Horse racing and hockey – if you are one of these, it does not get better than this week – NHL playoffs and the Kentucky Oaks and Derby!

 

REMEMBER 30 YEARS AGO THIS WEEKEND…..

 

 

 

TOOT TOOT  HAAA BEEP BEEP – BAD GIRL!

ACTING NAUGHTY won a simply bizarre renewal of the Grade 3 WHIMSICAL STAKES on Sunday at Woodbine (where is ROXY GAP when we need her?). Despite a loaded field of interesting older mares with 3 from the Nick Gonzalez barn and 2 from Mark Casse, those horses were not in the winner’s circle after 6 furlongs in 1:09 3/5.
The winner, who was a $15,000 yearling purchase by Martha Gonzalez from agent Richard Hogan, selling for, who else, Bill Graham, ran an 80 Beyer Figure, matching her previous best.
John Hillier’s Love 2 Win Stable now owns the daughter of Offlee Wild – Mariaburg by Langfuhr as he claimed her for $40,000. Hillier claimed her from her 4th career start in the fall of 2011.
Mariaburg comes from a Gus Schickedanz female family pedigree. Mariaburg is a FULL sister to Breeders’ Stakes champ MARLANG.

MARIABURG was sold in foal to PHILANTHROPIST in January of this year for $17,000 to British Columbia trainer Chad Torvell at the Keeneland sale.
RICHARD LISTER Bought the short yearling filly from the same for $11,000 and she was by SILVER TRAIN.

Trained by Donald MacRae, Acting Naughty’s previous best stakes result was a second-place finish to Blue Heart in the Jammed Lovely, in November.

“She’s a model of consistency. Every time we lead her over, she runs well,” said MacRae. “I did think she was a bit outclassed today, but she’s improved from (age) three to four. Today was a lot of fun.”

Acting Naughty banked $90,000 in victory, while improving her record to 6-6-1 from 16 career starts.

More Sunday

By now you should know that the big winner of the day from an odds standpoint was EXECUTIVE FIVE, a 5- 5 1/2 furlong specialist who won the New Providence Stakes prep on Sunday at 50 to 1 for Lou Perri.

EXECUTIVE FIVE, bred by Donver Stables, overcame a wide trip and a loose horse to his outside (Danny David fell off an errant Creeping Barrage) to edge the classy Paso Doble by a short head under Jesse Campbell. The son of Bold Executive – Carah Five was good in the spring in 2012 also. He is 6 for 27 in his career with earnings over $300,000. He was bought for $900 as a yearling.

If you are watching the new podcast IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE (at www.hbpa.on.ca), Executive Five was the longshot pick for Sunday and Paso Doble was another selection. The exactor paid $600.

Other winners Sunday include owner and trainer Mark Fournier, whose SARATOGA BOY, a full brother to Haverhill, won a maiden allowance in race 2 on the pace. The Saffir 4yo gelding was bred by Spring Farm.

Chiefswood Stables’ AWESOME OVERTURE was a bit sweaty for his first race in a year but he remained unbeaten with his 2nd win in as many starts. The promising 4yo by Awesome Again is trained by Paul Attard.

For the second time on the weekend, the A & G Stable of the late Audrea Cappuccitti and her widower Gord, won a race. HEY LOOK AT ME, an Indiana-bred, won her maiden for $25K claiming under Todd Kabel in race 4 to start the Pick 4.

The red-hot Robert Tiller barn won the 6th race with SEABOA, a homebred Bold Executive filly for Ray Noble. She was winning her season debut in the allowance race for Ontario sired gals and she is 2 for 5 in her career now.

Kelly Callaghan’s TRAVELIN DREAM, a handsome chestnut by Express Tour, won his Woodbine return in the 7th, a $20K claiming race, posting a 78 Beyer, the same as the New Providence prep.

The late Double was acombo of PIPERS FUTURE, another winner for Chiefswood Stable (trainer Dan Vella this time) and it was the first win of the season for Emma-Jayne Wilson. The finale went to High Five Stables’ CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD, trained by Shane Learn, the first start on Polytrack for the 5yo by Indian Charlie.

