes, and even though she has Patrick Husbands listed, don't expect him to be up on this day. Possible second calls could be Corey Fraser or even Simon Husbands as both have worked for the outfit in the past with some success.
The other Casse pupil is Tasty Temptation. She had raced at Santa Anita through the winter, where she would get her first win in maiden allowance company, with Patrick Husbands as her regular rider. Casse has said that he is quite high on the filly and she looks to be his Oaks hopeful here at the Toronto oval. She is 6-1-1-1 lifetime with earnings of $48,336 and finished fifth in her last start at Keenland in a non-winners of one, other than. Tasty Temptation has been working well up here since April and could be a threat here as she runs her best at two turns. Expect Husbands to take this call and don't think too much about the outside post as it shouldn't play as a factor for her.
Double Malt comes in here for conditioner Malcolm Pierce looking to improve from her last start in the Star Shoot Stakes, going six furlongs. The daughter of Whiskey Wisdom will certainly like the extra distance in this event as she is one for one at a mile and one-sixteenth, winning the South Ocean Stakes last November as a two-year-old. She posted a 76 Beyer in that race where she made a bid in the upper stretch, driving clear to win by five lengths. Eurico Rosa Da Silva is up and will be looking to continue his winning ways as he took the wire in the New Providence, aboard Stuck In Traffic, last Saturday afternoon. The right trip and she is a factor.
Milwaukee Appeal enters the La Lorgnette as a top choice after coming off her last start winning the Star Shoot which is a little shorter than she would really like. Trainer Fairlie is a high win percentage trainer and has this individual ready to go. She won at this distance last November, taking the Ontario Lassie Stakes, holding off foes late in the stretch. Regular rider Somsanith is up and this combo has accrued four wins and $277,855 lifetime. She is a consistent runner and has matured into a very strong and determined three-year-old. Second choice.
Reade Baker and Barb Minshall are looking to become the sole leaders in wins by a trainer for the La Lorgnette. Baker sends out Bear's Lightning, Sutherland up, and is looking for something positive here. This filly hasn't won yet this season in three tries and those races did not have the competition in which this race provides. She'll go off as a longshot and probably should stick to non-winners, other than, until she picks up her first win of '09. The fact that Da Silva has gone elsewhere in this race is a good indicator that Bear's Lightning is in a tough spot.
Minshall's filly Dance for Us had a poor outing in her first start off the shelf back on May 1st finishing fifth, ten and a half lengths back, in a non-winners, other than, allowance race. She does appear to have the abilities of a router, but, she will really need to come up big here against these rivals. Should get back to allowance class.
Gary Aimonetti is a hard working trainer who sends out a filly who will certainly have to work as hard, if not harder, than her trainer to get in the money here. Yukari has had a tough go in '09 with a zero for four start to the campaign. She has run all over the states and has come to Woodbine looking to improve from her winter drought. Her first race at the Toronto oval was promising against optional claiming, non-winners of two class horses, where she would cross the wire in fourth position after an awkward start. 7-2-0-2 lifetime, with just over 30k in earnings, Yukari finds herself in a very difficult race on this day.
My Picks: 6-3-11
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 10th running of the La Lorgnette Stakes. Read more!
La Lorgnette Stakes 2009: This promises to be a fantastic race with a very sharp group of eleven individuals. Todd Pletcher has sent in a well-bred filly, coming off her first win, while Kenneth Hoffman is bringing in a more accomplished filly in Hooh Why, winner of the Ashland Stakes Gr.I at Keenland on April 4th/09. Along with the ship-ins, the Woodbine based fillies are very tough sophomores looking to continue on their road to the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser, including stakes winners Milwaukee Appeal and Woodsmoke. This will prove to be one of the more exciting races of the young season at Woodbine.
Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 Bear's Lightning by Maria's Mon out of Cloud's Ambro(Two Punch) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
2 Dance for Us by Monashee Mountain out of Heart Beat(Apalachee) Own: Minshall Farms, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
3 Milwaukee Appeal by Milwaukee Brew out of Appealing Forum(Open Forum) Own: C.E.C. Farms, Trainer: Scott Fairlie, Jockey: Na Somsanith
4 La Rocca by Toccet out of Perfect Wave(Boston Harbor) Own: Winstar Farms L.L.C., Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher, Jockey: C.P. DeCarlo
5 Yukari by Cactus Ridge out of Unforgettable R N(Supremo) Own: Bryan Porter, Trainer: Gary Aimonetti, Jockey: Rohan R. Singh
6 Hooh Why by Cloud Hopping out of Magic Merger(Corporate Report) Own: Derby Daze Farm Inc. and Mark Hoffman, Trainer: Kenneth E. Hoffman, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
7 Closing Speed by Cherokee Run out of Indira(Kingmambo) Own: Woodford Racing Stable L.L.C., Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
8 Politelyprecocious by Langfuhr out of Stop Looking(Dr. Adagio) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Constant Montpellier
9 Double Malt by Whiskey Wisdom out of Matching Sox(Tale of the Cat) Own: M. Ambler and Partners, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
10 Woodsmoke by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
11 Tasty Temptation by Medaglia d'Oro out of Parisia(Tethra) Own: Woodford Racing L.L.C., Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: Getting started, let's take a look at the ship-ins. Todd Pletcher will be sending out La Rocca, a grand-daughter of Awesome Again, who is very lightly raced to this point with only four starts under her belt. She must have showed promise to the renowned Pletcher as she will be facing a very tough group here. She was a winner in her last start in a maiden special weight event, where she posted a very nice 86 Beyer on the Keenland oval, going a mile and one-eighth, driving to the wire. She has hit the board three out of four times in her career, accumulating earnings of just over 40k. She may be in too tough here despite her very nice effort last time out.
The other southern invader is a very talented filly, Hooh Why, sent out by conditioner Ken Hoffman. She is returning to Woodbine after a very busy winter and spring that would see her race in Tampa, Santa Anita, Keenland, and Arlington Park. She is the most accomplished filly in the field with eleven races under her belt which includes wins in the Grade One Ashland Stakes at Keenland where she would exact revenge from a third place finish in the Santa Anita Oaks(Gr.I) by a head to champion filly Stardom Bound. She has a record of 3-1-1-1 here at Woodbine where she could not capture a win in a stakes event. She has accrued earnings of $477,627 lifetime and she has no problem with new riders as she will have her eighth jock in as many races. The horse to beat by far. Unsure whether she will stalk the leaders or be the leader as she was in the wire to wire win in the Ashland.
Gustav Schickedanz and Mike Keogh have two trainees going out in the La Lorgnette in '09. Politelyprecocious is a nice looking filly who really has improved since her two-year-old campaign. In two starts this season at Woodbine she has a third place finish and a win in her last start against maiden special weight company. Her Beyers have improved as she has come into this event and she should really like the two turns here as she has a closing speed that may see her pass rivals late down the stretch. This is a big test for her against multiple winners, just watching.
The other Keogh student is the impressive Woodsmoke, winner of the Fury Stakes on May 3rd, 2009. She is two for two lifetime, with earnings just over 100k. Woodsmoke really showed a lot of speed and endurance in the seven furlong Fury where she pulled rider Pizarro to the lead and would hold on until the wire. It may be too much distance in this event if she runs the same way as she did in the Fury. Pizarro will not want to fight with her, but, he will need something in reserve for the stretch run against this tough field. Should take a lot of money on the tote board, don't like the distance.
Another long time connection, Mark Casse and Woodford Racing LLC, come into this race with two fillies. The first is Closing Speed, a winner of her last two starts, and she is a nice looking individual but may be used as a rabbit here. She has never gone two turns and though she has an impressive record of 7-2-3-1 the distance may prove too much. Closing Speed has not put up very credible Beyers either, in comparison to her foes, and even though she has Patrick Husbands listed, don't expect him to be up on this day. Possible second calls could be Corey Fraser or even Simon Husbands as both have worked for the outfit in the past with some success.
The other Casse pupil is Tasty Temptation. She had raced at Santa Anita through the winter, where she would get her first win in maiden allowance company, with Patrick Husbands as her regular rider. Casse has said that he is quite high on the filly and she looks to be his Oaks hopeful here at the Toronto oval. She is 6-1-1-1 lifetime with earnings of $48,336 and finished fifth in her last start at Keenland in a non-winners of one, other than. Tasty Temptation has been working well up here since April and could be a threat here as she runs her best at two turns. Expect Husbands to take this call and don't think too much about the outside post as it shouldn't play as a factor for her.
