BREEDERS’ CUP COUNTDOWN – 8 DAYS!!

The release of the 180 pre entries yesterday for Breeders’ Cup 29, in California at Santa Anita this year, is always an exciting time for racing lovers worldwide.
Races are scrutinized, pedigrees examined, trips and speed figures compared. It’s a giant smorgasbord of racing fun and we have 8 days to sift through the stuff.

Woodbine and Canada have some to cheer for – we still wait for a year when we have some really good ones like the days of Dance Smartly, Sky Classic, Play the King, Afleet.

There are Canadian breds entered, Woodbine based horses entered (6), Canadian owned entrants and yes, BOURBON BAY is by Ontario sire SLIGO BAY (IRE)!!

Hey, it’s like I have been taught over the years covering racing from Ontario, we’ll claim a horse of our own if we can!

SPRING IN THE AIR who is in a small field for the Juvenile Fillies, is 6 to 1, and SPRING VENTURE, in the Juvenile Filly Turf, is also 6 to 1. MARKETING MIX, in the Filly and Mare Turf, is a major contender in her race.

THOROUGHBLOG has rated the top 10 Cup chances on the home page of the ‘Blog – what do you think?

Each blog post leading up to the Cup I am going to put a replay on of my favourite Breeders’ Cup moments – most will be from Cups I attended (about 10 of the 29).

I started with this little gem that still gives me goosebumps and is one of the most incredible races I have ever seen (was watching from the Churchill Downs balcony from the press box, it was dreary and rainy…

Unreal, simply unreal.

 

CLASSIC FIELD

Horse Sire Trainer

Alpha Bernardini McLaughlin
Brilliant Speed Dynaformer Albertrani
Dullahan Even the Score Romans
Flat Out Flatter Mott
Fort Larned E Dubai Wilkes
Game On Dude Awesome Again Baffert
Handsome Mike Scat Daddy O’Neill
Mucho Macho Man Macho Uno Ritvo
Nonios Pleasantly Perfect Hollendorfer
Pool Play Silver Deputy Casse
Richard’s Kid Lemon Drop Kid O’Neill
Royal Delta (f) Empire Maker Mott
Ron the Greek Full Mandate Mott
To Honor and Serve Bernardini Mott

DELTA is one of the beta horses in the Cup – Royal Delta, wow, which race will she go in?

Cindy Pierson Dulay photo

 

 

CANADIAN ENTRANTS

BREEDERS’ CUP MARATHON

COMMANDER – North American Th Horse Company Troy Taylor – BC’S latest monster horse!

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. FILLY TURF

NANCY O – Bob Costigan-Carolyn Costigan Borders Racing

SPRING VENTURE – Woodbine based, Mark Casse

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES

SPRING IN THE AIR _ Canadian bred, Mark Casse trained

BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

MARKETING MIX – Canadian bred Sean Fitzhenry

 

BREEDERS’ CUP LADIES CLASSIC

AWESOME FEATHER – Stronach Stables

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. TURF

KNOW MORE – Paul Reddam owner

HE’S HAD ENOUGH – Paul Reddam owner

 

FILLY& MARES SPRINT

SELF PRESERVATION – Paul Reddam

 

BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE

DELEGATION – Woodbine, Mark Casse

HANDSOME MIKE Paul Reddam

JERSEY TOWN Charles Fipke

SECOND CITY – Reddam

 

BREEDERS’CUP TURF SPRINT

BRIDGETOWN – Eugene Melnyk

BOXEUR DE RUES – Paul Reddam

 

BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE

DYNAMIC SKY – Canadian bred, Woodbine – Mark Casse

HE’S HAD ENOUGH

KNOW MORE

 

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF

COGITO Paul Reddam

 

BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT

SECOND CITY

BOXEUR DES RUES

 

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

HANDSOME MIKE

POOL PLAY – Canadian-bred, Woodbine Mark Casse

 

SCHEDULE AND MORE FROM WWW.HORSE-RACES.NET!

http://www.horse-races.net/library/bc12-preview.htm

 

STEVEN CRIST’S CHEAT SHEET

Cool link from DAILY RACING FORM for getting ready for Cup handicapping!

http://www.drf.com/blogs/heres-your-breeders-cup-pre-entry-cheat-sheet

 

MELNYK’S SPEIGHTSTOWN leads all sires by Cup entrants:

Sires with 3 or more pre-entered

6 Speightstown

Bridgetown TS
Delegation DM
Fast Bullet S
Jersey Town DM
Poseidon’s Warrior S
Sum of the Parts S

5 Pulpit

Gantry S
Global Power TS
Power Broker J
Super Ninety Nine JS
Title Contender J

4 Distorted Humor

Artigiano JT
Fortify J
Jimmy Creed S/DM
Second City S/DM

Giant’s Causeway

Cogito T
Corporate Jungel TS
Fed Biz DM
Worth Repeating Mar

Lemon Drop Kid
Balance the Books JT
Juniper Pass Mar
Kindergarden Kid T
Richard’s Kid C

Unbridled’s Song

Balladry Mar
Emcee S/DM
Noble Tune JT
Unbridled’s Note TS

 

PHILANTHROPIST ‘very content’

John Freeman, bloodstock consultant for Drakenstein Stud, sent phtoos of top Canadian sire PHILANTHROPIST in his new home and had the following comments:

He has settled in very well and is looking good.
He is still a bit lighter than they’d want him after the long flight but he loves his new home (one of the most beautiful stud farms in the world) and he has made many friends on the farm. I visited yesterday and took pics of him taking his daily walk with the farms other top sire Trippi who had his first 2yo runners here last year – doing very well. He has a wonderful temperament and looks very content.

 

PHILANTHROPIST checks out TRIPPI at Drakenstein Stud in South Africe

photo courtesy of John Freeman

 

 

Breeders’ Cup creates ‘Text to Donate’ for retired horses

In its continuing support of a national program for  retired racehorses, the Breeders’ Cup announced Tuesday that it has created a “Text  to Donate” campaign, through Give by Cell, to allow fans to contribute to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

Breeders’ Cup, along with The Jockey Club and Keeneland Association, provided initial seed money to start TAA, which is dedicated to serving as an accrediting body for aftercare facilities for Thoroughbreds following their racing careers and as a funding body to support these approved facilities across North America.

This year, fans, whether at Santa Anita Park for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, November 2-3, or watching the races at home or at an offsite facility, can text donations from their mobile devices to the TAA. They can do so by sending “FUNDTAA” to the text number 56512 (message and data rates may apply).

“The ‘Text to Donate’ program is a great way for all of us who love and care deeply about the Thoroughbred racehorse to show our appreciation for these great athletes after their racing days are over,” said Bob Elliston, Breeders’ Cup Chief Operating Officer. “Breeders’ Cup is very proud to get behind TAA on a national scale, through our World Championships, and bring attention to this vital cause of helping sustain a long term program of aftercare and retraining of the racehorse.”

“The only way that TAA can be successful is if everyone who benefits from the horse contributes,” said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the TAA. “The Breeders’ Cup has developed a great way for racing fans to participate.”

The Breeders’ Cup will further commit to the TAA program by promoting “Text to Donate” through public service announcements on the world television feed of the Breeders’ Cup races, and on site at Santa Anita through public address announcements, message boards and in track program advertising.

 

FASIG TIPTON OCTOBER SALE DAYS 2 AND 3

Purchases made by Canadians

ARDELL SAYLER from Manitoba has been busy, as has DEBMAR STABLES (Glenn Harvey and Stephen Duffield), listed is sex, breeding, consignor and buyer/price.

