Thanks for.... (Wed. Oct. 11, 2006)

SKY CONQUEROR (Sky Classic): The Sorokolit family's exciting brassy chestnut colt who recovered from illness enough to win the Bunty Lawless prep allowance on Sunday, his last prep race before the $2 million Pattison Canadian International. Won under a hand ride from Todd Kabel, 99 Beyer Figure, and is one of the few, top Canadian-breds of 2006.

FINANCINGAVAILABLE (Kiridashi): Carefully managed by Lorne Richards for owner K.K. Sengara, won for the fourth time in 2006 (all stakes) and 10th time in 19 career starts, and zoomed past $730,000 in career earnings in the restricted Classy n' Smart on Monday (89 Beyer). Ontario-bred is the best older mare against Ontario-sired rivals in the province and a contender for best older mare at the Sovereign Awards in December.

COLD WAR (War Deputy): The 5-year-old gelding became the winningest horse in NORTH AMERICA when winning for the 10th time this season on Monday at Woodbine ($77,500 claiming). It was the Ontario-bred's 14the start of the year.

NOBLE STELLA - Roger Attfield-trained mare was recently retired due to an injury suffered on Polytrack. Provided local fans with lots of excitement in her graded stakes scores south of the border - in a year in which the calibre of Canadian-breds and local runners has been weak.

SKIP CODE (Skip Away) - Exciting newcomer improved his Beyer Figures from 41-53-67 to an 80 in the Grey Breeders' Cup (Grade 3) on Monday to jump close to the top of the 2yo colt batch in Canada. Dam's sire is Canadian-bred SUNNY'S HALO. Was very strong in his performance when beating maiden Catch the Fever and the wildly overbet Scatter the Tak.

BETHANY HAMMETT - Who informs us that MAJOR ZEE (see posts from a couple of months back), the old, old timer at Fort Erie, has reportedly been retired..finally. Thanks to Bethany for the news and the great work she does on her husband Jody's website.

TRAINERS WHO STILL WIN IN BATCHES - Among those with a couple of scores late last week through the holiday weekend - Josie Carroll, Reade Baker, Alex McPherson, Mark Casse, Ian Black, Catherine Day Phillips. Sid Attard.

BERNARDINI et al - Showcase races south of the border last weekend are getting the stars of the game ready for the Breeders' Cup. Canadian involvement will likely be nil but it's still fun to watch these super performers.