ALL THINGS CANADIAN

There aren't any Canadian-breds in today's feature at Woodbine, the MY DEAR STAKES, but the race has a good field of American shippers (ther are reports that there may be scratches including Wesley Ward's My Sweet Natalie).

Just nine races on tap for today and there is racing on the holiday tomorrow too.

More news today - get bidding on the QUEEN'S PLATE SADDLE TOWELS - Not Bourbon's winning towel does NOT HAVE A BID.









WHAT DID SHE KNOW?
Nicki posts 77 Beyer in Bison win


It's a bit early in the Woodbine racing meeting to have so many horses change their form dramatically (that's usually what happens in late July and August - the ugly season).
But there are horses popping up with huge efforts now and then and perhaps subtle changes from day to day in the track surface is one reason.

Many agreed there were few reasons to expect the race that NICKI KNEW ran yesterday in the BISON CITY STAKES (a former Fort Erie race named for Buffalo), the 2nd leg of the Triple Tiara. Especially when you consider the trip she had.

(Note - the Beyer Figure for Nicki Knew of 77 was not much higher than her 72 Beyers from this year)


The Tiara had no meaning since the Oaks winner Ginger Brew was not in the race but it was a nice payday for the winner anyway.

A bunch of stragglers who trailed Ginger Brew in the Oaks were in the Bison City plus maiden winner Skipping Queen, who had the best last-race Beyer Figure of 82.

Nicki Knew, a decent 2nd in the Lady Angela Stakes in her 2nd race of the year had a spot of trouble in the Oaks and was 5th beaten 10 lengths, closing nicely to Authenicat, who was fading into 3rd place.

Jono Jones was not on board yesterday, however, and he had been the regular rider for the Knob Hill filly, trained by Kevin Attard.

Jim McAleney picked up the mount (Jones rode Snow Delicious) and the filly was 4 wide around the first turn and almost that wide the rest of the way while a few lengths off the pace set by Sugar Bay.

One of a pair of Josie Carroll trainees, Authenicat, made an early move to the lead but, as she has done many times in her career, once she was clear, she started to stall.

Nicki Knew kept coming and passed Authenicat to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Despite being 7 to 1, the connections were confident.

"We lost a bit of ground. It wasn't an ideal trip. She had to be the
best horse today. I had a lot of confidence in her," offered McAleney.

Nicki Knew raised her earnings to $271,180.

Tethra stands at Colebrook Farms in Uxbridge and Nicki Knew is his 7th stakes winner.
The dam of Nicki Knew is Panteccaria, who was 2nd once in 6 races. She is by Knob Hill's Sam Romano and out of Alexandrina, the dam of Thornfield, a Canadian Horse of the Year and the 3rd dam is Queen's Plate winner La Lorngnette.


KABEL WINS -
OTHER WINNERS


Jockey TODD KABEL, who just returned to riding on Friday after being absent since last fall, won the 4th race yesterday on PANGARI for Oxbridge Farm and Peter Berringer.
"It's great to be back," said Kabel on THE SCORE. "Weight was the reason (for his absence), it's a big problem and my body just wasn't ready."


The Earle family, including Martin and Victoria, have had lots of fun with their mare LIONS RAW, who won $170,000 on the track and now has had 4 winning foals from 4 starters.
The family's 2yo colt by Bold Executive, LIONS RULE won his debut impressively in race 1 yesterday for Ontario sired maidens. Franz Crean trains.
The colt had speed bwten rivals and then pulled away. The lone filly in the race, Double Malt, was badly overbet at 9 to 5 in her race against the boys.
Lions Rile earned a 61 Beyer.

It's Big Willie time again - WILLIE ARMATA won again yesterday, with new claim SWEETLITTLESOLDIER, who was a predictable winner for $19,000 claiming, non-winners of 2. Armata traines for All Day Racing.

FAIRLIGHT won her maiden by more than7 lengths in her 2nd career start in race 3. The 2yo by Hold That Tiger-Petite Diablo by Silver Deputy was a $68,000 yearling purchase (US) was dull in her debut for maiden allowance but coasted to a big win for $40K claiming yesterday. She is owned by Jim and Alice Sapara and trained by Josie Carroll. Catherine O'Brien rode.

LOVE N LUST (A Fleets Dancer) won her maiden with a huge class drop in race 5, maidn allowance to $15,000 claiming. She was bred in Ontario by Cam Allard and is owned by Dave Cotey (trains too) and partners.

ROGER ATTFIELD aNd JONO JONES continue to roll along. They won the 6th race with MORE TO PROVE, a gal by With Approval—Alyette, by Alydeed, bred by Kinghaven Farms in Ontario and owned by Attfield and Bill Werner.
The 5yo mare was switching back from turf to Polytrack in the allowance/optional claimer.

LEA'S MOON burst between a crowd of fillies to win the 8th, an off-the-turf- maiden allowance and it was her 3rd race of her career. The Perigee Moon-Vintage Red gal was bred by Joan Addision. The owner is Colin Ruck-Nightingale and Ian Black trains.

In race 9, MIZZ SHAKIN won her 1 1/16 mile debut in her 3rd race of the year. The ONtario bred by Mizzen Mast went to the lead, went fast and kept going undr David Clark. Harlequin Ranches owns and bred the 3yo filly and Phil England trains.


ELSEWHERE

Ontario bred DRAGOONER, owned by Maggi Moss, won his 12th race in his 35th start in a 6 furlong allowance at Prairie Meadows on Saturday night.
The 6yo geldig is by Siphon (Brz)—Dance On Fire, by Conquistador
Cielo and was bred by Adena Springs.




NOT BOURBON SADDLE TOWEL STILL NOT BID ON...

SADDLE TOWELS - AUCTION ENDS IN 1 DAY!!!

The Queen's Plate starters have their saddle towels on eBay in order to raise money for LONGRUN THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT.

NOT BOURBON'S saddle towel, at a reserve of $2,500, does not have a bid.

The other saddle towels have a bid but many are still at their reserve price so let's get in and bid.
Each is race worn and signed by the jockey.

BID!...

http://search.ebay.ca/queens-plate_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQsatitleZqueenQ27sQ20plate



DUTROW/CONTESSA WAR OF WORDS
(If you haven't read this yet, it's a wild fight)

Some excerpts from JERRY BOSSERT'S'S story on Friday in the New York Daily News:


From Dutrow jr:


"You look at this jerk down here Contessa. How does he set records? How does he do it? Come on, man. If everything is the same playing field, we're going to do as good if not better than anybody."


From Contessa:


"I shuddered every time he opened his big mouth," Contessa said. "He never says anything intelligent. As a spokesperson he's done more damage to the game than anyone."

"I don't use steroids and I know exactly why I do not use steroids," added Contessa, referring to Dutrow, who has admitted to using the steroid Winstrol on his horses but has also said he doesn't know why. "I'm still waiting for him to say something intelligent because it still hasn't happened. He's a moron."




VIC ZAST hits the mark:

HORSE RACING COVERAGE AND BLOGGERS....

Here's an excerpt:


Horse racing has its Russerts. They come down to a handful of writers who work for the daily newspapers that still cover the abandoned sport.

The trade journals can’t act responsibly because they’re beholden to an advertising base that reacts to criticism by holding back ad money. The network Web sites compare the number of readers that horse racing gets to baseball, football and basketball audiences, so they won’t budget to pay for original writing. They merely lift news from other outlets.

The result is that abuses mount far in excess of what they should before the kettle bubbles over.

How long have some of the country’s leading trainers allowed their veterinarians to use illegal medications that have skirted detection?

Why the hands-off treatment of thoroughbred breeders? Are they not partially to blame for the endless racing season, fragile horses and early retirement of marketable equine stars? This mess that the sport is in didn’t happen overnight.

read the rest here..

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.php/Zasts-TrackWords/06302008
bloggers-are-horse-racings-russerts/

LONG WEEKEND

THE LOOONG WEEKEND is underway - racing was on Friday, Saturday, today, tomorrow (not a holiday for most), Tuesday and Wednesday.

The KING EDWARD BREEDERS' CUP may have been won a good horse although the field was a bit weak for the big money.
Tuesday's feature, the $300,000 Dominion Day attracted just 5 horses.



KING EDDY A GOOD RACE, I SWEAR


Squishy turf made the King Edward Breeders' Cup (Grade 2) a bit of a crapshoot since favoured SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN, a delicate 5yo with 3 races, had never tried wet grass and the rest of the field were question marks.

ROYAL OATH emerged as the winner after a long, arduous stretch battle with ICE BEAR, taking home the bulk of the $300,000 purse.

A new arrival to Canada, Royal Oath was a flat 5th in the Connaught Cup in his first race from overseas.

It was a different horse that won yesterday from just off the pace under Pat Husbands.

