Good Wednesday morning – heavy rain today through tomorrow..today’s post – Liberals government (Ontario) pledges $12 million to breeders just in time for June 12 vote..or is it too late….plus Oaks preview for Sunday, recaps of last week at Woodbine
UPDATE – WOODBINE OAKS, PLATE TRIAL
Trainer MARK CASSE is pleased at the progress of his trainees LEXIE LOU and WILD CATOMINE as they prepare for the Oaks on Sunday.
Casse is starting one horse in the Plate Trial, the maiden MAJESTIC SUNSET, who will be ridden by American import ALAN GARCIA.
BOND SAYS SHE’S HOT and SPICY
Sunday will be a day of celebration for William Clifton Jr. and his trainer Jim Bond, perhaps for two very big reasons.
Clifton and Bond (and Bond’s wife Tina) will be in Texas on Sunday to attend the wedding of one of Clifton’s sons while Ryan Bond Jim and Tina’s son, will accompany the promising grey 3-year-old filly HOT AND SPICY to Toronto on Saturday for the $500,000 WOODBINE OAKS on Sunday.
The Ontario bred by Tale of the Cat – Dynamite Cocktail by Dynaformer has raced just twice in her career but “she’s moving forward” and has trained a lot more steadily and regularly since her start in the Fury Stakes at Woodbine on May 10.
Clifton and Bond are regular visitors to Woodbine – “there is nothing more than the Cliftons and my wife and I enjoy than a trip to Toronto and Woodbine” – and have often raced Canadian-breds, One of the SOLITAIRE, was prominent in the Canadian Triple Crown in 2008.
As got Hot and Spicy, the filly was broken by Bond and at that time, the trainer says the light grey was “hot and spicy”. He adds that she has mellowed out since her stay at Palm Meadows during the winter. The filly won her debut on Mar 15 at Gulfstream with Luis Contreras aboard. That was her only race before the Fury, where she was 2nd to Wild Catomine after a bit of a sticky trip.
“I was proud of the way she raced gamely. she showed the grit that I know she has,” said Bond. A recent workout by Hot and Spicy at the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga was very pleasing to Bond: she went 5 furlongs in 1:01 1/5 and beat One Night, a highly regarded filly in the Bond stable.
Hot and Spicy was bred by Bob Harvey and Alan Wortzman and was a $250,000 yearling purchase.
$12 million Enhancement of Breeders’ Awards from Provincial Government
Click link for CTHS site that has link to the itemized awards per level:
http://www.cthsont.com/news.php?news_item_id=1355
On October 31, 2013 the Board of the CTHS Ontario unanimously endorsed and then delivered a paper to the Minister of Agriculture/Premier, as well as Messrs.’ John Snobelen, Elmer Buchanan, John Wilkinson and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Deb Stark, entitled “Measures Necessary To Save The Ontario Thoroughbred Industry”. Our mission statement was “to identify the means necessary to stabilize and recover the Ontario thoroughbred breeding industry.”
Shortly thereafter we began discussions and negotiations with Mr. Snobelen with the hopes of achieving success towards this end.
Tuesday, June 10th the CTHS officially signed an agreement, with the Ontario Racing Commission, which calls for a 5 year, $2,000,000 per year enhancement of our current breeders awards program, as well as an additional $2,000,000 immediate payment to further incent those within the province who have participated in the breeding of 2013 Registered Ontario-Breds.
The CTHS is very pleased to announce that our current Breeders Awards will be raised from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 per year, and will now be paid out across the board (1st, 2nd and 3rd place), from the Allowance level down to the $12,500 Claiming Level. In addition, breeders of horses finishing first in $10,000 Claiming level races and below, will also be rewarded. The previous “cap” of $75,000 per breeder has been increased to $100,000. This program will be retroactively effective from April 12, 2014 (opening day of racing in Ontario).
The additional $2,000,000 for distribution is for breeders of Registered Ontario-bred foals of 2013 will be available for dissemination later this month. To be eligible to receive these funds, members must have their foals registered by no later than July 31st, 2014.
