BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

That will be most of us tomorrow when a huge snowstorm hits Ontario, to go hand-in-hand with the sub-zero temps. Ouch.

Oh well, lots of racing action to cozy up to this weekend with DAAHER at Gulfstream on Saturday on a super card of racing and another big card at Santa Anita - the Strub.

NO STOOGE

CANADIAN-BRED GELDING POSTS 103 BEYER YESTERDAY

Just when you thought that NYUK NYUK NYUK’S win at Gulfstream earlier
 this month, with the 100 Beyer Figure, was huge, the gelding jumped up
rom $35,000 claiming to $62,500 yesterday, won and posted a 103 Beyer, the best of his life.

The Mutakkdim Canadian-bred out of May Time, is owned by Tucci Stables
and trained by Tino Attard.

He scorched 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.29.

The gelding is 2 for 2 in Florida and certainly in the best form of his career.
He was bred by Gord and Elizabeth Lickrish.

QUEEN’S PLATE WATCH- SLIGOVITZ on Saturday

Still early but there are some Canadian-bred 3yo’s lurking out there.

Updating CAFÉ TORTONI’s 2nd place finish in the Golden Gate stake
last weekend – he got a Beyer Figure of 72, on the low side.

On SATURDAY, Stronach Stable’s promising 2yo Ontario bred
SLIGOVITZ (Sligo Bay-Ms Deep Pockets) will try to win his maiden
in a 9 furlong event. He comes off a big 85 Beyer Figure effort at Calder.

CAT BUSINESS

FACE THE CAT (Tale of the Cat) won a 3yo allowance at Gulfstream yesterday
with a 93 Beyer Figure. He is trained by Curlin’s former trainer Helen Pitts.

Face the Cat is a ½ brother to former Woodbine runner BEAR CHARACTER.

NOT GOOD, NOT BETTER

Canadian-bred TH GOOD GET BETTER caused a melee at Gulfstream in the
 finale yesterday. The second-time starter by Fast n Royal was battling for the
 lead into the stretch in the grass race when he suddenly went through the fence ,
fell and caused a mess.

Incredibly, the one fellow who had the most trouble behind him was a youngster
 named OH MY GOD.

OTHER STUFF  - CANADIAN-BRED DOUBLE AT LAUREL

BEAR GLADIATOR (Golden Missile-Great Beauty by Great Gladiator) won
his maiden at Laurel yesterday for $20,000 claiming. The Ontario-bred won the 5 ½ furlong
race under a mild hand ride for owner David Haney.

GREGSON (Silver Deputy-Early Blaze) won the 2nd race for trainer Scott Lake
for $10,000 claiming. The 7yo with tons of back class was claimed by Bella Cavello Stable.

Canadian trainer LAYNE GILIFORTE also won the Laurel card with the
Kentucky bred WALRONDS (Smart Strike) for $10,000 claiming for owner and breeder Eugene Melnyk.

DAAHER AND THE DONN

Donn H. (G1)

1 1/8 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000

Post #	Horse	Jockey	Weight	Claim Price	Equip.	Med.
1	Wood Be Willing	Lezcano J	115			L
2	Spring At Last	Coa E M	119			L
3	Dr Googles Boogles	Desormeaux K J	115			L
4	Daaher	Luzzi M J	120			L
5	A. P. Arrow	Dominguez R	119			L
6	Fairbanks	Velazquez J R	116			L
7	Kiss the Kid	Castro E	115			L
8	Brass Hat	Martinez W	118			L
9	Einstein (BRZ)	Prado E S	119			L

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FRESHMAN SIRE DRAFT 

Rick P sent in his Sire Picks for the contest (which closes March 1, 2008).

For specs on the contest, see recent posts or do a search up top..

Prizes for the top 2 finishers will be something along the lines of a Woodbine clothing item and something else from Woodbine’s awesome gift shop…stay tuned.

Jen,

Here you go:

Strong Hope

Speightown

Smarty Jones

Medagila D'oro

Lion Heart

Candy Ride

Chapel Royal

Omega Code

Friends Lake

Action This Day

BLOOD-BOILING

Only read this guy's column about BARBARO in the LA Times if you have a sense of humor (??) or you just want to get really mad. This guy wrote a nasty one about the horse last year when he passed away and this is one really sad columnist.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers31jan31,1,4857708.column