ARTIE PARTY – Ken Ramsey (second from right) celebrated at Keeneland last fall when Canadian-bred WE MISS ARTIE won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. How will the colt do today in the Spiral Stakes? STEVE QUEEN/HORSE-RACES.NET PHOTO
Good luck to Canadians in big races today – ASSERTING BEAR for the Bear Stable, Reade Baker, WE MISS ARTIE and special hug to my buddy APPRENTICE HANOVER, at Yonkers tonight riding a 9 race winning streak…
SPIRAL AND SUNLAND, Derby preps this weekend
The Sunland Derby is worth a whopping $800,000 and is popular since MINE THAT BIRD won it on his way to the Kentucky Derby. Fitting also that the movie about the Bird, 50 to 1, opens in the US this weekend.
The Sunland Derby is in New Mexico on dirt on Sunday while the Spiral Stakes is at Turfway, Saturday on an all weather surface. The Spiral has lured horses who prefer synthetic – such as Queen’s Plate favourites WE MISS ARTIE and ASSERTING BEAR.
In the Sunland Derby, the speedy pair from trainer Bob Baffert, MIDNIGHT HAWK and CHITU, have huge Beyer Figures in the low to mid 90’s and they were 2nd and 3rd in the Robert lewis at Santa Anita recently. The colts have to prove themselves at 9 furlongs, however.
The Todd Pletcher trainee COMMISSIONER looks solid since the A.P. Indy colt won at the distance and was recently 6th in the Holy Bull against a speed bias. He will wear blinkers.
At Turfway, the $550,000 purse has lured a big field of 12. The speed will come from one of the favourites, SOLITARY RANGER, who won the Battaglia Stakes on this track and that is an advantage. I am looking at playing 3 horses in various bets: TAMARANDO, ASSERTING BEAR and WE MISS ARTIE.
Below is the Spiral field with comments:
$550,000 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes (gr. III, Race 11, 6:28 p.m. EDT), 3YOs, 1 1/8 miles (Polytrack)
PP, Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Odds
FIELD JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS COMMENT
1. Big Bazinga, L. Contreras, K Vassilieva, 30-1 – Ran better on the grass in an allowance race, not much else to say
2. Asserting Bear, J. Rocco, Jr., R Baker, 12-1 – Added blinkers for Sam Davis, weakened, returns to Polytrack (83 Beyer)
3. Poker Player, C. Hill, W Catalano, 5-1 – Harlan’s Holiday colt comes from far back, has run well at Turfway
4. Tamarando, R. Baze, J Hollendorfer, 3-1 – already has $625K in bank, has 91 and 93 Beyers, he’s a monster
5. Coastline, S. Elliott, M Casse, 8-1 – on edges at Oaklawn, is 1 for 1 on Polytrack, may not like distance
6. Smart Cover, C. Lanerie, D L Romans, 20-1 – 11th on turf in return, beat Tapiture last year when 2nd in Iroquois on dirt
7. All Tied Up, L. Saez, T A Pletcher, 12-1 bby Even the Score, has only ever run on turf, was behind Bazinga last time
8. Solitary Ranger, F. Geroux, W M Catalano, 6-1 – Speedball by US Ranger won the Battaglia on this track recently
9. Almost Famous, C. Borel, P Byrne, 6-1 – beaten 31 lengths in 2 stakes in Florida, tends to be speed runner
10. Harry’s Holiday, R. Napravnik, M J Maker, 20-1 – sprint winner was 3rd to Solitary Ranger
11. We Miss Artie, J. Velazquez, T A Pletcher, 4-1 – 87 Beyer in grass return, bombed in Fountain/Youth last time, likes Poly
12. Arctic Slope, A. Jimenez, K G McPeek, 30-1 – 2nd Lasix, 3rd to Artie at KEE last fall, returns from vacation
All assigned 123 pounds.
THE STEVE ASMUSSEN /PETA STORY
” The video, however unfair, is sickening in its coarseness and callousness. Racing’s supposed leaders and spokesmen need to formulate a swift and strong response, exposing the more ludicrous insinuations and addressing those with any merit.” – Steve Crist, Daily Racing Form
Thoroughblog comment:
Having read through and viewed the material on Steve Asmussen, Scott Blasi, Gary Stevens, D. Wayne Lukas, etc, that is currently out there, released by the New York Times from PETA it is easy to feel bad for the good horsepeople.