ACTING NAUGHTY edges another longshot Starship Universe in the wild Whimsical (Grade 3) Norm Files photo

 

 

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, MAY 1  2013

Prospective field from LOUISVILLE COURER-JOURNAL…

Horse     Sire-Dam (state born)     Trainer/jockey     Points     earnings     St. 1-2-3     Last 1/8 mi.     Last 3/8 mi.     (date)     (date)     Dosage     Last race

1. Orb     Malibu Moon-Lady Liberty (Ky.)     McGaughey/Rosario     150     $840,000     7 4-0-1     12.9     37.7     97 (twice+)     102 (2/23)     3.21     1st Florida Derby

2. Verrazano     More Than Ready-Enchanted Rock (Ky.)     Pletcher/Velazquez     150     $810,000     4 4-0-0     12.5     36.5     105 (2/2)     104 (2/2)     2.06     1st Wood Memorial

3. Goldencents     Into Mischief-Golden Works (Ky.)     O’Neill/Krigger     129     $1,208,000     6 4-1-0     13.0     38.2     105 (4/6)     106 (4/6)     1.67     1st Santa Anita Derby

4. Java’s War     War Pass-Java (Ky.)     McPeek/Leparoux     122     $651,772     7 3-1-1     11.9     35.8     96 (3/9)     97 (3/9)     1.40     1st Blue Grass

5. Overanalyze     Dixie Union-Unacloud (Ky.)     Pletcher/Bejarano     110     $908,381     7 4-0-1     12.7     38.8     99 (11/24)     104 (11/24)     3.00     1st Arkansas Derby

6. Revolutionary     War Pass-Runup the Colors (Ky.)     Pletcher/Borel     110     $720,000     6 3-1-2     12.5     37.9     102 (12/28)     105 (3/30)     3.00     1st Louisiana Derby

7. Lines of Battle     War Front-Black Speck (Ky.)     O’Brien/TBA     100     $1,261,089     6 3-1-0     n/a     n/a     74 (11/3)*     91 (3/12)     1.95     1st UAE Derby

8. g-Vyjack     Into Mischief-Life Happened (Ky.)     Rodriguez/Gomez     70     $505,000     5 4-0-1     12.5     36.4     96 (12/9)     100 (12/9)     1.80     3rd Wood Memorial

9. Will Take Charge     Unbridled’s Song-Take Charge Lady (Ky.)     Lukas/Court     60     $512,971     7 3-1-0     n/a     n/a     95 (3/16)     101 (3/16)     3.33     1st Rebel Stakes

10. Itsmyluckyday     Lawyer Ron-Viva La Slew (Ky.)     Plesa/Trujillo     50     $593,600     10 5-2-1     13.6     38.3     104 (1/26)     111 (3/1)     3.00     2nd Florida Derby

11. Black Onyx     Rock Hard Ten-Kalahari Cat (Ky.)     Breen/Bravo     50     $317,130     5 3-1-0     13.6     38.8     90 (3/23)     96 (3/23)     2.08     1st Spiral Stakes
12. Palace Malice     Curlin-Palace Rumor (Ky.)     Pletcher/Smith     50     $200,000     6 1-3-1     12.8     37.2     93 (2/23)     102 (7/5)     2.64     2nd Blue Grass
13. Normandy Invasion     Tapit-Boston Lady (Ky.)     Brown/Castellano     44     $258,000     5 1-2-0     12.1     36.0     99 (11/24)     104 (11/24)     3.80     2nd Wood Memorial
14. Frac Daddy     Scat Daddy-Skipper’s Mate (Ky.)     McPeek/Lebron     44     $240,596     6 1-3-0     13.3     39.9     91 (11/3)     101 (11/3)     2.33     2nd Arkansas Derby
15. Mylute     Midnight Lute-Stage Stop (Ky.)     Amoss/Napravnik     42     $363,365     9 2-3-2     12.5     37.7     93 (3/30)     105 (3/30)     2.00     2nd Louisiana Derby
16. Oxbow     Awesome Again-Tizamazing (Ky.)     Lukas/Stevens     36     $316,000     9 2-1-1     12.8     39.6     95 (3/16)     101 (3/16)     2.50     5th Arkansas Derby
17. Falling Sky     Lion Heart-Sea Dragoness (Pa.)     Terranova/L. Saez     30     $207,500     6 3-0-1     13.7     40.4     92 (2/2)     92 (3 times)     1.40     4th Arkansas Derby
18. Charming Kitten     Kitten’s Joy-Iteration (Ky.)     Pletcher/TBA     20     $206,000     7 2-2-2     12.2     36.4     88 (4/13)     96 (4/13)     1.59     3rd Blue Grass
19. Golden Soul     Perfect Soul-Hollywood Gold (Ky.)     Stewart/TBA     14     $84,000     5 1-2-0     12.9     37.4     89 (2/23)     100 (3/30)     1.92     4th Louisiana Derby