 

F     REBELLION (GB)     SEVRUGA     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT XII        ARDELL SAYLER     $2,000
F     INDYGO SHINER     SILVERY STAR     BRANDYWINE FARM (JIM & PAM ROBINSON) AGENT FOR LIBERATION FARM & BRANDYWINE FARM        CLAYTON GRAY, AGENT     $5,000
C     STREET SENSE     SLEW THE DRAGONESS     BRANDYWINE FARM (JIM & PAM ROBINSON) AGENT FOR LIBERATION FARM & BRANDYWINE FARM        CLAYTON GRAY, AGENT     $4,000
C     STORMY ATLANTIC     SOUTHERN TOUR     BILL MURPHY AGENT I        DEBMAR STABLES     $26,000
F     MIDNIGHT LUTE     STAR OF JOHAR     BLUEGRASS THOROUGHBRED SERVICES INC. (JOHN STUART) AGENT IX        DEBMAR STABLES     $15,000

509     C     OLD FASHIONED     STAR OPERATOR     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXIV        RICKIE GRIFFITH, AGENT     $18,000
F     AFLEET ALEX     STRATEGY     BLUEGRASS THOROUGHBRED SERVICES INC. (JOHN STUART) AGENT III        MARK CASSE, AGENT     $130,000
C     COWBOY CAL     SUNNY AND WILD     HIDDEN BROOK AGENT VIII        ARDELL SAYLER     $4,000 PS
C     OLD FASHIONED     SWEET CAROLINA     SELECT SALES AGENT        ARDELL SAYLER FOR PAUL BRANDT     $11,000 PS
F     STORMY ATLANTIC     TALKIN INDIAN     DENALI STUD (CRAIG & HOLLY BANDOROFF) AGENT FOR EDITION FARM        DEBMAR STABLES     $45,000

F     FUSAICHI PEGASUS     THIS IS DIXIE     BROOKDALE SALES AGENT        ARDELL SAYLER     $11,500
F     STEPHEN GOT EVEN     TOUCH OF HONOR     MORRIS B. FLOYD & CHUCK GIVENS AGENT        BUTTIGIEG TRAINING CENTER     $10,000
C     SKY MESA     TROPHY     DROMOLAND FARM INC. AGENT I        MARK CASSE, AGENT     $62,500 PS
C     ROCKPORT HARBOR     VALID BONNET     BETZ THOROUGHBREDS INC. AGENT        JOHN CHARALAMBOUS     $25,000
F     ROCKPORT HARBOR     VICAR’S VIXEN     GARRENCASEY SALES LLC AGENT        SHAWN MINSHALL     $22,000

F     SPRING AT LAST     WEB     GAINESWAY AGENT        SHERRY MCLEAN     $18,500
C     E DUBAI     WHITELACENPROMISES     MILL RIDGE SALES AGENT FOR JAMES A. FRASER & JANE N. FRASER        RALPH BIAMONTE/J HOPPEL, AGT     $30,000
C     DUNKIRK     ADAM’S TIME     EQUUS FARM (JERRY CUMMINS/PAUL ADAMS) AGENT II        PAUL BRANDT/ ARDELL SAYLER AGT     $21,000
722     C     STORMELLO     ALI’S CHARGER     FOUR STAR SALES AGENT        CLAYTON GRAY     $8,000
C     SKY MESA     AMAZING SPEED     THREE CHIMNEYS SALES AGENT        MARK CASSE, AGENT     $80,000
C     SHOWING UP     AQUALINA     DENALI STUD (CRAIG & HOLLY BANDOROFF) AGENT IV        ARDELL SAYLER     $6,500

C     FLOWER ALLEY     AUTUMN MOON     MONTICULE LLC        MARK CASSE, AGENT     $10,000
F     TIAGO     BEACH TRICK     ADENA SPRINGS AGENT III        MIKE DOYLE, AGENT     $6,200
F     ROCKPORT HARBOR     BEER BARONESS     MILL RIDGE SALES AGENT        RICKY GRIFFITH, AGENT     $9,000
F     MASTER COMMAND     BELLE’S HOME     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XVII        ROBERT TILLER, AGENT     $20,000
F     BERNSTEIN     CHECKER HALL     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII        NICK GONZALEZ     $10,000

F     SHOWING UP     COCONUT CREAM     ADENA SPRINGS        MIKE DOYLE, AGENT     $17,000
C     EL CORREDOR     COMARILLO     BRANDYWINE FARM (JIM & PAM ROBINSON) AGENT FOR LIBERATION FARM & BRANDYWINE FARM        CLAYTON GRAY, AGENT     $20,000
C     LEMON DROP KID     COZZEKIKI     HIDDEN BROOK AGENT        NICK GONZALEZ     $7,500
944     C     CITY ZIP     COZZY LOVE     KNOCKGRIFFIN FARM AGENT        CEC FARMS     $15,000
C     SPRING AT LAST     DAYSOFWEBNROSES     THREE CHIMNEYS SALES AGENT        NICK GONZALEZ     $23,000
C     YES IT’S TRUE     ELUSIVE     BROOKDALE SALES AGENT FOR AUDLEY FARM EQUINE        ARDELL SAYLER     $15,000

