Utley wins the 2014 Dixie Stakes at Pimlico

UTLEY will try and be crowned king on Sunday in the King Eward Stakes – www.horse-races.net

Facing Utley will be EXCAPER and LAUGH TRACK (pink)..NORM FILES PHOTO

 

SUMMER STAKES ARE SIZZLIN – 108th VICTORIA STAKES, 106th KING EDWARD STAKES

 

Woodbine has 2 full cards of racing on the weekend packed with turf, 2-year-olds and ton of horses. The stakes races, 4 of them, did not do as well as they have small fields and perhaps the Victoria Park Stakes has hit the end of the line being on the Woodbine stakes schedule: it drew a very modest field of 4 horses, two which were supplemented.

The highlight of the weekend stakes action is the Grade 2 KING EDWARD STAKES, a wonderful, old race that was inaugurated in 1903.

Named for Edward VII of the United Kingdom who had been crowned king in 1901, the race was created the following year with its first running taking place in 1903 as the King Edward Gold Cup. It was raced on dirt at the Old Woodbine Park until 1958 when it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack and changed to a turf race. Renamed the King Edward Breeders’ Handicap, in 2007 it became a Stakes (not a Gold Cup) event.

Since inception, the King Edward Stakes has been raced at a variety of distances: 1 1⁄4 miles : 1903-1917 (Old Woodbine Racetrack) 1 1⁄16 miles : 1920-1957 on dirt at Old Woodbine Park, 1958-1993 on turf at Woodbine Racetrack, and on turf in 1994 at Fort Erie Racetrack 1 1⁄8 miles : 1995-2009 on turf at Woodbine Racetrack 1 mile : beginning 2010 Due to the large number of entries, the King Edward was raced in two divisions in 1978, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. There was no race held in 1918, 1919, 1943, 1945, and 1956.

One of Canada’s first great racehorses, INFERNO, won three consecutive King Edward Gold Cups.

The King Edward this year has drawn George Strawbridge’s UTLEY, a 6-year-old horse who won the Grade 2 Dixie in his last race at Pimlico on Preakness day. Among his rivals is the gritty speedster EXCAPER who is at the top of his game for the Kaster family and trainer Ian Black. Another old, famous race is Saturday’s VICTORIA STAKES for 2-year-olds at 5 furlongs. It was first run in 1903 as well and named for Queen Victoria. For picks and more, don’t forget to visit http://jmbets.ca

 

FRIDAY/ WEDNESDAY at Woodbine

MACHITO started the Friday afternoon card with his 2nd straight win. This was a 3-year-old allowance/optional claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs with just 5 horses in the field. Owned by Windways Farm, trained by Malcolm Pierce and bred by David Strucke, this Tethra gelding is out os Ms Petula (Trajectory) was a $24,000 yearling purchase. Eurico da Silva rode.

Race 2-  Third time was the charm for AMATHEA, who burned plenty of cash in her first 2 starts when favoured and 2nd each time. In this grass debut, she led all the way through 6 furlongs in 1:09.37 (73 Beyer) to win for owner/breeders Conrad Farms/ Mark Casse trains and Patrick Husbands rode the daughter of Henny Hughes.

race 3- WICKSTEAD, an Olmodavor 3-year-old gelding, is 2 for 3 in his career thanks to this allowance win for Ontario sired guys at 6 1/2 furlongs. He won his maiden on May 24 and then scored in this race against just 5 rivals. He was bred by Kingview Farms and is owned by Gus Vlahos, trained by Bill Tharrenos. Omar Moreno rode.

Race 4- A maiden allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the grass was won by big favrouite AND I DID, by hot, young sire Lennatus Anteas. Owned and bred by Colebrook Farms, this 3-year-old was making only her 2nd career start. She is the 2nd foal of winning mare I Can, by Colony Light. Luis Contreras rode.

race 5- VICTORIANA ROSE was bet well in this return from the October – June layoff and she led all the way to win her maiden for Robert and Patricia Weber. The 4-year-old by Northern Afleet – Whistling Maid by Bold ‘n Flashy is trained by Don MacRae and Chris Griffith rode.

