YAY! Ian Black gets a hug from Emma-Jayne Wilson after Rahy’s Attorney won the Pan American – Janet Black
WOODBINE STUFF
First day of entries tomorrow!
Everyone approaches the first day of a new racing season a different way – depending on what your are doing.
Those of us who have been sitting and waiting for four months, it’s.. let’s go! Horsepeople have been getting ready since early February and are hoping that their horses are ready and ready to win some cash.
Still others have been working in the business throughout the winter and, well, it’s just another start to another 167-day meeting.
The jockey’s battle will be all the rage as the season opens since CHANTAL SUTHERLAND has left for this year, leaving a bunch of winners open. LUIS CONTRERAS, who won 30% of his races in his homeland of Mexico this winter, is the popular guy on the block and the pick by some to win the title. EURICO ROSA DA SILVA rode in New York all winter and will be named the SOVEREIGN AWARD winning jockey on Friday night. PATRICK HUSBANDS has ridden a few horses this winter, Barbados and Florida and EMMA-JAYNE WILSON rode at Parx and Gulfstream and is fresh off her Grade 3 Pan Am win on Rahy’s Attorney.
There is a surplus of apprentice riders, many of whom just got long extensions to their ‘bug’:
From the steward’s ruling page on the Woodbine website:
2011 TB 6960, WILLIAMS, Scott.pdf
2011 TB 6961 WILSON, Bradley.pdf
2011 TB 6958, SPATARO, Cory.pdf
2011 TB 6959 WILLIAMS, Betty.pdf
2011 TB 6956, CHEYNE, Brian.pdf
2011 TB 6957 PACHECO, Ryan Anthony.pdf
2011 TB 6955 DUQUET, Caroline.pdf
All these apprentice riders have had extensions. CASSANDRA GARCEA (not Cassie) has won 4 races and is also on the list of apprentice riders who will battle to find a spot at Woodbine.
American trainers STEVE ASMUSSEN will have less of a presence this year while WES WARD will have more – he will start favourites in the STAR SHOOT STAKES (Nina Fever) and WOODSTOCK STAKES (Madman Diaries_ should things go as planned.
The opening day dash is the 5 furlong DEBUT STAKES and it appears to be DON’S FOLLY’S for the taking. The 6yo horse has been bombing around this spring – his Mar 27 workout was this:
Don’s Folly (ON) Horse 6 47.20 h 1/111
The stakes winner was 2nd in this race last year.
PASO DOBLE is also a contender and he is under the care of a new trainer, MARK CASSE, who took over the Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc. this year.
NOMINEES FOR THE DEBUT STAKES :
AREPEATEE
dk b/.g.4 by Bold Executive(Bold Ruckus) – Gambolwithdestiny(Rhythm)
Robert Tiller and Howard Fishman Robert P. Tiller
BIG BOLD DOG
dk b/.g.5 by Valid N Bold(Valid Appeal) – Prettyaspuppies(Highland Ruckus)
Colebrook Farms Ashlee Brnjas
BUG’S BOY
dk b/.g.8 by Crown Attorney(Silver Deputy) – Kerry Dancer(Bold Executive)
Maggie and Douglas LeBlanc John P. Le Blanc, Jr.