Double Malt comes in here for conditioner Malcolm Pierce looking to improve from her last start in the Star Shoot Stakes, going six furlongs. The daughter of Whiskey Wisdom will certainly like the extra distance in this event as she is one for one at a mile and one-sixteenth, winning the South Ocean Stakes last November as a two-year-old. She posted a 76 Beyer in that race where she made a bid in the upper stretch, driving clear to win by five lengths. Eurico Rosa Da Silva is up and will be looking to continue his winning ways as he took the wire in the New Providence, aboard Stuck In Traffic, last Saturday afternoon. The right trip and she is a factor.
Milwaukee Appeal enters the La Lorgnette as a top choice after coming off her last start winning the Star Shoot which is a little shorter than she would really like. Trainer Fairlie is a high win percentage trainer and has this individual ready to go. She won at this distance last November, taking the Ontario Lassie Stakes, holding off foes late in the stretch. Regular rider Somsanith is up and this combo has accrued four wins and $277,855 lifetime. She is a consistent runner and has matured into a very strong and determined three-year-old. Second choice.
Reade Baker and Barb Minshall are looking to become the sole leaders in wins by a trainer for the La Lorgnette. Baker sends out Bear's Lightning, Sutherland up, and is looking for something positive here. This filly hasn't won yet this season in three tries and those races did not have the competition in which this race provides. She'll go off as a longshot and probably should stick to non-winners, other than, until she picks up her first win of '09. The fact that Da Silva has gone elsewhere in this race is a good indicator that Bear's Lightning is in a tough spot.
Minshall's filly Dance for Us had a poor outing in her first start off the shelf back on May 1st finishing fifth, ten and a half lengths back, in a non-winners, other than, allowance race. She does appear to have the abilities of a router, but, she will really need to come up big here against these rivals. Should get back to allowance class.
Gary Aimonetti is a hard working trainer who sends out a filly who will certainly have to work as hard, if not harder, than her trainer to get in the money here. Yukari has had a tough go in '09 with a zero for four start to the campaign. She has run all over the states and has come to Woodbine looking to improve from her winter drought. Her first race at the Toronto oval was promising against optional claiming, non-winners of two class horses, where she would cross the wire in fourth position after an awkward start. 7-2-0-2 lifetime, with just over 30k in earnings, Yukari finds herself in a very difficult race on this day.
My Picks: 6-3-11
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 10th running of the La Lorgnette Stakes. Read more!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Saturday May 16th, 2009 - The Marine Stakes, Three-Year-Olds, One Mile & One-Sixteenth
History Lesson: The Marine Stakes inaugural year in Canadian thoroughbred racing was 1956 when it was run at Greenwood, downtown Toronto. The race has gone through a number of different distances ranging from seven furlongs to one mile and three-sixteenths. Currently the race is run at one mile and one-sixteenth at Woodbine Racetrack and has been since '76. Used as a prep for the Queen's Plate, this race has seen only six winners go on to win the Canadian Classic over its 53 year span, which includes: Wando '03, Victor Cooley '96, Alydeed '92, With Approval '89, Key To the Moon '84, and Jumpin Joseph '69. Victor Cooley has also achieved the fastest time in the Marine at 1:41.80. Renowned Sam-Son Farm holds the record for most wins by an owner with five and Hall-of-Famer Sandy Hawley owns the record for most wins by a jockey, also with five. Ironically, there are four trainers tied with four wins in the Marine Stakes including the likes of Roger Attfield and Lou Cavalaris Jr. Originally the race was restricted to Canadian-bred horses, but, it is currently open to all breeds in the thoroughbred community.
Marine Stakes 2009: There is not much to the small field in this year's edition of the two-turn stakes race. With six contenders vying for a purse of $150,000, it appears to be a group of mediocre three-year-olds that are going to "duke it out" with all six having a great chance of winning. There is only one Ontario-sired horse in the field, Parabola, while the other five are Kentucky-bred.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Parabola by Trajectory out of Flying Tabriz(Turkoman) Own: Janet Jeanpierre, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
2 His Greatness by Honour and Glory out of Klair Alley(Well Decorated) Own: In His Favor Stable, Trainer: Marco P. Salazar, Jockey: Jono Jones
3 Awesome Rhythm by Toccet out of Galoshes(Storm Boot) Own: Domenic Truimbari, Trainer: John A. Ross, Jockey: James McAleney
4 Bear's Rocket by Lion Heart out of Aim for the Moon(Deputy Minister) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
5 Colonel Rutledge by Orientate out of Rutledge Affair(Colonial Affair) Own: Rutledge Farm, Trainer: Graham H. Motion, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
6 Bear's Prospector by Silver Deputy out of Glory and Grace(Coronado's Quest) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
The Skinny: The 54th running of the Marine is not likely to be one to remember with such a small field of ,somewhat, lackluster horses. The field only has three horses with earnings over 100k, but, it does bring in some new-comers to Woodbine with the likes of Colonel Rutledge and Illinois Derby third place finisher His Greatness.
Ship-ins tend to take a bit of money on the tote board, but, they don't always come through. However, we can expect good things from His Greatness. The Salazar trainee has earnings of just over $90,000 lifetime and that would include a third place finish in the Illinois Derby, at Hawthorne, back on April 4th over a fast dirt track at a distance of one mile and one-eighth. He would post an 87 Beyer figure on that day, his best career-wise. We should note that the sophomore colt has run his best on the dirt and his synthetic surface races have shown average stats, including his last start at Keenland, where he would run into lots of traffic, finishing eleventh of eleven runners. The competition here is much easier.
The second invader from the south is Graham Motion's Colonel Rutledge. This is a promising, lightly raced colt who has one start off the shelf this season, where he would finish fourth, four and three-quarter lengths out. The son of Orientate is two for three lifetime with earnings of $47,925 and has been under Motion's care for just one of those three races. This will be the first time the colt will race two turns and we should expect him to stalk the leaders, making a bid down the stretch. Colonel Rutledge would post an 80 in his last start and will look to improve here.
Reade Baker sends out two horses in the Marine, one being Bear's Prospector. This sophomore is coming off his first career win in a maiden special weight event, where he would stalk the pace and win easily by three lengths with jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva up. The son of Silver Deputy would post an 80 Beyer in the feat. Notice that Da Silva had a choice in the choosing of the two Baker trainees. Bear's Prospector has raced through the winter and fared well at Gulfstream with a second place finish and two fifth place results. He has handled two turns before and didn't miss a cheque in any of those races. He appears to be maturing as a three-year-old, but, this list of competitors are not maidens, tough spot.
The other Baker pupil is Bear's Rocket, who has also been in Florida for the winter and done rather well. He would finish second in the Holy Bull Stakes Gr.III at Gulfstream on January 31st and has had another place finish here at Woodbine in the overnight stakes, the mile and one-sixteenth Wando, finishing back four lengths to Marine rival Awesome Rhythm. We should expect Bear's Rocket to be a front-runner here and try to hold off any closers down the home-stretch. New rider Chantal Sutherland could only help this horse as she has been anything short of exceptional this year. Major player here.
Parabola is sent out by Barb Minshall and will be looking to improve in his second stint on the oval this season. The son of Trajectory would run in the Queenston Stakes on May 2nd where he did not fare well. The extra distance in this event should be a positive for the '08 Kingarvie Stakes winner, a race of the same length as the Marine, while we should see him close from off the pace. Parabola's two career wins have come at two turns, where he would post Beyer figures of 64 and 73. Expect a better result on this day than in his last race, looking elsewhere though.
John Ross has a very intriguing individual in Awesome Rhythm. As mentioned above, the grandson of Awesome Again was the winner of the Wando Stakes April 25th in his first start at Woodbine and third start of the '09 campaign. Looks to be the horse to beat here as he has had all of his success on the home track in Toronto. We should see Awesome Rhythm come with a strong rally down the stretch looking to improve on his career record of 8-2-1-2 with earnings of $101,796. Should take a lot of money on the tote board, top two choice.
My Picks: 2-3-4
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Marine Stakes. Read more!
