Top of the Mornin' TO YOU!!

MAKING SENSE OF KENTUCKY DERBY

It’s getting down to the nitty gritty soon for Kentucky Derby hopefuls – 7 weeks to go – and the attention today will be almost completely on STREET SENSE, the early Derby favourite and last year’s champion 2-year-old colt. Trained methodically and meticulously by Carl Nafzger, Street Sense is in action at Tampa Bay Downs in that track’s ‘Derby. Of course, what would a Derby prep be without a Todd Pletcher starter and that one, ANY GIVEN SATURDAY, is strictly the colt that Street Sense has to beat – not sure he can today.
Woodbine is showing some of the stakes races from Tampa on HPI TV (the entire card can be seen and wagered on at the track and teletheatre outlets).

At Oaklawn, the REBEL STAKES is often a popular Derby prep although that track is not in the Ontario edition of the DRF. Will D. Wayne Lukas suddenly re-surface with his starter FLYING FIRST CLASS?

On the west coast, the San Felipe doesn’t appear to be too interesting on paper but Merv Griffin’s COBALT BLUE, out of the Woodbine raced mare Prado Star would seem to be an interesting prospect should he do well. The starts in the San Felipe would have to zoom ahead to be considered Derby possibilities.

ITUNA ON HER PERCH AT TAMPA – YESTERDAY’S WINNERS

The tough mare ITUNA (Boston Harbour – Goodeve, By Pleasant Colony), a granddaughter of Horse of the Year Ruling Angel, won her 3rd consecutive race yesterday at Tampa when she led throughout an off-the-turf event – an optional claiming race. The mare, who was on the THOROUGHBLOG TOP 10 list earlier this year, has snuck back on the list as Raw Power, who was running so well at Fair Grounds this winter for Barb Minshall and Josie Carroll, has returned to Woodbine and has been idle.
Ituna, bred by Winsong Farms, has won 10 of 38 starts and $181,000.

STRATOFAN, owned by Earle Mack, won his debut on Wednesday at Aqueduct for a $30,000 claiming price with a 55 Beyer Figure. The British Columbia-bred is by Tale of the Cat out of stakes winner Early Blaze, by Silver Deputy.

THOR’S HAMMER (Crown Attorney – Rushin Home, by Home at Last) won a maiden allowance race at Tampa Bay for owner Sharon Simms and trainer John Simms. The 4-year-old gelding was bred by Rhona White and Susan Jenkins.

IS THERE ANOTHER SIDE?

As a former board member of a thoroughbred retirement group, I truly believe in trying to find homes for retired racehorses if there is some reason why his or her owner cannot continue to support him. It's frustrating watching owners and trainers discard their horses after they are done making money.
But can they all be saved?
Here’s a harsh story from Yahoo News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070315/ap_on_re_us/unwanted_horses;_ylt=AowuO.qAycbF4_b0LT3t0VNG2ocA

AND…

WOODBINE’S POLYTRACK remained closed yesterday morning for training. The surface was shut down on Monday for some work and horsepeople have been using the training track this week…Stronach Stables’ homebred SUGAR SWIRL is in the Grade 2 Shirley Jones Handicap today at Gulfstream. The Touch Gold – Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro 4yo filly was 4th in the Grade 3 Sabin Handicap in her last start behind Swap Fliparoo and now has another Allen Jerkens-trained rocket to chase, Any Limit…GOLDEN GLADE (Gilded Time – Woodmiss, by Woodman) makes his 2nd career start for Harlequin Ranches today at Gulfstream (Race 6). The sizy, liver chestnut had a solid debut outing with a 64 Beyer Figure and is a Queen’s Plate hopeful…SIDCUP (Running Stag – Nice Change, by Gulch) makes his 2nd start of the season in the Tejano Run Stakes today at Turfway. The 5-year-old gelding w on the Prairie Bayou Stakes last Nov. for his 3rd win. He was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs.