WIN - YOU'RE IN

(More LongRun Gala pics! - co-host JEFF BRATT
during the live auction with Ray Sabourin
below left)


Today is WIN AND YOU'RE IN day at Belmont - the big 4 stakes will be fun to watch.
At Woodbine, it's MIKE FOX and ALEZZANDRO squaring off in the ONTARIO DERBY to decide champion 3yo colt. Hopefully both will run.
Lots of cool stuff yesterday - whew, took a while to update...



(At left - TRIPPI'S STORM won the Kelso, A DESERVING WIN FOR A DUDE WHO TRIES HARD EVERYTIME. Thanks to Cindy and Terence at horse-races.net for the pic. Their site has a cool preview on the Breeders' Cup too.

WOODBINE SATURDAY

CHARLIE’S ANGEL – 80 Beyer for ‘CHERRIE’

Polytrack totally different

Well, after an entire week of very fast Polytrack and a definite speed bias, the track was totally different today- and it was not because of the weather.

According to some riders and trainers today, the track was deeper (was it dug up? What happened?).

Today, the times were slow and speed could not stay at all.

Weird.

Good for those who take bias notes and follow along everyday, bad if you have no idea what’s happening from one day to the next until the 7th race comes around.

Somebody (s) got lucky, 2 winners of the Pick 7 at $40,000 each.

OFFICER CHERRIE is the leader for champion 2yo filly in Canada with a strong win the MAZARINE BREEDERS’ CUP Grade 3 over four rivals. Charles LaLoggia (friend and fellow blog-reader!), who also owns nice 2yo filly prospects CLEARLY FOXY (trainer Mark Casse thinks she’s the best of the lot) and LICKETY LEMON was present in the winner’s circle for Cherrie’s win, her second consecutive stakes score.

Good ride by Todd Kabel to nurse longshot VICTORY ROMANCE (Alberta-bred) along on the lead but she could not quite hold off the winner.

A Kentucky bred by Officer, Officer Cherrie is not likely headed to the Breeders’ Cup according to Casse.

Jockey Pat Husbands dedicated the win to his late stepfather who passed away last week.

Race2

Bananas speed duel between VERY MUCH SO and U R ENERGY to kick off the Pick 3 and RAYHKA got a smart ride to stalk the duel and she swept by off the turn and won quite easily at 9 to 2;

Race 3 – Speaking of speed duels, SPEAK WISELY, 1 to 5 and seemingly a ‘cinch’ in the turf allowance of just 5 horses was chewed up in a pace duel between 2 overmatched rivals and understandably had no response when CALLWOOD DANCER came…a callin’. Nice ride by EURICO ROSA DA SILVA. Trainer ROGER ATTFIELD on a real roll. Tough on the Pick 7,Pick 3, etc bettors that’s for sure.

Race 4 – Steve Attard is an opportunist. He wins his races when the races are on TV. Today, on the SUN show, Steve was on camera after WADEKAR wore down GOLDMART FLASH (who usually fades anyway) to win the claiming event for non-winners of 2.

Steve also said that his stakes placed filly SWEET BREANNA will be back next year after being injured this season; SASKAWEA will not compete in the upcoming Carotene Stakes.

Race 5- SINGING HAILEY Was a picture in post parade and ran to it. She broke sharply, was wrestled back by Emma Jane Wilson and then rallied to win in a complete form reversal from her debut outing. The Boldn Flashy filly is owned and bred by Dom Romeo’s Terra Farm.

Horses who tip themselves in post parade are a beautiful thing. CLASSIC MORGEY, only one of 2 possible contenders in race 7 based on Beyer Figures, was on his toes and sharp looking and he had a great ride and won the maiden race for trainer Sue Leslie at 7 to 2.

Trainer Bev Chubb won her 2nd race of the season with Fyne Tyme Stables’ MORE INSPIRATION, a 2yo by Inspired Prospect who was stretching out to a route distance for the maiden event – race 8.

The last 2 races were on turf and GANTU a real up and comer who was easy to like in the Nearctic prep at 6 furlongs on turf, easily won at 9 to 2. CASTLE HEIGHTS, the favourite, put on a good show in post parade with his high stepping but he could not rally.

The 1 ¼ mile finale went to Bill Sorokolit’s PRIZED NATIVE (Broken Vow) who won his maiden at a nice price.