Marine Stakes 2009: There is not much to the small field in this year's edition of the two-turn stakes race. With six contenders vying for a purse of $150,000, it appears to be a group of mediocre three-year-olds that are going to "duke it out" with all six having a great chance of winning. There is only one Ontario-sired horse in the field, Parabola, while the other five are Kentucky-bred.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Parabola by Trajectory out of Flying Tabriz(Turkoman) Own: Janet Jeanpierre, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
2 His Greatness by Honour and Glory out of Klair Alley(Well Decorated) Own: In His Favor Stable, Trainer: Marco P. Salazar, Jockey: Jono Jones
3 Awesome Rhythm by Toccet out of Galoshes(Storm Boot) Own: Domenic Truimbari, Trainer: John A. Ross, Jockey: James McAleney
4 Bear's Rocket by Lion Heart out of Aim for the Moon(Deputy Minister) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
5 Colonel Rutledge by Orientate out of Rutledge Affair(Colonial Affair) Own: Rutledge Farm, Trainer: Graham H. Motion, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
6 Bear's Prospector by Silver Deputy out of Glory and Grace(Coronado's Quest) Own: Bear Stables Ltd., Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
The Skinny: The 54th running of the Marine is not likely to be one to remember with such a small field of ,somewhat, lackluster horses. The field only has three horses with earnings over 100k, but, it does bring in some new-comers to Woodbine with the likes of Colonel Rutledge and Illinois Derby third place finisher His Greatness.
Ship-ins tend to take a bit of money on the tote board, but, they don't always come through. However, we can expect good things from His Greatness. The Salazar trainee has earnings of just over $90,000 lifetime and that would include a third place finish in the Illinois Derby, at Hawthorne, back on April 4th over a fast dirt track at a distance of one mile and one-eighth. He would post an 87 Beyer figure on that day, his best career-wise. We should note that the sophomore colt has run his best on the dirt and his synthetic surface races have shown average stats, including his last start at Keenland, where he would run into lots of traffic, finishing eleventh of eleven runners. The competition here is much easier.
The second invader from the south is Graham Motion's Colonel Rutledge. This is a promising, lightly raced colt who has one start off the shelf this season, where he would finish fourth, four and three-quarter lengths out. The son of Orientate is two for three lifetime with earnings of $47,925 and has been under Motion's care for just one of those three races. This will be the first time the colt will race two turns and we should expect him to stalk the leaders, making a bid down the stretch. Colonel Rutledge would post an 80 in his last start and will look to improve here.
Reade Baker sends out two horses in the Marine, one being Bear's Prospector. This sophomore is coming off his first career win in a maiden special weight event, where he would stalk the pace and win easily by three lengths with jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva up. The son of Silver Deputy would post an 80 Beyer in the feat. Notice that Da Silva had a choice in the choosing of the two Baker trainees. Bear's Prospector has raced through the winter and fared well at Gulfstream with a second place finish and two fifth place results. He has handled two turns before and didn't miss a cheque in any of those races. He appears to be maturing as a three-year-old, but, this list of competitors are not maidens, tough spot.
The other Baker pupil is Bear's Rocket, who has also been in Florida for the winter and done rather well. He would finish second in the Holy Bull Stakes Gr.III at Gulfstream on January 31st and has had another place finish here at Woodbine in the overnight stakes, the mile and one-sixteenth Wando, finishing back four lengths to Marine rival Awesome Rhythm. We should expect Bear's Rocket to be a front-runner here and try to hold off any closers down the home-stretch. New rider Chantal Sutherland could only help this horse as she has been anything short of exceptional this year. Major player here.
Parabola is sent out by Barb Minshall and will be looking to improve in his second stint on the oval this season. The son of Trajectory would run in the Queenston Stakes on May 2nd where he did not fare well. The extra distance in this event should be a positive for the '08 Kingarvie Stakes winner, a race of the same length as the Marine, while we should see him close from off the pace. Parabola's two career wins have come at two turns, where he would post Beyer figures of 64 and 73. Expect a better result on this day than in his last race, looking elsewhere though.
John Ross has a very intriguing individual in Awesome Rhythm. As mentioned above, the grandson of Awesome Again was the winner of the Wando Stakes April 25th in his first start at Woodbine and third start of the '09 campaign. Looks to be the horse to beat here as he has had all of his success on the home track in Toronto. We should see Awesome Rhythm come with a strong rally down the stretch looking to improve on his career record of 8-2-1-2 with earnings of $101,796. Should take a lot of money on the tote board, top two choice.
My Picks: 2-3-4
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Marine Stakes. Read more!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Stuck In Traffic Drives to Wire in 28th Running of the New Providence Stakes
On a windy, overcast Saturday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack, Nick Gonzalez would watch his four-year-old pupil, Stuck In Traffic, go on to capture his first win of the '09 season in the 28th edition of the New Providence Stakes. Stuck In Traffic, with Eurico Rosa Da Silva up, adds his fifth stakes win to an already impressive resume, after taking the wire in the $125,000 event, in a time of 1:09.57.
After a lackluster beginning to the 2009 campaign Stuck In Traffic, owned by M.A.D. Racing Stables and Martha Gonzalez, would get back on track in the New Providence. The four-year-old son of Kiridashi would get a clean break from the gate this time while expected front-runner Drunken Love would go for the early lead. Stuck In Traffic would stalk the leaders, going three-wide around the turn, eventually making his bid at the one-eighth pole where he would draw away from weakening horses Drunken Love and Bold Nurse. Though Stuck In Traffic would go on to win by a margin of two and one-quarter lengths, he had to hold off trainer Mark Fournier's pair of closing runners in Legal Move and Yummy With Butter who would finish in second and third places respectively. After his last performance, Stuck In Traffic did not get much support in the morning line or on the tote board as he would begin the day at 8-1 and go off at post time with a nice price of 9/2. It was a very good race for this horse to get back to form and show the fans what he can really do. Watch for him to come back in a similar race condition, but don't expect to get the same price.
For full results of the 28th running of the New Providence Stakes click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO050909CAN8.pdf Read more!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sunday May 10th, 2009 - The Hendrie Stakes Gr.III, Fillies & Mares, Four-Year-Olds & Upward, Six Furlongs
Do to circumstances that will have me off-track on this day, there will be no preview or review for the Hendrie Stakes Gr. III. This post will have the results of the race up on Sunday eve. I will be in a photography class that should help me to improve my skills and help this sites pics to look their best. Sorry folks. I hate missing graded stakes races. Hope you can all enjoy it.
For full results of the 35th running of the Hendrie Stakes Gr.III click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO051009CAN8.pdf Read more!
For full results of the 35th running of the Hendrie Stakes Gr.III click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO051009CAN8.pdf Read more!
Saturday May 9th, 2009 - The New Providence Stakes(An Ontario Sire Stakes), Three-Year-Olds & Upward, Six Furlongs
History Lesson: The New Providence Stakes was inaugurated into Canadian thoroughbred horse racing in 1982 at Woodbine Racetrack. Named after the first official Canadian Triple Crown winner of 1959, the race runs at a distance of six furlongs over the polytrack at the Toronto oval. Robert Tiller holds the record for most wins by a trainer with three, while Jim McAleney will be looking to tie the record for most wins by a rider this year, held by now retired jock Larry Attard, at four winners. The second running of the New Providence saw the only filly to win the stake, Sintrillium, in 1983. The current record time for the now $125,000 event was set by Glanmire in 1996 with a time of 1:09.00.
New Providence Stakes 2009: This 28th edition of the $125,000 Ontario Sires Stakes event is a field of well known, accomplished runners from Woodbine. The unfortunate thing, about the majority of this group, is that they are allowance class horses which are winless against stakes company. Three of the nine colts and geldings have won at this level of competition before, being Dancer's Bajan, Legal Move and Stuck in Traffic.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Dancer's Bajan by Trajectory out of Thoughtful Deed(Alydeed) Own: 3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd., Trainer: Robert P. Tiller, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
2 Legal Move by Bold Executive out of Charity Country(Charity Store) Own: Bruno Schickedanz, Trainer: Mark Fournier, Jockey: Chad Beckon
3 Drunken Love by Whiskey Wisdom out of No Sugar Tonight(Shossberg) Own: Bud Malette, Trainer: Terry Jordan, Jockey: Jim McAleney
4 Bold Nurse by Bold 'n' Flashy out of Dancing Nurse(Dr. Adagio) Own: C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd., Trainer: Michael J. Doyle, Jockey: Slade Callaghan
5 Stray Cat Stride by Cat's At Home out of Hasta Pronto(El Prado(IRE)) Own: Ian Jamieson, Trainer: Daniel O'Callaghan, Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
6 Stuck In Traffic by Kiridashi out of Deadlock(Regal Classic) Own: M.A.D. Racing Stables and Martha Gonzalez, Trainer: Nick Gonzalez, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
7 Celerity's Summit by Crown Attorney out of Madge Merton(Regal Intention) Own: Wind Dance Farm, Trainer: Hugo Dittfach, Jockey: David Garcia
8 Gone Trajectory by Trajectory out of Just Elated(Bold Ruckus) Own: The Estate of Firestone Farms Ltd., Trainer: David Bell, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
9 Yummy With Butter by Silvador out of Sophisticatedbagel(Kris S.) Own: Bruno Schickedanz, Trainer: Mark Fournier, Jockey: Justin Stein
The Skinny: There isn't much substance to this race when it's looked at by the stakes competition. Allowance horses find there way into Ontario Sires Stakes, fairly often, looking for a chance to make a splash in their earnings column. Though it is always possible for these horses to get the money, the likeliness of one of these horses beating Dancer's Bajan, Legal Move, or Stuck In Traffic is rather unlikely.
