WOW WOW WOW -The Kentucky Derby field is gonna be a whole lotta horses with high 80 and low 90 Beyer Speed Figures – although this guy – ARCHARCHARCH, did get a 98 for the Arkansas Derby upset. – photo by CINDY PIERSON DULAY. The winner is going to be a popular story for the Derby with his Arky-connections…
WILD RIDE FROM WEEKEND
At Woodbine, it was a wild, wild series of events that made up 20 races on Saturday and Sunday. The weather was tough – high winds and then that wacky snowblizzard that delayed races on Sunday.
A starting gate broke, trainer Don MacRae was unbeatable and favourites took a dive in the stakes races.
The weekend ended on a somber note when HARMONY LANE, a Strong Hope filly who was a choice to win her maiden in race 9, broke down badly early in the race and had to be put down. Jockey EMILE RAMSAMMY was prone on the track for quite some time in the wind and cold as he was prepared to be taken to hospital and the reports were mixed. Turns out he is going to be okay with some bruises but no broken bones.
In the U.S. the Kentucky prep races were bananas, one was on Polytrack and our Canadian-bred entrants flopped. The winner was a grass horse with a familar pedigree to anyone Canuck-ian.
In Arkansas, the winner was a local guy with a silly name and again, our Canadian-bred star, didn’t show up.
WOODBINE SUNDAY
ESSENCE HIT MAN shoots down the field in the JACQUES CARTIER
Norm Files photo
When is a TRACK RECORD only an 88 Beyer Speed Figure? It seems as if that is what has been awarded to ESSENCE HIT MAN who was long gone on champion FATAL BULLET in the Jacques Cartier Stakes on Sunday, roaring to a big win at 6 furlongs in 1:08.13.
It was windy for most of the day – pushing the horses through the stretch, and the track was quite lively as the day went on since it was getting a lot of mostire (read..SNOW!) on it).
Indeed, the Polytrack was dotted with white patches for at least one race after a blizzard the races (for the second time on the day).
One race earlier than the stakey, BEAR’S CHILL, the exciting and drop-dead gorgeous giant of a horse of Bear Stables, won a 3yo allowance in 1:21 1/5 and earned a 92 Beyer Figure.
As for ESSENCE HIT MAN, this chestnut speedball (by Speightstown) was very, very ready despite not having raced since Steptember. Trainer Audre Cappuccitti said after the race to Thorougblog that she had to watch the race in a corner on TV by herself because she was not sure her horse had enough training as Fatal Bullet. The 4yo was just too fast, however, and when Fatal Bullet ran hard up the rail to try and pass the gelding, the speedster took off.
He was a finalist for champion sprinter (male) last year).
BEAR’S CHILL went a long way to getting close to the top of the QUEEN’S PLATE CONTENDERS LIST with his win (okay, he’s not eligible and thus cannot be played in the Fantasy Pool (http://www.queensplatefantasychallenge.com/), but the horses who are eligible are struggling right now)). He is an eager, strong fellow bred by Richard and Jo Ellen Shaw, in Ontario (but they live in Alberta). The colt is by turf miler Artie Schiller and from Bison City Stakes winner Silver Nithi . Silver Nithi is from the immediate family of one-time QUEEN’S PLATE FAVOURITE LOVE VIEW.
Other items of note from Sunday at Woodbine:
Race 2 was delayed when the starting gate pooped out and it had to be replaced.
The best line of the year so far was track announcer DAN LOISELLE exclaimed ‘ Ladies and Gentlemen, the starting gate has reached the horses!”
Trainer DON MACRAE won 3 races on Saturday and one on Sunday and has zoomed to the top of the charts for wins at the meeting after 8 days. He’s a staggering 5 for 6 at the meeting…okay, which one of those starters actually lost???
The win on Sunday came with CROWN OF GLORY, race 2 for $20K, Tyler Pizarro riding for One More Time Stable.
Trainer SAM DIPASQUALE continues to place his starters well as he won the 1st race with INDYCAT, a well bred filly who was winning for $10K claiming for Tom McCrocklin.
Owner and trainer and breeder BRANDON GREER, along with Terry Greer, have a nice prospect with FORESTADOR (Old Forester), who won the 4th race, an Ontario sired allowance race to remain unbeaten in 2 races. He earned a 76 Beyer Figure for his 5 furlong win on Sunday.
PATRICK HUSBANDS got off the schneid with 2 wins – WRITTEN APPROVAL (first time gelding) in race 6 for Catherine Day Phillips at 15 to 1 and ESSENCE HIT MAN.