ELSEWHERE

Some notable races on the day from various tracks :

KENTUCKY CUP JUVENILE – Watch this race on a replay link – BLACKBERRY ROAD is arguably tons the best and finishes 3^rd. The winner, TEXAS FEVER, ran huge too as he was 4 wide virtually all the way around and then edged clear off the turn and moved to the rail in the stretch to hold off CHITOZ. Texas Fever is by Canadian-bred VICTORY GALLOP.

BLACKBERRY ROAD, a Gone West colt, was close to last off the turn and inside and he had no room, checked, angled out hard, was never seen until the finish when he rallied for 3^rd. Unreal.

DANZON, a 4yo filly who was a super 3^rd to Canada’s champion SKY CONQUEROR in the Turf Classic at Churchill in the spring, won her first non-grass race in the KENTUCKY CUP DISTAFF with a bold, wide move. She won by many and looks like a really good one.

DANZON was expected to come to the E.P. Taylor – but who knows now??

109 Beyer for Hard Spun…What can you say about the CLASSIC? HARD SPUN did what most thought, Mario Pino did a great rating job and the Sense couldn’t pass him. Should set up nicely for the Breeders’ Cup.

On the west coast, wow, NASHOBA’S KEY has never been beaten after 7 races and what an exciting horse to have for Breeders’ Cup time. The Silver Hawk gal with the long head and long white blaze outduelled CITRONNADE through the stretch of the Yellow Ribbon and won as simply the best horse.

TRIPPI’S STORM cycled back up to his 104 Beyer Figure with a strong win in the Kelso at Belmont over AFTER MARKET, the latter closing well in his first race off a short layoff.

And there is the BEAR – Danny Dion’s Bear Stable continued its roll when BEAR NOBILITY was placed first in the ALBERTA OAKS at Northlands yesterday. The Desperately filly, a $13K (US) purchase, was 2^nd beaten a mile to Pat of Gold, the favourite, but the winner also made a sharp right-hand turn down the backstretch when launching her bid, wiping out the Bear very dramatically. A wild head on shot if you can find it.

OPINION

After watching races like the first event at Louisiana Downs on Super Derby day with Jockey RICO FLORES hammered away at PRECAUX from the moment the gates opened to the finish (the horse could not make the lead and then ultimately faded to last, still being hit with the whip) and the Castle Guard Stakes 2 nights ago at Meadowlands when runner-up FORGETABOUTIT was absolutely annihilated with the whip....it was disappointing to see so few of the WOODBINE JOCKEY COLONY at the LONGRUN GALA in support of retired racehorses on Friday night.

In fact, most of the top 10 riders, with millions of dollars in purse earnings, passed on the GALA even if their entire livelihood depends on racehorses.

The folks who were there .. many of them like RAY SABOURIN,EURICO ROSA DA SILVA, ROBERT LANDY, GERRY OLGUIN, MARTIN RAMIREZ, CHANTAL SUTHERLAND, EMMA-JAYNE WILSON etc. generously donated their time and efforts as volunteers on the night.

While the number of tickets is limited, there were some empty seats.

It is also not only jockeys who were surprisingly not in attendance - there are other high profile horse people who did not attend or have not attended in the past and that is too bad.

(At left, EMMA-JAYNE WILSON at the GALA in her Adena Springs garb, posing with ERIC CHARTIER)

LET'S PICK 7!

MOTOWN AT THE LONGRUN GALA

What a night. The only thing missing at the WOODBINE TENT last night were the horses who were to benefit from all the generosity displayed at the 3rd annual LONGRUN GALA. Incredibly decorated, great food and drink, awesome items at the silent and live auction (that 1950's Horse Racing Pinball machine was too cool!) made for a super night for almost 300 guests. The Hollywood Heaven folks had a super Motown band and the dance floor was packed.
Thanks to JOE WARMINGTON of the TORONTO SUN, who gave a shout out to the event in today's paper ...(the LONGRUN BOARD of directors and volunteers were not mentioned but they were the ones who put on the grand gala!)

http://torontosun.com/News/Canada/2007/09/29/4535974-sun.html


(At left, amateur photographer - me- snaps a shot of GUS SCHICKEDANZ and his wife Anne receiving the VOLTERRA AWARD sponsored by the family of the late Steve Stavro.
The Volterra Award is presented to horsepeople who have been generous to their horses and have helped LongRun. Gus has his own retirement foundation of sorts in South Carolina with mares and racehorses like Glanmire, Northern Sky etc.)