F     CIRCULAR QUAY     EUROPIUM     SELECT SALES AGENT        DEBMAR STABLES     $20,000
C     E DUBAI     EZ MOVER     BROOKDALE SALES AGENT FOR EPONA EQUINE LLC        NICK GONZALEZ     $12,000
F     SPRING AT LAST     FRAN’S FLASH     BLUEGRASS THOROUGHBRED SERVICES INC. (JOHN STUART) AGENT VI        NICK GONZALEZ     $5,700
C     CURLIN     HIGHTSHIFT     NARDELLI SALES AGENT IV & STONESTREET THOROUGHBRED HOLDINGS LLC        DEBMAR STABLES     $30,000
F     NORTHERN AFLEET     IN THE BRIDLE     KATIERICH FARMS        DEBMAR STABLES     $4,200

 

ONTARIO-BREDS IN SALE:
Purchase price precedes listing

$5,000    11     C     BERNARDINI     KINGSLAND     MR. PROSPECTOR     ONTARIO     5     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
$10,000 13     C     MILWAUKEE BREW     KISSIN KENDALL     LEMON DROP KID     ONTARIO     12     TOP LINE SALES LLC AGENT FOR DEVONLEIGH FARM
NOT SOLD 134     F     ROMAN RULER     MINSTREL SHOW     TALE OF THE CAT     ONTARIO     B     RED GABLES STUD LLC AGENT II
$17,500 147     C     SLIGO BAY (IRE)     MISS LAINE     GOLDEN MISSILE     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT VI
$20,000 163     C     MILWAUKEE BREW     MONEY MY HONEY     RED BULLET     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS

$30,000 166     F     HARLINGTON     MOONSHINE GAL     FOREST WILDCAT     ONTARIO     5     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
OUT 179     C     MILWAUKEE BREW     MURANI     DISTORTED HUMOR     ONTARIO     7     SELECT SALES AGENT
$30,000 188     C     TALE OF THE CAT     MYSTERIOUS LINA (FR)     LINAMIX (FR)     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$30,000 210     C     SONGANDAPRAYER     NORTHERN BABE     POLISH NUMBERS     ONTARIO     D     BROOKDALE SALES AGENT
$7,500   215     C     CAT DREAMS     NUMERIEUS (FR)     NUMEROUS     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
OUT 224     C     BOB AND JOHN     ON MY RADAR     LIGHTNIN N THUNDER     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V

NOT SOLD 246     F     MINESHAFT     PEACE DREAM (FR)     LINAMIX (FR)     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$5,000 258     F     PLEASANTLY PERFECT     PETITE ELITE     FUSAICHI PEGASUS     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$5,200 291     F     ARAGORN (IRE)     PROFESSORA     GULCH     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
NOT SOLD 297     F     FIRST DEFENCE     QUALITY LABEL     ELUSIVE QUALITY     ONTARIO     C     BELVEDERE FARM INC. (MARTY TAKACS) AGENT I
NOT SOLD 313     C     MAJESTIC WARRIOR     QUINTESSA     TOUCH GOLD     ONTARIO     10     ROMANS RACING & SALES AGENT

NOT SOLD (90)322     C     STREET SENSE     RARE OPPORTUNITY     DANZIG CONNECTION     ONTARIO     D     VANMETER SALES AGENT II
NOT SOLD (27) 383     C     BLUEGRASS CAT     SANIBEL STAR     UNBRIDLED’S SONG     ONTARIO     D     VANMETER SALES AGENT X
NOT SOLD 390     F     HAT TRICK (JPN)     SARALUNA     UNBRIDLED’S SONG     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V