There is no question that members of the CTHS and other horsepeople groups have been working hard at getting the industry back on some firmer footing after the likes of the Liberal government under Dalton McGuinty and the OLG, ripped the thin carpet right out from under the horse industry in the province. Premier Kathleen Wynne has been an ear, she has forwarded subsidized funds for tracks to combat the loss of the slot revenue. She has seemingly been trying to make things right again.
Is it too late? The vote is tomorrow. Tim Hudak, our guy from Fort Erie, has pledged some sort of slots plan for his home track, he has been heard to say he will bring back the slots/racetrack partnership. Andrea Horwath was at Fort Erie recently, she too has made statements about the struggling industry and how she could help.
Standardbred Canada offers up Q and A’s with the parties with regards to horse racing:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/6-4-14/party-platforms-racing-pcs.html
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/6-9-14/party-platforms-racing-liberals.html
Make sure you vote.
MORE WOODBINE OAKS $500,000
Sunday’s race at 9 furlongs big test for Canadian fillies
Now that we have put the American Triple Crown to bed and we are left with some fun and a little bizarre memories from that series, it is time for the Canadian classics.
The Oaks is Sunday, June 15 and will be accompanied by the Plate Trial, which is expected to include We Miss Artie, the Grade 1 winner at 2, Grade 3 winner at 3 and early Plate favourite.
PALADIN BAY had her final Oaks workout on Sunday morning as she went 5 furlongs in 1:02 breezing, slowing things down from the 59 4/5 prep on June 2. The Sligo Bay (Ire) – Stormin Wife, Stormin Fever filly is likely to be favoured over Lexie Lou, Hot n Spicy and Unspurned, the latter who could be the buzz filly come Sunday.
Trainer ROGER ATTFIELD may race 3 gals in the Oaks as the field is not going to be very big.
Here is a list of the contenders for the 1 1/8 mile Oaks, the first leg of the TRIPLE TIARA. Of course, the winner could go to the Queen’s Plate on July 6 as well:
PALADIN BAY, last 3 Beyers 81 81 82
HOT AND SPICY last 2 Beyers 80 77
LEXIE LOU last 3 Beyers 80 73 81
WILD CATOMINE 81, 68
LLARARMON 77 67 65
UNSPURNED 82, 73 74
GDANSK 72 71 60
STORM NOW 67 64 68
on the fence – CALL HER KARMA 66 55 42
LAST 20 OAKS WINNERS
2013 Nipissing Steve Bahen Rachel Halden Chiefswood Stable 1:50.34
2012 Irish Mission Alex Solis Mark Frostad Robert S. Evans 1:50.50
2011 Inglorious Luis Contreras Josie Carroll Donver Stable 1:51.77
2010 Roan Inish David J. Moran Carolyn M. Costigan Robert J. Costigan 1:50.53
2009 Milwaukee Appeal Stewart Elliott Scott H. Fairlie C.E.C. Farms 1:49.84
2008 Ginger Brew Javier Castellano Brian A. Lynch Stronach Stables 1:51.40
2007 Sealy Hill Patrick Husbands Mark E. Casse Eugene Melnyk 1:50.68
2006 Kimchi Patrick Husbands Mark E. Casse Seasoft Stable 1:52.23
2005 Gold Strike Jim McAleney Reade Baker Dick Bonnycastle 1:51.63
2004 Eye of the Sphynx Todd Kabel Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:53.11
2003 Too Late Now Robert Landry James E. Day Edna Arrow 1:53.05
2002 Ginger Gold Richard Dos Ramos Sid C. Attard Jim Dandy Stable 1:51.56
2001 Dancethruthedawn Gary Boulanger Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:51.74
2000 Catch The Ring Robert Landry Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:53.16
1999 Touch Dial Mickey Walls Tino Attard Stronach Stables 1:51.13
1998 Kirby’s Song Todd Kabel Tino Attard Kirby Canada Farm 1:50.80
1997 Capdiva Robert Landry Roger Attfield Legacy Thoroughbred 1:50.80
1996 Silent Fleet Steven Bahen Bernard Girault Peter Chiodo 1:50.20
1995 Gal In A Ruckus Herb McCauley John T. Ward, Jr. John C. Oxley 1:51.20
1994 Plenty Of Sugar Richard Dos Ramos Roger Attfield Kinghaven/Ferguson 1:49.60
WOODBINE SUNDAY…and more from last week
NORM FILES PHOTO of Steady Growth Stakes finish
50-50 – yep, trainer MIKE DEPAULO did indeed win his 50th stakes race on his 50th birthday on Sunday when PENDER HARBOUR ran a magnificent race to win the Steady Growth Stakes and post a 93 Beyer Figure. The champion 3-year-old from 3 years ago broke a bit slowly from the gate but that was likely the best thing for him. His rider Luis Contreras allowed his buddy to relax and then make his move, powering past Urban Forester late to win in popular fashion.
