Yes indeed, another couple of inches of snow in the GTA ole T.O. getting its share for sure…up here in Brampton it’s heavier most time.
Just got back from putting the MARCH ISSUE of CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED TO BED – the 50th anniversary issue! It was March 1961 when CANADIAN HORSE was launched – so hopefully we will see lots of advertisers come forward and congratulate the top racing publication in the land!.
This is the FE
B. ISSUE with the popular PEDIGREE NICKS FOR CANADA STORY…
Good news from Canada horse land as QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN won his 3yo debut with a wild stretch rush. He still has the low Beyer Figures but he’s a Queen’s Plate horse so he does not have to be UNCLE-MO, like good.
JOY IN KITTEN-LAND
77 Beyer Figure in GP win
Fans of Canadian-bred QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN, foaled at Hillsborough Farm in
Ontario, were happy the jet black, mediumed sized fellow got up to win his 3yo debut yesterday at Gulfstream
Recently bought for what is believed to be in the $500,000 range by Nicholas Brady’s MILL HOUSE LLC, the Todd Pletcher trainee came from 6 lengths off a soft pace to win by just over a length in the 1 mile turf jaunt. His time was 1:36.73, a 77 Beyer Figure, a lifetime best.
The colt had a rousing turn of foot in the stretch with a bit of a high stride but he blew past while others in the race checked and steadied.
The son of Kitten’s Joy – Iteration has won on the Polytrack at Woodbine when he was racing for his breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
The Queen’s Plate is reportedly the main goal for the colt – even if the race is more than 4 months away.
From Thoroughbred Daily News: ‘That is Plan A at the moment,’ confirmed Steve Young, bloodstock advisor to Mill House=s Nicholas and James Brady, following yesterday=s impressive allowance
victory at Gulfstream. AHopefully, [previous owner/breeders] Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey got it right when
they named him. It certainly worked for Sheikh Mohammed and Dubai Millennium.’
THe PALM BEACH STAKES on march 12 is the next possible race for the Kitten.
Nicholas Brady
KENTUCKY DERBY IS 3 MONTHS AWAY
Whether you are in love with UNCLE MO (and have visited his very fun facebook page) or are just looking for that next favourite 3yo, it’s a fun time for race fans.
While Canadians hope to see a local horse head to the ‘Downs, the waters are deep.
Yesterday at Gulfstream, SHACKLEFORD won an allowance race and earned an 89 Beyer Figure. The son of Forestry may go to the Fountain of Youth next.
At Aqueduct, the sizzling TOBY’S CORNER, by Bellamy Road, won the Whirlaway for owner/breeder Diane Cotter with an 85 Beyer.
BRANCHING OUT
Good for Giant Oak, now someone get him a map! (the winner’s circle)
Quick – when was the last time that GIANT OAK, the lumbering, late running
Illinois-bred won a race – I mean actually crossed the finish line in front of
the others?
You have to go back to May 2009 and that was at Arlington on the grass. If you
look for his last main track win, it was also at Arlington, in a 4 horse field
in an allowance/optional claimer.
But there he was, the 5yo by Giant’s Causeway, bred and owned by Virginia Tarra
Trust, bumbling down the Gulfstream stretch (who said the track only plays to
speed?) and catching up to win the DONN HANDICAP over VERY tough MORNING LINE
(Tiznow) who had to use up all his energy to battle the plucky Canadian SQUARE
EDDIE, whose plans of grandeur for 2011 are likely, hopefully, put on hold now.
GIANT OAK has been a super runner over the years, it’s just that since May 2009
he has been 2nd, 3rd 4th or 5th in almost all his races such as the Breeders’
Cup Marathon, the Hawthorne Gold Cup, the Stepehen Foster, Ben Ali, New
Orleans,, etc. He’s won 5 of 24 races now, placed in 8 others and, well Crhris
Block must be quite satisfied. A Grade 1 for a horse who has been much maligned
for his nibbling habit.
Interestingly, in Giant Oak’s last race, he was placed first in the Clark Handicap after finishing 2nd by a head.
MORNING LINE, recently bought by a new co-owner, Zabeel Racing, battled all the way and just missed.
RULE was 4 wide a lot of the way while tracking what was quite a quick pace but he was hard ridden and was just even in his effort. SQUARE EDDIE wilted badly (he was last) and may be a- strictly a sprinter b-not a Grade 1 horse after all those
injuries.
FROM GULFSTREAM MEDIA NOTES:
“I had a good feeling going into the race,” trainer Chris Block said. “I’ve never seen him get up into the bridle the way he did today.”