There are thousands of caring and intelligent owners, trainers, grooms, assistant trainers in this sport. Certainly there are Lasix shots and vitamin shots, Bute and more. The PETA video is not showing a lot of procedures that the racing indsutry would be surprised about. Indeed, the context in which some of these snippets is shown has to be considered. And just who is this PETA investigator who is having dinner with Stevens and Lukas and getting all these folks to tall her shocking stories (pardon the pun)?
The video is not fun to watch and the majority of responses in conversations and on social media are not against PETA’s motivation but against the subjects themselves.
Asmussen has already lost his Hall of Fame nomination. Zayat Stables scratched horses from racing yesterday, the ones trained by Asmussen.
Thoroughblog is interested in discussing the following points:
1 – Large, conglomerate, factory-like racing stables – how can any one trainer – or the owner, know what is going on with their horse? Can a horse really get proper, individual care in these situations? The Asmussen story is not happening at every stable, certainly, but it allows one to consider why owners with the big money, simply want to go to the conditioners with the big stats, because they have the most horses, the best horses?
And why don’t owners scrutinize vet bills? If the bills are huge, are owners simply paying them and hoping for a win?
(and no, the suggestion is not that smaller stables don’t try and push the limits of drugs as well)
2 – Steve Asmussen hiring people and then making them change their names? really? That in itself could be the biggest mess he is in from this.
3 – No matter when it happened, listening to Gary Stevens talk about buzzing a horse is very, very disappointing to true, passionate racing fans who have cheered on his horses (and him), for years.
4 – It is not against the law to use profanity in every second word, but Scott Blasi is simply dreadful in the videos. He did not know he was on film, that is the real Scott Blasi. What owner wants these types of people around their horses?
5 – It has been 2 days and we await comment from someone. Asmussen, Stevens, Ricardo Santana – he being the jockey who is called the ‘machine’ rider…if he denies it, then shouldn’t he have already demanded an apology from Asmussen and team? Why the silence?
MARCH FASIG TIPTON 2YO SALE MARCH 24 – at Adena Springs, Fla.
Ontario breds in the sale with workout times from the gallop show:
11 3/5 12 C ESKENDEREYA SANIBEL STAR UNBRIDLED’S SONG ONTARIO 7 DON R. GRAHAM AGENT
10 3/5 97 F MUNNINGS FAUX PAS (IRE) SADLER’S WELLS ONTARIO 2 CRUPI’S NEW CASTLE FARM
10 3/5 105 C QUALITY ROAD GENTLE WORDS BERTRANDO ONTARIO 7 DON R. GRAHAM AGENT
10 1/5 122 F MEDAGLIA D’ORO LADY CHARADE PULPIT ONTARIO 7 CLASSIC BLOODSTOCK (DANZEL BRENDEMUEHL) AGENT
125 NOMINEES TO CANADIAN TRIPLE CROWN
(horses can still be supplemented for a fee up to entry day)
WE MISS ARTIE, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, is the early favourite for the Queen’s Plate on July 6 according to odds released by Woodbine last week. The Ontario bred colt was listed at 4 to 1 in the winterbook odds and he is one of several early favourites trainer Todd Pletcher has had for the Plate.
Interestingly, Pletcher, who has not trained for the Ramsey’s for very long, trained Ramsey-bred QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN for Mill House and the colt was 5th in the 2011 Plate.
We Miss Artie was picked out by Mark Partridge at auction and he cost $90,000. Ramsey, a fan of Canadian racing, has often said he would like to win the Plate (he just won Barbados’ biggest race, the Gold Cup) and Artie does seem to like Polytrack better than dirt.
Here are some previous winterbook favourites –
Fun with early Queen’s Plate favourites from years past:
2006 UNIFICATION 4-1
Wanna Runner 6-1
Edenwold 8-1
2007 TWILIGHT METEOR 3-1
LEONNATUS ANTEAS 5-1
COBRADOR 8-1
2008 COOL GATOR 4-1
DEPUTIFORMER 6-1
HARLEM ROCKER 8-1
2009 SQUARE EDIIE
2) Utterly Cool 6-1
3) Active Duty 10-1
2010 HOLLINGER – 5-2
Hotep – 7-2
Giant’s Tomb – 5-1
2011 INGLORIOUS 4-1
QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN 5-1
BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY 6-1
2012 Dixie Strike (f) 4-1
Menlo Castle 9-2
Hard Not to Like (f) 6-1
2013 – NO WINTERBOOK
2014 nominees: Top owners by # of nominees
STRONACH STABLES – 14 nominees
SAM-SON – 7
JOHN OXLEY – 5
COLEBROOK FARMS – 3
IVAN DALOS – 3
Trainers
Mark Casse 11
Roger Attfield 9
Malcom Pierce 7
Robert Tiller 7
Brian Lynch 6
Sires
Giant Gizmo 10
Milwaukee Brew 7
Sligo Bay (GB) 4
FULL LIST
Horses Sire Dam owner Trainer
Alpha High Alphabet Soup Highland Mood Norseman Racing Stable Sid Attard
Alyshan Alydeed Shaniah Beau Valley Stable Barclay Tagg
Ami’s Holiday Harlan’s Holiday Victorius Ami Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
Angry Moon Langfuhr Half Sister Silverton Hill LLC Eddie Kenneally
Aragorn Ami (f) Aragorn (IRE) Galloping Ami Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
Ascot Martin Seeking the Dia Ascot Gold Beclawat Stable Michael Keogh
Asserting Bear Bear’s Kid Star Guest Bear Stables Ltd. Reade Baker
Athenian Guard Leonnatus Anteas Chopinina A & L Racing Stables Inc. Michael De Paulo
Awesome Secret (f) Awesome Again Karakorum Starlet Eaton Hall Farm & M.J. Doyle Racing Stable Ltd. Michael Doyle
Bandamba Giant Gizmo Bacall Janet Black and Devonleigh Farm Ian Black
Bangkok Street Hero Get It Straight Gail Wood and Dr. Ruth Barbour W. Phillip Gracey
Bear’s Reality Kentucky Bear Princess G Bear Stables Ltd. Reade Baker
Best Country Best of the Bests (IRE) Concert Country Roger Laurin Roger Laurin
Blazing Zack Sligo Bay (IRE) Heavenly Launch Victoria Meadows and Partners Peter Berringer
Bourbon Man Touch Gold Dusty Rose Stronach Stables N/A
Brew On the Beach Milwaukee Brew Cawaja Beach Hard Eight Stables In. & Ace Racing Stable Inc. Scott Fairlie
Butilovesyababe Rebellion (GB) Loose Talk Box Arrow Farm Gordon Colbourne
Butterfly Strike Smart Strike Scarlet Butterfly Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Candy Passion Candy Ride (ARG) Gentle Words Tony Barraco, Dario Bernardi, John Cavalli and Mersad Metanovic Jeff Bonde
Cap in Hand Midnight Lute Heyahohowdy Tucci Stables Sid Attard
Chiefroll’nthunder Perfect Soul (IRE) Thislillightofmine Charles Fipke Roger Attfield
Chique to Chique (f) Oratorio (IRE) Good Religion Dympna Deegan Roger Attfield
Chris’ Brew Milwaukee Brew Include Katherine Terra Racing Stable Kevin Attard
Christmascowboy Cowboy Cal Such a Flirt Ballycroy Training Centre Paul Attard
Classic Brew Medaglia d’Oro Ginger Brew Stronach Stables Brian Lynch
Clearer View Tapit Cleopatra’s Needle Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Coltimus Prime Milwaukee Brew Certainly Special Cabernet Racing Stables Justin Nixon
Cool Coyote (f) Pleasant Tap Coy Coyote LKB Stables and Harlequin Ranches Roger Attfield
Countryman Kitten’s Joy Oh What a Feeling Gary Barber & WinStar Farm LLC Mark Casse
Dancinwithdunkirk Dunkirk Regal Locket Triple K Stables David Cotey
Danzig Storm Distorted Humor La Suena John Oxley Mark Casse
Deep Digger Giacomo Glengarra Stronach Stables Patrick Gallagher
Demon Buster Ghostzapper Cathrine’s Hope Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
Diamond’s Attorney (f) Crown Attorney Bearnaise Carey Dumele, Robert Hardie and Julie Belhumeur Julie Belhumeur