Race 6 – MIKE THE HAB wore down  AISH TAMID to win this maiden race for $20,000 claiming at 1 1/16 miles. the winner is owned by Debmar Stables and trained by Ricky Griffith. He is a Curlin colt and this was his 6th career race, his 2nd of this season. Chantal Sutherland Kruse was the winning rider. Blinkers were on.

Race 7-  CAJUN KISS won off the claim for Alexander Patykewich, who took the 3-year-old for $12,500 from a 10 length maiden score just a week earlier. He won for $19,000 with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.

Race 8 – Wild finish to this grass sprint and it was BURNUM, for owner James Redekop who won over Canadian Navy and D’s Perfect Soul in a tight finish. The winner was coming out of the Jacques Cartier Stakes where he was 5th and making his 4th start on the grass. Justin Stein rode.

The last race of the day was won by Big Daddy Bill but he was disqualified from first place for bumping Eye of the World in early stretch. The two ralliers reeled in Wales End, who was looking to give apprentice Jenna Bray her first career win but after opening up a 12 length lead, he could not hold on. Eye of the World is 2 for 4 this year for Gabe Grossberg and trainer Mark Casse. Luis Contreras rode.

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BURNUM (middle) by Roar of the Tiger, wins a close finish on the grass over Canadian Navy (8) and D’s Perfect Soul – Thank you to NORM FILES for another great image.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

SUNDOWNER camped on the lead in his first race since his debut in Florida and kept that spot to win this maiden allowance at 5 furlongs for Brent and Russ McLellan and trainer Stuart Simon. Luis Contreras rode the son of Speightstown who was bre din Kentucky by WinStar LLC.
Simon would win another race later on the card…

Race 2 – The Norm McKnight train continues to roll. The stable won 2 more races on Wednesday and in this maiden claiming event for $16,000 IT’S A GIZMO dropped from MSW and won by almost 5 lengths under apprentice Katy Morrison. Polo Management Services own the Giant Gizmo – Tobie Ascot by Alydeed filly who was bred b y Wendy Rose. Her time of 57.90 (68 beyer) was nearly identical to that of Sundowner inrace 1.

Race 3 – Off the turf so this 6 furlong race for $40,000 for fillies and mares shrunk in size. the winner was LIL SASHA, who was claimed from her previous race for just $12,500. Martha Gonzalez put the claim slip in for this Whywhywhy mare, who was winning for the first time since September 2012. Patrick Husbands got the mare home in 1:11.06, a 57 Beyer Figure. The mare was 13 to 1 in the 6-horse field – the 3rd place finisher Sweet Starlet had just won with a 73 Beyer while 2nd place finisher Laughing Falcon is a stakes winner.

Race 4- a maiden allowance at 9 furlongs for Ontario sired guys and it was originally scheduled for the grass. Up in the last jump was NIIGON’S TURN, the second winner for trainer Stuart Simon on the night. This is a Chiefswood Stable gelding by Niigon out of Winning Turn by Tiznow. Luis Contreras gave this guy a good steer to win his maiden in his 2nd race of this year and second start since September. The 1:52.22 for the distance translated into a 64 Beyer Figure.

race 5 – Norm Knight sent our beginner SCOTTY’S MODEL to win her debut as a 4-year-old. She is by Mr Scotty and she led all the way under Eurico da Silva.

Race 6 – UNCATCHABLE FIRE – 0 for 24 on the Polytrack in his career (2 for9 on grass) won this $11,500 claiming race for Stacey Van Camp and trainer Mike Mattine. Sheena Ryan brought this son of Niigon from just off the pace to win his 2nd start of 2014.

Race 7 – Maiden fillies at 7 furlongs and trainer Alison Crook scored her first win of the meeting with SUDDEN BID, an Alphabet Soup filly bred by Margaret Spencer. Clive Ramnauth owner’s this chestnut 3-year-old who was making her 3rd start off the layoff. David Garcia was the winning rider.

Race 8 – Favoured TARTY TO THE PARTY  had a Beyer Figure advantage and easily won the last race for trainer Sam Dipasquale  and John Terdick. Luis Contreras completed the hat trick.