Trainer DAVE COTEY grabbed his first win too – his provate purchase LASSAIR won a maiden allowance in race 9 and she is worth some dough as she is a full sister to Woodbine Oaks winner Roan Inish. That race was marred by the breakdown of Harmony Lane wo was the favourite.
CHILLIN’ – The awesome-looking BEAR’S CHILL, an $80,000 yearling at Woodbine, posted a 92 Beyer Figure for his allowance win on Sunday. Emile Ramsammy rides the very eager fellow and both horse and jock will certainly have to slow down if they are to get 1 1/4 miles – but hey, this colt is bred to do it – NORM FILES PHOTO
Thanks Norm!
SATURDAY NOTES
OH CANADA IN COMMAND
Frank Di Giulio Jr’s Oh Canada held off a surging Black N Beauty to take Saturday’s $168,600 Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine.
The three-year-old son of Proud Citizen made his added-money debut a successful one, winning by three-quarters of a length, besting Black N Beauty and third-place finisher, 37-1 longshot Something Extra.
Oh Canada travelled six furlongs in 1:10.10 for jockey Luis Contreras. Trained by Robert Tiller, the Ontario-bred gelding was fifth after an opening quarter mile in :22.55 and a half in :45.72, set by Something
Extra.
Second at track announcer Dan Loiselle’s stretch call, Oh Canada collared Something Extra and then kept Black N Beauty at bay in the final stages. It was the second win from three starts for Oh Canada, who broke his maiden at six furlongs on the Woodbine Polytrack on November 21. He came into the 113th edition of the Woodstock off a second-place effort at seven panels on the Toronto oval ‘Poly’ on December 4.
Oh Canada paid $21.30, $9.90 and $6.20, combining with Black N Beauty
($6.60, $5.30) for a $114.50 exactor. Something Extra ($10.10) completed
a $2,181.30 triactor.
Madman Diaries, Canada’s champion two-year-old male in 2010, finished
fourth as the mutuel favourite.
DON MACRAE won 3 of the 10 races and around those favourites were some long bombs. MacRae’s winners were ELECTRIC ELISE (Stephen Got Even), with Tyler Pizarro for Winston Penny and One More Time Racing. She is a good filly for the $20,000 level.
Later FIRE CHIEF paid $8.80 to win the 6th race for $10,000 claiming with Chris Griffith on board – congrats to JAKE – FOR PICKING FIRE CHIEF in JAKE’S TAKE on Saturday!
MacRae won the finale with the speedy dude DOUBLE COLICO, owned by Winston Penny and ridden by Justin Stein.
Congrats to Woodbine host RENEE KIERANS, co-owner, trainer of MENSCH who was well prepared to win his season debut for 10,000 claiming at 7 furlongs. The son of Comapdre was also strongly ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson.
More longshot winners included Roger Laurien’s STAGE TRIP, an Ontario bred by Trippi who led all the way to win race 1, a maiden event for $10,000. She was coming off some dismal runs at Tampa Bay Downs on the dirt.
Trainer ROBERT GERL has his horses very ready (Articulating etc) and the filly KOLPA won race 4 at 30 to 1, a $40K claiming event for maidens. She is a Kentucky bred by Purge.
EDDINGTON LIMIT was very fast in his preps last year for a 2yo sale in Florida but it took him a while to get to the races. The quick bay was very ready, however, and James Redekop’s beginner won his debut for maiden allowance and paid a whopping 9 to 1, despite being trained by Terry Jordan.
He is by Eddington and JIm McAleney rode.
LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL TOP TEN DERBY CONTENDERS
1. Dialed In Robert LaPenta Nick Zito
2. Mucho Macho Man Reeves Thoroughbred Racing Katherine Ritvo
3. Nehro Zayat Stables Steve Asmussen
4. Uncle Mo Repole Stable Todd Pletcher
5. Archarcharch Robert Yagos William Fires
6. Toby’s Corner Dianne Cotter Graham Motion
7. Soldat H. Clarke & W. Robertson Kiaran McLaughlin
8. Midnight Interlude Arnold Zetcher Bob Baffert
9. Jaycito Zayat Stables Bob Baffert
10. Pants On Fire George & Lori Hall Kelly Breen
Others (in order of votes received):Shackleford, Animal Kingdom, Stay Thirsty, The Factor, Brilliant Speed, Silver Medallion, Santiva, Master of Hounds, Anthony’s Cross, Comma to the Top, Twinspired, Brethren, Joe Vann, Twice the Appeal, Sway Away, Astrology, Elite Alex, Decisive Moment, Watch Me Go, King Congie, J.P.’s Gusto, Mr. Commons.