The always-talented, sometimes frustrating Illinois-bred horse was reserved off a solid pace contested by California shipper Square Eddie on the outside and Morning Line along the inside. After vying for the lead through fractions of : 23 1/5, :46 3/5 and 1:10 2/5 for the first six furlongs, Square Eddie and Morning Line were joined by Rule and I Want Revenge to form a four-horse wall on the turn into the homestretch.
As Square Eddie faded out of the picture, Morning Line fought valiantly under John Velazquez to hold off Rule and I Want Revenge in the stretch. However, the Nick Zito-trained 4-year-old was no match for the far-outside stretch drive of Giant Oak, who had been reserved well off the early pace under a patient Shaun Bridgmohan. The stretch-running veteran ran 1-1/8 miles in 1:46 1/5. Rule, ridden by Javier Castellano, finished third, a nose behind Morning Line and a half-length ahead of I Want Revenge.
“There was plenty of speed in the race so I was able to sit back and ride a patient race,” said Bridgmohan, who traveled from Fair Grounds in New Orleans to ride Giant Oak. “He’s just really growing up. He’s come such a long way. It’s so good to see, because he’s always had a ton of ability and I’m happy that’s he’s finally getting to show that.”
CANADIAN STUFF
LEGAL MOVE, now owned by Bruno Schickedanz and trained by Yvon Belsoeur, led late in the SUPER STAKES at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday at 123 to 1! The Bold Executive horse, now 7, has not won in 17 races for Schickedanz since he bought him from Woodford Racing at auction.
The older timer has been sent from track to track (6 different recent ones) and has been in dismal form for a long time. Yesterday, he had the blinkers strapped back on and bounced back from Beyer Figures in the 40s and 60s to run an 88 and just miss winning.
EUGENE MELYNK’S homebred PATIENCE DRIVE, a Pulpit filly won another off-the-turf tilt at Fair Grounds yesterdya and paired up 9 0 Beyer Figures. The Kentucky bred took an allowance/optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles under Miguel Mena for trainer Malcolm Pierce.
The filly has won 4 of 16 races.
CUDNEY STABLES AND JOHN GUNTHER watched their homebred beginner EYE TO VICTORY win a maiden allowance at Fair Grounds yesterday and pay 33 to 1! The Eye of the Tiger – Western Reel 4yo filly ran 6 furlongs in 1:12 and earned a 68 Beyer Figure. She is a half sister to stakes placed Midnight Mischief and is trained by Helen Pitts.
MARK CASSE won the 4th race at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday with JOhn Oxley’s GAME BALL, a Sky Mesa fellow who was winning his maiden for $50K claiming.
Favoured QUECHEE, trained by ROD CONE of Alberta, was 2nd.
HPI – NOT LOCAL FAN FRIENDLY
the tings I didn’t know file…
One year ago, apparently, a plan was set in place for the watching of live video and race replays on the HPI website. If you bet x amount of dollars every week or last 90 days or month etc. you can watch all you want.
If not, you have to pay $5 for the day or $20 a month.
Unfortunately, this little item was not picked up by myself.
So, if you are a Woodbine thoroughbred player, who does not bet a lot during the off season, you are outta luck! No replays or video for you!
thank you HPI
BARBADOS GOLD CUP ENTRIES AND RESERVES
Only 12 can race in the 1 1/8 mile Gold Cup on March 5:
ANTIGUA
ELIZABUL (RESERVE)
ST. KITTS
AL PORTADOR BAD ACTION
BARBADOS
APOSTLE
BIRD WATCH (RESERVE)
CHARGE IT
DUC D FER (RESERVE)
JOHN BRIAN
MINGUN TEMPLE
PURE TEMPTATION (RESERVE)
REWARD ME
ROCAMADOUR
SHOW ME THE MONEY (RESERVE)
SPICEY TIGER (RESERVE)
ZOOM
TRINIDAD
JUST CALL ME ROGER
CANADA
EMERALD CRESCENT (RESERVE)
SAFETY ZONE
USA
JAIRZIHNO
The above proposed selections are subject to change at the time of entry, in the event that:
i. the past performance, handicap ratings, Beyer speed figures or other factors as determined by the Barbados Turf Club for a nominated horse(s) are updated;
ii. additional horse(s) qualify for entry by payment of all previous subscriptions, penalty and entry fees
JAIRZINHO, trained by Simon Callaghan, may race once more in California before he heads to the Island.
SAFETY ZONE has had his 2 prep runs at Tampa Bay. JUST CALL ME ROGER was racing for low claiming at Woodbine in the fall for Two Amigos Stable but the son of One Nice Cat likes the grass.
GOLD CUP COVERAGE IN THE BARBADOS ADVOCATE:
http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/todayspaper/default.asp