 

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LIL SASHA wins an off the turf dash over Laughing Falcon. Norm Files photo

 

 

 

 

NOT BOURBON FILLY SELLS FOR $100,000

Photo: Hip #231 Not Bourbon/Tap to Music filly

Hip #231 Not Bourbon/Tap to Music filly from OBS SALE on Tuesday – Bred by Charles Fipke, sold for $100,000 to Mike Anderson Tbds (American). Photo from McKathan Bros.

 

JUNE OBS 2-YEAR-OLDS UNDERWAY Ontario-breds in the sale

 

NOT BOURBON filly brings $100,000

price Buyer   Hip               Name                                              Workout time  Breeding                     Consignor

$20,000 JAMES PEARSON 4     Bourbon’s Rahfee               10.2         F     Not Bourbon     Rahfee     Ontario     McKathan Bros., Agent I $10,000  JOHN ROSS 69     In Front I Am         –         C     Strut the Stage     Sangoma     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II

OUT 71                   24.3             C     Eskendereya     Sanibel Star     Ontario     Don R. Graham, Agent     4

$27,000 RAUT LLC    95     Seekingtheperfect  10.3                 C     Perfect Soul (IRE)     Seeking the Title     Ontario     McKathan Bros., Agent I

OUT  111     More Than Shirl    out               C     More Than Ready     Shirl’s Soul     Ontario     McKathan Bros., Agent I     6 NOT SOLD 18,000  217                   10.2             F     Bernstein     Sweet Tart     Ontario     Thoroughbred Champions Training Center LLC     18

$100,000 M RECIO FOR MIKE ANDERSON 231     Bourbon Music  10.1         F     Not Bourbon     Tap to Music     Ontario     McKathan Bros., Agent I     6

NOT SOLD 307                   10.3                F     War Cry     Very Much So     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I     19

OUT 317         F     Smart Strike     Waltzing Around (IRE)     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent V

OUT 359                 Old Forester     Woodland City (SAF)     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I     19

NOT SOLD 448                   11.1                     F     Mast Track     Beach Trick     Ontario     All Dreams Equine, Agent I     20

$8,000  S SCRENCI 488     Seymour Boy        22.1      C     Heatseeker (IRE)     Broadway Lights     Ontario     Cashel Stud, Agent forAl Falk     7 $25,000 KOID  560                   10.2         C     Marchfield     Collymore Hall     Ontario     Inside Move, Inc., Agent III     H

NOT SOLD ($37,000  569                   10.3         C     Harlan’s Holiday     Countervail     Ontario     King’s Equine, Agent XX     1

$22,000 NICK GONZALEZ  573     Skimming Milk               10.2                F     Tiago     Court Skimming     Ontario     Jose Munoz     20

$57,000 CONQUEST STABLES 605                   10.1         F     Not Bourbon     Deputy     Ontario     Scanlon Training Center, Agent I

$8,000 ANTONIA DURAN 658     Back in the Fold  10.3         F     Awesome Again     Ernfold     Ontario     Kenneth Lejeune, Agent

2 $11,000 L GIBBS 684     Now in Front       10.3         C     Utopia (JPN)     Fighten Firgie     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II     19 OUT 703     Follow Bourbon    out         F     Not Bourbon     Follow     Ontario     McKathan Bros., Agent I     6

OUT 724                   10.3         C     Quality Road     Gentle Words     Ontario     Don R. Graham, Agent     4

$57,000 HARLEQUIN RANCHES 729                   10.2               F     Macho Uno     Girl Can Rock     Ontario     Potrero Stables

14 $45,000 BRANDON RICE, AG  754                   10.2               C     Milwaukee Brew     Green Jewel     Ontario     RiceHorse Stables, Agent IX     17 NOT SOLD $5,500  761                   10.3         C     Saffir     Half a Dozen     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I     19

$15,000 COPPER WATER THBRDS.  765                   10.3         F     Discreetly Mine     Hannah Sue     Ontario     Northwest Stud, Agent I     13 OUT   784                     out         C     Curlin     Higher World     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent IX     C

$11,000 MANUEL ESTEVEZ    812                   10.4         C     Bluegrass Cat     Imaginary Gold     Ontario     King’s Equine, Agent IX     1 $4,000 FNDCC  INC.   865     Not in Front  11.0                 F     Sligo Bay (IRE)     Kiamika     Ontario     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II     19