CLARKSTONCHARM
b.g.6 by Tethra(Cure the Blues) – Thirdtimesthecharm(Bet Big)
Bradscot Farms Thomas R. Bowden
D’S LEGEND STORM
dk b/.g.4 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Pleasure Hound(Deerhound)
Chateau Kentucky Ranch and Sadio Maragh Abraham R. Katryan
DANIEL BE GOOD
b.g.5 by Trajectory(Gone West) – Flashy n’ Sheikh(Sheikh Albadou (GB))
Terra Racing Stable Nicholas Gonzalez
DO YOU BELIEVE IT
dk b/.g.4 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Juicey(Notebook)
3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd. Robert P. Tiller
DON’S FOLLY
dk b/.h.6 by Tethra(Cure the Blues) – Bold Below(Bold Ruckus)
Don A. Cole Ian Black
DRUNKEN LOVE
dk b/.g.6 by Whiskey Wisdom(Wild Again) – No Sugar Tonight(Schossberg)
David A. Ross Michael V. Pino
GAS N DASH
dk b/.g.5 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Splendor of Gold(Bold Executive)
F. Panza Sam Di Pasquale
MICHAEL’S BAD BOY
ch.g.8 by Wonneberg(Woodman) – Fair Ascot(Ascot Knight)
Joan C. Agro Nicholas Gonzalez
MOBIL UNIT
b.g.4 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Stop Looking(Dr. Adagio)
G. Schickedanz and D. Howard Michael Keogh
MOBTHEWARRIOR
dk b/.g.4 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Little Warrior(Woodman)
Andrew V. Fredericks Gregory de Gannes
MY BAD
b.g.5 by Endeavor(Capote) – My Sweet Tooch(Tejabo)
Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
OFFICEINTHEVALLEY
dk b/.g.4 by Peaks and Valleys(Mt. Livermore) – At the Office(Silver Ghost)
Paul M. Buttigieg Paul M. Buttigieg
OISTINS
ch.f.4 by Peaks and Valleys(Mt. Livermore) – Twelve Mills(Boone’s Mill)
Box Arrow Farm Gordon C. Colbourne
PASO DOBLE
ch.g.5 by Bold n’ Flashy(Bold Ruckus) – Dance Lessons(Foxhound)
Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc. & Terry Hamilton Mark E. Casse
RACE FOR GOLD
dk b/.c.4 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Rivermaid Dancing(Riverman)
The Very Dry Stable Robert P. Tiller
SKY OF GREY
gr/ro.c.4 by Parisianprospector(Geiger Counter) – Keep the Queen(Prospectors Gamble)
Fieldstone Farms, Inc. Analisa M. Delmas
THE BOY’S RING
dk b/.g.5 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Paul’s Girl(Bianconi)
Paul M. Buttigieg Paul M. Buttigieg
Old timer STUNNING STAG matched Don’s Folly workout time on the 27th – 47.20 b 1/111.
In Florida, probable CANADIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR BIOFUEL zipped 3 furlongs before getting ready for her trip to Toronto.
The Stormin Fever 4yo filly, who should be the star of the Sovereign awards show on Friday night worked 3 furlongs in 37.60 In other Woodbine news, one-time stakes calibre DALAVIN has not raced in 2 years since he won for $40K claiming but he’s back on the worktab. The 10-year-old worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on Mar 27.
BIOFUEL, Joe Ganley/EquiSport photos
QUEEN’S PLATE HOPEFULS on the tab
Mar 28 Woodbine Wonder Phil (ON) Gelding 3 1:00.80 h 5/42
Mar 28 Woodbine Ojibway Signal (ON) Gelding 3 1:03.20 h 35/42
Mar 28 Palm Meadows Imhotep (ON) Colt 3 48.70 b 7/26
March 27 at Palm Meadows: Queen’splatekitten (ON) Colt 3 53.00 b 60/60
Mar 26 Ocala Hippolytus (ON) Gelding 3 49.20 b 1/8
Mar 26 Ocala Roxy Gap (ON) Filly 3 49.20 b 1/8
BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY in Saturday’s Florida Derby…worked Monday, 4 furlongs, : 49:20 Breezing
Rank: 11/25
Mar 26 WOODBINE Celtic Conviction (ON) Gelding 3 1:01.60 h 12/49
THOROUGHBLOG LIST
Top 2011 Queen’s Plate Contenders
1. Elite Alex – 4th Louisiana Derby
2. Bowman’s Causeway – runs in Florida Derby on Saturday
3. Queen’splatekitten – placed in turf stake last out
4. Sensational Slam – won sprint stake at Aqueduct
5. Pender Harbour – stakes winner at 2 at Woodbine
6. Inglorious – 4th Fair Grounds Oaks
7. Red Ace – won maiden by a pole
8. Joyful Victory – won stake at Oaklawn, headed to Ky. Oaks
9. Strike Oil – 3rd Ocala stake race
10. Bear’s Chill – 4th in turf allowance at Gulfstream
FIPKE-BRED WINS AT GOLDEN GATE
from Thorughbred Daily News:
SOUL CUSTODY, a 4yo Ontario-bred filly by Perfect Soul, won an first level allowance at Golden Gate on Monday. It was her 4th win in 16 races. SOUL CUSTODY (f, 4, Perfect Soul {Ire}–Halo’s Gleam, by Halo) Lifetime Record: MSP, 16-4-1-5, $81,261.
O-Al Hodge. B-Charles Fipke (ON). T-Tim McCanna. *1/2 to Hefaistos (Langfuhr), SW-Pol; The Goo
(Meadowlake), MGSP, $146,495.