If this was Dancer's Bajan's second start of the season he would be by far the horse to beat in this event. It will be the first start off the shelf for the five-year-old son of Trajectory, but, he has been training well since early March and Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Tiller will have his "big hoss" ready and raring to go. An earner of over $720,000 lifetime, Dancer's Bajan has won multiple stakes races, including his last start of the '08 campaign in the Sir Barton Stakes at a mile and one-sixteenth. A few things to watch for here are that this big gelding will be carrying the most weight of the field at 124lbs and as mentioned it is his first start of the '09 campaign. The distance should not be too much of a problem though Dancer's Bajan will probably be using this race as a freshener.
Legal Move is one of two classy individuals sent out by Mark Fournier. The five-year-old bay will be back again in the New Providence as he finished runner-up to Main Executive in the '08 edition of the race. This will be Legal Move's fourth start of the season and he will be glad not to have to face Dysfunction in this one. A consistent runner and past stakes winner, Legal Move, will look to improve here going at the distance in which he holds the track record for. He has posted some very decent Beyer speed figures over his last two races at 94 and 89 respectively. This could be the race to put Legal Move into the win column.
Stuck In Traffic is the third of the three previous stakes competition winners of this race. He is a perfect example of a sprinter. An earner of just over $460,000 in his career, the Nick Gonzalez pupil, has four wins in ten attempts in stakes events and posts very decent Beyer figures, usually in the mid-eighties. Though he did not have a great first race of the '09 season, with a bobbled start, watch for the son of Kiridashi to go to the lead this time with new rider Da Silva aboard. The big four-year-old should take a lot of money on the tote board, don't leave him out.
Gone Trajectory is sent out by conditioner Dave Bell looking to score in his second straight race. Known as a router, for the most part, the five-year-old son of Trajectory pulled off a very convincing win off the shelf this season, running at a distance of five furlongs, in a race where the front runners did not hang around forcing a rapid first quarter-mile in :21 1/5 and a half-mile in :44 2/5. Gone Trajectory rallied wide to get to the wire in a drive. Most of this horses earnings have come in allowance races with an accrued $211,251 lifetime. Could be tough here, look for him to come off the pace again.
Yummy With Butter is the other Fournier competitor here. Finishing fourth in his first start this year, Yummy With Butter should be fit and ready for his fifth career stakes event. He has never won in stakes company, but, he has been third three of four times and runner-up in all four stakes races he has competed in. The Fournier trainee has posted very consistent Beyer figures throughout the '08 season with a low of 85 and a high of 93 and he will look to improve from his last race's 77. Yummy With Butter looks like he will stalk the front-runners and make a stretch bid.
Drunken Love is sent out by high percentage trainer Terry Jordan in his second start off the shelf in '09. Like his foe Stuck In Traffic, Drunken Love is pure speed and should go to the front early here. The son of Whiskey Wisdom won his first race, holding off rivals in an optional-claiming allowance race at a distance of five and one-half furlongs, while posting an 85 Beyer. He has earned just over $300,000 in fourteen career starts, which includes five wins, six seconds, and a third place finish. Not a bad resume. The four-year-old is stakes placed and can definitely get it done here if he gets his own way and can hold on late.
Trainer Mike Doyle will give six-year-old Bold Nurse a shot here. A four-time winner in his career, Bold Nurse has earnings of just of 170k and has not won a race since last May. He likes to go to the front but has not been able to hold of his foes in doing so. The fact that the son of Bold 'n' Flashy is carrying only 115lbs may make him a bit of a factor. He really seems to be out classed here, for the most part, and may be running for fifth money. Not much interest.
Celerity's Summit is definitely in for a rough go. This five-year-old gelding only has one lifetime win and earnings of $46,052. Conditioner Hugo Dittfach may be looking for a cheque here, but, it is highly unlikely this horse will be in contention. If we want to compare this horse to the rest of the field, there is none, he simply does not belong here.
Finally, an interesting individual comes into his first stakes event, lightly raced, four-year-old, Stray Cat Stride. Trainer Danny O'Callaghan has a good looking sprinter here who has been successful in allowance company and has lifetime earnings of just over 110k in six starts, which includes three wins. Stray Cat Stride seems to have early speed but can also stalk the leaders as he has done in the past. This horses Beyer ratings have gone up as the competition has become tougher and he carries a nice, light weight of 115lbs, let's just watch here.
My Picks: 6-2-8
Please feel free to add your own comments and picks for the 28th running of the New Providence Stakes.
Read more!
New Providence Stakes 2009: This 28th edition of the $125,000 Ontario Sires Stakes event is a field of well known, accomplished runners from Woodbine. The unfortunate thing, about the majority of this group, is that they are allowance class horses which are winless against stakes company. Three of the nine colts and geldings have won at this level of competition before, being Dancer's Bajan, Legal Move and Stuck in Traffic.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Dancer's Bajan by Trajectory out of Thoughtful Deed(Alydeed) Own: 3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd., Trainer: Robert P. Tiller, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
2 Legal Move by Bold Executive out of Charity Country(Charity Store) Own: Bruno Schickedanz, Trainer: Mark Fournier, Jockey: Chad Beckon
3 Drunken Love by Whiskey Wisdom out of No Sugar Tonight(Shossberg) Own: Bud Malette, Trainer: Terry Jordan, Jockey: Jim McAleney
4 Bold Nurse by Bold 'n' Flashy out of Dancing Nurse(Dr. Adagio) Own: C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd., Trainer: Michael J. Doyle, Jockey: Slade Callaghan
5 Stray Cat Stride by Cat's At Home out of Hasta Pronto(El Prado(IRE)) Own: Ian Jamieson, Trainer: Daniel O'Callaghan, Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
6 Stuck In Traffic by Kiridashi out of Deadlock(Regal Classic) Own: M.A.D. Racing Stables and Martha Gonzalez, Trainer: Nick Gonzalez, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
7 Celerity's Summit by Crown Attorney out of Madge Merton(Regal Intention) Own: Wind Dance Farm, Trainer: Hugo Dittfach, Jockey: David Garcia
8 Gone Trajectory by Trajectory out of Just Elated(Bold Ruckus) Own: The Estate of Firestone Farms Ltd., Trainer: David Bell, Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson
9 Yummy With Butter by Silvador out of Sophisticatedbagel(Kris S.) Own: Bruno Schickedanz, Trainer: Mark Fournier, Jockey: Justin Stein
The Skinny: There isn't much substance to this race when it's looked at by the stakes competition. Allowance horses find there way into Ontario Sires Stakes, fairly often, looking for a chance to make a splash in their earnings column. Though it is always possible for these horses to get the money, the likeliness of one of these horses beating Dancer's Bajan, Legal Move, or Stuck In Traffic is rather unlikely.
If this was Dancer's Bajan's second start of the season he would be by far the horse to beat in this event. It will be the first start off the shelf for the five-year-old son of Trajectory, but, he has been training well since early March and Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Tiller will have his "big hoss" ready and raring to go. An earner of over $720,000 lifetime, Dancer's Bajan has won multiple stakes races, including his last start of the '08 campaign in the Sir Barton Stakes at a mile and one-sixteenth. A few things to watch for here are that this big gelding will be carrying the most weight of the field at 124lbs and as mentioned it is his first start of the '09 campaign. The distance should not be too much of a problem though Dancer's Bajan will probably be using this race as a freshener.
Legal Move is one of two classy individuals sent out by Mark Fournier. The five-year-old bay will be back again in the New Providence as he finished runner-up to Main Executive in the '08 edition of the race. This will be Legal Move's fourth start of the season and he will be glad not to have to face Dysfunction in this one. A consistent runner and past stakes winner, Legal Move, will look to improve here going at the distance in which he holds the track record for. He has posted some very decent Beyer speed figures over his last two races at 94 and 89 respectively. This could be the race to put Legal Move into the win column.