PICK 7 MADNESS!

And the growing continues.
$60,000 carryover for a Saturday afternoon and hey, the card is small and there are a couple of favourites who look solid (??). Small fields but some tricky ones.
Might be worth a shot today..here are some thoughts

RACE 2- The high % barn of Radlie Loney drops VERY MUCH SO in class and she is the speed of the speed but another rider change being made is curious. For a small field, the first leg is a tricky read...look for the 3 or 4yo sitting on a peak effort...maybe Rayhka?

Race 3 - SPEAK WISELY is 4 to 5 in the morning line, she just won a stake over 13 rivals, now has 4 to beat.

Race 4 - This is a tricky little sprint with speedball GOLDMART FLASH coming off a short layoff with a big rider on board. Big Beyer guys SLY ILLUSION and WADEKAR look good.

Race 5- Nice maiden 2yo race for fillies - CALL THE POSSE, by top 1st crop sire POsse, WITTY WOMAN from the hot Brian Lynch barn and ALITTLEBITOFROUGE all figure.

race 6- 5 gals in the Mazarine - Casse or BORN TO BE?

race 7- maiden claimers - JIMMY G and CLASSIC MORGEY have Beyer Fig advantage

race 8 - Wrap up the Pick 7 with 2yo's going long - very tough. KINCAREY andMORE INSPIRATION are logical, URN is bred for the distance.

Good Luck!

IN THE LONG RUN

Leading trainer MARK CASSE is going so good...he's winning racesmonths after being disqualified..(see yesterday's post).
Honor the horses tonight at the LONGRUN THOROUGHBRED FOUNDATION'S 3RD ANNUAL GALA, with a Motown theme, bundle up, it might be cool!
PICK 7 is up to $48,000, okay, it takes forever to get this high but us Canadian fans have to take what we get!

TRACK RECORD FOR CASSE 2YO

80 Beyer for filly by Vindication

DAWN RAID smashed the track record for 5 ½ furlongs when she won the 2^nd race yesterday at Woodbine over a fast Polytrack that was favourly speed all day. The VINDICATION filly remained undefeated (2 for 2) in her win yesterday over colts. She is a Josham Farms bred out of Embur Sunshine and she is owned by Woodford Racing, trained by Mark Casse.

Race 3- Only days after her sister LOULA upset a field for Ron Sadler and jockey Matt Moore, CHOIR PRACTICE romped under a good hold yesterday in a $20K claimer. The fillies were bred by Sadler. Choir Practice is by Crown Attorney out of Elusive Affair.

Race 4 – Favoured MOSSBANK was in the pace duel with TOBAR through 23 1/5 in the maiden 2yo race at 7 furlongs. On the turn, BEARELCO swept by 4 wide around the turn, looked like he was on his way to winning but the youngster had made his move too soon. MOSSBANK outdueled him through the stretch to win for Jim and Alice Sapara and partners. The Ontario-bred gelding is by Mutakkdim out of Wynyard by Mr.Greeley.

Race 5- The public didn’t catch on here – EMMA WILSON won on Lotaguska last time out against maidens but bailed on that one yesterday. Still, LOTAGUSKA was curiously overbet and backed away. Who won? Wilson, naturally.

The rider had WICKED DEVIL (Devil His Due, Kentucky bred) stalking the pace duel one length back in the 2 path, moved to the lead late on the turn and held ff a charging Manliest to win the $10,000 claiming event. Another winner for owner/trainer Mark Mesic.

Race 6- Stronach Stables’ NATIONAL HERO,lightly raced but very game when he’s on the pace, held off the ultra consistent RYE ON THE ROCKS to win the 7 furlong turf race for $50K claiming. Trainer SCOTT FAIRLIE continues his shopping speed (2 claims on the day) – he took ‘ROCKS’ for $50K.

Race 7 – Less than 24 hours after winning her 2^nd race of the season from her 4^th starter (Valentine Vixen), trainer LIZ CHARALAMBOUS orchestrated a stunner yesterday when Valentine Vixen’s half-brother…INSPIRATION LAD (Mutakkdim) won his season debut in 1:16 flat for 6 ½ furlongs, just missing the track record. Yes, the gelding led from start to finish but he beat some good ones in the highly regarded WOODBOURNE (by Danzig).He earned an 80 Beyer Figure.