"Last time, he had a nice trip, but he didn't fire down the lane," said Husbands, of the race won by Rahy's Attorney. "In his last work, he was a different horse. I don't think it was the track last time. He just wasn't happy. Right now, he's a good horse."

Royal Oath raced in England and Dubai before coming to Canada and showed the form Casse expected in the King Edward.

"The Farish's decided to bring him over here earlier this spring and I'm glad they did," said conditioner who won consecutive Sovereign Awards as Canada's top trainer in 2006 and 2007. "He came in a couple of days before the last race (Connaught) and he didn't have a great trip on the plane. The horse just looked flat to me.

"About a week ago, we worked him and I sent a text message to Bill (Farish Sr.) and I said, 'Okay, I just saw a good horse.' Luckily, he ran that way today."

Royal Oath is by Kingmambo out of Sherkiya by Goldneyev. He is the 78th stakes winner for his sire.




OTHER WINNERS


Trainer WILLIE ARMATA has had a big year in his first season of training. He dropped NO GRUMBLING down in class and won the 1st race at odds on ($3.80) for All Day Racing and Rainbow Stables. The gelding won his maiden for $15,000 and he's by Compadre out of Sleek Prospector (Geiger Counter)

John Fielding and trainer Reade Baker won the 2nd with HOLBORN, an Ontario bred by Smoke Glacken out of Featherinmycap (Rare Brick). A heavy favourite, the gret was winning his maiden for $32,000.

BILBO led all the way to win the 3rd race for Laurie Silvera and Love 2 Win and was claimed for $20,000. The gre Kentucky bred is by Point Given and he was the 3rd favourite to win on the day after 3 races.

Empress Stable homebred KOONUNGA HILL by Wonneberg out of Easy to Praise, by Alwuhush. won her maiden in her 2nd career race for 2yo fillies in race 4, the 4th favourite in a row to win on the day.
Trained by Steve Owens, the bay filly won by a neck over firster CATALEENDA, who was hard ridden for the entire 5 furlongs.

TREVON'S GLORY (Trajectory-Judith's Sister, Avies Copy) put a halt to favourite-day as he led all the way to win race 5 at 7 to 1, showing a dramatic reversal of form. The dark bay was 3 to 1 for his debut, finsihed 2nd, then was 2 to and favoured last time and was 9th beaten 20. Norm DeSouza trains for T. Wallen and partners.

Trainer SID ATTARD is on a serious roll, He won with Goldmart Farms' GAJA IN RACE 8 for $12,500 claiming fillies and then pulled off a head scratcher in the last with PRIVATE BATTLE, owned by Bob Harvey.
The latter had not racd since March when at Fair Grounds for a turf dash (she was 11th) and she had 2 Polytrack outings that were dull around a good grass event last year.
The Pick 4 paid $4,000.

DELAFORCE was a front running winner of the 9th race for Ken Parsley and Rick Pettifer. The Porto Foricos 3yo was a stakes winner last year at 2.



ELSEWHERE


At PHILADELPHIA PARK, NO ACRONYMS, B. f. 3, Milwaukee Brew —Last Supper, by De Niro won a 1 1/16 miles turf allowanc race for Petal Power racing. She is an Ontario bred with 2 wins in 9 races. She was bred by Adena Springs.


AND MORE

FROZEN FIRE, a German-bred, won this morning's IRISH DERBY at the Curragh, coming from absolutely last with a furlong out to win the classic with his ears pricked. The 16 to 1 shot is by Montjeu out of a Woodman mare and is owned by Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien.

MAKE A WISH

106TH KING EDWARD BREEDERS' CUP
Race named for Edward VII

Course is going to be quite SOFT...


The King Edward Breeders' Cup is one of Woodbine's oldest races.

It has lost much of its lustre in recent years as far as good fields but still offers a huge purse and Grade 2 status.

Named for Edward VII of the United Kingdom who had been crowned king in 1901, the race was created the following year with its first running taking place in 1903 as the King Edward Gold Cup. It was raced on dirt at the Old Woodbine Park until 1958 when it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack and changed to a turf race. Renamed the King Edward Breeders' Handicap in 2007 .

FRENCH BERET wants giving grass but will he be able to beat the very promising SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN, a Canadian bred 5yo by Not Impossible out of the Olympion mare Athena's Smile?

The Chairman has the same owner, trainer and jock (and sire!) as Plate winner NOT BOURBON.

All the other grass races today figure to be taken off the turf - rain is expected all day and much of the weekend.



SOAP OPERA
Sudsy Baby wins!

The feature at Woodbine yesterdsay, race 3 an allowance optional claimer for non-winners of 3 'other than' was as much a story about SUDSY BABY winning her first race since JULY 2006 as it was the odds-on choice WHISPER TO ME fnishing a very bad last in the field of 5.
Sudsy Baby pressed the front running Rushen Heat (trained by Barry Abrams) all the way and won a stretch battle by about a length at a fat 10 to 1. The Florida bred is by Lite the Fuse and is trained by Roger Attield for Winston Penny.

There's a nice one in the works in STRAY CAT STRIDE, Ian Jamieson's homebred Cat's At Home colt out of Hasta Pronto by El Prado.
The colt had dead-heated for a maiden win last time in his 2nd career start and then was ultra tough on the pace yesterday to win an allowance race in 1:11.23 after battling Bold Finale to the wire.
He is trained by Danny O'Callaghan.


OTHER WINNERS


IZKRA won her 2nd consecutive race in the 1st event for $19,000, non-winners of 3. The Knob Hill Farms homebred by Iskandar Elakbar our ot Volterra, Cool Victor was riden by Jerry Baird. Kevin Attard trains the 5-year-old.

HIGH TABLE was the logical winner of race 2 for Rolph Davis and Robert Tiller. The Kentucky bred by High Yield won the non-winners of 3 with a 3 wide stalking trip and wore down front runner Spectacular Humor to win handily in the drop from $37,500 to $20,000. Emma Wilson was riding the gelding. A rallying Gold Cahet, off since last December, was 2nd.

RACE 4- Sometimes when you do all the right things to get a win, especially with a horse that has not won in a while, it still doesn't work. DASHING MONTY was plunging in for $12,500 yesterday, adding blinkers and he had some good back Beyer Figures. But he was sent hard to the lead, very hard, went too fast, and stopped to last.
Meanwhile DOWN RANGE came off a huge layoff from January at Tampa 9where he was beaten 35 lengths in 2 races,dropped in class as well, and won with a stalking trip.
The owner is Carlo d'Amato and it was trainer Abraham Katryan's 7th win of the season.
A pair of Kings finished the triactor - King's Missile by Golden Missile for Nick DeToro was 2nd and King Tate, who ran a weird race, closing fast late after stalling from the turn to the stretch, was 3rd for Andrew Smith.

Hmmm, INDIAN ARM won the 5th race by a long, long margin after a 3 wide pace duel in the maiden $11,500 sprint.
Okay, the grey 3yo had been 4 to 1 or less in all SIX of his previous races but his form was not great.
His last race? He was 3 to 1 at the same level and distance, cleared the field going 45 4/5 and stopped to be 10th beaten more than 8 lengths.
Why the sudden reversal of form?
Indian Arm was 7 to 1 and is owned/bred by Prairie Star racing, trained by Scott Fairlie and Na Somsanith rode the Mizzen Mast gelding.
The superfecta paid $14,000.

RACE 6 - The quirky JADER was so very, very game in the stretch as he battled all the way from the turn to the wire with TOBE SUAVE and won by a head. The Irish-bred has been strange since he arrived in Canada for Gary Tanaka. He was claimed by Tallyho and Norm McKnight for $25,000 last fall (never won for Tanaka) and was out of sorts the rest of the year.
He surprised with a big win for $11,500 on May 28, flopped in an off-the-turf race for $40K last time and then won for $12,500 yesterday. David Garcia rides him well.

Trainer PETER BERRINGER got his first win of the year when FROBISHER BAY won his maiden at 6 furlongs on the grass in his 12th career start. The Oxbridge Farm homebred is by Dayjur out of a Spend a Buck mare. It was his 2nd race of the year.

There was a good stretch battle in the last race too as BOARDROOM BEAUTY and BRACE YASELFSHEILA battled through the lane to the wire for $16,000 claiming for maidens.
The latter won by a head for Mike Ambler and friends and trainer Ian Black. Corey Fraser gave the filly a nice trip from the 14 post. She is a One Way Love 3yo.




WE WANT CURLIN!!

Thoroughblog picked up a note from the Louisville Courier-Journal a while back about Steve Asmussen and Curlin possibly coming to Woodbine for a gras srace as they prepare for the ARC.

He's by a Canadian-bred sire, out of a mare by a Canadian-bred sire so c'mon guys, bring CURLIN to WOODBINE for a turf race just like the great Secretariat did when he finished his career in 1973.