$75,000 ADENA SPRINGS  883                   10.1         F     Medaglia d’Oro     Lady Charade     Ontario     Classic Bloodstock (Danzel Brendemuehl), Agent

FRIDAY

not sold $24,000  924     Old Fashioned Cash   10.3          C     Old Fashioned     Lochrea     Ontario     SAB Sales (Scott A. Bergsrud), Agent IV

not sold  $37,000 948                   21.2       F     Kentucky Bear     Madame Toumanova     Ontario     Jesse Hoppel     A

OUT 995                     out        F     Alumni Hall     Mine Alone     Ontario     H. B. Stable     15

$25,000 JUSTIN NIXON, FOR STEPHEN CHESNEY  1006                  11.0             F     Sligo Bay (IRE)     Miss Dragonfly     Ontario     RiceHorse Stables, Agent IX     17

NOT SOLD $32,000  1015     Fine Details 21.2     f   Bluegrass Cat     Miss Olive Oil     Ontario     JourneymanServices, Inc. (Brent & Crystal Fernung), Agent

1117              OUT          C     Midshipman     Pinafore Lady     Ontario     Tom McCrocklin, Agent III     13

1118              OUT                 C     Street Cry (IRE)     Pinafores Pride     Ontario     Niall Brennan Stables, Agent XVIII     8 1143                10.3               C     Discreetly Mine     Princessofballet     Ontario     Jesse Hoppel     A *

Horses of Racing Age 1

$27,000 NICK GONAZALEZ  1182     Clapham Heights      G     Langfuhr     Checker Hall     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I     $3,000 R FIGUERO  1189     Fairway Gardens       F     Flower Alley     Green Pond     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I

$6,000 G PATRICK 1198     Rafeen                           C     Harlington     Mosaic     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I

NOT SOLD 19,000   1209     Conquest Dancer      C     English Channel     Castelli’s Dance     Ontario     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent XV

 

I Canadian Buyers

10.4     F          Sligo Bay (IRE)     Retsina Code     Spring Dreams Thoroughbreds, Agent     John Ross     11,000

10.1     F          Scat Daddy     Roc Roe     Inside Move, Inc., Agent II     Josham Farms Limited, Agent     60,000 G

C          Warrior’s Reward     Rosie Dooley     Niall Brennan Stables, Agent III     John Ross     13,000

11.0     C          Strut the Stage     Sangoma     Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II     John Ross     10,000

10.2     F          Midnight Lute     She’s Funomenal     Eisaman Equine, Agent     Carlo Tucci     37,000   

  21.2     C          Into Mischief     Star Citizen     Blue River Bloodstock, Agent VII     Blair Miller     30,000

10.3     C          Forty Grams     Stormy Eyes     M. Perez     Campbell Wilson     3,500

21.3     F          Two Step Salsa     Survicat     de Meric Sales, Agent XXIII     Mike Doyle, Agent     10,000 22.0     G          Strut the Stage     Sutherland     Martin Rivera, Agent     Mike Doyle, Agent     3,000   

  10.2     C          More Than Ready     Authenicat     Sequel Bloodstock, Inc. (Becky Thomas), Agent     Richard Hogan, Agent     110,000

10.3     F          Discreet Cat     Certain Harmony     Grandpa’s Dream     Mike Doyle, Agent     20,000

1010         11.0     F          Sligo Bay (IRE)     Miss Irresistible     RiceHorse Stables     Christina Jelm, Agent for Nick Nosowenko     9,000
10.0     C          Half Ours     Ms Lucille     Bobby Dodd, Agent IV     Copper Water Thoroughbred Company     30,000
1182         34.2     G          Langfuhr     Checker Hall     Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I     Nick Gonzalez     27,000   
1196         33.4     C          Thewayyouare     Little Truffle     Julie Davies, Agent     J.A. Everatt-Meeuse, Agent for K-5 Stables     20,000

 

IT’S A KICK! – This Philanthropist – Arden belle yearling filly (Gracie_ is lovin life at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms

ERICKA RUSNAK PHOTOS