NOT SOLD 440     F     GIANT GIZMO     SHOW BIZ     CANDY STRIPES     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT II
$10,000 501     C     LEONNATUS ANTEAS     SPRING FAIR     COZZENE     ONTARIO     6     SUSAN Y. FOREMAN AGENT
$24,000 530     F     REBELLION (GB)     SUGAR PLUM GIRL     LEMON DROP KID     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT XII
out618     F     CORINTHIAN     TSUU T’INA     DONERAILE COURT     ONTARIO     A     MILLENNIUM FARMS AGENT IV
$6,000 620     C     FLOWER ALLEY     TWEEDSIDE     THUNDER GULCH     ONTARIO     5     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII

not sold (49) 624      C     STUDENT COUNCIL     TYNE     AWESOME AGAIN     ONTARIO     6     WILLIAM B. HARRIGAN (MIACOMET FARM LTD.) AGENT

$90,000 715     C     ENGLISH CHANNEL     ADEL     STRAWBERRY ROAD (AUS)     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT IV
1,700 718     C     WILKO     AFFLUENT APPEAL     KELLY KIP     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
out 734     F     SHOWING UP     AMANDOLA     EL PRADO (IRE)     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
not sold  (59) 785     F     LEMON DROP KID     BANGA RIDGE     SNOW RIDGE     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT VII

47,000 837     C     YES IT’S TRUE     BOJANGLE NOW     TIZNOW     ONTARIO     C     OAK LODGE USA LLC AGENT I

not sold (29) 842     F     READY’S IMAGE     BONNYVILLE     SALT LAKE     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
$100,000 883     C     PIONEEROF THE NILE     CELTIC CRAFT     DANEHILL     ONTARIO     3     WARRENDALE SALES AGENT III
not sold (23) 893     F     OFFICER     CHARMING STORY     PINE BLUFF     ONTARIO     C     BELVEDERE FARM INC. (MARTY TAKACS) AGENT IV
$10,000 895     F     BERNSTEIN     CHECKER HALL     SEEKING THE GOLD     ONTARIO     5     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
out 898     C     JUMP START     CHERISH DESTINY     GRAND SLAM     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V

$110,000 902     F     SPEIGHTSTOWN     CHRISTIE VILLAGE     DEPUTY MINISTER     ONTARIO     5     TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
out 909     C     ZENSATIONAL     CLAIRLYN     BOLD EXECUTIVE     ONTARIO     8     HUNTER VALLEY FARM AGENT
not sold (16) 913     F     DYNAFORMER     CLASSIC BREEZE     REGAL CLASSIC     ONTARIO     9     KAIZEN SALES (RICHARD KENT) AGENT

$17,000 921     F     SHOWING UP     COCONUT CREAM     TOUCH GOLD     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
$1,000 956     C     REBELLION (GB)     DAMIANA     FOREST CAMP     ONTARIO     D     ST GEORGE SALES AGENT XII
$6,700  960     C     GIACOMO     DANCING BIRD     LEMON DROP KID     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
OUT 992     F     BEAR’S KID     DIDANA (IRE)     $DIKTAT (GB)     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V

NOT SOLD (1) 1004     F     TIAGO     DONNA LIONA     MACHO UNO     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
1026     C     BEAR’S KID     EAST BAY     STORMIN FEVER     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V
OUT 1091     C     NORTH LIGHT (IRE)     FLEET GODDESS     HOLY BULL     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS

1125     C     STREET HERO     GET IT STRAIGHT     BLACK MINNALOUSHE     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
NOT SOLD 1130     C     GIACOMO     GLENGARRA     ARCH     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS

$150,000  1163     C     SMART STRIKE     GREEN DOOR     DANZIG     ONTARIO     8     SHAWHAN PLACE LLC AGENT FOR AUSTIN & BRENDA PAUL
$7,000  1171     C     MACHO UNO     HARBOR GIRL     BOSTON HARBOR     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS
$15,000  1207     F     COWBOY CAL     I AM SOLID GOLD     THUNDER GULCH     ONTARIO     C     CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
OUT  1251     C     GIACOMO     JUST DREAMING     EMPIRE MAKER     ONTARIO     14     ADENA SPRINGS