NO DRUGS IN FIVE YEARS? RADICAL MOVE may be best thing
“Today, over 99% of Thoroughbred racehorses and 70% of Standardbred racehorses have a needle stuck in them four hours
before a race. That just does not pass the smell test with the public or anyone else except horse trainers
who think it necessary to win a race.” – Dan Hartman, RCI International
BLOOD-HORSE REPORT:
By Tom LaMarra
In an announcement that figures to meet with disagreement with some horsemen’s groups and perhaps others, the outgoing and incoming leaders of the Association of Racing Commissioners International have called for a five-year phase-out of equine medication in horse racing.
Outgoing RCI chairman Dan Hartman of the Colorado Racing Commission said “a five-year phase-out is reasonable to bring North American racing policies in line with what is going on in other parts of the world like Europe and Hong Kong.” Hartman said a phased approach would give horsemen and owners sufficient time to adjust to the change.
New RCI chairman Willie Koester, chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, agreed with Hartman. RCI concluded its annual convention March 27 in New Orleans, and followed with a March 28 release on equine medication.
KENTUCKY DERBY STUFF
Repole Stable’s Gotham (GIII) winner Stay Thirsty worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 in the company of a stablemate on Sunday at Florida’s Palm Meadows training center. Trainer Todd Pletcher worked Stay Thirsty in blinkers and indicated the colt would likely be wearing that piece of equipment when he runs in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (GI).
Pletcher also worked Repole’s Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo a half-mile in an easy :49.40 in the company of two workmates.
Uncle Mo will run next in the $1 million Wood Memorial (GI) on April 9 at Aqueduct.
LONGSHOT TWICE THE APPEAL UPSETS ASTROLOGY IN SUNLAND PARK DERBY – Longshot Twice the Appeal, dismissed at odds of 25-1, rallied past favored Astrology in the stretch and inched away to a 1 ½-length upset in Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.
The victory under jockey Christian Santiago Reyes probably put the son of Successful Appeal in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, which uses earnings in graded stakes races to determine the maximum field of 20 horses for America’s greatest race. The $400,000 earned by the previously obscure Twice the Appeal in Sunday’s race vaulted trainer Jeff Bonde’s colt into the Top 10 in graded earnings by Kentucky Derby nominees. Astrology, who was making his first start since late November for trainer Steve Asmussen, held on to edge Ruler on Ice for the runner-up spot.
Twice the Appeal, who is owned by Edward Brown Jr., Victor Flores and Henry Hernandez, covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:50.91 for Bonde, who has never started a horse in the Kentucky Derby. Bonde also trains San Vicente (GII) runner-up Sway Away.
LOUISVILLE COUIER-JOURNAL’S MEDIA POLL:
Horse Owner Trainer
1. Uncle Mo Repole Stable Todd Pletcher
2. Soldat Harvey Clarke/ Craig Robertson III Kiaran McLaughlin
3. Dialed In Robert LaPenta Nick Zito
4. Premier Pegasus Myung Kwon Cho Myung Kwon Cho
5. To Honor and Serve Live Oak Plantation Bill Mott
6. The Factor Fog City Stable Bob Baffert
7. Stay Thirsty Repole Stable Todd Pletcher
8. Jaycito Zayat Stables Bob Baffert
9. Mucho Macho Man Reeves Thoroughbred Racing Katherine Ritvo
10. Santiva Tom Walters Eddie Kenneally
Others (in order of votes received): Anthony’s Cross, Elite Alex, Brethren, Silver Medallion, Pants on Fire, Archarcharch, Sway Away, Caleb’s Posse, Astrology, Flash Point, Alternation, Nehro, Comma to the Top, Arch Traveler, Toby’s Corner, Machen, Watch Me Go, J P’s Gusto, Swift Warrior, Wilkinson, Animal Kingdom, Bench Points, Gourmet Dinner, Master of Hounds.
KENTUCKY OAKS STUFF
Canada still represented
The fizzle of INGLORIOUS in the Fair Grounds Oaks last weekend does not mean there will not be some Canadian content in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks, should all things continue to go well. JOYFUL VICTORY,by Tapit and bred by Bill Graham of Caledon, is still a major contender for the Oaks.
Canadian trained WYOMIA and DELIGHTFUL MARY are also in the hunt for a spot in the Oaks.
Canadian-owned BIG TIZ is also on the list at 38 to 1 from Pool 2 of the Future Wager.