Stuck In Traffic is the third of the three previous stakes competition winners of this race. He is a perfect example of a sprinter. An earner of just over $460,000 in his career, the Nick Gonzalez pupil, has four wins in ten attempts in stakes events and posts very decent Beyer figures, usually in the mid-eighties. Though he did not have a great first race of the '09 season, with a bobbled start, watch for the son of Kiridashi to go to the lead this time with new rider Da Silva aboard. The big four-year-old should take a lot of money on the tote board, don't leave him out.
Gone Trajectory is sent out by conditioner Dave Bell looking to score in his second straight race. Known as a router, for the most part, the five-year-old son of Trajectory pulled off a very convincing win off the shelf this season, running at a distance of five furlongs, in a race where the front runners did not hang around forcing a rapid first quarter-mile in :21 1/5 and a half-mile in :44 2/5. Gone Trajectory rallied wide to get to the wire in a drive. Most of this horses earnings have come in allowance races with an accrued $211,251 lifetime. Could be tough here, look for him to come off the pace again.
Yummy With Butter is the other Fournier competitor here. Finishing fourth in his first start this year, Yummy With Butter should be fit and ready for his fifth career stakes event. He has never won in stakes company, but, he has been third three of four times and runner-up in all four stakes races he has competed in. The Fournier trainee has posted very consistent Beyer figures throughout the '08 season with a low of 85 and a high of 93 and he will look to improve from his last race's 77. Yummy With Butter looks like he will stalk the front-runners and make a stretch bid.
Drunken Love is sent out by high percentage trainer Terry Jordan in his second start off the shelf in '09. Like his foe Stuck In Traffic, Drunken Love is pure speed and should go to the front early here. The son of Whiskey Wisdom won his first race, holding off rivals in an optional-claiming allowance race at a distance of five and one-half furlongs, while posting an 85 Beyer. He has earned just over $300,000 in fourteen career starts, which includes five wins, six seconds, and a third place finish. Not a bad resume. The four-year-old is stakes placed and can definitely get it done here if he gets his own way and can hold on late.
Trainer Mike Doyle will give six-year-old Bold Nurse a shot here. A four-time winner in his career, Bold Nurse has earnings of just of 170k and has not won a race since last May. He likes to go to the front but has not been able to hold of his foes in doing so. The fact that the son of Bold 'n' Flashy is carrying only 115lbs may make him a bit of a factor. He really seems to be out classed here, for the most part, and may be running for fifth money. Not much interest.
Celerity's Summit is definitely in for a rough go. This five-year-old gelding only has one lifetime win and earnings of $46,052. Conditioner Hugo Dittfach may be looking for a cheque here, but, it is highly unlikely this horse will be in contention. If we want to compare this horse to the rest of the field, there is none, he simply does not belong here.
Finally, an interesting individual comes into his first stakes event, lightly raced, four-year-old, Stray Cat Stride. Trainer Danny O'Callaghan has a good looking sprinter here who has been successful in allowance company and has lifetime earnings of just over 110k in six starts, which includes three wins. Stray Cat Stride seems to have early speed but can also stalk the leaders as he has done in the past. This horses Beyer ratings have gone up as the competition has become tougher and he carries a nice, light weight of 115lbs, let's just watch here.
My Picks: 6-2-8
Please feel free to add your own comments and picks for the 28th running of the New Providence Stakes.
Read more!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Smoke Show: Pizarro and Wood Smoke Take the 54th Running of the Fury Stakes
May 3rd, 2009 would see an upset in the Fury Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. Three-year-old filly Wood Smoke, trained by Mike Keogh, would have her way from the get-go as she would wire the field of eight sophomores to pick up the victory in the $150,000 event.
Indeed, it was a smoke show for jockey Tyler Pizarro and Wood Smoke, daughter of Langfuhr, winning the seven furlong event with ease. It was a very tough field for this 13-1 shot's second lifetime start, but, she would have her way as she would come out of the shoot with a length and a half lead on favorite Not Just a Rumor. It was apparent that young jock Tyler Pizarro had to fight with the sharp filly as they came down the backstretch full of run. Wood Smoke did not look back after settling down a bit at the quarter pole in a brisk time of :22.79 and she would not slow down an iota, coming around the turn, holding off a pair of classy individuals in High Mist and Mullins beach. Pizarro would be "riding the hair off of Wood Smoke" as track announcer Dan Loiselle put it, calling the stretch run. Wood Smoke would go on to win her second in a row, going two for two lifetime, in a time of 1:22:67.
An elated Pizarro would reflect of the trip, "In the post parade she was really, really ancy and really wanted to go and I knew she was going to be tough. As soon as we broke from the gate, she wanted no part of relaxing and being in behind other horses, she just wanted to go. So, I just tried not to fight her too much and tried to get along with her and it worked out well." When asked if he was expectant of being on the lead Pizarro exclaimed, "No, not at all, our game plan was to just do the same as she did in her first race, but, usually when they run first time out and win, the next time they come out, they know what's going on and come out stronger. She(Wood Smoke) actually knew what was going on and she just dominated." In a word to describe the young filly Tyler would say with a chuckle, "Machine!"
For final results to the 54th edition of the Fury Stakes click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO050309CAN8.pdf
Read more!
El Brujo and Husbands Prevail in 54th Edition of the Queenston Stakes
It was another great finish for rising star El Brujo in the 54th edition of the Queenston Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack this past Saturday, May 2nd, 2009. With Patrick Husbands up, the duo would get their second straight stakes victory of the young '09 season at the Toronto oval.
El Brujo continued a spectacular start of the season winning the Queenston by one and one-quarter lengths over rival Shut It Down, who would yield to the son of Candy Ride(ARG) down the stretch, giving way at the sixteenth pole. It was a good start for El Brujo out of the gate where he would break sharply and settle in behind front-runner Shut it down. The first quarter would be fairly relaxed in :23.81 and El Brujo would use this to his advantage as Patrick Husbands would ask the big bay gelding to make a bid at the start of the turn. It would become a two horse race at the turn as El Brujo would go shoulder to shoulder with foe Shut It Down and rider Jim McAleney and they would come into the stretch fighting for the lead. By the eighth pole El Brujo and Husbands would begin to inch ahead of Jimmy Mac and Shut It Down, who would finally yield to El Brujo by the sixteenth pole, getting away for the victory in a final time of 1:22.17. Active Duty and Bucephalus would finish a distant third and forth respectfully.
Husbands would later say of the triumph, "He left the gate relaxed and I was a little bit scared, four and a half out and Jim was getting everything his way, so we had to pull the trigger. It took so much out of my horse, pulling the trigger from so far out, but, he still got the job done and I think we can guarantee he(El Brujo)can get two turns."
For the final results of the 54th running of the Queenston Stakes click here: http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/WO050209CAN7.pdf
Read more!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Sunday May 3rd, 2009 - The Fury Stakes, Three-Year-Old Fillies, Foaled in Ontario, Seven Furlongs
History Lesson: Originally raced at Fort Erie Racetrack in 1956, the Fury Stakes has been run from distances of six to seven furlongs. The race has become a prep for the Woodbine Oaks and has seen past winners go on to win the Canadian Classic. In fact, there were twelve Fury Stakes champions to win the Oaks including Wonder Where in '59, Square Angel in '73, four winners in the 1980's, with the likes of Avowal in '82 and Classy 'n' Smart in'84, four more winners in the 1990's, containing fillies Capdiva in '97 and Kirby's Song in '98. The last Fury champ to go on to win the Oaks was in 2004 as Eye of the Sphynx, by Smart Strike, would accomplish the feat. Currently run at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, the event runs at a distance of seven furlongs on the synthetic polytrack with a purse of $150,000.