The gelding is bred and owned by Margaret Cudney.

Race 8 – If you started to bet speed then SILVER FOXTRAIL was your gal in race 8 and she led all the way under learning apprentice Melanie Pinto. It was the rider’s first win at Woodbine. She was 13 to 1 and capped off a perplexing Pick 7.

PICK 7 AT $48,000

Dare to try again? While most folks will be readying for the LONGRUN GALA this evening, how about a few bucks on the Pick 7 today?

Some thoughts..

Race 2 – FIVE AND OFF exits a good try in a stakes race

Race 3 – UNTO THE HILL is dropping in class for WINDFIELDS FARM

Race 4 – Maidens, older, Casse firster DEWAMERE plus dropper ICY’S LEGACY

Race 5- 2yo’s on turf BLUENOSER, well bred for grass

Race 6- Casse trainee INTERTWINED can double up

Race 7 – MALIBI MONSTER could win his maiden

Race 8 – nice allowance with winning type KNOCKER meeting fleet3yo’s MY LIST and YOLIE

Good luck!

BETTOR BEATS THE RACES!

From the DESMOINESREGISTER.COM

A bettor seems to have devised a clever scheme to beat the races at Prairie Meadows.

And it appears to be legal, with the only victims being off-shore betting sites that act as bookmakers.

The first two days of the harness meet had three races in which someone bet $1,000 to place or show on horses that figured to lose.

The apparent goal was to inflate the payoffs of the top finishers so the bettor could clean up with off-shore bookmaking sites. Those sites pay track odds, but the wagering is not commingled with track betting.

"The only logical spin I can put on this is that whoever is doing this must have additional accounts with off-shore sites," said Mark Loewe, Prairie Meadows' director of mutuels. "So, they're laying $1,000 off here, and betting $2,000 or $3,000 somewhere else."

Why Prairie Meadows? Because the harness betting pools are so small that a $1,000 wager can dramatically shift the odds.

In Monday's third race, KB Amy went off at odds of 51-1. There was $8 bet to win on her, $2 to place, and $1,010 to show. The entire nine-horse field drew $1,210 in show wagering, in which bets are won on horses finishing third or better.

KB Amy finished a distant fourth while 2-5 favorite Aura Lee Triumph won. Aura Lee Triumph paid $2.80 for a $2 win wager, $2.20 to place and $12.60 to show.

Had the bettor also bet $2,000 to show on an Internet site on Aura Lee Triumph, he would have gotten back $25,200.

"From our standpoint, the ($1,000) bet is made legally," said Jack Ketterer, executive administrator for the Iowa racing and Gaming Commission. "It's up to the off-shore sites to decide whether they take bets on the races."

It's not costing Prairie Meadows bettors anything - in fact, they're getting back more money because of the $1,000 being lost on losing horses.

Who loses? The off-shore betting sites in Costa Rica and elsewhere that take betting on races without tracks' permission. Tracks have been fighting the sites, which offer rebates to lure heavy bettors away from tracks, but have been powerless to stop them.

Ketterer said the practice has happened before.

"When simulcasting started in the early '80s, they started doing it in Las Vegas with greyhound racing," he said. "At that time, they weren't commingling betting. They'd bet a couple hundred dollars to show at the track on the worst dog of the night. Then they'd bet all over Las Vegas at the 'books. But the racebooks caught on to it pretty quick."

Discussion about the betting situation began on KXNO's afternoon sports radio show earlier this week.

Even though the betting at Prairie Meadows is legal, Loewe said he is concerned the track will be tarnished.

"We do care, because there's the perception that something's not right," he said.

"The average person is not going to say, 'It's an off-shore rebate shop.' They're going to see Prairie Meadows and say something's fishy."

While the 2006 Internet gambling bill prohibited online casino gambling, it exempted interstate betting on horse racing, which was legalized under a previous law.

The Prairie Meadows $1,000 bets are coming in as two $500 wagers from legal account services, one through Youbet.com, the other through AmericaTab.

The other bets came Saturday. In the sixth race, Sierra No Angel had $17 bet to win, $14 to place and $1,040 to show. She was a distant fifth and Jazz Brand, the 7-10 favorite, paid $12.60 to show. Runner-up Coop's Class paid $21.60 to show and third-place finisher Pro paid $48.