The DAILY RACING FORM reports that there is some legal troubles with licensing some of the colt's owners in various places - all the places they want to run him.

The timing of Woodbine's grass race, the NIJINSKY STAKES ON AUGUST 4 is not what they want...but who knows?!

Here is an excerpt from the DRF...

Legal web around Curlin
By MATT HEGARTY

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The racing options for the 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin, have become increasingly complex because of the legal problems surrounding the colt's minority owner, Midnight Cry Stable, jeopardizing Curlin's ability to enter races in Illinois, New York, and France.

Curlin's trainer, Steve Asmussen, has mentioned the July 12 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park outside of Chicago as a possibility for the 4-year-old colt's next stop and first grass race, but Illinois racing rules may disqualify Midnight Cry from an owner's license there. Similar rules are in place in other states, such as New York, where the July 12 Man o' War, also on grass, would seem to be an option.

In addition, the resolution of the legal problems surrounding Midnight Cry's owners could affect the ability of Curlin to race anywhere in the United States or abroad, racing officials said. Curlin's owners have said they are considering a start this year in the Oct. 5 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on the grass at Longchamp in France.



SUFFOLK DOWNS: ZERO TOLERANCE SLAUGHTER POLICY

from the THOROUGHBRED TIMES...


Suffolk Downs has established a new policy holding trainers accountable
when their horses are sold for slaughter.

Sam Elliott, the track’s vice president for racing, has informed the
leadership of the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective
Association that any trainer found to have sold a horse for slaughter will
have his stalls revoked and be denied stalls at any time in the future.
Elliott said the plan has the complete backing of Richard Fields, the
real estate and casino developer who purchased a controlling interest
in Suffolk Downs last year.
“If a horse goes from here to the slaughterhouse, that’s completely
unacceptable,” Elliott said. “That trainer won’t be here. I don’t think that’s
anybody we’d want to have around. Mr. Fields is a strong believer in the
retirement idea. He’s a big backer of it. The two are incompatible.”
Elliott commended local horsemen and several local Thoroughbred retirement
organizations for offering several options for retiring racehorses

Check out the Thoroughbred Times for more on this story.



DUTROW, ASMUSSEN POSITIVES...ACCIDENTS?

There is a good chance that both recent positives (and trainer Larry Jones also has one) for the top trainers Rick Dutrow and Steve Asmussen are barn mistakes, inadvertant accidents and certainly, the cases are going to be overblown the way racing is these days.
Jockey JEREMY ROSE'S whip incident as well, 6 months suspension, has attracted a ton of press and some think the suspension is too much.
(Daily Racing Form's STEVE CRIST...www.drf.com..today)

Here are Dutrow's comments from yesterday according to www.newsday.com

DUTROW: DRUG SNAFU NOT SUCH A BIG DEAL
from newsday.com

BY JOHN JEANSONNE | john.jeansonne@newsday.com


A drug positive on one of his horses "is not my fault but it is my responsibility," thoroughbred trainer Rick Dutrow acknowledged Friday during a half-hour session with reporters during which he wondered why he is being associated with "all this negative stuff."

Dutrow, a central character during this year's Triple Crown series by saddling Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown, earlier stirred criticism in the racing industry by admitting he regularly administered the steroid Winstrol to his horses, including Big Brown, then failed to appear at last week's congressional hearing on horse safety.

Wednesday's news, that the Dutrow-trained Salute the Count - not part of Big Brown's IEAH Stables - was found with more than twice the allowable limit of the bronchial dilator clenbuterol in a May 2 race at Churchill Downs, now has Dutrow facing a 15-day suspension.

"I did a great job with that horse [Big Brown], and you all should be thinking about that and writing about that."

read more at newsday.com


BITS


UNITED THOROUGHBREDS is getting some attention (SEE AD AT RIGHT) AS THE NEWEST SYNDICATION option for folks wanting to race horses at Woodbine. Click in the ad for more info to get one of the last spots in the syndicate!

Today's HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP lost 7 to 5 morning line choice HEATSEEKER due to an ankle ailment. The race becomes a bettor's delight now..

The FESTIVAL OF RACING at Prairie Meadows started up last night but Canadian-Bred MAREN'S MEADOW was scratched from the IOWA OAKS, won by the Sky Mesa filly STORM MESA.
TIZ NOW TIZ THEN then took the $250,000 Iowa Derby at 5-1 odds for his third consecutive victory.

Jockey DAVID CLARK is back riding today after being in court yesterday . Clark has plead guilty to impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm. His sentencing continues on Sept. 30.



SADDLE TOEWL MANIA

There was a spike in the action at eBay yesterday when some the Queen's Plate saddle towels, signed by the jockeys, started to get bids.

ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT FOLKS...do the right thing and bid on them for LONGRUN THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION.

No bids so far on QUEEN'S PLATE WINNER NOT BOURBON ($2,500 reserve) or runner-up GINGER BREW ($1,000).

Sign up for free and go HERE:

http://search.ebay.ca/queens-plate_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQsatitleZqueenQ27sQ20plate

ACROSS THE LAND

WOODBINE FRIDAY, DAY 1 OF 6 STRAIGHT CARDS!!
Pick 7 carryover up to $12,000


Woodbine powers through a six-day stretch beginning today.

There will be lots of races and stakes action and the purse money offered for these races - Wow!


RAIN EXPECTED all day tomorrow for the King Edward Breeders' Cup tomorrow - Grade 2, $300,000, the favourite has never won a stake (SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN)

Bison City, Sunday, 2nd leg of Triple Tiara, no Oaks winner, best Beyer Figure in race comes from recent maiden winner (SKIPPING QUEEN)

My Dear Stakes is Monday - 2yo fillies, should see some shippers, perhaps ROYAL CARD, who is co-owned by Canadian Mark Dobson

Dominion Day is Tuesday - True Metropolitan and Sterwins, hoping for some big name US horses.....(remember Funny Cide came once?)

There are curiously very few shippers for our big races this weekend, considering how much money is up for grabs.


Today, TODD KABEL is expected to ride in his first races since he finished 2007 in the fall.
Kabel's first mount is in race 2 on LONG JOURNEY.

Three allowance events today:

RACE 3 - on the turf for fillies and mares and Pin Oak Stables' WHISPER TO ME is favoured in a 6-horse field. She is a Thunder Gulch gal who wants a good pace to run at.

RACE 7 - maidens on the grass. NICE CASE will be favoured despite light turf breeding as he's run two 80+ Beyer Figures in 2 starts. The long stretch run may be a hurdle. Nicely bred CHEERS MATE should be a contender in a turf sprint like his mum Ring of Flowers was.

RACE 8 - Ontario sired allowance for non-winners of 2- lots of speed in the race and several recent maiden winners. NAKED NUES and BOLD FINALE are the main contenders.



LET'S GET UNITED!

Getting new folks involved in racehorse ownership is one key to the growth of the industry.
Make it addordable for you and me and people can have tons of fun following there horses and hopefully making a few dollars.

The latest Ontario syndicate (and take note of those Woodbine purses folks) is UNITED THOROUGHBREDS, started by David Godin.

"It is our goal to make ownership of race horses less challenging while taking away the major cost that is generally associated with owninga racehorse. We do this by dividing the cost of buying and keeping a horse amongst shareholders.

You have the opportunity to purchase as many shares as available, therefore choosing a participation level that fits your investment needs. Owning a race horse is a "risky" investment, with many horses racing at a claiming level or yearlings that never make a race at all. Dividing the "risk" will ensure owning a racehorse is a manageable expense that will allow you to learn the ropes before risking it all."

Godin has enlisted several top horsepeople to start purchasing yearlings this fall for the inaugural United syndicate.

His website is detailed on how the monies are divided and there will be plenty of information there for owners.

You can check his website by clicking on his advertisment at RIGHT.



ALEX BROWN ON THE BLOOD-HORSE


There was a good on-line chat at THE BLOOD-HORSE yesterday featuring horse welfare guru ALEX BROWN, who gallops horses for Steve Asmussen at Woodbine as well.
Brown answered questions about everything (he loves the female jockey colony at WOODBINE), even about his employment with Asmussen.

Read the transcript HERE:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/talkinhorses/AB062608.asp



ASMUSSEN FACES POSSIBLE LONG SUSPENSION
and one of his owner's MOSS to fight for him
(and DUTROW has another too)

Just not a great year for the racing industry.
Two of the prominent trainers have positives again, one, Steve Asmussen has horses stabled at Woodbine.
The drug is a class 2 but Asmussen will fight it according to the LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL:


Asmussen to fight Texas finding on lidocaine
By Jennie Rees • jrees@courier-journal.comThe Courier-Journal • June 27, 2008


An attorney for leading trainer Steve Asmussen vowed yesterday to fight the Texas Racing Commission's charge that a 2-year-old filly in his care tested positive for the local anesthetic lidocaine after winning a maiden race at Lone Star Park on May 10.

Lawyer and horse owner Maggi Moss said she feels so strongly that she's making it her first legal case in 1½ years. Moss -- who led the nation in victories in 2006 and won her first Churchill Downs title last spring -- was a high-profile defense attorney in Des Moines, Iowa, before taking an indefinite leave to devote full time to her racing stable.

Her trainers include Asmussen, who leads the country in victories and purse earnings with a massive stable that includes Horse of the Year Curlin. Moss said she hired Karen Murphy, a well-known New York equine attorney, as co-counsel. Lidocaine, which is present in some hand lotions, isn't allowed in a horse's system while racing.

It is classified by the Association of Racing Commissioners International as a Class 2 drug, which means it has therapeutic use but also a high potential to enhance performance.

Moss said Asmussen was served by the Texas Racing Commission yesterday morning with a charge that Gainesway Stable's 2-year-old filly Timber Trick tested positive for a metabolite of lidocaine after winning a May 10 maiden race at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.

A metabolite is what is produced after the drug goes through the body.

In a release yesterday evening confirming the charge, the commission said Texas has zero tolerance for any substances banned for racing, except the anti-bleeder medication furosemide and the anti-inflammatory known as bute.

If the Lone Star stewards determine there's been a violation, the penalty under Texas law is a fine ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, a suspension of six months to a year and loss of the race purse. Other states would honor those sanctions.

read the story:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/SPORTS08/806270554/1002/SPORTS



IN BRITISH COLUMBIA:
DANCING ALLSTAR HEADS TO FLORIDA,
MILLENIUM ALLSTAR REMEMBERED


DAILY RACING FORM'S Randy Goulding reports that DANCING ALLSTAR, Canada's champion 2yo filly last year who is pummeling her opposition in western Canada, could race next at Calder in a Summit of Speed race on July 12.
The filly is headed to Woodbine in a week and then to Florida if arrangements can be made.
She is owned by Bob Cheema and trained by Terry Jordan.

Dancing Allstar's late sire is honoured here:


Millennium Allstar's legacy one for the ages Tom Wolski, The Province


Last weekend for the second consecutive year, two young horses, Dancing Allstar and Star Prospector, bred by Bent Tree Farm's outstanding stallion Millennium Allstar, each won $50,000 CTHS (Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society) Sales Stakes races.

It's a feat for the record books, but the story of how these two horses and their breeder Val Hiebert made it this far is a story worth telling.

In 2004, Hiebert's husband Don in search of a top stallion for their breeding farm purchased Millennium Allstar from NHL goalie Curtis Joseph. The stallion was later bred to mares High On Believen and Lady Fettuccine. In January 2005, after a long battle with cancer, on a vet's advice, Millennium Allstar was euthanized.

Five months later, his owner also passed away from serious illness.

"It was shocking," said Val. "It was extremely sad because Don loved Millennium Allstar and only got to see Dancing Allstar in the field for a few months before passing away. He never did see Star Prospector."

"Because Don had passed away before ever knowing how good he was and had no idea Millennium Allstar would turn out to be this top stallion, he set up a partial will that we hold a partial dispersal of the farm."

Abiding by her husband's will, Val sold the two mares privately, and sold Dancing Allstar and Star Prospector through the CTHS. Last year, Bent Tree Farm was named B.C.'s Leading Breeder. Over the past three years Hiebert has presented winning trophies to horses she bred at her small breeding farm.

BONUS RACES: Hard to remember when B.C. had five consecutive days of live horse racing. This afternoon thoroughbred racing returns to Sunflower Downs in Princeton for perhaps the only one-day race meeting in Canada. This unique annual event celebrates the 40th running of Princeton Days, a key highlight of the lesser-known "B" Circuit of horse racing in this province.


ALBERTA RACING FUTURE, FOR NOW, RESTS AT NORTHLANDS


The EDMONTON SUN's JOHN SHORT talks with LES BUTLER about Northlands Park in Edmonton, where racing may have to live for the next 2 years...

More than a dozen years ago, Les Butler was hired to take control of racing at Northlands Park.

In the early stages, surrounded by clutter as the Spectrum was taking shape as part of the Northlands commitment to thoroughbred and standardbred racing, he talked openly of his hope that both breeds would prosper to the point that five-year plans were almost commonplace.

"I felt that we needed that sort of stability to let everyone grow comfortable," he recalled this week. Now an assistant general manager whose special responsibilities include racing and gaming, Butler could not hide his frustration when asked to predict the future of all aspects of racing in this region. Like it or not, every intelligent projection is coloured by the on-again, off-again state of the CrossIron racing development at Balzac, near Calgary's northern edge.

"Everyone is aware that the project won't be started until 2010 at the earliest," Butler said. With Calgary Exhibition and Stampede officials adamant that they won't be involved in racing next year - and with several horsemen equally insistent that they wouldn't return to Stampede Park under any conditions - the pressure sits squarely on Northlands to accommodate both harness and thoroughbred seasons next year.

"There is always talk that Lethbridge or Grande Prairie or some other centre (Ponoka? Lacombe?) could be made to work," he cautioned, "but I don't see it happening in a year." After completing their spring season here, the hard-working harness folks moved to Grande Prairie, where purses are small and expenses are high. It has been reported that the average handle for "live" racing at Grande Prairie is less than $2,000 per day. If so, there is no sign of the bright future horsemen would like to anticipate.

"There is only one track that can accommodate exercise riders in sufficient numbers to prepare and operate a full race meeting for either breed," Butler said. "This is it." The Northlands commitment began long before the Spectrum was built and is still intact. Last year, the cost of renovating a paddock, creating a dedicated sports book and upgrading service and facilities contributed to a $300,000 Northlands loss. "We can't afford that again," he said.

More than a dozen years ago, Les Butler was hired to take control of racing at Northlands Park.

In the early stages, surrounded by clutter as the Spectrum was taking shape as part of the Northlands commitment to thoroughbred and standardbred racing, he talked openly of his hope that both breeds would prosper to the point that five-year plans were almost commonplace.

"I felt that we needed that sort of stability to let everyone grow comfortable," he recalled this week. Now an assistant general manager whose special responsibilities include racing and gaming, Butler could not hide his frustration when asked to predict the future of all aspects of racing in this region. Like it or not, every intelligent projection is coloured by the on-again, off-again state of the CrossIron racing development at Balzac, near Calgary's northern edge. "Everyone is aware that the project won't be started until 2010 at the earliest," Butler said.

With Calgary Exhibition and Stampede officials adamant that they won't be involved in racing next year - and with several horsemen equally insistent that they wouldn't return to Stampede Park under any conditions - the pressure sits squarely on Northlands to accommodate both harness and thoroughbred seasons next year.

"There is always talk that Lethbridge or Grande Prairie or some other centre (Ponoka? Lacombe?) could be made to work," he cautioned, "but I don't see it happening in a year."

After completing their spring season here, the hard-working harness folks moved to Grande Prairie, where purses are small and expenses are high. It has been reported that the average handle for "live" racing at Grande Prairie is less than $2,000 per day. If so, there is no sign of the bright future horsemen would like to anticipate. "There is only one track that can accommodate exercise riders in sufficient numbers to prepare and operate a full race meeting for either breed," Butler said. "This is it."

The Northlands commitment began long before the Spectrum was built and is still intact. Last year, the cost of renovating a paddock, creating a dedicated sports book and upgrading service and facilities contributed to a $300,000 Northlands loss.
"We can't afford that again," he said.

Read the rest of the story from the Edmonton Sun..
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2008/06/27/6000826-sun.html



NOT VERY APPEAL-ING


Lots of appealing going on these days - JEREMY ROSE has an appeal hearing set for the middle of July for his whip incident when he hit a mare in the eye in a race last wekend (scroll down to a post from 2 days ago watch the head-on, it's shocking).
TYLER PIZARRO has appealed 3 and 5-day suspensions according to DAILY RACING FORM, one of which involved a rider falling off.
Pizarro has received some accolades, and some head scratchings, for his ride on SKIPPED BAIL on Wednesday night when he had the horse in several jackpots but showed no fear to barge his way through.


eBAY SADDLE TOWELS FROM PLATE, 4 days left!!!

The saddle towels worn by QUEEN'S PLATE STARTERS are up for auction at eBay. All horses are at their reserve bids except for one:
SHADOWLESS has had 7 bids and is up from $250 to $510!

