SEND IN YOUR YEARLING PICTURES – STARTING TOMORROW WE WILL FEATURE YEARLINGS COMING UP IN THE SALE NEXT MONTH!

 

NOTACLOUDINTHESKY won the Nandi Stakes under wraps for leading owners Donver Stable. The Weather Warning filly is from the first crop of an Ontario sired who was shipped off to New Mexico  earlier this year. Norm Files photo

 

HARBOURING THOUGHTS

The Poly, dirt and turf particles have all settled on another Canadian Triple Crown and the series proved that PENDER HARBOUR is the leading 3-year-old male horse in the country right now. It is quite a story that this large gelding, strong and powerful, has risen so fast to the top after udergoing knee chip surgery last winter. He was not thought to make the Plate earlier this year and was in fact not made eligible for the race at the May 1 payment.
But a good run int he Victoria Park led to a strong run in the Plate and then two ‘rich noses’ that collected purses in excess of $1 ,000,000 fo rthe Alberta clippers – Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Bob and Robert Giffin. What a story.
Mike DePaulo and his team got the son of Philanthropist – Uproar, by Hail the Ruckus to over $850,000 in earnings. He cost just $17,000.
He is a half brother to Muskoka Stakes winner Silent Course and his 2nd dam produced the dam of Hippolytus, who was 2nd in the Plate.
The Upraor family is that of MOON MIST, MISS HYPERION and others from the famed Gardiner Farms bloodlines.

PENDER HARBOUR is one of the few recent Triple Crown race-winners to go on and do something big (in the last few years) and let’s hope he gets a nice rest now before a fall campaign.
Congrats to GAIL WOOD and her Woodlands Farm team for the care of the double Classic winner.

The gelding’s last 2 Beyer Figues were 93 for the Wales and 89 for the Breeders’.

Pender Harbour on the outside of CELTIC CONVICTION, who ran the race of his life to just miss for Duar Racing and Mike Doyle. That gelding was later dq’d for wiping out Crown’s Path in late stretch. Norm Files photo

 

 

 

 

 

TORONTO STAR HORSE RACING PAGE…with recent stories

http://www.thestar.com/sports/horseracing

IT’S YEARLING TIME!
Saratoga’s select gets off to rousing start

The yearlings were popular last night at Saratoga and the average was up nicely for the first session.

The first Curlin sold for $450,000 and offspring of Bernardini and Medaglia d’Oro are hot.

Canadian buyers were…

103     C     BROKEN VOW     COPELAN’S ANGEL     GAINESWAY AGENT     MARK CASSE, AGENT     $440,000
104     C     TAPIT     CUTE COGNAC     EATON SALES AGENT     DONVER STABLE     $357,000
109     F     HARD SPUN     DIAPHANOUS     MILL RIDGE SALES AGENT     ADENA SPRINGS     $260,000
118     C     RAVEN’S PASS     FAIRY PRINCESS     WARRENDALE ls, ag FOR WHITECHURCH BLK LLC     DONVER STABLE     $210,000
146     C     INDIAN CHARLIE     KOKADRIE     WOODFORD THDS/CLOVERLEAF FARMS II MARK CASSE, AGENT     $550,000

Three Canadian-breds offered were:
$110,000  105 (Bernardini filly) – sold to Team Valor
NOT SOLD 119  (Awesome Again filly)
NOT SOLD 144 (Candy Ride filly)

 

BOB GIFFIN’S VIEW OF WINNING BREEDERS’

from National Post:

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/08/07/contreras-makes-history-aboard-pender-harbour/

 PHIL JONES
A friend of the racing media for many years. Phil will be missed:

After a courageous battle with cancer, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phil Jones in his 80th year on Saturday, August 6th, 2011.

Phil leaves behind his beloved wife Inger, his loving children Stephen (Lynn), Linda, Jennifer (Andy) and their three boys, his grandchildren Philip and Amanda, and his brother Ralph (Jan) and their three children.

A quiet memorial service will take place at 5:00pm August 14, 2011 at Nashville Community Church in Kleinburg.

If desired, donations can be made to Bethel House Hospice Caledon at http://www.hospicecaledon.ca/ 905-951-3534 for the loving care and support they were so gracious to provide.