20

g-gelding; *-Only U.S. race (BC Juvenile Turf). +-3/30, 2/23. #-2/23, 1/31. ^-3/9, 1/26.

BLACK ONYX (No. 11) – Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx jogged one mile under exercise rider Aurelio Gomez during the Derby and Oaks session. The Rock Hard Ten colt is officially dark bay or brown but appears black. His coat and overall striking appearance has made him a favorite with fans, especially photographers, who gather to admire the Spiral Stakes (Grade III) winner as he grazes behind Barn 41 each morning.

“He’s an eye-catching horse, with his color and everything else,” trainer Kelly Breen said. “He’s put on a little weight since the Spiral and he looks good.”

The Spiral was March 23, six weeks out from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Although few trainers would draw up a 42-day layoff between starts by choice, the Derby success of 2011 Spiral winner Animal Kingdom rendered old assumptions about spacing irrelevant.

Daily notes at…

http://www.churchilldowns.com/news/archive/derby-oaks-update-monday-april-29-2013

 

CINDY PIERSON DULAY (www.horse-races.net) is at the KENTUCKY DERBY, here she captured Canadian-owned JAVA’S WAR in his prep yesterday. Charles Fipke has 2 starters in the Derby now (Golden Soul is the other) and  has a decent chance to win his first Derby.

http://www.abouthorseraces.com/graphics/tc13/kd13-tu-java.jpg

http://www.abouthorseraces.com/graphics/tc13/kd13-tu-verr.jpgVERRAZANO is unbeaten and the Derby fave.

 

KENTUCKY OAKS NEWS
field from THOROUGHBRED DAILY NEWS:
Friday, Churchill Downs, post time:5:45 p.m.
KENTUCKY OAKS-GI, $1,000,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE ODDS

1 Silsita Macho Uno 20-1
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Tanourin Stable; B-Tanourin Stable (FL);
T-Todd Pletcher; J-Gary Stevens. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $84,725.
Last Start: 1st Mar. 23 GIII Bourbonette Oaks

2 Midnight Lucky Midnight Lute 9-2
($220,000 yrl ‘11 FTSAUG)
O-Watson/Pegram/Weitman; B-Kidder & Griggs (KY); T-Bob Baffert;
J-Rafael Bejarano. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $153,600.
Last Start: 1st Mar. 24 Sunland Park Oaks

3 Beholder K Henny Hughes 7-2
($180,000 yrl ‘11 KEESEP)
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Clarkland Farm (KY); T-Richard Mandella;
J-Garrett Gomez. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, $1,575,000.
Last Start: 1st Apr. 6 GI Santa Anita Oaks

4 Unlimited Budget Street Sense 7-2
($475,000 2yo ‘12 OBSMAR)
O-Repole Stable; B-Ocala Stud (FL); T-Todd Pletcher; J-Javier
Castellano. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $610,200.
Last Start: 1st Mar. 30 GII Fair Grounds Oaks

5 Seaneen Girl Spring at Last 20-1
($5,000 yrl ‘11 FTKOCT)
O-Naveed Chowhan; B-John Trumbulovic (KY); T-Bernard Flint;
J-Rosie Napravnik. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-2, $220,197.
Last Start: 3rd Mar. 30 GII Fair Grounds Oaks

6 Princess of Sylmar Majestic Warrior 20-1
O-King of Prussia Stable; B-Ed Stanco (PA); T-Todd Pletcher;
J-Mike Smith. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $238,220.
Last Start: 2nd Apr. 6 GII Gazelle S.