There was no show betting on the fifth race, but Khanboy, who finished last, had $1,040 to place wagered on him. Panaramic Art, the 3-5 favorite, won and only paid $3 to place, but runner-up No Road Parking paid $15.20.

Ketterer and Loewe expect the off-shore sites to react soon.

"It won't take them long," Ketterer said.

FULL MOON MADNESS

UPDATE - SEALY HILL, BISON CITY RULING REVERSED, WINS TRIPLE TIARA!

The Ontario Racing Commission yesterday reversed the disqualification of SEALY HILL from the Bison City Stakes this summer, awarding the race back to the Eugene Melnyk filly.
Sealy Hill was disqualified and placed third in the Bison City and STREET SOUNDS was placed first. That ruling was reversed yesterday in day-long courtroom proceedings.
SEALY HILL, with the Bison City win, now is officially the first winner of the TRIPLE TIARA for fillies combining the WOODBINE OAKS, BISON CITY and WONDER WHERE STAKES (1 1/4 miles on turf).

UPDATE - THURSDAY P.M.

PICK 7 CARRYOVER FOR FRIDAY - $48,000

Longshots were the flavour of the day on Thursday - $101.00 winners etc. - and speed dominated most of the sprints. More updates later on THOROUGHBLOG!

ALL EMMA, ALL THE TIME

WEDNESDAY NIGHT (PICK 7 STILL GROWING!)

The aptly named STOLE ANOTHER (Kentucky-bred by Canadian stallion Mazel Trick) won his 2nd Woodbine outing in the 1st event Wed.evening as the 8 to 5 favourite while racing on the pace all the way.

Trainer Terry Jordan has won 12 of 31 starts at the meeting since coming here from British Columbia, some of them running purely out of their skin. Stole Another figured – he was just beaten by ½ a length for $50K and won last night for $40K.

Stakes winner DAVE THE KNAVE was dumped in for $40K from stakes races (he won the New Providence just this past May) and was not a factor and was claimed by Sid Attard. RECORD BUSTER, was eased in his first race off a 1 year layoff.

First race of the PICK 7 – RACE 2..

LIONEL’SLUCKYLADY won for the 2nd consecutive time, this time at a healthy 10 to 1 after a beautiful trip under Jerry Baird (Patrick Husbands was named but was not riding). The Florida bred has won 3 of 8 this season for Mark Vizzacchero.

Race 3 – Emma’s first win on the night….LADY MOON (Perigee Moon-Light Autumn, by Bionic Light) timed her move just right to beat favoured GRACELICIOUS (who didn’t seem to bounce off a good debut outing on Sept. 5) in the maiden allowance race for fillies. The winner was wearing front bandages for the first time but that did not slow her down. She is owned and was bred by Lisa Guaraldi.

“It was a full moon tonight so it was her time to win,” said trainer Gary Aimonetti.

**Wilson spoke of her mount BORN TO BE in Saturday’s Mazarine Stakes (Grade 3) and said while the filly was surprisingly on the lead early in her debut win “there was more there” and is hopeful the A.P.Indy gal can win over 4 rivals on Saturday.

Race 4 – Emma guided EVER SO FREE, the favourite,to win the $50K claimer for older horses at 1 1/16 miles in 1:44. The stakes placed gelding, claimed 2 starts back for $32K by John and Marilyn Hillier’s Love 2 Win Stables and trainer Paul Attard, was full value for the score as he worked hard to rally 4 wide off the turn behind a pace that was not too fast. He had to shrug off a very game Salty Langfuhn and Emile Ramsammy.

Ever So Free, an Ontario bred by Fly So Free – Tico’s Regent, by Vice Regent was bred by the Everatt family’s Shannondoe Farm. It was the 5th win in 15 starts for 5yo gelding.

Race 5 – Two-year-olds, maiden allowance Ontario-sired. Mad dash at 5 furlongs that was won by the quickest guy – firster DUMONT (PerigeeMoon-Gabriele’s Sister by Green Dancer) bred by Mike Byrne in Ontario. The $12,497 (US) yearling purchase by Augustina stable was the 3rd winner of the year for trainer Barry Lerman (former assistant to Reade Baker).