It was the 10th win of in the wonderful career of Pender Harbour, spanning 28 race. His earnings are over $1.5 million. Owners Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Bob and Robert Giffin were all on hand from western Canada to enjoy the victory.
More Sunday –
Zoom! The 2-year-old first timer SEFFEARA, a bay colt by Old Forester – Town Dance by Dance Brightly, set a track record on Sunday for 4 1/2 furlongs, 51.01 (previous record 51.13). Owned and bred by Steve Owens and Bev Lewis, this colt was simply long gone on the field and ran to his workout times. He was predictably one of the favourites and he was guided by Gary Boulanger. His Beyer Figure was a smart 82. His dam won $400 for Owens and is out of the useful producing family of Little Kennisis (3rd dam) and Hawk Lake Fire (2nd dam).
SEFFEARA clobbers a field of 2yo colts, Ontario sired, in his debut Sunday with 82 Beyer and a track record. NORM FILES PHOTO
Race 1- The 6-year-old gelding LORD OF THE JUNGLE got his maiden win with a late rally under Gerry Olguin. The winner is by Old Forester and was bred by Chris Fun, co-owners with Patrick Fung. Tom Bowden was getting his first win of the year and this gelding was making his first start of the year. The drop from maiden allowance to maiden $12,500 certainly helped this gelding get things done.
race 3- JUBILATE, owned by George Strawbridge, was very happy to get back on the grass and he won under a super Emma-Jayne Wilson handride and sped 6 1/2 furlongs on grass in 1:15.52, good for an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. The pretty bay is trained by Mark Frostad and is 2 for 4 in his career now.
The big favourite in that race,SORRY ABOUT THAT, had never raced on turf and did not appear to handle the surface,
Race 4- A 9 furlong race that was supposed to give some locals a read on their Queen’s Plate prospects went awry when the large 3-year-old ATHENIAN GUARD, seemingly on his way to the win, veered in to the railing when hit by the whip on the right side by Justin Stein. Stein fell off and miraculously was not hurt badly while Athenian Guard, a $120,000 yearling purchase, finished the race behind winner Coltimus Prime.
The rivals around the incident had to steady a bit and since the early pace in the race was so slow, runners like ONE DESTINY had no chance of catching up no matter what. LATIN PIPER, adding blinkers, was under a very hard hold through the slow pace and was a mild 2nd. The time of 1:52.58 was just a 68 Beyer Figure, altough perhaps it would have been afster without the incident.
All reports are that Athenian Guard, trained by Mike DePaulo for A & L Racing Stables, emerged from the race fine.
COLTIMUS PRIME inherited the lead and won the race for Cabernet Racing Stables (Jayson Horner and Mike Weingarten) and trainer Justin Nixon.
Race 5- a maiden allowance for Ontario sired gals and the scratching of contender Bambarra Bold left a vacancy for an also-eligible (always a potential winner) and that lucky miss was MIRACLEONTHIRTIETH,a Where’s the Ring filly out of Burnt Fuse by Lite the Fuse. Owned and c0-bred by Gail Luman, the winner was 1st call for rider Steve Bahen and the winning trainer was Zelko Krcmar. It was the filly’s 3rd start off the layoff and 4th career race.
race 6 – on the grass for an allowance/optional claiming race for $40,000 and INCLUSA, a huge overlay at 15 to 1 (her only three grass races results in a win, 3rd and 4th with solid Beyer Figures) stormed up the inside in the rain under Davy Moran to win over heavily favoured Duppy Conqueror, who was making her grass debut. Inclusa is owned by Gail Wood, trained by Phil Gracey and bred by Windhaven. She has earnings of $120,000.