HEADING INTO DAY 82 AT WOODBINE

JOCKEYS

1    Luis Contreras    540    119    97    75    $7,027,444    22%    291    54%
2    Patrick Husbands    399    92    52    63    $4,759,331    23%    207    52%
3    Eurico Rosa Da Silva    463    84    77    65    $3,955,941    18%    226    49%
4    Emma-Jayne Wilson    405    57    64    47    $3,013,012    14%    168    41%
5    Tyler Pizarro    299    44    35    36    $2,515,437    15%    115    38%
6    Justin Stein    304    42    51    34    $2,078,620    14%    127    42%
7    Omar Moreno    311    31    42    41    $1,551,702    10%    114    37%
8    James McAleney    213    29    18    25    $1,621,735    14%    72    34%
8    Emile Ramsammy    290    29    27    30    $1,598,497    10%    86    30%
10    David Clark    196    28    29    23    $1,557,468    14%    80    41%

TRAINERS

1    Mark E. Casse    278    63    39    38    $3,669,856    23%    140    50%
2    Reade Baker    147    30    22    14    $1,663,114    20%    66    45%
3    Sid C. Attard    134    24    25    23    $1,674,639    18%    72    54%
4    Steven M. Asmussen    106    23    21    14    $710,104    22%    58    55%
5    Robert P. Tiller    137    20    22    19    $1,075,280    15%    61    45%
6    Josie Carroll    82    19    6    8    $1,928,512    23%    33    40%
7    Laurie Silvera    106    16    14    14    $703,757    15%    44    42%
7    Scott H. Fairlie    119    16    15    23    $594,885    13%    54    45%
9    Michael J. Doyle    142    15    15    13    $924,083    11%    43    30%
10    Roger L. Attfield    86    14    14    19    $1,212,448    16%    47    55%
10    Ralph J. Biamonte    63    14    12    9    $874,918    22%    35    56%
10    Sam Di Pasquale    89    14    18    10    $614,028    16%    42    47%
10    Terry Jordan    48    14    6    6    $582,212    29%    26    54%
10    Michael V. Pino    51    14    12    7    $351,947    27%    33    65%

OWNERS

1    Donver Stable    31    9    0    2    $1,323,406    29%    11    35%
2    Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc.    43    19    5    2    $1,106,592    44%    26    60%
3    Bear Stables, Ltd.    95    21    8    7    $1,028,216    22%    36    38%
4    Stronach Stables    62    11    14    9    $746,286    18%    34    55%
5    Sam-Son Farms    41    6    1    5    $508,301    15%    12    29%
6    Norseman Racing Stable    29    5    7    6    $484,081    17%    18    62%
7    Andrews, D., Lazaruk, S. and Giffin, Rob and Roberta    4    1    0    1    $426,602    25%    2    50%
8    Robert Smithen    8    2    3    2    $404,381    25%    7    88%
9    Tucci Stables    54    7    12    14    $354,980    13%    33    61%
10    Windhaven    30    3    5    2    $322,200    10%    10    33%

ONE WILD STORY ABOUT A MYSTERY AD IN THE DRF
and TVG hosts get report wrong on who placed it…

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/07/advertisement-daily-racing-form-promotes-valenzuel/

FIJI BOY Takes the Andy Passero Memorial Cup

The second running of the Andy Passero Memorial Cup took place Tuesday evening at Fort Erie Race Track.  A field of ten colts and geldings travelled a mile and a sixteenth for a purse of $30,000 over a track listed sloppy.

The sentimental choice was Worth a Punt, a four year old gelding trained by Nick Gonzalez and owned by M.A.D. Racing Stable, a partnership in which Andy Passero had belonged to.  Fresh off of his own Triple Crown victory, jockey Luis Contreras came in from Woodbine to ride.

After an even break, Working Man Blues, under Mike McMullen took the early lead while Worth a Punt sat in a tracking position but quickly moved up to take control of the field at the half mile mark. As the runners approached the top of the stretch a game and determined Working Man Blues kicked back into gear and once again was in control as the field turned for home but the others were starting to gain ground.  Moving to an outside path was the eventual winner Fiji Boy ridden by Garry Cruise.  “My horse broke keen and I was able to get him to relax,” explained the jock.  “We swung out and I knew I had it.  It was a perfect trip and he ran huge.”

The five year old son of Devil His Due won the race by a neck over a stubborn Working Man Blues.  There was a dead heat for third between the closers Pure Rey and Parabola.

Owned by Charles Surgenor, Fiji Boy had been sprinting for most of the season and was stretching out of the first time this year.  He handled the distance with ease and the off going was a non issue.  “We were hoping for rain and we got it,” said trainer Mel Widenmaier.