Show your support for horses and LONGRUN...

http://search.ebay.ca/queens-plate_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQsatitle
ZqueenQ27sQ20plate

AT ODDS

"ONTARIO TRACKS WILL GO BROKE" if report implemented

Woodbine reacts to the 'SADINSKY REPORT'

Harness folks "welcome report"


Woodbine Entertainment's CEO and chair DAVID WILLMOT said the recently released report "It's All about Leadership Strategic Vision and Direction for the Ontario Horse Racing and Breeding Industry has some " interesting and thought-provoking suggestions" but that essentially the "recommendations are entirely impractical, unrealistic and unworkable from a financial perspective. Racetracks simply would not be able to internally finance their operations or obtain bank financing."

Meanwhile the ONTARIO HARNESS HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION said this:

"On behalf of the harness racing industry in Ontario I thank the panel's Chair, Stanley Sadinsky, and the two members, Jane Stewart and Bill McDonnell, for their efforts and expertise in producing this comprehensive report and their recommendations for creating a positive future for the horse racing sector," said OHHA president Jim Whelan.


FROM THE REPORT:

*One issue pinpointed is the recommendation that of the 20% of the slots revenue that goes right now to the track is now divided 50-50 between track and other industry initiatives:

recommended framework:

12.5% Restricted Races
12.5% Breeders, Owners Awards
10% Purse Pooling Racetrack
10% Payments (pooling)
2.1% Marketing
1.7% HO Operations
0.85% Research
0.85% Innovations


Some points on why this is needed according to the report:

*For Breeders, the anticipated ‘trickle down’ effect of the Slots at Racetracks Program has not been significant:
It was anticipated that higher purses would lead to increased purchases and prices of yearlings. In fact, the impact on breeders has been minimal, less than a $13M increase in yearling sales between 1997 and 2006.

*Only a few racetracks are holding or increasing the Ontario wagerers’ interest in the Ontario racing product

*Only half of the racetracks are holding or increasing the Ontario wagerers’ interest in their own product:

*It was anticipated that the infusion of slot revenues would allow for investments (e.g. marketing, racetrack infrastructure, purses, etc.) that would increase attendance and wagering. Of the 18 racetracks in Ontario, nine have experienced decreased wagering by Ontario

*Ontarians now wager 57% of their wagering dollars on foreign product:


From WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT:

"The report recognized WEG's flagship role in the Ontario horse racing
industry," Willmot. "Ironically, if the recommendations were implemented, WEG would immediately lapse into a substantial loss position. As a not-for-profit company financed
entirely by debt, WEG would breach its banking covenants and would not
be able to obtain future financing. Notwithstanding that the report is
well intentioned in attempting to provide a strategic direction for the
Ontario Horse Racing and Breeding Industry, the effect of its
recommendations would devastate the second largest agricultural sector
in the Province, which generates 55,000 jobs.

WEG trusts that the Province will recognize the short-comings of the
report and looks forward to working with the Government on strategies
which will ensure the long-term viability of this significant
industry."




WOODBINE WEDNESDAY EVENING

Brave 'Skip' wins feature;

filly in last race "weaving like a broken shopping cart"

"This is the Skip we saw last season,'said Robert Krembil, owner of Chiefswood Farm, which bred SKIPPED BAIL, the dark bay Skip Away gelding won won the featured allowance event last night at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Hairy is about the only word you could have used to describe the win by the Ontario bred out of Striking Proposal.
A small field was thought to produce a slow pace but that was not the case. Decew Falls and Cold War went 45 and change to the half mile over the very firm turf and Moonshine Hall, the 8yo classy dude and Skipped Bail were happy to trail.

Jockey Tyler Pizarro, who won 4 races at Fort Erie on Tuesday, is riding like a machine these days and it did not matter the young man as he snuck up the fence that Vorhees Ballad was pressing him into the fence on the turn.

Once he extracted himself away from that rival, he had to slip through Moonshine Hall and the rail and the latter also cramped the pair on the fence by Skip powered through for the win. His 1:45.73 for 9 furlongs just missed the course record of 1:45.20

He is a stakes placed gelding with a bright future. It was his 4th win in 19 races.




LOOK WHO GOT A HAIRCUT!

Isabelle and Angel shed their wooly coats finally (okay, they had help from our friend Peter who had a heck of a time corralling the girls to shear them)







OTHER WINNERS LAST NIGHT

RACE 1- There have been many of us who have picked JOANNIE NOT JO at least once or twice in his 4 racs this year and watched him finish 2nd and 3rd. Last night, he stretched out to 1 1/16 miles and won by almost 7 lengths for $16,000 claiming. The Ontario breed by Century City, bred by Richard Lister, is owned by G T Heat and trained by Steve Owens.

RACE 2- First quarter mile in 22 1/5, a modest pace duel between the undefeatd MIMI COOPER and MEADOW PRINCESS and loving that duel was favoured TRUE JEAN, for Rocco d'Alimonte and Frank Annecchini, who bought her as a yearling for $25,000.
Trained by Catherine Day Phillips, True Jean is by Yes It's True and was bred by Huntington Stud Farm.
The $62,500 claiming race for 3yo fillies was the first win in 4 races this year for Jean, who has now banked close to $100,000.
(There was a claim of foul in the race from the 3rd place finisher, Third Time Lucky, as she was carried out by True Jean, who was carried out badly by Mimi Cooper. Mimi's jock Jono Jones was hitting the filly left handed but she was not disqualified).

Day Phillips let on that there was a "glitch" in the current training of Grade 1 hero JAMBALAYA and that "we'll know more in a week or two".
Jambalaya has not raced since last summer.


RACE 3 - A big class drop for Stuart Hyman's LADY D'WILDCAT and a switch to grass (plus a beautiful, relaxed ride by David Clark) meant a win for the homebred Ontario gal by D'Wildcat out of Avenue's Lady.
"She never touched the grass before but we are pointing to the Passing Mood Stakes at the end of the month so it was a good place to try," said trainer Steve Roberts on THE SCORE show.
The 3yo was 7th in the Woodbine Oaks behind Ginger Brew and was dropping to Ontario sired allowance company.
It was her 3rd win in her 10th start.

RACE 5 - A packed maiden allowance for fillies & mares at 6 furlongs and what a training job by Robert Tiller to have FRANTIC CITY (Carson City) to win her debut after a litany of troubles getting her to the races.
Tiller told THE SCORE show that the filly had two tibia fractures early in her life, a shoulder problem and other stuff, thus the debut at age 4.
But the chestnut half sister to HORSE OF THE YEAR WIN CITY darted to the lead in the stretch and held off a strong rally by another 1ster, HELLO MAGGIE MAY (Lemon Drop Kid) to win in 1:10 2/5.
Frantic City (from the FLINTSTONES!) is owned and bred by Frank DiGiulo and David Clark rode.

"She made us wait, if it wasn'tone thing or another, I never thought I would see this day come that she would run," said DiGiulio on THE SCORE. "This means a lot, she worked well when she was younger but then she got hurt."

Said Tiller (whose wife GAIL celebrated her birthday last evening), "She was tied up to a stall at one point for 5 months, we thought we were going to lose her with those tibia fractures in behind. But this is a big moment for us."

RACE 6 - Gus Vlahos picked up more than $37,000 when his MR. BOWIE rallied to win the allowance race for non-winners of 1 'other than' at 7 furlongs. The grey Alphabet Soup colt was claimed by the owner and trainer David Bell last year for $50,000 and he's closing in on getting that money back. Th colt has been learning to settle down in his races.
The vastly improved Tejano Run gelding KILMOGANNY was 2nd in his first race since winning his maiden.

RACE 7 - Sam-Son Farms' droppd in the 6yo horse GO TO THE SUN for just $23,500, the fellow was not claimed and he rallied inside and outside to win at a nice 4 to 1. The Gone West guy is out of Wilderness Song, who will be inducted into the horse racing hall of the fame this summer. Go to the Sun has won 6 of 26 starts.
Old timer HIGH VOLT JOLT, who led led in his 2nd race of the year, was claimed by Ace Stable/Scott Fairlie. The gelding has been in a litany of different barns in his career.

RACE 8 - Looked like a full moon was in action here. Horses racing in bizarre fashion and many got in trouble in the maiden filly race for $12,500
. Into the turn, SIPHON'S STORM, who was dueling with GOLD SPINNER, was trying to get out badly and jockey Dean Deverell looked as if he was hanging on for dear life.

Then off the turn, GOLD SPINNER, a Macho Uno filly making her 2nd start of the year and 4th career start, bore out badly, then came came badly and then weaved in and out through the stretch on her way to a 3rd place finish. She was later disqualified and placed 5th.

Track announcer Dan Loiselle said, "Gold Spinner is weaving like a broken shopping cart:. now that's funny.

The worst trips in the race - AGREETOBEGOOD, who was also steadied into the far turn as well, and NALEE'S CROWN, who rallied like a wild horse in her 2nd career start.