BAFFERT’S PLUM PRETTY WINS SUNLAND OAKS BY 25 – Peachtree Stable’s Plum Pretty, who had run well against Southern California’s best 3-year-old fillies, travelled to New Mexico on Sunday and toyed with the locals in a 25-length romp under jockey Martin Garcia in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks.
The Medaglia d’Oro filly covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.91 and perhaps a spot in the Kentucky Oaks starting gate.
Future wager for oaks after POOL 2
Program Horse Name ODDS Gross Win Pool Final $ Odds $2 Payoff
1 A Z Warrior 28 1,811.56 28.50 $59.00
2 Big Tiz 38 1,346.18 38.80 $79.60
3 Bouquet Booth 41 1,259.20 41.50 $85.00
4 Dancinginherdreams 10 4,754.58 10.20 $22.40
5 Delightful Mary 24 2,097.40 45.50 $93.00
6 Harlan’s Ruby 84 629.68 84.10 $170.20
7 Holy Heavens 82 645.46 82.00 $166.00
8 Inglorious 23 2,181.86 23.50 $49.00
9 It’s Tricky 10 4,517.82 10.80 $23.60
10 Joyful Victory 7 5,979.54 7.90 $17.80
11 Kathmanblu 7/2 11,243.32 3.70 $9.40
12 Mildly Offensive 51 1,022.32 51.40 $104.80
13 Miss Smarty Pants 44 1,170.50 44.70 $91.40
14 Oh Carole 54 960.94 54.70 $111.40
15 Pomeroys Pistol 99 418.36 127.10 $256.20
16 R Heat Lightning 9 5,355.62 9.00 $20.00
17 Rigoletta 56 931.88 56.50 $115.00
18 Royal Delta 37 1,383.26 37.70 $77.40
19 Salty Strike 99 527.64 100.50 $203.00
20 Snow Fall 56 927.62 56.70 $115.40
21 Summer Soiree 55 947.28 55.50 $113.00
22 Wyomia 24 2,141.08 24.00 $50.00
23 Zazu 7 6,671.16 7.00 $16.00
24 MUTUEL FIELD “ALL OTHERS” 9 4,879.98 9.90 $21.80
Pool Total: $63,804.24
FORT ERIE GALS VISIT BUFFALO MEN’S CLUB
http://www.flickr.com/photos/normf/
NORM FILES was among the Men at the huge Men’s Show last weekend and Fort Erie jocks greeted folks. Here, Krista Carignan and Betty Jo Williams strike a pose.
The link above is to Norm’s photo pages.
HASTINGS PARK FEATURE BY TOMMY WOLSKI
ROB GILKER:
Tight-lipped trainer
Secret to racing success is just that
By Tom Wolski, The Province March 25, 2011
Chances are, if you were to walk up to trainer Rob Gilker and ask him about all the horses in his stable at Hastings, a safe bet would be he’d look you in the face and carefully explain: “Sorry, but I can’t do that.”
Why? Gilker, along with most other trainers, remain secretive about their horses. It comes down to not letting your rivals know what you’re doing when you’re training your horses.
“It would be nice to talk about our horses, but when you are running horses for claiming (selling) prices. There is a good chance you could lose your horse to another trainer by doing that. Talking about your horses is not something you want or can do,” said Gilker.
And because, he has stuck to those rules, Gilker has maintained one of the most successful stables at Hastings.
Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Tight+lipped+trainer/4501652/story.html#ixzz1Hzgredev
CONTEST CLOSES THURSDAY…
GUESS THE HORSE WINNERS OF THE SOVEREIGN AWARDS -win the new Muriel Lennox book!
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly:
Delightful Mary
Roxy Gap
Wyomia
Champion Two-Year-Old Male:
Blue Laser
Madman Diaries
Rockin Heat
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly:
Biofuel
Free Fee Lady
Roan Inish
Champion Three-Year-Old Male:
Big Red Mike
Hotep
No Hesitation
Champion Older Female:
Hooh Why
Impossible Time
Simply Splendid
Champion Older Male:
Sand Cove
Southdale
Stunning Stag
Champion Turf Female:
Mekong Melody (IRE)
Miss Keller (IRE)
Perfect Shirl
Champion Turf Male:
Grand Adventure
Rahy’s Attorney
Windward Islands
Champion Female Sprinter:
Hooh Why
Indian Apple Is
Sugar Again
Champion Male Sprinter:
Essence Hit Man
Hollywood Hit
Smokey Fire