7 Pure Fun K Pure Prize 30-1
($22,000 yrl ‘11 KEESEP; $5,000 RNA wnl ‘10 KEENOV)
O-Magdalena Racing; B-Royal Oak Farm LLC (KY); T-Kenneth McPeek;
J-Julien Leparoux. Lifetime Record: 10-3-1-2, $353,699.
Last Start: 7th Apr. 20 GIII Coolmore Lexington S.

8 Dreaming of Julia A.P. Indy 3-1
O/B-Stonestreet Stables LLC (KY); T-Todd Pletcher; J-John Velazquez.
Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-1, $767,000.
Last Start: 1st Mar. 30 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks.

9 Rose to Gold Friends Lake 15-1
($10,000 yrl ‘11 OBSAUG; $1,400 yrl ‘11 FTKFEB)
O-Kathleen Amaya & Raffaele Centofanti; B-Joe Sr.,Joe Jr., John, & Karen
Mulholland (KY); T-Salvatore Santoro; J-Calvin Borel. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0,
717,889.Last Start: 1st Apr. 10 GIII Fantasy S.
10 Flashy Gray K Flashy Bull 15-1
($775,000 2yo ‘12 KEENOV; $45,000 yrl ‘11 KEESEP)
O-West Point Thoroughbred & Tom Keithley; B-Brereton Jones (KY);
T-William Mott; J-Junior Alvarado. Lifetime Record: 5-2-3-0, $196,100.
Last Start: 2nd Mar. 30 GII Fair Grounds Oaks

11 Close Hatches First Defence 6-1
O-Juddmonte Farms Inc.; B-Millsec Ltd. (KY); T-William Mott; J-Joel
Rosario. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $201,300.

Last Start: 1st Apr. 6 GII Gazelle S.

Woodbine trainer ROBERT TILLER will be watching the exploits of SEANEEN GIRL, a filly he picked out from the Fasig Tipton October sale for a mere $5,000 and then sold privately last year..

SEANEEN GIRL (No. 10) – Getting aboard Naveed Chowhan’s Seaneen Girl for the first time, jockey Rosie Napravnik worked her a half-mile Monday morning for trainer Bernie Flint.

The filly was timed in 48.80 seconds, the 10th fastest workout Monday at the distance. Her splits were :12.20 and 24.20, and she galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.00.

Napravnik, who won the Oaks last year on Believe You Can, picked up the mount on Seaneen Girl this week.

“I wasn’t sure for a while that I would even have a mount, and I kind of feel like this is my race since last year, so I didn’t want to miss out on it,’’ Napravnik said. “This filly has not done a lot wrong, and my first time on her, I was very impressed with the way she moves, and she worked very well. …

“She’s real responsive, she rated well, and I really didn’t ask for anything. She worked very easily.’’

Flint said: “I love what I saw. I could have told you to the second what she would do.  … It worked out just like I wanted it.’’

http://www.churchilldowns.com/news/archive/derby-oaks-update-monday-april-29-2013

 

QUEEN’S PLATE NEWS

Just a little over 2 months to the big 3yo race in Canada, the QUEEN’S PLATE and nominations close today, May 1 for the Canadian Triple Crown and Woodbine Oaks (although supplements can always be made).
Certainly UNCAPTURED and UP WITH THE BIRDS are well in front of the class as far as Plate hopefuls currently but RIVER SEVEN is working like a monster for trainer Nick Gonzalez and there are lots of other sneaky ones waiting in the wings.

The QUEENSTON STAKES on MAY 11 is the first major Plate prep race. It is at 7 furlongs and here are the nominations:

BERT’S BAR
dk b/.c.3 by Speightstown(Gone West) – Steel Shed(Theatrical (IRE))
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Josie Carroll
BLACK HORNET
dk b/.g.3 by Pioneering(Mr. Prospector) – Start Stinging(Siphon (BRZ))
Winview Racing Stable Pat Parente
COUNTY LINEMAN
dk b/.c.3 by Silent Name (JPN)(Sunday Silence) – Phone Dancer(Caller I. D.)
Ginger Punch Racing Limited Partnership Mark R. Frostad
DERBY NOISE
b.c.3 by Real Quiet(Quiet American) – Sevruga(Jade Hunter)
Frank Romano Michael P. De Paulo
DRAGON PUFF
ch.g.3 by Peaks and Valleys(Mt. Livermore) – Dancingonthewater(Dance Brightly)
Murray Stroud, Tom Rootham & Gordon Clarke Sam Di Pasquale
DRENCHED
b.c.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – Silent Beauty(Gone West)
Donver Stable Josie Carroll
DYNAMIC SKY
dk b/.c.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Murani(Distorted Humor)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
HONORABLE GUEST
ch.c.3 by Old Forester(Forestry) – Whoda Guest(Kinshasa)
G. G. Racing Stables Mark E. Casse
JAGGER M
b.c.3 by Harlan’s Holiday(Harlan) – Nithi(Wolf Power (SAF))
Gabe Grossberg Mark E. Casse
KAIGUN
ch.c.3 by Northern Afleet(Afleet) – Cruising Kris(Kris S.)
Quintessential Racing Florida LLC & Horse’nAround Racing Stable Mark E. Casse
KITTEN CANDY
dk b/.g.3 by Candy Ride (ARG)(Ride the Rails) – Win Kitty(Forest Wildcat)
Frank D. Di Giulio Jr. Robert P. Tiller
LANGSTAFF
dk b/.c.3 by Saffir(Unbridled) – Chick(Sky Classic)
Rolph A. Davis Robert P. Tiller
POWER PHIL
ch.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Pete’s Heiress(Peteski)
Frank D. Di Giulio Jr. Robert P. Tiller
RIVER SEVEN
b.g.3 by Johannesburg(Hennessy) – Sans Souci Island(Chester House)
Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
SHANNON’S POSSE
ch.c.3 by Posse(Silver Deputy) – Shannon River(Let’s Go Blue)
Murray Stroud Sam Di Pasquale
SILENT ADMIRER
dk b/.c.3 by Silent Name (JPN)(Sunday Silence) – Mad ’bout You(Skip Trial)
Ghostzapper Racing Limited Part

 

MICHAEL VAN EVERY

Michael Robert Van Every passed away peacefully at his home in Nobleton on Wednesday, April 24th in his 72nd year. Husband of Susan (Scott) Van Every, long time companion of Susan Jane Anstey (deceased 2005), and mourned by his current companion Nan Campbell. Beloved father of Craig Van Every (Sue), Adrienne Henry (Chris) and Jennifer Anstey (Joe). Proud Grandfather of Emma, Ryan, Shaun, Evan, Scott and Lewis. Survived by his sister Pat Sinclair (Alex). Son of the late Robert and Verna Van Every of Stoney Creek.
Michael was educated at McMaster University graduating with a business degree and receiving the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for his scholarship, leadership and influence. Becoming the youngest partner at the time in 1969 at the former Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) where he helped local, regional, national and international businesses for his entire career. Michael was an avid golfer and horseman as well as a successful Thoroughbred breeder and owner.
A celebration of life gathering will be held at his home in Nobleton ( corner of 16th sideroad and 8th concession ) on Saturday, May 11th from 2 to 4 p.m. Donations in Michael’s memory can be made to the Stronach Regional Health Centre at Southlake, Newmarket or to The Terry Fox Foundation.

 

TIP PROGRAM RELEASED

The details of the 2013 Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) were announced today by the Program Administrator of the Horse Improvement Program. Cooperatively developed with input
from the Thoroughbred industry, the 2013 Program co ntinues to provide significant incentives to breed and own horses in this province.
The 2013 program is worth $14.9 million and co ntinues to provide purse supplements for Thoroughbred Stakes Races, incentives for breeders and stalli
on operators and maintains the Ontario Bred Purse Bonus on Open Races at 20%.

In 2012, the TIP Program was worth $20 million
Highlights include:

Over $3 million available for Breeders and Stallion Awards

Over $4 million in program incentives including purse supplements for Ontario Bred
Stakes races, Canadian-Bred Stakes races, the Ontario Sires Stakes races and other
program incentives
o
20% purse bonus for eligible Ontario Bred horses in Open races
o
Over $4 million in the Restricted Overnight Racing Program.

 

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