POINTS

THE BEST IN CANADA

Sovereign Awards photos by Terence Dulay (www.horse-races.net)


The Champion 3yo colt was NOT BOURBON trained by Roger Attfield (left) and owned by Charles Fipke (middle). Vicki Pappas of LongRun presented.

Sovereign Awards point totals

Horse of the Year

Fatal Bullet (177), Rahy's Attorney (76), Ginger Brew (58)

2-Year-Old Filly

Van Lear Rose (141), Laragh (88), Cawaja Beach (70)

2-Year-Old Colt

Mine That Bird (187), Southern Exchange (83), Utterly Cool (74)

3-Year-Old Filly

Ginger Brew (227), Sugar Bay (120), Authenicat (40)

3-Year-Old Male

Not Bourbon (172), Fatal Bullet (155), Marlang (42)

Older Female, Main Track

Bear Now (220), Akronism (68), Against the Sky (54)

Older Male, Main Track

Marchfield (144), Ice Bear (78), Spaghetti Mouse (50)

Female Turf Horse

Callwood Dancer (171), Sealy Hill (159), Sugar Bay (88)

Male Turf Horse

Rahy's Attorney (212), Seaside Retreat (112), Marlang (50)

Sprinter

Fatal Bullet (238), Disfunction (37), Akronism (33)

Jockey

Patrick Husbands (137), James McAleney (121), Eurico Rosa Da Silva (55)

Apprentice Jockey

Janine Stianson (113), Catherine O'Brien (97), Melanie Pinto (56)

(At right...Ellen and Joe MacLellan accept the champion turf male award for their homebred gelding RAHY'S ATTORNEY from Harvey Warner)

Trainer

Mark Casse (148), Roger Attfield (130), Terry Jordan (47)

Owner

Bear Stables (120), Stronach Stables (96), Tucci Stables (58)

Breeder

Adena Springs (208), Eugene Melnyk (101), Gardiner Farms (55)

Broodmare

Kathie's Colleen (71), May Time (43), Forty Gram (40)

EAGLE SOARS

Viva Pataca endures terrible trip

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Turf, flew to a one and one-quarter length score in the HONG KONG CUP early this morning at Sha Tin, another stellar training score for Mike De Kock. The 4yo colt by Rock of Gibralter had clear sailing while rival VIVA PATACA was trapped for most of the last 2 furlongs and never got out on his way to a 4th place finish.
BALIUS was 2nd and LINNGARI was 3rd.

Here is the "chart notes" from the Hong Kong Jockey Club web site:

BALIUS was slow to begin. LUSH LASHES, which was fractious in its stall, began awkwardly. Making the first turn, BULLISH LUCK was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of TRINCOT. G Gomez (OUT OF CONTROL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LUSH LASHES, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. G Gomez was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday 21 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