Race 7 – Jockey Moran came right back with another win, settling front runner SILENT STREAK on the pace in her first outing at 1 1/1 miles, and she led all the way in the maiden allowance. The grey gal is by Silent Name (Jpn) out of Ring Star, by Great Gladiator, bred by Ballycroy Training Centre and Bill Hicks. The well related filly had raced 10 times for various trainers and had mixed results in 5 local runs for trainer Steven Chircop. The move to a route distance was the winning ticket for the 4-year-old owned by Barbara Side.
Race 9
CONNECT WITH ME led most of the way and won this maiden allowance under David Garcia but the 4-year-old did not make it back to the winner’s circle. He was pulled up on the gallop-out and vanned off. He is a homebred for Zig Grinsteins and is trained by Claudia Rabstein; The 4-year-old by Tap Day was 1st time with Lasix.
Race 10 – Wow, what a debut for SPEED SEEKER, who sped to the lead early in this 1 mile grass maiden allowance race (open) and won by 7 lengths with an 83 Beyer Figure. This beginner, by Heatseeker (Ire) out of Seraphic Too by Southern Halo, had some good prep times at Keeneland for trainer Joan Scott but nothing to make you think she was going to go to the lead on the grass and win big. Luis Contreras rode the horse for owner Robert Johnson.
YIPPEE, I LOVE GRASS RACING! The 4-year-old JUBILATE is well named, and a cutie. He seems as if he is almost leaping for joy during his win on the grass under Emma-Jayne Wilson. NORM FILES PHOTO
SATURDAY
Race 1- GOOD BYE GREG came in from Arlington off a huge debut in which he won by 12 lengths with a 93 Beyer Figure. He won his Woodbine debut by more than 5 lengths while looking a bit green in the process. This son of Tueflesberg was sent north by trainer Larry Rivello and E T Baird came to wide the 3-year-old. His time of 1:23.76 for 7 furlongs was a 76 Beyer Figure.
Race 2- Call the police, wait, it’s EFF BEE EYE! This first time starting 2-year-old filly, owned by Robert Tiller and Rolph Davis, who also bred the Philanthropist – Victora’s Destiny gal, had rail speed but was steadied into the turn. She also did not seem to want to go inside another rival but once jockey Luis Contreras coaxed her into the spot, she took off to a big win, She posted a 55 Beyer Figure.
Race 3- LADY GO GO, a 4-year-old by Macho Uno – Go Go Neigh by Storm Boot, finally won her maiden, doing so for $12,500 for Garland Williamson’s Hillsbrook Farm and trainer Nick Gonzalez. Jesse Campbell was the winning rider, his first of 2 scores on the day.
Race 4- The pick 4 began with a loaded grass race, an allowance/optional claiming event. Coming from absolutely last in the 9-horse field was ALDOUS SNOW, a Sam-Son farms horse, 5-years-old, by Theatrical out of Brave Destiny by Quiet American. He reeled in Tesseron in the late stages and had to run 1 1/16 miles in 1:38.2, a course record. Malcolm Pierce trains. Eurico da Silva rode. The Beyer was the day’s best, a 93.
Race 5- Jockey Da Silva won right back on the big favourite, TINA’S COMING, who won her maiden by 6 1/4 lengths for $8,000 claiming. The Kentucky bred is by Harlan’s Holiday and she is owned by Robert Bates, trained by Katerina Vassilieva.
Race 6- the turf course was very fast but HILLABY is a very good one. This filly by Distorted Humor is out of Horse of the Year Sealy Hill (Point Given) and she won her 4-year-old debut and then took this 6 1/2 furlong turf dash in 1:14.43, good for an 88 Beyer FIgure. Patrick Husbands rode for owner Eugene Melnyk and trainer Mark Casse.