The Fury Stakes '09: The eighth race on Sunday May 3rd's card, at the Toronto oval, features eight fillies. The field lacks significant stakes company, but should prove to be an exciting race as there are some very talented sophomores here. The likes of High Mist, Deeveetee and Mullins Beach should take in most of the attention from the handicappers, though it is a wide open race and anyone of these fillies can take the wire.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Not Just a Rumor by Yes It's True out of Highland Mood(Highland Ruckus) Own: Hali Stable and Norseman Racing Stable, Trainer: Sid C. Attard, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
2 Wood Smoke by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
3 Deeveetee by Doneraile Court out of Diamonds to Me(Belong to Me) Own: Ryan S. Afonso, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Jono Jones
4 Gigolette by Northern Afleet out of Twochindordor(Vice Regent) Own: R.F. and J.E. Shaw, Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
5 Forcefully by Grand Slam out of Talk Back(Talkin Man) Own: Kinghaven Farms, Trainer: Ian Black, Jockey: Corey Fraser
6 Pretty Katherine by Vindication out of Indigene(Deputy Minister) Own: W. DeBurgh, Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer, Jockey: Gerry Olguin
7 Mullins Beach by Speightstown out of Treasure Beach(Silver Deputy) Own: Melnyk Racing Stables Inc., Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
8 High Mist by Olmodaver out of High Humidity(Petionville) Own: N.C. Stables, Wendy Anderson, B. Weisbord, Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Jim McAleney
The Skinny: As mentioned above, this race lacks serious stakes contenders, though it has a good mix of fillies that are very lightly raced to experienced sophomores. Anything can happen here and probably will. Let's start with the inexperienced girls shall we.
Wood Smoke is a good looking individual who will see her first stakes action in her second lifetime race. She looked sharp in her debut against maiden special weight company, posting a 77 Beyer, in a stretch run that would see her get up late to the wire, winning by one and one-quarter length. Keogh's barn has looked good in the early going this season and may upset here with Tyler Pizarro aboard. Wood Smoke gets a half furlong more to work with and should benefit. The two hole will be a tough starting point, though the young daughter of Langfuhr will probably not look to go to the lead. Watch for a late rally.
Sid Attard sends out Not Just a Rumor. Doesn't appear to be a rumor, this little filly can run. In her first lifetime start, April 10th/09, she would stalk the pace and come wide on the turn, eventually drawing away from the field by open lengths for the win. Not Just a Rumor has only faced maiden company, just as her rival Wood Smoke, and she had only run five furlongs in that event. The distance may not be as much of a problem here as the inside post position has the Attard student coming from the one hole. She posted an 80 Beyer in her debut and put up a very nice final time of :57.20. Don't like the post, but, she could still be dangerous.
Gigolette is sent out by Dave Bell for her second start off the shelf. She only raced once as a two-year-old, picking up the win at a distance of three-quarters of a mile in a maiden special weight test. She had a slow start in her last race, against allowance company, but looked good coming down the stretch, rallying for a second place finish. That event was only five-eighths of a mile and she should look forward to stretching out here. Gigolette looks as though she will try to come from off the pace with regular rider Chantal Sutherland up. Though she is coming off a 62 Beyer in her last start, it does not indicate the young filly's true speed. Could pick up a cheque here.
Windhaven Farms owned Forcefully will also get her second start of the '09 campaign. She did not fare overly well in the La Voyageuse Stakes against foes Mullins Beach, High Mist and ship-in Pretty Katherine. She tried to stalk the pace, only to tire down the home stretch. Forcefully only has two lifetime starts, with earnings just over 30k, and she has never gone over five furlongs. It's hard to say how she will handle the distance of the Fury as she had rallied for a win, driving to the wire, while breaking her maiden last November and her last start may demonstrate that Forcefully needed a race to get fit. Tough spot for this filly.
Deeveetee is coming off an upset loss to Milwaukee Appeal in the April 19th Star Shoot Stakes. The Mark Casse trainee had a tough race there, getting boxed in only to find room for a late rally down the stretch. She would finish second out by one and three-quarters of a length. She is a very experienced horse in comparison to her foes in this event. In nine lifetime starts Deeveetee has accrued earnings of $131,525, but has never won in stakes company. She will probably take a lot of money on the tote board and coming out of the three hole and she may look to stay up with the front runners to avoid being boxed in again around the turn. Deeveetee has never bested rival High Mist and will look forward to the opportunity with the distance of seven furlongs going in her favor here. She rarely misses the board, second choice.
Jerry Hollendorfer had shipped in Pretty Katherine earlier this season for the La Voyageuse. The young daughter of Vindication would finish fifth in that event with a mild gain down the stretch. Again, she is another competitor who should gain an advantage from the distance of seven-eighths of a mile. She has hit the board four of six lifetime races with earnings over 60k and should be tough in this event. She can run at the front or come from behind as first-time rider Gerry Olguin and Hollendorfer will have to read the field. She has speed and has been consistent in her Beyer figures, with a high mark of 82. Should improve off her first Woodbine start.
Malcolm Pierce always seems to have a gamer in stakes competition at Woodbine as he sends out La Voyageuse winner Mullins Beach. Eurico Rosa Da Silva is aboard for the first time since October '08, but, he is having a solid season and should be a positive influence for handicappers. Mullins Beach posted a very respectable 79 Beyer last time out in her front running romp. The distance here should play no negative factor for the daughter of Speightstown as she had won at the span of seven furlongs in breaking her maiden with Da Silva up. With earnings of $127,369 and an impressive record of 6-3-0-1, Mullins Beach could be a top choice in the morning line, if not the favorite by post-time. Look for a top three finish here.
High Mist and Jimmy Mac will look to improve off their last start together in the La Voyageuse Stakes. A very game show finish had High Mist with an inside trip, behind horses, which would give rival Mullins Beach the opportunity to draw clear for the win. However, the Baker pupil is clearly the one to beat here. She has the most earnings lifetime with $154,204 and has never missed a cheque in her five career starts. High Mist has also been the favorite in each of those five events. Look for her to get to the front early, coming from the outside post, as she should really benefit from the seven furlongs of the Fury and could go wire to wire as she has proven she can, though, expect her to stalk the front runner, looking to pass in the stretch drive. Should be first choice again, she's the class of the field.
My Picks: 8-3-2
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Fury Stakes.
Read more!
The Fury Stakes '09: The eighth race on Sunday May 3rd's card, at the Toronto oval, features eight fillies. The field lacks significant stakes company, but should prove to be an exciting race as there are some very talented sophomores here. The likes of High Mist, Deeveetee and Mullins Beach should take in most of the attention from the handicappers, though it is a wide open race and anyone of these fillies can take the wire.
Here's a look at the field by post position:
1 Not Just a Rumor by Yes It's True out of Highland Mood(Highland Ruckus) Own: Hali Stable and Norseman Racing Stable, Trainer: Sid C. Attard, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
2 Wood Smoke by Langfuhr out of Forest Flute(Woodman) Own: Gustav Schickedanz, Trainer: Michael Keogh, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
3 Deeveetee by Doneraile Court out of Diamonds to Me(Belong to Me) Own: Ryan S. Afonso, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Jono Jones
4 Gigolette by Northern Afleet out of Twochindordor(Vice Regent) Own: R.F. and J.E. Shaw, Trainer: David R. Bell, Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
5 Forcefully by Grand Slam out of Talk Back(Talkin Man) Own: Kinghaven Farms, Trainer: Ian Black, Jockey: Corey Fraser
6 Pretty Katherine by Vindication out of Indigene(Deputy Minister) Own: W. DeBurgh, Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer, Jockey: Gerry Olguin
7 Mullins Beach by Speightstown out of Treasure Beach(Silver Deputy) Own: Melnyk Racing Stables Inc., Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
8 High Mist by Olmodaver out of High Humidity(Petionville) Own: N.C. Stables, Wendy Anderson, B. Weisbord, Trainer: Reade Baker, Jockey: Jim McAleney
The Skinny: As mentioned above, this race lacks serious stakes contenders, though it has a good mix of fillies that are very lightly raced to experienced sophomores. Anything can happen here and probably will. Let's start with the inexperienced girls shall we.
Wood Smoke is a good looking individual who will see her first stakes action in her second lifetime race. She looked sharp in her debut against maiden special weight company, posting a 77 Beyer, in a stretch run that would see her get up late to the wire, winning by one and one-quarter length. Keogh's barn has looked good in the early going this season and may upset here with Tyler Pizarro aboard. Wood Smoke gets a half furlong more to work with and should benefit. The two hole will be a tough starting point, though the young daughter of Langfuhr will probably not look to go to the lead. Watch for a late rally.
Sid Attard sends out Not Just a Rumor. Doesn't appear to be a rumor, this little filly can run. In her first lifetime start, April 10th/09, she would stalk the pace and come wide on the turn, eventually drawing away from the field by open lengths for the win. Not Just a Rumor has only faced maiden company, just as her rival Wood Smoke, and she had only run five furlongs in that event. The distance may not be as much of a problem here as the inside post position has the Attard student coming from the one hole. She posted an 80 Beyer in her debut and put up a very nice final time of :57.20. Don't like the post, but, she could still be dangerous.