This suspension is with immediate effect. In addition, G Gomez was fined $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. Near the 1100 Metres, SIGHT WINNER became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room between HAWKES BAY and TRINCOT. For some distance approaching and passing the 800 Metres, SIGHT WINNER raced tight inside TRINCOT and on several occasions became unbalanced. After the 800 Metres, LUSH LASHES was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 600 Metres, SIGHT WINNER was steadied away from the heels of TRINCOT. I Mendizabal (TRINCOT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SIGHT WINNER, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. I Mendizabal was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Friday 2 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is with immediate effect. On straightening, ARTISTE ROYAL and VIVA PATACA bumped as both horses endeavoured to improve between SIGHT WINNER which was giving ground and HAWKES BAY which shifted out slightly. From shortly after straightening until after the 200 Metres, LINNGARI was held up and unable to improve.
After the 400 Metres, LUSH LASHES, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded for room between TRINCOT and EAGLE MOUNTAIN. Passing the 300 Metres, HAWKES BAY was steadied when disappointed for running between ESTEJO and TRINCOT, then after the 200 Metres was again steadied when disappointed for running between SIGHT WINNER which when giving ground was carried in slightly by LINNGARI and VIVA PATACA which shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metes, ESTEJO, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room between HAWKES BAY which shifted in slightly and VIVA PATACA which shifted out. C Soumillon (BULLISH LUCK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at about 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LINNGARI, causing that horse to be carried in across the rightful running of OUT OF CONTROL which as a result was checked. C Soumillon was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 15 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until Monday 5 January 2009 on which day he had been eligible to resume race riding following a suspension from riding in races incurred in Race 4 today. In addition, C Soumillon was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. For the majority of the Home Straight, ARTISTE ROYAL was unable to obtain clear running and because of this was not tested. Throughout the race, OUT OF CONTROL travelled wide and without cover. D Beadman (VIVA PATACA) explained approaching the first turn he took his mount back to a position trailing EAGLE MOUNTAIN. He said when that horse improved its position slightly along the Back Straight, he continued to follow it with BULLISH LUCK racing to his outside. He said it was his intention to follow EAGLE MOUNTAIN forward after the 800 Metres as he believed that horse would carry him forward into the race. He said near the 700 Metres EAGLE MOUNTAIN shifted out to a three wide position and commenced to improve. He said he started to follow EAGLE MOUNTAIN forward, however, BULLISH LUCK maintained its position to his outside which prevented him from shifting out. He said shortly after this SIGHT WINNER received interference in front of him and as a consequence VIVA PATACA was hampered. He said when this occurred BULLISH LUCK went forward of him on his outside and SIGHT WINNER did not improve. He said as a consequence he was held up and unable to improve around the Home Turn. He said on straightening he continued to race inside the heels of BULLISH LUCK and when running presented itself on the inside of SIGHT WINNER, he immediately endeavoured to improve into that position, however, was disappointed for running and he therefore at the 400 Metres shifted in further to the inside of HAWKES BAY and then ESTEJO.
He said however clear running did not present itself for VIVA PATACA until the 150 Metres. He said in his opinion it was not possible for him to shift to the outside of the field rounding the Home Turn as LOUP BRETON had improved its position and meant that it was not possible for him to steady his mount to come back to the outside of BULLISH LUCK. LUSH LASHES was sent for an official veterinary inspection.
A veterinary inspection of LUSH LASHES after the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA PATACA, EAGLE MOUNTAIN and BALIUS were sent for sampling. The Stewards intend to interview Jockey K Shea (EAGLE MOUNTAIN) regarding him having some fluid following the race and prior to weighing in.


GOOD BYE-BYE

GOOD BA BA (photo below right by Cindy Pierson Dulay) blew past the field in the last eighth of a mile to win the HONG KONG MILE early this morning at Sha Tin.

The Lear Fan 6yo gelding, bred in the USA, ran 1 mile in 1:32.71 and scored by 2 1/2 lengths.

KIP DEVILLE blew the turn into the straight and was off form again, finishing 9th. Awesome Gem, also from the US, was 12th.



THE DOCTOR WAS IN (and on!)

DOCTOR DINO, world traveller and obviously a Hong Kong lover, came from last place behind a very slow pace to win the Hong Kong Vase early this morning at Sha Tin.

The old-timer had previously bombed in his outing at Woodbine in the Canadian International (won by Marsh Side) but rallied hard to win by a short head in 2:29.14 for 12 furlongs today.

The 6yo is by Muhtathir.



LARAGH WINS GRADE 1
Missed out on Sovereign Award...races came after the awards!

LARAGH, formerly based at Woodbine and trained by mark Casse and now owned by IEAH and trained by John Terranova, won the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet yesterday after a 2nd place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on turf.
Laragh (Tapit) was a finalist for champion 2yo filly at the Sovereign Awards on Friday night but lost to VAN LEAR ROSE.

from Pasadena Star News..

Terranova, win was worth the wait
By Art Wilson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2008 04:16:31 AM PST

INGLEWOOD - It took 16 years, but trainer John Terranova finally has a Grade I victory under his belt after Laragh went virtually gate to wire to win the $429,500 Hollywood Starlet at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

The 2-year-old daughter of Tapit, third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita in her last start on Oct. 24, took a two-length lead at the head of the stretch under jockey Edgar Prado and held off Wynning Ride by a length to collect the winner's share of $263,100 and raise her career bankroll to $509,465.

Terranova, who took out his license in California in 1992 and remained in the Southland for a year and a half before heading home to his native New York, had only two horses when he started. He has nearly 40 now and is winning at an 18 percent clip in 2008.

Before Saturday, the biggest victories of his career came in a pair of Grade II stakes - the 2000 Meadowlands Cup with 50-1 long shot Shadow Caster and the 2001 Forego Handicap with Gander.

But Laragh forever will be remembered around the Terranova barn as the filly who gave the 38-year-old conditioner his first Grade I win.

"We've run in 'em, but we'd never won one until today," Terranova said.

Laragh looks talented enough to win more of them, having won three of six starts, including two on artificial surfaces and one on the grass.

And she hasn't even run yet on what Terranova believes could be her best surface - dirt.

"ShE trains fantastic on the dirt," he said. "I can't wait to see her on the dirt. We've had her at Belmont and she's been breezing lights out."

Laragh, the 8-5 favorite, ran the 1 1/16-mile Starlet distance over Cushion Track in 1:41.96 while setting fractions of :23.83, :47.02 and 1:10.58.

She'll get a break now, with all eyes toward the major goal - the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on the first Friday in May.

Despite the fact her three victories have come on the front end, Terranova feels Laragh will have no trouble carrying her speed even farther.

"I don't think distance is going to be a problem with her," he said. "She's a real classy, talented filly. I just think over time and with natural maturity she'll learn to relax a little bit."

Prado agreed.

"My filly's still in the process of learning," he said. "Once she learns to relax without fighting, she's going to be even better."

Laragh, co-owned by IEAH Stables, which raced Big Brown and recently purchased Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Stardom Bound, broke her maiden in her second career start over Woodbine's Polytrack surface. She won the Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland on the grass in her first start for Terranova just two months later.

The Starlet was not in the owners' original plans following the Breeders' Cup, but she was doing so well they decided to give it a shot.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_11229294



SOVEREIGNS DISCUSSION

BY THOROUGHBLOG


Should the Sovereign Awards ceremony be held at a different time of year so that all the season can be included in voting?

It appears that folks agree 'YES' to this question...see Poll.

The awards used to be held in the spring to usher in a new season, is that a good idea again?
Place your vote on the THOROUGHBLOG POLL (at right)!!

I have offered the following options : the same time they are usually held; early January, meaning folks would have to come back to Toronto if they have gone to Florida; or just before the season starts agin, meaning some may still have to come home early.

It might be worth it to include all the year's stuff.

Horses like LARAGH (See above), SPRINGSIDE and PATENA missed some voting points because the votes had to be in so early.



OTHER STUFF

TRUE REALITY (War Deputy-You'll Be True by Yes it's True) won for $5K claiming at Mountaineer yesterday for Nick Mileni and trainer Stacey Cooper. The 4yo filly won by 5 1/2 lengths in the non-winners of 3 this year and she is an Ontario bred.


PEPPER'S PRIDE GOES FOR 19 STRAIGHT
May be her last race!


LAS CRUCES-SUN NEWS

Popular horse may extend record-setting win streak
By Felix Chavez/Sun-News reporter


LAS CRUCES — The 50th year of racing begins today at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, and on Sunday, New Mexico's immensely popular Peppers Pride goes for her 19th straight win to kick off the opening weekend.

The 5-year-old achieved national acclaim when, on Oct. 4, she broke the modern North American record for consecutive wins when she took first in a six-furlong race at Zia Park in Hobbs, running her streak to 17 straight. She later won on Nov. 9 at Zia to make it 18-for-18.

Her win on Oct. 4 bettered the record shared by some of horse racing's biggest names, including Citation, Cigar and Hallowed Dreams.

"We never really thought about the record until after she won her 10th race and then people started asking about it," said trainer Joel Marr, a New Mexico State University graduate.

"It's been an incredible journey for this horse and for the team. When she was younger, we could see she had potential, but we never could have believed that she'd be perfect. There is a thousand things that could go wrong in a race, but Peppers Pride has found a way to get it done."

Sunday's race could be the final one for the New Mexico-bred Peppers Pride, who has raced exclusively in New Mexico for owner Joe Allen of Abilene, Texas. A final decision hasn't been made yet. Peppers Pride has earned more than $990,000 in her career, and a win in Sunday's 10th race, with a purse of $125,000, will put her over the $1 million mark

read more

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_11201375