Drink in My Hand Giant Gizmo Echo’s Edge Donver Stable Josie Carroll
East Side English Channel Russian Sweetiepie Stoneway Farm Mark Casse
Eighty Nine Red Bold Executive Timeless Silver John Russell & George Schramm Michael De Paulo
Endeavor’s Dream Endeavor Poet’s Dream Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
Figy’s Mobil Pride Mobil Tomorrow’s Honey Fig Star Stables Inc. Vito Armata
Fireball Merlin Curlin Princess Ruckus Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
Free to Dance Unbridled’s Song Dance to the Sea Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Get Out of Town Unbridled’s Song Fleet of Foot Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Go Bro Proud Citizen Six Sexy Sisters Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
Golden Jiggs Jiggs Coz Shizuka Don Myers Sid Attard
Got Game Grand Slam Like a Gem Hillsbrook Farms Michael Matz
Grom Silent Name (JPN) Druidess 1824782 Ontario Inc. Robert Gerl
Handsome Charlie Kitten’s Joy Purple Princess Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
Hantaloop (f) Giant’s Causeway Delmarva Robert Evans Roger Attfield
Heart to Heart English Channel Ask the Question Terry Hamilton Brian Lynch
Hiking Buddy North Light (IRE) Sierra Vista (GB) Stronach Stables Reade Baker
Hot Hot Heat Pulpit Dancehall Floozy Dennis Narlinger Al Stall, Jr.
Humble Hero Kitten’s Joy Ryan’s Inheritance Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
I Deliver Giant Gizmo Malibu Sunshine D. Lockhurst, R. Woods and D. H. Harms Ronald Woods
Indian Guide Cowboy Cal Awesome Lass Pin Oak Stable Mark Casse
Interpol English Channel Adel Dennis Narlinger H. Graham Motion
Iron Wolf Marcavelly Iron Feather Winview Racing Stable Pat Parente
Johnny Bear English Channel In Return Colebrook Farms Ashlee Brnjas
Jolly Dancer Singing Saint Dancing Cherokee Stronach Stables Brian Lynch
Keen Gizmo Giant Gizmo Keen Victory Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
Lady Rockport (f) Rockport Harbor Creative Lady Joseph and Dennis Baldesarra Paul Attard
Lapsang (f) Smoke Glacken Genska J & J Pollard, P. McLean, P. Yu & Silver Duck Racing Stables Suzanne Drake
Latin Piper Niigon Lone Piper Chiefswood Stable Rachel Halden
Leif Erikson Henrythenavigator Gumboots Eaton Hall Farm Michael Doyle
Lemon Sakhee (f) Lemon Drop Kid Khazayin John Gunther, Eurowest Bloodstock Services and Tony Chedraoul Stephen Lyster
Lewis Vale Flower Alley Indian Vale Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. Mark Casse
Lions Bay Sligo Bay (IRE) Lions Raw M. Earle, N. Earle, V. Earle & J. Earle Jamie Attard
Llanarmon (f) Sky Mesa Gold Strike Harlequin Ranches Roger Attfield
Lynx Curlin Silver Bird Peachtree Stable Roger Attfield
Macho Mio Macho Uno Damask Rose Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
Majestic Sunset Artie Schiller Sunset Cocktail John Oxley Mark Casse
Man Cave Leonnatus Anteas Precious Jade Colebrook Farms Ashlee Brnjas
Mangusta Street Boss Ethan’s Car Theodore Burnett Michael Mattine
Maritime Pulpit Pulpit Maritime Passion Benjamin Hutzel Michael De Paulo
Matador Malibu Moon I’m Breathtaking John Oxley Mark Casse
Meehan Corinthian Kenzo Jim Lawson Sid Attard
Milwaukee Flash Milwaukee Brew Flashy Consort C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd. Michael Doyle
Money Talks Mobil Willow Woodman R.P.I. Stables, Natural Eight Stable, F. Harrison & P. McLaughlin William Tharrenos
Mystery Tower Tale of the Cat Screamer John Oxley Mark Casse
Mythos Milwaukee Brew Classy Credentials Stronach Stables Reade Baker
Niigon Express Niigon Harlan Express Chiefswood Stable Paul Attard