Gigolette is sent out by Dave Bell for her second start off the shelf. She only raced once as a two-year-old, picking up the win at a distance of three-quarters of a mile in a maiden special weight test. She had a slow start in her last race, against allowance company, but looked good coming down the stretch, rallying for a second place finish. That event was only five-eighths of a mile and she should look forward to stretching out here. Gigolette looks as though she will try to come from off the pace with regular rider Chantal Sutherland up. Though she is coming off a 62 Beyer in her last start, it does not indicate the young filly's true speed. Could pick up a cheque here.
Windhaven Farms owned Forcefully will also get her second start of the '09 campaign. She did not fare overly well in the La Voyageuse Stakes against foes Mullins Beach, High Mist and ship-in Pretty Katherine. She tried to stalk the pace, only to tire down the home stretch. Forcefully only has two lifetime starts, with earnings just over 30k, and she has never gone over five furlongs. It's hard to say how she will handle the distance of the Fury as she had rallied for a win, driving to the wire, while breaking her maiden last November and her last start may demonstrate that Forcefully needed a race to get fit. Tough spot for this filly.
Deeveetee is coming off an upset loss to Milwaukee Appeal in the April 19th Star Shoot Stakes. The Mark Casse trainee had a tough race there, getting boxed in only to find room for a late rally down the stretch. She would finish second out by one and three-quarters of a length. She is a very experienced horse in comparison to her foes in this event. In nine lifetime starts Deeveetee has accrued earnings of $131,525, but has never won in stakes company. She will probably take a lot of money on the tote board and coming out of the three hole and she may look to stay up with the front runners to avoid being boxed in again around the turn. Deeveetee has never bested rival High Mist and will look forward to the opportunity with the distance of seven furlongs going in her favor here. She rarely misses the board, second choice.
Jerry Hollendorfer had shipped in Pretty Katherine earlier this season for the La Voyageuse. The young daughter of Vindication would finish fifth in that event with a mild gain down the stretch. Again, she is another competitor who should gain an advantage from the distance of seven-eighths of a mile. She has hit the board four of six lifetime races with earnings over 60k and should be tough in this event. She can run at the front or come from behind as first-time rider Gerry Olguin and Hollendorfer will have to read the field. She has speed and has been consistent in her Beyer figures, with a high mark of 82. Should improve off her first Woodbine start.
Malcolm Pierce always seems to have a gamer in stakes competition at Woodbine as he sends out La Voyageuse winner Mullins Beach. Eurico Rosa Da Silva is aboard for the first time since October '08, but, he is having a solid season and should be a positive influence for handicappers. Mullins Beach posted a very respectable 79 Beyer last time out in her front running romp. The distance here should play no negative factor for the daughter of Speightstown as she had won at the span of seven furlongs in breaking her maiden with Da Silva up. With earnings of $127,369 and an impressive record of 6-3-0-1, Mullins Beach could be a top choice in the morning line, if not the favorite by post-time. Look for a top three finish here.
High Mist and Jimmy Mac will look to improve off their last start together in the La Voyageuse Stakes. A very game show finish had High Mist with an inside trip, behind horses, which would give rival Mullins Beach the opportunity to draw clear for the win. However, the Baker pupil is clearly the one to beat here. She has the most earnings lifetime with $154,204 and has never missed a cheque in her five career starts. High Mist has also been the favorite in each of those five events. Look for her to get to the front early, coming from the outside post, as she should really benefit from the seven furlongs of the Fury and could go wire to wire as she has proven she can, though, expect her to stalk the front runner, looking to pass in the stretch drive. Should be first choice again, she's the class of the field.
My Picks: 8-3-2
Please feel free to leave your comments and picks for the 54th running of the Fury Stakes.
Read more!
Saturday May 2nd, 2009 - Queenston Stakes, Three-Year-Olds, Foaled in Ontario, Seven Furlongs
History Lesson: The inaugural running of the Queenston Stakes goes back to 1954 where it was raced at Fort Erie Racetrack at a distance of five and a half furlongs. Now, the event is run at Woodbine Racetrack, in Toronto, at a distance of seven furlongs over the synthetic polytrack. The Queenston has become an early prep for Queen's Plate nominees and has proven to be an indicator of potential winners, as the stakes race has had seven winners go on to victory in the Canadian classic. Jumpin Joseph in 1969, Amber Herod in '74, Sound Reason in '77, Regal Intention in '88, Victor Cooley in '96, Woodcarver in '99 and last year's winner of the Queenston, Not Bourbon, would all become Queen's Plate champions. 1989's runner-up would go on to become the Canadian Triple Crown winner as well as Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old colt, his name, With Approval.
The Queenston Stakes 2009: Race seven on the May 2nd card gives us a look at Queen's Plate hopefuls as there will be some classy individuals here. With five of the seven three-year-olds having previous stakes scores this is shaping up to be a beauty of a race. El Brujo returns to the stage after winning in a romp last time out to take on some old foes, such as Bucephalus and Active Duty. Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 Parabola by Trajectory out of Flying Tabriz(Turkoman) Own: Janet Jeanpierre, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
2 Me the Sea and G T by Dance to Destiny out of G T's Miss Gretch(Accelerator) Own: G T Heat Stable, Trainer: Steve Owens, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
3 Keino West by Kissin Kris out of Vanetta Hill(Crown Attorney) Own: Track West Racing Inc., Trainer: Steve Attard, Jockey: Gerry Olguin
4 Active Duty by Deputy Commander out of Punchbowl(Two Punch) Own: Woodford Racing LLC, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Corey Fraser
5 Shut It Down by Porto Foricos out of Bar U Raphael(Varick) Own: K.K. Sangara, Trainer: Lorne Richards, Jockey: Jim McAleney
6 Bucephalus by Cape Canaveral out of May Time(Cure the Blues) Own: Knob Hill Stable, Trainer: Kevin Attard, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
7 El Brujo by Candy Ride(ARG) out of Enchanted Spell(Devil's Bag) Own: Windways Farm Limited, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: This should be a race to remember. With the Queen's Plate coming up next month the Queenston will have some nominees looking to head to the Canadian Classic.
El Brujo should be the one to keep an eye on here. Winning his last start in the Achievement Stakes by eight and three-quarter lengths, El Brujo will look to dominate this seven furlong event. The distance should be of no worry to the Pierce trainee, who has proven himself as a tough competitor going further than three-quarters of a mile, though he has never won a race longer than that. He comes from the outside post and we may see him come off the pace, making his bid around the turn and trying to pass his foes down the stretch. El Brujo has never missed the board in seven career starts and posted his best Beyer speed figure ever in the Achievement with an 88. After a bumpy start he got the monkey off his back winning his first stakes competition and may show the fans he can do the same going longer in the Queenston. My choice on this day.
Bucephalus is back to challenge his nemesis, El Brujo, once again. The two can't seem to stay away from one another. Kevin Attard should be happy to be in the six hole this Saturday as his young colt came out of the inside post in his last start and could never really make up ground on the winner, as he split horses down the stretch picking up a third place finish. Don't let Bucephalus' 63 Beyer in the Achievement fool you, as this horse has the potential to run his biggest race of his career here. He will be sharp and ready to go and should like the extra furlong and take full advantage of it. Bucephalus has never missed the money in four starts and should be there again in the Queenston.
Mark Casse sends out Active Duty, winner of the Coronation Futurity in '08. With Corey Fraser back aboard, the winter raced gelding will be fit and sharp. Hitting the board five of seven starts, with earnings over 150k, Active Duty should be a tough competitor on this day. He has beaten rival El Brujo in the aforementioned Coronation Futurity, and should handle the distance of seven furlongs with ease. Fraser has only one win on the season at Woodbine so don't be surprised if he breaks out of his mini-slump here. Casse and Woodford Racing LLC have always had a lot of success at the Toronto oval and this time should be no different. Active Duty posted some decent Beyers at Santa Anita this winter with a high of 77 and if he gets a good trip... watch out.
Shut It Down, the '08 Frost King Stakes winner, will come off the shelf for the first time in his three-year-old campaign. Sent out by, high lifetime in-the-money percentage trainer, Lorne Richards, this son of Porto Foricos will look to get back to form after a disappointing effort in the '08 Kingarvie Stakes. Shut It Down has two wins and two places in six career starts with earnings of just under $140,000. Has met rivals Parabola and Me the Sea and G T as a freshman, failing to pass them in either race. Don't be surprised if this horse hits the board, but, it does appear he may need the race under his belt to get his '09 season rolling. Five of six rivals have a race or two already in 2009, so we'll have to see how Shut It Down stacks up.