Race 7 – SOROKOLITIS, bred and co-owned by Silver Duck Racing with Janice and Joe Pollard, was up to win his maiden at 5 to 1 under Jesse Campbell. The grey by Union Place, a Bill Sorokolit stallion who stood at Silver Duck, is out of Executive Pass by Bold Executive.
Race 9- Stakes winner COACHELLA VALLEY, making her 2nd start of the season, rallied wide to win this allowance/optional claiming race by 1/2 a length at 6 to 1. Jus Luk Stable (Roger Fortier) owns the grey by Even the Score out of Yamuuna and Reade Baker trains. Emma-Jayne Wilson rode the 4-year-old.
Race 10 – It was a day for greys and a day for horses who have been longtime maidens. This time it was Joe Baldesarra’s homebred CREATIVE THUNDER, who was up to win the maiden race at 1 mile on grass for trainer Ian Black. It was the second race on grass for the son of Tapit, who is also owned by Dennis Baldesarra. Chantal Sutherland Kruse rode. Trainer Black added a nasal strip to the gelding’s equipment for this race.
FRIDAY
RACE 1 – ROMAN ARISTOCRAT battled with Big Pop Pa all th way through 5 furlongs and won by a head as Big POp Pa, who led late was only hand ridden through the stretch. The winner has won 2 races in 2014 for Don MacRae and ONe More Time Racing and Chris griffith rode.
Race 2- JURASGOODASITGETS, a alrge grey gelding by Bold Executive, was off for a year but down to $8,000 claiming and the 7-year-old led all the way to win his maiden. He went 5 furlongs in 1:00.06 and david Garcia rode for Mark Goodlet.
Race 3- The wonderful stallion LORD OF GREATNESS, an 8-year-old, came from last place at 7 furlongs in this $40,000 claimer and won at almost 20 to 1 in a 5 horse field. He is owned by Entourage Stable and trainer by Robert Tiller and Matt Moore rode the son of Greatness. He has won 2 races this season.
Race 4- BIG BROWN BROOKSKI plunged in class to just $12,500 and won this 7 furlong test for Jim and Susan Hill after a long stretch battle with Over the Cliff. She was claimed by Soli Mehta and partners and trainer Kevin Attard. Eurico da Silva rode and Reade Baker trains.
Race 5- LIONS BAY was an impmressive winner of this ONtario sired allowance race at 1 1/16 miles and he earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure for a time of 1:45.16. The winner is a Slio Bay (Ire) 3-year-old colt out of Lions Raw by War Deputy. Martin and Victoria Earle bred and co-own and Jamie Attard trains. David Moran was the winning rider.
race 6- FRIEND DALE won this maiden claiming race for $16,000 by half a length with Steve Bahen riding for longtime horseman Mort Hardy. The winner is a 4-year-old by The Cliff’s Edge. The race was a bit wild in the late stages as a fast closing Hockey angled out in mid stretch in front of Got Them Talking who had to steady and lost several lengths.
Race 7 – Sam-Son Farms’ stakes class filly DANCE AGAIN won this turf allowance as a big favourite Patrick Husbands riding, She posted an 86 Beyer Figure for 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.26. The winner was returning to Woodbine for 2014 and she is by Awesome Again.
Race 8 – Tight photo went to BEAR’S COWBOY, a 3-year-old by Two Step Salsa who was dropping to $32,00 claiming for Bear Stables and trainer Reade Baker. Eurico da Silva got this colt motivated late to edge French Quarter on the money.
Race 9 – He may have been dumped in for low claiming lately but STEEL DUST DANCER is racing like a stakes horse. He won the last race for $20K claiming by 10 lengths under wraps with an 88 Beyer Figure. John Hillier owns the son of Unbridled’s Song who has won two straight races. Don Macrae trains the grey gelding.
WEDNESDAY
The top Beyer Figure efforts of the evening came on the very fast grass course. POWER PHIL, a Frank DiGiulio Jr and trainer Robert Tiller special, led all the way thanks to a brilliant rider by Patrick Husbands to win an allowance in 1:33.70 – an 86 Beyer Figure.
In the race before, ANY GIVEN ROYAL posted an 83 Beyer as he won an optional claiming race for Jim and Susan Hill and trainer Brian Lynch.