The gelding is a ½ brother to 2 debut winners and had fast workout times. He was only 4 to 1 in his debut.

If jockey David Clark could have kept the slightly lugging in DELAFORCE straight, he may have won it, as the Porto Foricos gelding closed fast once he got things fixed up in late stretch. He galloped out far in front.

“He’s a big baby, it’s all still a game to him,” said Lerman about the winner “But we knew from day one he was a good one.”

Race 6 – More Emma. QUENCH slurped up his rivals in the last few jumps to win over older horses (he’s a 3yo) as the closers jumped all over the speed runners. The Smoke Glacken Ontario-bred was bred by Mel Lawson and is owned by Adele Dilschneider. He was a $435,000 yearling purchase and now he’s won 3 consecutive races at sprint distances on turf and Polytrack. Poor FROMAJACK TO AKING, he made the lead in midstretch and put his ears up looking very proud of himself but suddenly, he was swarmed. Tough trips for several including WOLLEMI PINE, who was chewed up on the rail in a pace duel.

Race 7 – Holy moly – Emma lost by a long nose as Jono Jones had just enough on VALENTINE VIXEN (Porto Foricos, homebred from Cudney Stables). Jones had lots of filly in the allowance race around the turn in the 7 furlong race, glided to the lead off the turn but then had to call on his gal for everything as Wilson and Wicked Emer were closing hard. Second win for the filly and her trainer Liz Charalambous (who has only had 4 starters).

And Emma wrapped up a super night with perhaps her best ride of the night – on 7 to 1 shot COOL PROPOSAL in the 8^TH RACE for maidens, $12,500 claiming. The regally bred Chiefswood Stable homebred was 13^th and last in his most recent start for 12,500 but was stretched out again in distance last night. Wilson took a hold of the eager Touch Gold gelding and rated him beautifully to win comfortably.

PICK 7 today – carryover $42,000

Picks? Some thoughts..(lots of Bears to like)

Race 2 - The filly DAWN RAID could run down BEARZAVA

Race 3- BearReal Deal on the stretch out

Race 4- tough MSW, MOSSBANK figures but is win shy, BEARELCO, FUNKELSTEIN

Race 5 - WICKED DEVIL (Wilson and Mark Mesic)

Race 6 - (IF ON TURF), FEATHER BED LANE, FRANK'S SELECTION

Race 7 - WOODBOURNE (Casse)

Race 8 - FREE AND EVEN, SHE CAN'T WAIT,MINSHY POO

IT’S LONGRUN WEEK….

Nice feature on THE SCORE show on SHAWS CREEK, the Plate Trial winner from years ago who is now a stable pony for his trainer John Ross. In the spirit of LONGRUN THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION (the 3rd annual GALA is this Friday evening at Woodbine) it’s important to always remember the real stars of the game.

(The horses folks!!).

“UNCOUPLED ENTRIES”

Here’s the scoop

From DAILY RACING FORM

BY RON GIERKINK

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Seemingly absurd questions are occasionally posed at Woodbine's handicapping seminars, which was the case September 2006 when I co-hosted one with my Daily Racing Form colleagues Steven Crist and Bill Tallon. The inquiry was regarding uncoupled runners from the same barn, and whether they should be allowed to compete against each other, given that higher-priced of the two wins, according to the questioner, "90 percent of the time."

The Ontario Racing Commission rules state that horses are coupled only if they share common ownership, except in stakes races worth at least $100,000, in which case they run as separate betting interests.

Crist said that he believed there is no statistical evidence to support the questioner's 90 percent figure. All three of us felt that horses from the same barn should continue to be allowed to run as separate betting interests, in order to maximize the number of betting interests.

Ironically, that questioner could have gotten rich later that afternoon, on the Natalma Stakes. Trainer Mark Casse sent out the first two finishers in the grass route for 2-year-old fillies, first-time starter Sprung, who returned a whopping $98.60, and an 8-1 shot, Quiet Action.

Amazingly, Casse one-upped himself in this year's Grade 3 Natalma, sweeping the first three positions with Clearly Foxy (17-1), Nite in Rome (12-1), and Lickety Lemon (4-5).

The faithful on the Casse bandwagon were rewarded handsomely again last Friday, when he saddled the top two finishers in a maiden special for 2-year-olds: the race-winning 24-1 outsider Bonanza, and the 12-1 shot East End Tap.

