TethraColtApr709.jpgWhile other racehorses are working hard, this little guy enjoys a rest on momma’s back. This is a Tethra colt out of Canadian Charm owned by Eaton Hall Farms and foaled at Woodlands Farm. Dave Landry photo.

CANADIAN OWNED PATENA WORKS FOR BLUE GRASS

from Keeneland Barn Notes

• With a light, cold drizzle falling, Patena put in his final major preparation for Saturday’s $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) by working five furlongs in 1:00 with jockey Robby Albarado up.

It was Patena’s second work at Keeneland since running eighth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 14. Patena worked a half-mile in :51.80 on March 28.

“It is hard to compare the works because there were two different riders,” trainer Rick Dutrow said. “As long as the jock is happy, I’m happy.”

And the verdict on Monday’s work? “We’re all good here,” Dutrow said.

Owned by IEAH Stables, John and Glenn Sikura and Dominici Dilalla, plus Joseph Bulger and James Covello, Patena has started twice this year at Fair Grounds with Albarado aboard for both races. Prior to the Louisiana Derby, Patena had run second in the Grade 3 LeComte on January 10.

The Louisiana Derby, run on a sloppy track, was Patena’s poorest effort in six career starts.

“I haven’t lost any confidence in him,” Albarado said after the work. “In the Louisiana Derby, he had been off awhile and the track was a little quirky that day. He is proven on the Polytrack and I am looking for a big effort on Saturday. He’s a nice colt.”

QUALITY ROAD HAS QUARTER CRACK IN HIND HOOF

trainer JERKENS “VERY CONCERNED”

• NEW YORK (AP) — Quality Road has a quarter crack in his right hind hoof, putting in doubt his status for the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

The Daily Racing Form reported on its Web site Monday that the Florida Derby winner galloped at Belmont Park and came back to the barn with blood dripping from his foot. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said that he is “very concerned” about the problem but that it’s premature to say the colt won’t run in the Derby.

Quality Road is the second major Derby contender to encounter a problem.

The Pamplemousse, one of the West Coast’s leading 3-year-olds, was scratched from last Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby because of a lesion in his left front leg. He’s expected to be out at least six months.

Jerkens said he discovered the quarter crack in the winner’s circle after Quality Road won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on March 28.

Quarter cracks can bleed and make a horse lame. Movement and stress on the hoof can spread the crack and prevent it from healing. Quarter cracks can come from a genetic disposition that causes a thin hoof wall.

“The fact that he’s not lame from it is a good thing,” Jerkens told the Daily Racing Form. “He galloped this morning and he was absolutely sound on it, but it did trickle a little blood, which means there’s still some friction going on in there. We have to get that inflammation out before we do anything.”

Continue reading…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKoYsIqFqtnoVUq9DFb-B6va7j0QD97D8TPO0

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SQUARE EDDIE

• A few weeks ago, Square Eddie begins his training again for the Kentucky Derby. The Canadian-bred 3yo has not raced since January. (Video from YouTube, TMS Videocom page).

 

EARNINGS LIST FOR KENTUCKY DERBY

1.Mafaaz … n/a – won the Win and You’re In race in England

2.Regal Ransom … $1,250,000

3.Pioneerof the Nile … $1,193,250

4.Square Eddie … $774,981

5.I Want Revenge … $774,000

6.Desert Party … $641,667

7.Quality Road … $600,000

8.Friesan Fire … $570,465

9.Musket Man … $485,000

10.Big Drama … $480,000   (out)

11.Vineyard Haven … $417,500   (out)

12.Terrain … $410,830

13.West Side Bernie … $385,160

14.Chocolate Candy … $370,000

15.Old Fashioned … $330,000

16.Hold Me Back … $288,000

17.Bittel Road … $211,000

18.Azul Leon … $203,600   (out)

19.Crowded House (GB) … $195,020   (out)

20.Run Away and Hide … $193,429   (out)

21.The Pamplemousse … $180,000   (out)

22.Win Willy … $180,000

23.Giant Oak … $169,256

24.Papa Clem … $160,000

25.Dunkirk … $150,000

26.Charitable Man … $150,000

27.Mine That Bird … $138,705

28.Theregoesjojo … $133,063

29.Beethoven … $132,494   (out)

30.General Quarters … $130,645

CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

Twist, shout

• Some winners from other tracks yesterday include CANADIAN BREW, a 14 length winner at Mountaineer for $5,000 claiming for R and P Stable. The Ontario bred 4yo is by Milwaukee Brew out of Ginger Gretel.

Later on that card BALDESSARE, a 4yo gelding by Siphon, bred in Ontario by Knob Hill Stables, won for $10,000 claiming for T J Squared Stable.

TWISTED WIT, a multiple Canadian stakes winner, is now toiling in the bottom claiming ranks but he was a winner at Philadelphia Park yesterday, at a new low level of $7,500 claiming., Owned by Jack Armstrong, the 8yo gelding led all the way for his 13th win,. He has earned $825,000. He is by Distorted Humor out of Sandhill Charm – bred by Ron Clarkson and previously owned by Rolph Davis and trained by Robert Tiller.

Also at Philly Park, James McGlinn’s homebred FLASH OF TIME, by Bold ‘n Flashy – Filly of the Jag, won his maiden for $12,500 claiming.

KEENELAND TWO-YEAR-OLD SALE

• A record price for a 2yo was made at the first night of the Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training sale and that helped the average price go up even with a litany of scratches and buy backs. No Canadians were buying and the few Candian-breds either scratched or did not sell.

Here’s a story on the top priced youngster:

EXCERPT – KENTUCKY.COM

Prized colt redeemed at sale

By Alicia Wincze

Few people in the sport of Thoroughbred racing who can prompt people to hang on his every word the way Bob Baffert can.

Fittingly enough, in the moments after buying a $1.9 million chestnut colt named Vallenzeri on Monday night, the outspoken trainer summed up what many in the Keeneland sales pavilion must have been thinking. “This horse, he finally found a home,” Baffert said.

http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/752817.html

CedarCrestApr709.jpgCANADIAN STALLION BITS

• Here are some updates on local stallions – keep those news items and photos coming.

ONE WAY LOVE’S owners wants to remind those who breed to the multiple champion that there are ONE WAY LOVE REWARDS. Each calendar year, the owners of the stallion, John and Marilyn Hillier, will award a prize to the breeder/owner should an offpsring win a graded stake, open stake or Ontario sired stake.

LEGAL JOUSTING’s pedigree is in the news again as MAD ABOUT YOU won a Group 3 stakes event in Europe on the weekend. The Indian Ridge sire stands at Kingsgate Stud (see ad this page). Mad About You is a three-quarter sister to Legal Jousting.