COMING UP

The long, long weekend kicks off Friday - there is racing at Woodbine through until next Thursday - racing on Tuesday!

The stakes races are:

KING EDWARD GOLD CUP - Saturday, comes just one week after the Singspiel, also a marathon turf race for older horses, thus the field is small. SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN for the Charles Fipke, Roger Attfield, Jono Jones team will be odds on.

BISON CITY - Sunday: 2nd leg of the TRIPLE TIARA, but that series can't be won as Ginger Brew went in the Plate instead. A small field is possible with AUTHENICAT the probable favourite.

MY DEAR - 2yo fillies, Monday: Should be a good race as long as some shippers come in - PRIDE (Lion Heart) would be a cool one to see. The Asmussen team has A DAY FOR DANCING, a local winner, and others.

DOMINION DAY - The showdown - TRUE METROPOLITAN and STERWINS again, the 1-2 in the Eclipse and then go a bit farther at 1 1/ 8 miles.
There are 23 noms, 5 from Stronach Stables (Jungle Fighter etc.).


ARRAVALE'S OWNER BUYS GROUP 3 WINNER

Robert Costigan, who recently retired his Horse of the Year ARRAVALE, has purchased GREAT WAR EAGLE from Europe to race in the American Derby on July 12 at Arlington.
The 3yo colt is by Storm Cat out of Breeders' Cup winner Cash Run and from the family of Foresty.
A Group 3 winner in just 5 races, Great War Eagle was owned by Michael Tabor. He will be trained in the U.S. by David Carroll.



IS THIS WHAT IS WRONG WITH RACING?

www.delawareonline.com story quotes trainer defending jockey Rose..

Rose calls whip to mare's eye a mistake
Other horse trainers defend suspended jockey's intent

By JACK IRELAND • The News Journal • June 26, 2008

Jockey Jeremy Rose said he did not intentionally hit a horse in the eye with a whip during a race at Delaware Park on Monday.

Rose, who was suspended for six months for extreme misuse of the whip by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, said in a statement issued Wednesday that he accidentally struck Appeal to the City in the face and eye.

"I did not mean to hit her in the face," Rose said in the statement. "As a jockey, I have the responsibility to give my best effort and use my skills to allow the horse I am riding to perform at his/her best. I also have the responsibility to protect the health and welfare of my horse. Notwithstanding, this was an accident and was unintentional. I failed to meet the standard required of me in this instance."

In addition to the suspension, Rose also was ordered to undergo anger management training and pay for Appeal to the City's medical bills.

Rose, who is represented by attorney Alan M. Foreman, will have an appeal hearing before the Delaware Racing Commission on July 22.

John Wayne, executive director of the racing association, visited the 5-year-old mare at New Bolton on Wednesday and said she seems to be recovering. Wayne said she had suffered an abrasion and hemorrhaging to the eye.

"The eye looked very good," Wayne said Wednesday. "... She was alert, bright, happy and friendly."

Appeal to the City's trainer, Howard Wolfendale, defended Rose in a statement issued Wednesday.

"I do not believe for a second that Jeremy acted intentionally or sought to hurt my filly," Wolfendale said. "I'm sure he meant to hit her on the shoulder. It was an accident and should be viewed as such."

Rose, who rode Afleet Alex to wins in the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes, is known for his aggressive riding and was fined for misuse of the whip during a race at DelPark on May 12.

But trainers and other horsemen have praised Rose for the way he bonds with horses.

"I know Jeremy's love for animals and I've never, never seen him hurt a horse to try and gain a win," Delaware Park trainer Mike Petro said on Wednesday. "Jeremy worked for me about three years and it's just not in his character, and I truly mean that. I know what it looks like, but I also know Jeremy. I don't believe it was intentional. That's not Jeremy."

Rose said Appeal to the City was moving too close to the lead horse at about the 3/16 pole in Monday's race when he used the whip to keep her in position.

"I was hitting my horse left-handed and she jumped to miss clipping heels with [jockey Ramon Dominguez's] horse, but continued to lug in," Rose said in his statement. "As we were coming through the lane, I intended to hit her on the shoulder with my whip to keep her from continuing to lug in and hold my position in second. Instead, I accidentally struck her in the face."

Rose said he told Tammy Wolfendale, Howard's wife, about striking the horse immediately following the race.

"At dismount, she did not appear to be injured or in distress," said Rose.

Wayne said Appeal to the City showed obvious injuries after the race.

"When we got back to the barn shortly after the race, the mare's eye was closed shut," he said. "... When [DelPark chief veterinarian] Dr. [John] Peters and I got back to the barn that day, she was in a lot of discomfort and pain. She shied away from us. She couldn't open her eye."

Wayne said he respects Rose as a rider and a person, but questions how his actions could have been accidental.

"Hitting the horse three times, twice across the face, I find it hard to believe that was accidental," said Wayne.

Wolfendale supports Rose's version of the incident.

"The damage appears to be superficial. Her eye was not seriously injured to the point where the vision is impaired," Wolfendale said in his statement. "... Jeremy has been very apologetic and made clear to me from the onset that he accepted full responsibility for the horse's care and condition."

Rose knows an incident like this can damage his riding career.

"At the end of the day, the most important thing to me is my honesty, integrity and sportsmanship," said Rose. "I will not seek to ride at least until I have the opportunity to appear before the Delaware Racing Commission on July 22 to explain what happened and restore my good name and reputation. "


you can visit this site and send your comments:

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS09
/806260322/1002/SPORTS


OR IS THIS WHAT IS WRONG WITH RACING?


SIGNATURE SUNDAY (Sunday Silence) died on a Sunday.

The 8-year-old horse, making his FIRST START IN A YEAR, his 3RD start since late 2006 and only 25th of his career than began in 2003, was at Philadelphia Park on Sunday for a starter allowance:

From Equibase/DRF:

" SIGNATURE SUNDAY trailed past eighth pole then broke down, humanely destroyed"

An Australian-bred, SIGNATURE SUNDAY raced at Woodbine for his former owner William Schettine and trainer Josie Carroll three times, won his maiden an allowance race at Fair Grounds for that team in 2005.

In November 2006, he was dropped in for $5,000 claiming and was eased.

He had 2 races in 2007 and was well beaten.

When he appeared on Sunday in a 5 furlong turf race for Carlos Soto, owned/trainer, he was 32 to 1.

SCHOOL'S OUT

JOCKEY JEREMY ROSE, 6 MONTH WHIP SUSPENSION


(this stunning video is not for the squeamish..incident happens right near the wire)

(thanks to partymanners for posting this video on YOUTUBE)


Delaware Park stewards suspended jockey Jeremy Rose for six months yesterday because of "extreme misuse of the whip," Bloodhorse.com reported.

The mare was hit in the eye late by the whip and she threw her head. This was also written about in the chart recap on Equibase.

Rose, won the Preakness and Belmont 3 years ago aboard Afleet Alex, caused hemorrhaging around an eye of Appal to the City in the 3rd race Sunday.

The stewards ruled that Rose also will be responsible for all veterinarian bills for Appeal to the City and will be required to complete an anger-management

(from Blood-Horse)



NEW POLL ON WHIPS

I changed up the Poll this week to see what you think about whips.....(see sidebar at right)




THE FUTURE OF RACING ON ONTARIO

Horse Racing Ontario group needed

Standardbred Canada outlines the recommendations from 80-page report
Industry Review Panel Report Released


The Ontario Government today released the much-awaited Industry Review Panel report on the province's horse racing industry.

The 80-page document was put together by a three-person panel working for the Ontario Government.

The Ontario Government had appointed the panel in July, 2007 to examine the current state of horse racing, consult with stakeholders and create a long term strategic plan that will set out a roadmap of future success for the horse racing industry.


Summary of Recommendations

Recommendation #1

The government should establish a Gaming Secretariat with responsibility to:

* i) Develop and implement a comprehensive gaming strategy for the province that includes the horse racing and breeding industry
* ii) Coordinate the activities of each sector of gaming including horse racing, promote relationships and co-operation between the various sectors and ensure that decisions that are made take into account their potential impact on all sectors
* iii) Advise government on the expansion or contraction of gaming
* iv) Advise government on the structure and funding of all provincially-funded programs related to gaming including the Slots at Racetracks Program and oversee the expenditure of the funds
* v) Advise government on federal/provincial issues related to gaming including internet gaming
* vi) Oversee the province's Problem Gambling Strategy

Recommendation #2

We recommend that OHRIA be reconstituted as a Corporation to be known as HORSE RACING ONTARIO (HRO) based on the following framework:

* i) The membership on the Board of HRO should be comprised of the following: one senior official from WEG; one senior official from a not-for-profit racetrack other than WEG; one senior official from a for-profit racetrack; the presidents of each of the following organizations – the Ontario Quarter Horse Association, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association, the Ontario Harness Horse Association and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association; and three independent members appointed by the government of Ontario. The three government appointees should be appointed for three-year terms with the option for renewal for one further three-year term.
* ii) The Chair of HRO should be elected by the Board of HRO for a term determined by HRO's by-laws. The Executive Director of HRO should be appointed by the Board of HRO.
* iii) A majority vote of the Board of HRO shall govern and determine all matters brought before it.
* iv) The Board of HRO will decide all economic industry issues and disputes among industry stakeholders, including the fixing of race dates, but excluding those disputes that relate to the contracts between individual racetracks and their respective horsemen's associations.
* v) The Board of HRO should develop the details of an industry strategic plan and inform the Gaming Secretariat with respect to any matter involving the distribution of funds derived from the Slots at Racetracks Program as described below.
* vi) HRO will require and enforce the obligation of all industry stakeholders to provide comprehensive economic data pertaining to slot revenue as directed by HRO's Executive Director.
* vii) HRO will structure and administer all province-wide programs affecting the industry such as the HIP Program, the Quarter Horse Industry Development Plan, the oversight of the expenditure of funds generated by the reduction of the tax on pari-mutuel wagering, the branding of horse racing and a comprehensive horse racing marketing strategy. In addition, HRO could also undertake industry-wide benefit plans for individual participants and education, training, accreditation and horse-ownership programs.
* viii) HRO will terminate the funding from the Slots at Racetracks Program to any industry stakeholder that fails to become a member of the Board of HRO, fails to participate in the Board's deliberations or fails to abide by the final decisions rendered by the Board of HRO, including decisions with respect to meeting industry benchmarks. The flow of slot funds would resume when the stakeholder is no longer in default. Slot funds that are withheld from stakeholders will be retained by HRO and applied to fund its programs and undertakings.
* ix) HRO will terminate the funding from the Slots at Racetracks Program to any industry stakeholder that is involved in a dispute related to a contract between an individual racetrack and a horsemen's association that results in a cessation of live racing. The flow of slot funds would resume when the dispute is resolved. Slot funds that are withheld from stakeholders will be retained by HRO and applied to fund its programs and undertakings.
* x) HRO will consult with the ORC on issues related to the integrity of horse racing, on the promulgation and/or amendment of the Rules of Racing by the ORC and on administrative issues such as the provision by the ORC of the necessary racing officials on race dates.
* xi) HRO should advise the Gaming Secretariat on all policy issues affecting the horse racing industry.
* xii) The operational funding for HRO will come from the funds made available to the industry by the Slots at Racetracks Program.

Recommendation #3

We recommend that the horse racing and breeding industry fund HRO immediately so that it can re-structure itself as set out above and commence to deal with its new decision-making mandate and the economic issues that come before it prior to the implementation of the New Slots Program. HRO should also begin to structure the programs that will be created under the New Slots Program.

Recommendation #4

We recommend:

* i) That the Ontario Racing Commission return to its mandate to regulate all aspects of horse racing that are designed to protect the public interest by insuring the highest level of integrity, and that it cease to be involved in economic issues that affect the industry as soon as HRO is prepared to take over that function.
* ii) That the budget of the Ontario Racing Commission be adjusted in consultation with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and HRO to reflect the above change.
* iii) That the ORC consult with HRO on issues related to the integrity of horse racing, on the promulgation and/or amendment of the Rules of Racing by the ORC and on administrative issues such as the provision by the ORC of the necessary racing officials on race dates.
* iv) That the ORC licence and regulate all horsepeople associations.
* v) That the ORC participate in any horse racing and breeding industry advisory committee that the Gaming Secretariat may establish.

Standardbred Canada's succint re-cap of the report continues here...(and it has a link to the entire report)

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/iss0608/industryreviewpanelreport0624.html




THE FUTURE OF ONTARIO RACING:

THE VIEW FROM FORT ERIE


Niagara Falls Review
Racing report offers hope, call to action
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS and RAY SPITERI / Review Staff Writers


The time for studying is over.

It's time for the province to make a decision.

That’s the general consensus among those in Fort Erie who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Sadinsky panel’s report on the future of Ontario’s horse-racing industry.

“They have to act quickly and there is nothing stopping them,” said Nick Gonzalez, a trainer at the Fort Erie Race Track for more than 35 years. “The onus is on the province.”

The 80-page report entitled “It’s All About Leadership” was released without comment or fanfare, Monday.

Yesterday, local politicians and horse-racing industry stakeholders were still trying to digest the wide-ranging document and its recommendations.

Among the suggestions contained in the report is one that encourages the province to provide “interim subsidization” to the Fort Erie Race Track to ensure its viability provided a proposed $300-million redevelopment of the property by race track owner Nordic Gaming Corp. makes sense and is likely to move ahead.

Gonzalez said the report will put “added pressure” on the province to step in with financial assistance to keep live racing in town.

“If the province was teeter-tottering one way or another, I think this (report) could push them over the edge.”

The Fort Erie Race Track has been losing money for several years.

In May 2007, representatives of Nordic Gaming Corp., the company that owns and operates the Fort Erie Race Track, went public with plans to enhance live racing at the 111-year-old border oval with the development of a “mega resort.”

Those plans call for the construction of a four-star hotel, a massive entertainment complex, a 2,500-unit timeshare/condominum complex as well as improvements to the racing facilities. The cost of the projects as envisioned is about $300-million.

The redevelopment project has been billed as the catalyst for rejuvenating the track and Fort Erie’s faltering gaming industry.

One section of the Sadinsky report deals specifically with problems facing race tracks located in border communities.

The report notes the Fort Erie Race Track and Windsor Raceway, in particular, are “struggling to survive” in the face of “external forces” largely beyond the control of track management or the industry.

Those factors include the high value of the Canadian dollar and increased competion from other gaming parlours in Ontario, New York and Michigan.

“We need help in the border tracks,” said Daryl Ezra, a horse trainer in Fort Erie for the past 13 years.

“Windsor is in trouble in their end and we have too much competition from our slots and casinos in (New York State). It’s killed our industry . . . The government either helps or we just close the doors.”

The potential closure of the track has been looming large on the minds of many people who make their living in the Fort Erie track’s backstretch.

Among them is Harry Davis, a 46-year-old second-generation blacksmith.

Just the though of Fort Erie without the race track is difficult for Davis to fathom.

“I just can’t even imagine that scenario,” he said while making his morning rounds at the track. “There is a passion for horse racing in Fort Erie and we seriously can’t let that fade away.”

Davis continued: “There is no reason this track shouldn’t be viable. I urge the government to work as closely with the track owners as possible to make a go of it.”

Fort Erie Race Track spokesman Darryl Wells said the company has received a copy of the report and is reviewing its contents.

It’s too early to comment on its implications will be should the government adopt the report’s recommendations in whole or in part.

“Obviously, it sounds positive at a quick glance, but we need a little more time to take a full look at the report.”

Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor said he’s pleased the report specifically mentioned the Fort Erie Race Track and a section was devoted to talking about tracks located close to the Canada-U.S. border.

“A lot of the things (the panel) suggested are things the town and myself have talked about,” he said.

Craitor said he’s glad the report spoke to the issue of interim subsidization of track operations during redevelopment.

He said there’s no need to wait for the legislature, which is on summer recess, to reconvene in order to begin talking about next steps.

“I don’t want to sit and wait.”

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1087109



WOODBINE TONIGHT

Can't Beat It - graded SW makes Woodbine debut!


Racing tonight at Woodbine, holiday tomorrow and then a Friday, saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday stretch next week for the long weekend.

Nice card this evening - races 3, 4 5, 6 are all non-claiming events essentially.

RACE 3- allowance for Ontario sired gals on the TURF, 1 mile:

Wide open but deadly turf sire COMPADRE is up again - LA GRAN LESLIE is 3rd start off the layoff and looks strong.

RACE 4 - CAN'T BEAT IT, owned by Live Oak Plantation AND Grade 3 stakes winner, makes his Woodbien debut for Malcolm Pierce.
The Atticus 5yo has been racing his regular 90 Beyer Figuers but has not win since Dec. 2006 when the was the king of Calder racecourse.
He meets the deadly tough old timer MOONSHINE HALL (8 for 27 in his career) and the stakes placed puzzler SKIPPED BAIL.

RACE 5 - maiden allowance and a doozy:

XTRAORDINARY has the experienc and Beyer Figure edde along with KEWLAND (A 4YO).
First-timers in the race that look good are :

HELLO MAGGIE MAY - Lemon Drop Kid-Fantasy Lake (a champion), trained by Roger Attfield

FRANTIC CITY - Flintstones honoured with this name, she's a 4yo 1/2 sister to Win City

FIVE FOUR THE KIDS - trainer SUE LESLIE should have won with 1ster last week that had terrible trip...this one is a Florida-bred

WITH GOLDEN WINGS - Sam-Son, Rick Dos Ramos, new combo.Filly is bred for more distance and grass.