In each of the above races, Casse's go-to rider, Patrick Husbands, rode the lowest-priced Casse-trained horse, which helps explain the price differential.

Casse said if he runs more than one horse in a race, it means that he thinks each entrant has a realistic chance to win.

"I run a lot of uncoupled entries, and most of them involve different owners," Casse said. "I never give jockey instructions for one to help the other. I don't think that's fair. The more horses I run together, it means there's not much separating them. If I run one who I think can get the job done, that's all I'm going to run."

Casse said his decision to run the untested Sprung in the Natalma was logical, given her potential.

"If I had run her in a maiden race, she would have been 2- or 3-1," Casse said. "The Natalma field was made up of fillies who had just broken their maidens, so she wasn't running against much tougher than she would have in the maiden race."

Given the considerable size of Woodbine's slots-fueled purses, it seems a bit far-fetched to think that any trainer would try harder with his longer-priced entrant, in order to cash a bet. Handicappers should closely scrutinize these, for lack of a better term, uncoupled entries, in search of a value play, especially in stakes races.

MORE SYNTHETIC CONFUSION

SANTA ANITA'S CUSHION, LIGHTNING FAST

By Larry Stewart, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 27, 2007

Corey Nakatani, who won the jockey title at last year's Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita, got off to a good start Wednesday by riding Dancing Edie to victory in the Grade III $114,900 Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap, the opening-day feature.

"I'm 36 and not getting any younger," Nakatani said. "Winning a riding title is always an incentive. I've been the leading rider here a few times [four] and hope to get the opportunity to do it again."

It was also a winning day for David Flores and Victor Espinoza, the only double winners.

Flores closed strongly aboard Cherokee Tear to win the ninth race by a nose over Lutyens and Martin Garcia.

The other big winner of the day, which drew a crowd of 15,027, was Santa Anita's new synthetic Cushion Track.

"It did exactly what it was supposed to do," track President Ron Charles said. "It's safety first and fairness and consistency second, and that's what we saw today.

"It really seems to hold up well from the morning to the afternoon. The horses that run the fastest in the morning [in workouts] run the fastest in the afternoon."

The speed of the track was in evidence in the third race when Johnny Eves, ridden by Flores, covered six furlongs in a very fast 1:08.05.

Del Mar President Joe Harper, who was at Santa Anita for opening day, was talking with trainer Bob Baffert at the time.

"I was kidding Bob they're going to have to get a higher grade of fuel for the ambulance to keep up with the horses at this rate," Harper said.

The first race on the Cushion Track was a $15,000 claimer at 1 1/16 miles. Alfonso Quinonez, who rode the winner, Si Chimi, said, "I have been working horses over the track and it was fast in the mornings, but the other day when it rained, it was totally different. So today, I was kind of worried.

"I didn't want to go to the front because I didn't know if my horse was going to get tired or if he was going to keep up in the front, but he handled it pretty good.

"This track feels good and it feels safe. That's the main thing. This track right now is pretty much like it is in the mornings. It's pretty fast, and it looks like it's the same today. Off one race, it seems even and fair."

Richard Migliore, who rode Royal Classic in the first race and won aboard Flight Leader on the Cushion Track in the fourth, said, "I really like this track, it feels good. There's a lot of similarity to Hollywood Park. Even though those horses went legitimate fractions, nobody really melted down late. They're handling it fine.

"It seems like the material has a little finer consistency to it than Hollywood."

HOT STUFF

did you KNOW??? That replays are available on the horseplayerinteractive website? Apparently for just over a week now...

WED. AFTERNOON UPDATE


PICK 7 CARRYOVER AT $35,000 tonight


Races 2 through 8 make up the Pick 7 tonight so let's take another shot at it with a few picks..