BRILLIANT BREEDING
Blue Grass winner has strong Canadian pedigree..
Daijin’s grand-son is heading to the Derby. The mare, who died last month in Kentucky, is the granddam of the Blue Grass Stakes winner BRILLIANT SPEED. The colt comes from the famous family of Cool Mood – Passing Mood, the female family of Daijin.
” We bought the mare back (Speed Succeeds)at the Keeneland November Sale 2 years ago for $40,000 after topping the Keeneland September Sale with her as a yearling filly at $1,450,000,” said Glenn Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms.
BRILLIANT SPEED, c, 3, Dynaformer–Speed Succeeds, by Gone West. O-Live Oak Plantation, B-Live Oak Stud (FL), T-Thomas Albertrani, J-Joel Rosario, $450,000.
CANADIAN STUFF AT THE OBS APRIL SALE
2yos up for sale in Florida this week:
Day One – CANADIAN BUYER:
9 09 F. CONGRATS /QUICK RHYTHM DENNY ANDREWS 80,000
ONTARIO FOALED:
NO. NAME SEX FOALED SIRE DAM
not sold 4 …………………….CH G………09 Friends Lake………….Queenship
$40,000 39 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Scat Daddy……………Reflects Ridge
$150,000 111 …………………….CH C………09 Sharp Humor…………..Senorita Spike
$4,000 114 Macum………………..B F……….09 Dixieland Band………..Seven of Nine
not sold 207 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Repent……………….Stellar Mission
$15,000 212 …………………….DKB/BR C…..09 Grand Slam……………Storm Burst
$15,000 215 …………………….CH C………09 Master Command………..Storm Rolling In
out 245 …………………….CH C………09 Exclusive Quality……..Sweet Hailey Jo
not sold 270 …………………….B F……….09 Saffir……………….Tell No One
not sold 290 …………………….CH F………09 Five Star Day…………Tizzazz
353 …………………….B C……….09 Bob and John………….Vacuna
389 Shambhala…………….GR/RO F……09 Grand Slam……………Wedding Day Blues
445 Golden Pass…………..DKB/BR F…..09 Seeking the Gold………Adventure Pass
446 …………………….CH C………09 Quick in Deed…………Affairious
467 Great Star……………GR/RO F……09 Greatness…………….Alphabet Star
508 Queen Royale………….B F……….09 Pomeroy………………Avamore
526 Well Done Son…………CH C………09 Stormy Atlantic……….Barbed Wire
634 Tapitstry…………….GR/RO F……09 Tapit………………..Chic Sheba
642 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Vibank……………….Christine’s Prize
651 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Wildcat Heir………….Citi Music
694 …………………….B C……….09 Southern Image………..Crafty Broad
708 Love Is Blind…………DKB/BR C…..09 Stevie Wonderboy………Cupid Season
717 …………………….B F……….09 Wildcat Heir………….Dana’s Lucky Lady
762 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Put It Back…………..Diamond Heirloom
837 …………………….DKB/BR C…..09 Stormin Fever…………Falling Snow
855 …………………….CH F………09 Exclusive Quality……..Fidget
862 Boulevardofdreams……..GR/RO C……09 Flashy Bull…………..Five Crossing
988 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Repent……………….Impressive Instant
1072 …………………….DKB/BR C…..09 Hold for Gold…………Latin Lust
1133 …………………….CH F………09 Songandaprayer………..Madiera
1145 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Repent……………….Make Me Know It
1223 …………………….B F……….09 Pomeroy………………More Than a Rumor
1225 Corinthia…………….CH F………09 Corinthian……………Mossy Bank
1239 …………………….DKB/BR F…..09 Hold for Gold…………Multiples
1241 Penyatta……………..B F……….09 Lion Heart……………Munch N Grass
1284 …………………….CH F………09 Badge of Silver……….Numberonetreasure
1360 …………………….B C……….09 Repent……………….Primary Motive
1361 Pitbull………………CH C………09 Kitten’s Joy………….Prime Silver
1377 …………………….B F……….09 Vibank……………….Pyrite Select
LUCK – IS WITH YOU
The TV show is said to have some of the best writing found anywhere – guess it’s time to get excited!
