CONFIDENCE

 

We will have ace racing journalist and handicapper RYAN DICKEY doing a Plate analysis for Thoroughblog this weekend, stay tuned!

 

 

 

The 14 horses for the 156th Queen’s Plate have their posts and now it is just a matter of keeping each of of these lovely Canadian-bred 3-year-olds safe and sound until Sunday afternoon.

The Mark Casse barn did not have any luck in that department during the last month leading to the Plate as a one-time Plate group of half a dozen is now down to 2, one being the maiden Oakton, a supplement.

CONQUEST CURLINATE, who was going to be arguing for favoritism with Danish Dynaformer in the Plate, had to be kept out of the Plate field after an 8:15 a.m. incident Thursday morning.

During a routine gallop, another horse on the track that was jogging the wrong way, veered into his path and his rider had to snatch him up.

The colt was found to have serious leg injuries and has since been retired from racing.

It is always amazing to think that these delicate horses, some more flighty than others, ever get to the races to begin with. The luck needed to get from the foaling barn to the starting gate for the Plate is astronomical.

Heck, Conquest Curlinate almost didn’t exist anyway: His dam, Higher World, was bred to Mineshaft 3 years ago in March in Kentucky, did not get in foal and was headed back to the stallion again when Mineshaft got sick.

While Mineshaft wound up in hospital with colic, Higher World went to Curlin instead. Welcome Conquest Curlinate.

So, that grey colt will be off to stud duty somewhere for the 2016 season and hopefully will get better quickly.

For Conquest, which zoomed into the game in fast and furious fashion, it is a tough blow as it also had Conquest Typhoon as a possible Plate horse. Now the entire barn’s hopes ride on Conquest Boogaloo, a handsome fellow who has been in the shadows but was talked up a lot last year by Patrick Husbands.

The colt has had 2 terrible trips this year and, well, speaking of luck,   if he got any good luck, he could be the one.

So, the field is a pretty goond group – no 90 Beyer Speed Figures to speak of but the guys with the big numbers –

AMI’S FLATTER, SHAMAN GHOST, ACADEMIC (girl), DANISH DYNAFORMER have the chance to post in the 85-90 range.

The field is below – look for Plate analysis in the TORONTO STAR coming up this weekend..

 

Post     Horse  Owner  Trainer Breeder  Jockey     M/L Odds

1    Shaman Ghost Stronach Stables    Brian Lynch  Adena Springs   Rafael Hernandez    7-2
2    Oakton                 Bill,V Poston  Mark Casse Bill Graham    Tyler Pizarro    20-1
3    Ault                      Canyon Farm Dan Vella Canyon Farm    David Moran    30-1
4    Academic            Bear Stables Inc.  Reade Baker Spring Farm    Justin Stein    5-1
5    Billy’s Star            Perfect Timber syndicate  Roger Attfield Charles Fipke     Eurico da Silva    15-1
6    Sweet Grass Creek    Gus Schicekdanz Mike Keogh  Gus Schicekdanz   Jesse Campbell    20-1
7    Danish Dynaformer   Charles Fipke  Roger Attfield Charles Fipke     Patrick Husbands    3-1
8    Conquest Boogaloo   Conquest Stables LLC  Mark Casse  J, J Everatt and A Everatt Meeuse   Alan Garcia    8-1
9    Breaking Lucky           Gunpowder Stable  Reade Baker Christine Hayden    Jim McAleney    20-1
10    Easy Indygo              Tucci Stables   Nick Gonzalez Mike Byrne    Emma-Jayne Wilson    30-1
11    Portree                       Chiefswood Stable  Stuart Simon Chiefswood    Gerry Olguin    12-1
12    Milwaukee Mist        Preston Farms    Pavel Matejka Sean Fitzhenry     Gary Boulanger    30-1
13    Bear At Last              Bear Stables Reade Baker    Mike Byrne Rico Walcott    30-1
14    Ami’s Flatter             Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll Tall Oaks   Luis Contreras    6-1

 

Letter from Conquest Stables on social media re: Conquest Curlinate:

Mark said that while galloping this morning Curlinate was somehow interfered with by a horse who apparently veered into him. It required an emergency maneuver for our treasured jumbo jet to avoid a serious incident. Many thanks to our terrific exercise rider for staying cool and avoiding a potentially unthinkable result.

We had no information that was medically documented at the draw time other than what Mark said, which was that Conquest Curlinate had incurred a minor freak training injury that forced us to withdraw him from the Plate competition.

Later in the morning Dr. Bob examined him again and viewed the x-rays that were taken, he then consulted with those who we feel are the top people in the world in their field and to our heartbreaking dismay we learned that this in fact was a very complicated sesamoid injury, which unfortunately will retire our young maturing star. I’ve been quite emotional on this issue and how it occurred but I will save that for a complete post on my thoughts… This for me is a time for numbing sadness and unfortunately some very deeply felt opinions.

This is in no way was a fault of Mark, or anyone at Casse Racing. They are traumatized, as they love the horses as we all do.

My intent from the start has been to bring transparency to this sport to make it better… You have all been very, very supportive and have my most sincere thanks… You are our team and we love you all.

In time I will thoroughly elaborate on how I think this tragedy could have easily been avoided. I feel the terrific people at Woodbine are where I will start my quest. I hope that, as always, you all will send me your feedback on whether you agree with my assessments. I know I will have an open ear at Woodbine, they are very progressive with terrific management!

To repeat, Conquest Curlinate will be retired. We would never ever risk the chance of this being beyond uncomfortable for him. He is surrounded by love and we have had a few calls already about him creating some majestic babies. Mark will make that decision but I’m certain with the immediate interest that he will have a very pleasant retirement. This is understandably heartbreaking and as I give all of our fans, who we consider to be part of our team, more info I think you may also share in my frustration.

On a positive note, just a reminder… We do have another incredibly gifted horse entered in the Queen’s Plate… Conquest Boogaloo… who is Mr. Barker’s pick to win as well as many of our other fans and analysts. Just as numbers exercise I had one of my PHD Cray operators run through the hard numbers… Basic rate of change, linear acceleration, furlong speeds, closing speeds and many other variables… And of all the entrants only one came out on top. I would not ever sell a Conquest horse short… I don’t gamble but I do love to perform the best we can for you. Let’s hope Boogaloo busts a few moves out there Sunday with his ace rider and buddy Alan Garcia

Our very best,
Ernie, Dory and Team Conquest
CASINO EXPANSION AT WOODBINE GETS THUMBS UP

from CBC.CA

A casino expansion at the Woodbine Racetrack is one step closer to becoming reality.

The issue was up for debate at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the executive committee, which voted 10-3 to put the expansion on the city council’s agenda next week.

The debate took several hours, with a long list of speakers who laid out gambling pros (increased jobs and economic spinoffs) and cons (the spread of gambling addiction). There were amendments including a request that Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation present a plan for its vision of the expansion, CBC’s Makda Ghebreslassie reported from the meeting.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/woodbine-casino-expansion-proposal-sent-to-council-1.3133541