Race 2- SWEET LIL PUNKY with highest last race Beyer (at Fort Erie,however), toss in speed of KLINSMAN'S LUCK and dropping GENIVER
RACE 3- maiden allowance - LADY MOON and GRACELICIOUS (will they both bounce?)
RACE 4 - EVER SO FREE
RACE 5 - tough maiden allowance for 2yo's - experienced WILBERFORCE looks good, consider MAN ON BOTTOM
RACE 6 - PUT UPON as the speed, NYUK NYUK NYUK as the class
RACE 7 - RUNWAY LOVE, overdue, way overdue
RACE 8 - spread these maidens - FOOLISH FANTASY, TISROC, OURTIMETODANCE

GRADE 3 MAZARINE SATURDAY - JUST 5 ENTERED

It seems as if the Grade 3 tag on the MAZARINE BREEDERS' CUP STAKES is in jeopardy based on a drab field drawn for the $250,000 race for 2yo fillies at1 1/16 miles on Saturday.
Seveeral 5 and 6 horse fields make up a very light card on that day.
The Mazarine,, once considered by some as the most important 2yo filly race in Canada, has dropped off the map in recent years.
This year's field of 5 includes one supplement BORN TO BE (A.P. Indy) and a top Beyer Figure of 77 (earned by Officer Cherrie in the Ont. Debutante Stakes).


Thanks to BRISNET.com, here is a recap of what's been happening at Woodbine in 2007.
Also, note the hot trainers and jockey (just one).

WOODBINE AT A GLANCE
Avg. Winning Odds: 6.06 - 1
Favorite Win%: 31%, Favorite Itm%: 64%
EXOTICS	PAYOFF
Daily Double:	105.09
Triactor:	883.21
Pick 3:	459.89
Superfecta:	6,793.70
Pick 4:	4,612.84
Pick 7:	54,044.90
Exactor:	103.70
Win Four:	3,612.91

TRACK BIAS MEET(03/31 - 09/23)					TRACK BIAS WEEK(09/19 - 09/23)
Distance	# Race	% Wire	Best Style	Best Posts	Distance	# Race	% Wire	Best Style	Best Posts
6.0fDirt	240	30%	P	Outside	6.0fDirt	6	33%	S	Mid/Out
7.0fDirt	162	21%	E	Middle	7.0fDirt	11	9%	P	Rail/Ins
1m 70yDirt	7	14%	E/P	Outside	1m 70yDirt	1	0%	S	Outside
1 1/16mDirt	199	22%	P	Middle	1 1/16mDirt	8	13%	E/P	Mid/Out
Turf Sprint	85	20%	E/P	Rail	Turf Sprint	1	100%	E	Middle
Turf Routes	93	11%	P	Rail	Turf Routes	10	10%	S	Middle

Who's HOT, Who's NOT
HOT TRAINERS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Winning Favorites	'06-'07 Win%
Casse Mark E.	21	9	6	1	5.71	3	20%
Loney A. Radlie	5	3	1	1	3.15	2	21%
Armata Ross	3	2	0	0	6.52	0	19%
Giliforte Layne S.	3	2	0	0	13.12	0	19%
Jordan Terry	3	2	0	0	4.85	1	21%
Richards Lorne	5	2	0	0	3.84	1	22%
Ross John A.	5	2	0	0	10.09	0	21%
Attard Paul	6	2	0	1	12.08	1	21%
Benson Macdonald	6	2	0	1	8.02	1	20%
Johnson Joseph H.	6	2	0	0	6.13	1	20%
HOT JOCKEYS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Winning Favorites	'06-'07 Win%
Wilson Emma-Jayne	25	7	2	4	7.50	5	17%
COLD TRAINERS	Starts	Wins	Place	Show	Avg. Odds	Beaten Favorites	'06-'07 Win%
De Paulo Michael P.	14	0	0	0	13.63	0	13%
Attard Tino	10	0	0	2	21.85	3	10%
Minshall Barbara J.	10	0	1	0	26.60	2	6%
COLD JOCKEYS:	None

COMING UP

The big social event of the season is the LONGRUN GALA on Friday night - it's sold out folks and it's the marquee fundraiser for the year. LONGRUN THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION had its first meeting on NOVEMBER 24, 1998 when its names was chosen by a board of directors numbering 8.
The group has expanded, has charitable status and has retired hundreds of horses over the years.
This year's Gala theme - MOTOWN!

CHAMPION 3YO UP FOR GRABS

Sunday's ONTARIO DERBY should decide the champion 3yo of the year...MIKE FOX or ALEZZANDRO (okay, some may like Leonnatus Anteas but that one has not won anything this year). The pair have each been freshened and are working fast for their return in the Derby.

Hey, on Saturday, there are 49 stakes races worth 100,000 bucks or more across N.A. (thanks to the DRF's Steve Crist for counting). Get ready to mark down your Breeders' Cup hopefuls after watching some of these races!