RACE 6 - allowance sprint - RED RAFFLES gets back to Polytrack, he does not move up on grass so he should be ultra tough with BOLD COMMENT the king of the exactor.

Don't forget to play THE SCORE 123 CONTEST...

http://thescore.123racing.ca/




QUEEN'S PLATE SADDLE TOWELS -

FOR LONGRUN!


Okay, 6 days left to bid on your favourite horse's saddle towel, Polytrack, sweat and tears and all, on eBay...The money goes to LongRun!
(and it's easy to sign up for eBay, free, painless...etc.)

http://search.ebay.ca/queens-plate_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQsatitleZqueenQ27s
Q20plate



TODD KABEL NAMED ON HORSES FRIDAY

Champion jocmey TODD KABEL, who has not ridden in 2008, is named on horses on Friday's card of racing, beginning with Long Journey in race 2.

DRINK UP

PLATE DUST

Plate day is over, $5.4 million was bet on the Woodbine card, a shade less than last year, and the horses are settled back in their barns and regrouping.

(photo at right is HEROS REWARD winning the co-featurede SCOTTS HIGHLANDER STAKES, www.horse-races.net)


Interestingly, HARLEM ROCKER, who was a Plate favourite a long tim ago, worked on Plate day - at Belmont on the training track in 1:02 and change for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Perhaps we will see the Stronach Stable, Adena Racing Venture colt in the TRAVERS STAKES.






PRINCE OF WALES -

1 3/16 miles traditional dirt
It has been 5 years, since WANDO, that the Plate winner has gone on to win the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie.
But no horse has won the Wales after winning the Plate on Polytrack and NOT BOURBON, who has trained on dirt in Florida, will be making his dirt debut in the July 13 classic.

From DAILY RACING FORM, a list of possibilities for the 'Wales:


NOT BOURBON
SOLITAIRE
DEPUTIFORMER
EAST END TAP
MAMMA'S KNIGHT
SEBASTIAN'S SONG


PLATE DAY WINNERS


MISSION APPROVED won the Singspiel for owner/breeder William Coyro.






FROM GLOBE & MAIL TV ratings.. Sunday

Auto racing. French Grand Prix TSN 91,000 Below average for F1

Baseball. Jays-Pirates CBC 342,000 Jays' bats finally produce

Auto racing. Iowa Indy TSN 103,000 Busy afternoon

Soccer. Spain-Italy Sportsnet 816,000 Best Euro audience so far

Auto racing. Sprint Cup Series TSN 402,000 Excellent NASCAR number

Horse racing. Queen's Plate CBC 289,000 Good audience for Woodbine classic

Baseball. White Sox-Cubs Sportsnet 92,000 About right for MLB telecast




WOODBINE SCOREBOARD - TRAINERS

Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings

Steven M. Asmussen 88 15 10 11 $744,121
Scott H. Fairlie 79 14 12 10 $471,972
Sid C. Attard 96 13 13 10 $706,616
Mark E. Casse 119 12 16 17 $1,082,453
Nicholas Gonzalez 59 12 5 7 $857,818
Reade Baker 97 11 12 12 $723,166
Daniel J. Vella 72 11 12 6 $655,377
Brian A. Lynch 29 11 4 2 $946,913
Laurie Silvera 83 10 11 15 $497,887
Michael J. Doyle 90 10 9 13 $497,722
Audre Cappuccitti 81 10 8 10 $317,960
Roger L. Attfield 64 10 8 7 $1,425,926


WOODBINE JOCKEYS Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings

James McAleney 225 38 30 32 $1,993,424
Emile Ramsammy 268 35 38 37 $1,974,137
Eurico Rosa Da Silva 246 34 21 25 $1,708,799
Patrick Husbands 186 32 28 23 $1,997,482
Tyler Pizarro 221 31 27 25 $1,281,104
Emma-Jayne Wilson 253 31 26 38 $1,814,006
Jono C. Jones 204 22 27 24 $2,090,021
Chantal Sutherland 201 22 24 28 $1,107,984
Justin Stein 187 19 25 14 $829,346
David Clark 186 18 22 20 $1,151,334
Robert C. Landry 101 14 15 17 $1,017,722
Slade Callaghan 118 14 12 11 $709,720
Jerry Baird 128 14 11 16 $777,403


FORT ERIE - TRAINERS

Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
John Simms 31 8 8 5 $78,590
Donald C. MacRae 25 8 4 3 $72,391
Nicholas Gonzalez 30 6 4 3 $60,567
Kevin Buttigieg 51 5 7 9 $59,575
Daniel Wills 20 5 4 2 $52,783
Ashlee Brnjas 11 5 1 1 $35,209
Julie Robillard 15 5 0 0 $30,284


FORT ERIE JOCKEYS
Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
Chad Beckon 140 31 28 19 $315,204
Christopher Griffith 82 15 10 11 $155,801
Rui M. Pimentel 77 14 16 14 $170,953
Cory Clark 106 14 10 15 $153,160
Kristopher Robinson 75 12 4 10 $127,919
Daniel J. David 35 9 5 3 $89,857



BIG BROWN UPDATES

Loose shoe photo, stablemates drug-free

Owner Michael Iavarone, of IEAH, co-owners of BIG BROWN talks on its website about the barn going somewhat drug-free:

Russ Melton photo from BLOOD-HORSE
(courtesy IEAH website and Louisville Courier-Journal)

Iavarone said that although he doesn't have the complete details, he wants to follow guidelines used in Europe, which has much stricter medication rules, including a ban on treating horses with bleeder medication on race day. As in the United States, many medications can be used for training as long as they are not in the horse's system for a race. "Whatever guidelines they use in Europe are the guidelines we're going to follow," Iavarone said. "That seems to be the bellwether of the racing world."
In announcing the new approach on its Web site, IEAH said that "to the best of our knowledge, we are the first racing stable in North America to make this commitment. We encourage others to follow our lead."
At Dutrow's behest, Iavarone said he agreed to let IEAH horses race on Salix, which is the current tradename for the popular medication commonly known as Lasix. However, none of the so-called adjunct bleeder medications that are legal in many states, including Kentucky, will be used, he said.


TALK OF THE BLOCK UPDATE

Canadian-bred TALK OF THE BLOCK, who raced for Audre and Gord Cappuccitti (breeders), Sheila Mohan, Dominic Polsinelli and Ian Alderson, was recently saved from the Sugar Creek feed lot in Ohio and has a new home..
(all of this action, including the rescue of 7 other thoroughbreds can be followed at www.alexbrownracing.com on the forum/chat site):

Here is a recent post on the site:



Update on Talk of the Block aka "Studly."

I have located a boarding facility that is happy to take him!! They are very experienced in handling studs, as they stand several stallions themselves! Praise the Lord...this has not been an easy task! Studly will be going to Amethyst Acres in Buchanan, VA. He will get some down time, and then be evaluated as to what future career he will be best suited to. It was an inexpensive endeavor to save his life, but I fear the costs of boarding ($500.00/month!) and gelding him are going to turn this save into a very expensive endeavor. The issues we face in saving this horse are precisely why I beg and plead with all of my clients to GELD their horses!!! The studs dont stand a chance..they are very costly and difficult to rehab, retrain, and rehome.
-GAIL



MY POST FROM YESTERDAY..
In 24 hours, a flurry of activity including phone calls, donations and transportation, removed 8 thoroughbreds from SUGAR CREEK AUCTION house in Ohio. One of them is 'Studly' , later found to be TALK OF THE BLOCK, a son of Louis Quatorze. Talk of the Block can still be found on the Canter Ohio website actually. His last trainer/owner Arnold Allen was offered the horse for sale: MUST SELL ASAP*** Talk of the Block – Well-bred dark bay stud has a short hind sock, small star & a snip; he stands 16.0hh. Owner describes Talk as a very quiet horse that shows no studdish behavior. He is sound but needs to rest his knee after hitting it on the gate; he has no stall vices. Asking $1500. $1000 Contact Allen Arnold at 216-315-3498. Stabled in Barn 23 at Beulah Park. Talk of the Block had been pulled up in his last race in April at Beulah Park.

AND, TO GET THE BLOOD-BOILING...
Queen's Plate day + pickets = ugly

The Globe & Mail has a blog entry about experinces on Saturday experiencd by virtually everyone trying to get into the track.
Blocking every entrance from 7 a .m. were the folks from CAW unions, helping 100 security workers state their case to OLG. Yes, they stated their case on Queen's Plate day.
Many comments on this blog come from picketers it seems:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080622.
WBglobesports20080622133150/WBStory/WBglobesports