Oil Strike Bernardini Double Date John Oxley Mark Casse
On Top of the Bay Paynes Bay Meetyouatthetop Mario Maver Mario Maver
One Destiny Dance to Destiny One On Tap Winston Penny & Partner Alec Fehr
Overtone (f) Smart Strike Danceroftherealm (GB) Stoneway Farm Mark Casse
Pagan Power Ghostzapper Ariege Stronach Stables Brian Lynch
Paladin Bay (f) Sligo Bay (IRE) Stormin Wife Jessie Ladouceur Harold Ladouceur
Pentameter Tiz Wonderful Poetically Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farms Ian Black
Platinum Glory Dunkirk Tell No One John Di Scola Michael De Paulo
Proroguing Silent Name (JPN) Executive Mist Frank Di Giulio, Jr. Robert Tiller
Rebellion On Tap Rebellion (GB) Tapping N Turning Heste Sport Inc. Mario Maver
Red Fever Where’s the Ring Cat Fever Norseman Racing Stable John Mattine
Rhythm Blues Tale of the Cat Its a Ruby Hillsbrook Farms Michael Matz
Robs Giant Gizmo Giant Gizmo Queen of Queens Michelle Love Michelle Love
Rumble Time After Market Flashy Thunder Roger Attfield Roger Attfield
Shaft of Light Smart Strike Silver Adventure Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Sharp Stick Sharp Humor Miami Dreams Fred Allor and Brian Lynch Racing Ltd. Brian Lynch
Sleepy P Niigon My Real Quiet Lady Colebrook Farms Ashlee Brnjas
Smart Spree Smart Strike Celebrate George Strawbridge, Jr. Mark Frostad
Snowy Legacy Milwaukee Brew London Snow Kirk Bradden Stables Inc. John Charalambous
Something Awesome Awesome Again Somethinaboutlaura Stronach Stables John Shirreffs
Spadina Road Where’s the Ring Scarlet’s Castle Rolph Davis Robert Tiller
Spanish River Giant Gizmo War River Ruvee Stables Frank Huarte
Speightsong Speightstown Song of the Lark Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Spin the King Giant Gizmo Muriel J. M. Stritzl Stable Brian Lynch
Splashy Gizmo (f) Giant Gizmo Splash of Gold Nicholas Nosowenko Nicholas Nosowenko
Stockwatcher Bold Executive Miriam L Hurley Racing Stable Josie Carroll
Storm Now (f) Tiznow Storm Tide Robert Evans Roger Attfield
Super Pit Old Forester Gold Lined James and Janeane Everatt Katerina Vassilieva
Tap to the Street Street Cry (IRE) Tap to Music Charles Fipke Nicholas Zito
Ten to Ace Sligo Bay (IRE) Miss Laine 3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd. Robert Tiller
The Final Verse Arch Words of Royalty Anne & William Scott Paul Nielsen
The Great Gizmo Giant Gizmo Great Gazoo Rolph Davis Robert Tiller
The Imposter Wilko Our Girl Harmony Robert Tiller Robert Tiller
The Lip Spring At Last Coursing Susan Stewart Kelly Callaghan
Tiz Wiz Tiznow Intangaroo Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
Tower of Texas Street Sense Rare Opportunity Thomas Van Meter II and Scott Dilworth Roger Attfield
Try Flying Tiznow Dance With Doves Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
Tulio’s Brew Milwaukee Brew Yolie Frank Di Giulio, Jr. Robert Tiller
Two Stellas Philanthropist Sara Six Pack Denny Andrews Michael De Paulo
Unikat Galileo (IRE) Dreamtheimpossible Stronach Stables Kiaran McLaughlin
Wanstead Gardens Flower Alley Vaulcluse Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. Mark Casse
We Miss Artie Artie Schiller Athena’s Gift Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey Todd Pletcher
Weekend Affair Belong to Me Staid Lou Tucci Sid Attard
Winning Shot Giant Gizmo Tenjectory 3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd. Robert Tiller
Zensational Josh Zensational Clairlyn R.M.C. Stable Daniel Vella
Mythical odds can be found here:
http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/Woodbine/RaceTrackNewsPage.aspx?NewsId=c23544fe-c719-429e-b78c-f12c97c295f4