Fiji Boy stopped the clock in 1:45.1 and returned $43.10 to win, $17.10 to place and $9.80 to show.

BREAKFAST CLUB, SANS EMILIO, MOLLY

Horse lovers and racing fans alike were treated to a wonderful event on Sunday at Fort Erie Race Track.  The popular promotion known as “The Breakfast Club” was brought back after a 25 year absence.

The event began at 8:30 in the morning and offered fans a chance to enjoy a breakfast buffet at the trackside Tiki Bar while watching and learning about morning training for the Thoroughbreds.

“We truly loved it,” said Theresa Walker of Fort Erie.  “Watching the horses train is a beautiful sight.”

Many horse people stopped by the Tiki Bar to visit with fans and some even stopped by on horseback to give fans a chance to get up close and personal with the equine athletes.  Jockey Francine Villeneuve and trainer Claudia Rabstein took time out of their busy morning to speak with racing analyst Elissa Blowe.  They discussed the process of training and talked about their lives and careers in the racing industry.

The seminar was informative and fan friendly covering topics such as equipment, gate training, workouts and the origin of the Thoroughbred.

The Breakfast Club will continue every Sunday throughout the month of August.  The $6.00 breakfast buffet includes a free program.  The event begins at 8:30 am and runs until 10 am.

Live racing continues at Fort Erie until November 1st.  August will be the final month of Twilight Racing.  Post time on Sunday is 12:45 with Monday’s and Tuesday’s beginning at 4pm.

Parking and admission are always free.

MILLION REASONS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT SATURDAY RACING!

Saturday, Arlington Park, post time: 6:15 p.m. EDT
ARLINGTON MILLION XXIX-GI, $1,000,000, 3yo/up,
1 1/4m T
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Rahystrada Rahy Russell Hughes 12-1
2 Tajaaweed K Dynaformer Graham Peitz 12-1
3 Dean’s Kitten Kitten’s Joy Leparoux Maker 30-1
4 Zack Hall (Fr) Muhtathir Soumillon Delzangles 10-1
5 Gio Ponti K Tale of the Cat Dominguez Clement 2-1
6 Proceed Bee K Bernstein Emigh Becker 50-1
7 Cape Blanco (Ire) Galileo (Ire) Spencer O’Brien 9-5
8 Mission Approved With Approval Espinoza Chatterpaul 6-1
9 Wigmore Hall (Ire) High Chaparral (Ire) Turner Bell 8-1
10 General Perfect Perfect Gomez Thompson 50-1

Saturday, Arlington Park, post time: 5:33 p.m. EDT
BEVERLY D. S.-GI, $750,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Stacelita (Fr) Monsun (Ger) Dominguez Brown 3-1
2 Check the Label Stormin Fever Leparoux Motion 20-1
3 Fantasia (GB) Sadler’s Wells Maragh Sheppard 6-1
4 Upperline Maria’s Mon Graham Stidham 20-1
5 Dubawi Heights (GB) Dubawi (Ire) Rosario Callaghan 10-1
6 River Jetez (SAf) Jet Master (SAf) Soumillon de Kock 4-1
7 Cheetah (GB) Tiger Hill (Ire) Gomez Clement 9-2
8 Pachattack K Pulpit Geroux Butler 10-1
9 Eclair de Lune (Ger) Marchand de Sable Alvarado McAnally 12-1
10 Romin Robin Pure Precision Santana Kassen 30-1
11 Never Retreat Smart Strike Bridghmohan Block 10-1

LETTER – GROOMS

Why doesn’t the TB & SB have a program like the QH? The Groom One Certificate promotes educated, dedicated, and skilled employable grooms in the Racing Industry.
I just Completed my Phases and have my Groom Certificate. I did not go thru “Pathway”, (which is QH-read below about program) because I want to work with “Thoroughbreds.
I wish TB & SB owners/trainers would look into hiring Grooms thru the University of Guelph- Equine Groom One Program. Gayle Ecker is in charge of the program.
To get a Groom Certificate, you must complete the 4 Phases, thru U of G. Currently, ONLY the Quarter Horse industry have a program which has benefits for the Employer & the Groom One student. Called: Pathway to Employment and Education Program.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0AQD0hjpzAQDKFO62hZhPxehgrWbWN984kIOd78DyIxUu7g/www.equineguelph.ca (then type in Groom One).

B. McDonald