Parabola is sent out by veteran trainer Barb Minshall for the first time this season. He comes off back-to-back scores in November of '08, including the Kingarvie Stakes and will have his winning rider Justin Stein aboard. This steadily improving son of Trajectory has what it takes to win here, but being his first start of the year, he may need to use this race as a stepping stone into his next event. The distance of seven furlongs should suit him just fine, as the sophomore appears to be able to handle two turns with ease winning at one mile and seventy yards and at a mile and one-sixteenth in the Kingarvie. Parabola has earnings just over the $100,000 mark and has hit the board three out of six lifetime starts. Tough post position on the inside will make this race even tougher for the Minshall student.
Keino West is a Queen's Plate nominee who is sent out by conditioner Steve Attard and will be looking forwad to stretching out to seven furlongs here. The sophomore, by Kissin Kris, has one lifetime win in maiden special weight company and that came at a mile and one-sixteenth. His first start of the '09 season was in allowance company going five and one-half furlongs and Keino West did not fare well. He definitely needed the race in preparation for this event and should be tougher here with the extra room and carrying the least weight in the field at 115 lbs. Lightly raced with five starts and earnings just above 50k, the Steve Attard trainee has hit the board three times with his highest Beyer at a decent 72. He has only race against stakes company once before and that did not go over very well, as he tried the turf in the Cup and Saucer Stakes last year, finishing twelfth of twelve, back twenty and one-half lengths. In tough in here.
Me the Sea and G T is sent out in his second start off the shelf by trainer Steve Owens. Hitting the board in fifty percent of his eight lifetime starts, the Dance to Destiny gelding will look to improve off his first race this season, where he finished fifth in an allowance race. Finishing third in the '08 Bull Page Stakes was his best result in his two lifetime stakes starts. Me the Sea and G T has never had a Beyer over 70, which may indicate how difficult this competition will be for him here. He has earned just under $100,000 in his career and will go seven eighths of a mile for the first time in this event. May be in over his head this time around, look elsewhere when wagering.
My Picks: 7-6-4
Please feel free to leave your own comments and picks for the 54th running of the Queenston Stakes. Read more!
The Queenston Stakes 2009: Race seven on the May 2nd card gives us a look at Queen's Plate hopefuls as there will be some classy individuals here. With five of the seven three-year-olds having previous stakes scores this is shaping up to be a beauty of a race. El Brujo returns to the stage after winning in a romp last time out to take on some old foes, such as Bucephalus and Active Duty. Here is a look at the field by post position:
1 Parabola by Trajectory out of Flying Tabriz(Turkoman) Own: Janet Jeanpierre, Trainer: Barbara Minshall, Jockey: Justin Stein
2 Me the Sea and G T by Dance to Destiny out of G T's Miss Gretch(Accelerator) Own: G T Heat Stable, Trainer: Steve Owens, Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
3 Keino West by Kissin Kris out of Vanetta Hill(Crown Attorney) Own: Track West Racing Inc., Trainer: Steve Attard, Jockey: Gerry Olguin
4 Active Duty by Deputy Commander out of Punchbowl(Two Punch) Own: Woodford Racing LLC, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Corey Fraser
5 Shut It Down by Porto Foricos out of Bar U Raphael(Varick) Own: K.K. Sangara, Trainer: Lorne Richards, Jockey: Jim McAleney
6 Bucephalus by Cape Canaveral out of May Time(Cure the Blues) Own: Knob Hill Stable, Trainer: Kevin Attard, Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
7 El Brujo by Candy Ride(ARG) out of Enchanted Spell(Devil's Bag) Own: Windways Farm Limited, Trainer: Malcolm Pierce, Jockey: Patrick Husbands
The Skinny: This should be a race to remember. With the Queen's Plate coming up next month the Queenston will have some nominees looking to head to the Canadian Classic.
El Brujo should be the one to keep an eye on here. Winning his last start in the Achievement Stakes by eight and three-quarter lengths, El Brujo will look to dominate this seven furlong event. The distance should be of no worry to the Pierce trainee, who has proven himself as a tough competitor going further than three-quarters of a mile, though he has never won a race longer than that. He comes from the outside post and we may see him come off the pace, making his bid around the turn and trying to pass his foes down the stretch. El Brujo has never missed the board in seven career starts and posted his best Beyer speed figure ever in the Achievement with an 88. After a bumpy start he got the monkey off his back winning his first stakes competition and may show the fans he can do the same going longer in the Queenston. My choice on this day.
Bucephalus is back to challenge his nemesis, El Brujo, once again. The two can't seem to stay away from one another. Kevin Attard should be happy to be in the six hole this Saturday as his young colt came out of the inside post in his last start and could never really make up ground on the winner, as he split horses down the stretch picking up a third place finish. Don't let Bucephalus' 63 Beyer in the Achievement fool you, as this horse has the potential to run his biggest race of his career here. He will be sharp and ready to go and should like the extra furlong and take full advantage of it. Bucephalus has never missed the money in four starts and should be there again in the Queenston.
Mark Casse sends out Active Duty, winner of the Coronation Futurity in '08. With Corey Fraser back aboard, the winter raced gelding will be fit and sharp. Hitting the board five of seven starts, with earnings over 150k, Active Duty should be a tough competitor on this day. He has beaten rival El Brujo in the aforementioned Coronation Futurity, and should handle the distance of seven furlongs with ease. Fraser has only one win on the season at Woodbine so don't be surprised if he breaks out of his mini-slump here. Casse and Woodford Racing LLC have always had a lot of success at the Toronto oval and this time should be no different. Active Duty posted some decent Beyers at Santa Anita this winter with a high of 77 and if he gets a good trip... watch out.
Shut It Down, the '08 Frost King Stakes winner, will come off the shelf for the first time in his three-year-old campaign. Sent out by, high lifetime in-the-money percentage trainer, Lorne Richards, this son of Porto Foricos will look to get back to form after a disappointing effort in the '08 Kingarvie Stakes. Shut It Down has two wins and two places in six career starts with earnings of just under $140,000. Has met rivals Parabola and Me the Sea and G T as a freshman, failing to pass them in either race. Don't be surprised if this horse hits the board, but, it does appear he may need the race under his belt to get his '09 season rolling. Five of six rivals have a race or two already in 2009, so we'll have to see how Shut It Down stacks up.
Parabola is sent out by veteran trainer Barb Minshall for the first time this season. He comes off back-to-back scores in November of '08, including the Kingarvie Stakes and will have his winning rider Justin Stein aboard. This steadily improving son of Trajectory has what it takes to win here, but being his first start of the year, he may need to use this race as a stepping stone into his next event. The distance of seven furlongs should suit him just fine, as the sophomore appears to be able to handle two turns with ease winning at one mile and seventy yards and at a mile and one-sixteenth in the Kingarvie. Parabola has earnings just over the $100,000 mark and has hit the board three out of six lifetime starts. Tough post position on the inside will make this race even tougher for the Minshall student.
Keino West is a Queen's Plate nominee who is sent out by conditioner Steve Attard and will be looking forwad to stretching out to seven furlongs here. The sophomore, by Kissin Kris, has one lifetime win in maiden special weight company and that came at a mile and one-sixteenth. His first start of the '09 season was in allowance company going five and one-half furlongs and Keino West did not fare well. He definitely needed the race in preparation for this event and should be tougher here with the extra room and carrying the least weight in the field at 115 lbs. Lightly raced with five starts and earnings just above 50k, the Steve Attard trainee has hit the board three times with his highest Beyer at a decent 72. He has only race against stakes company once before and that did not go over very well, as he tried the turf in the Cup and Saucer Stakes last year, finishing twelfth of twelve, back twenty and one-half lengths. In tough in here.
Me the Sea and G T is sent out in his second start off the shelf by trainer Steve Owens. Hitting the board in fifty percent of his eight lifetime starts, the Dance to Destiny gelding will look to improve off his first race this season, where he finished fifth in an allowance race. Finishing third in the '08 Bull Page Stakes was his best result in his two lifetime stakes starts. Me the Sea and G T has never had a Beyer over 70, which may indicate how difficult this competition will be for him here. He has earned just under $100,000 in his career and will go seven eighths of a mile for the first time in this event. May be in over his head this time around, look elsewhere when wagering.
My Picks: 7-6-4
Please feel free to leave your own comments and picks for the 54th running of the Queenston Stakes. Read more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
