NOTABLES

TODAY ON THOROUGHBLOG....

The passing of two well know Ontario trainers...ALUMNI HALL (right) represented by his first-born...SUNSHINE MILLIONS, DUBAI etc.




JOHN MORAHAN, 92

Letter:

Jen,

Noticed in the paper today an obit for John Morahan. He was a very good horseman...won the Canadian Oaks in 1974 with Trudie Tudor, ridden by Sandy Hawley and owned by Doug Banks. In my minds eye I can still see John happily riding Trudie Tudor over the hills of his Palgrave area farm. Trudie Tudor loved being home on the farm, where John would take her between races...He always seemed to have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes... - Bruce

John Morahan - Peacefully, at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, John Morahan, in his 92nd year, beloved husband of Hazel. Loving father of Anne Morahan. Cherished grandfather of Cody, Richard and Desmond. Survived by his sisters Peggy and Babs, both of London, England. The family will receive their friends at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 42 Dawson Road, Orangeville on Friday morning, January 23 from 11 o'clock until time of Funeral Mass at 12 o'clock. Private interment Forest Lawn Cemetery, Orangeville. Arrangements entrusted to Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, Orangeville (519-941-2630). Condolences for the family may be offered at www.eganfuneralhome.com

Note: Morahan's daughter Anne is the "front side" stakes coordinator for Woodbine.


NORMAN BOWLES, 69

FORT ERIE, January 21 – Norm Bowles, longtime Ontario thoroughbred trainer, passed away Tuesday, January 20 at age 69.
Bowles, who trained horses for over 40 years, started at the track at the tender age of 14 and became a full-time trainer at age 26. He spent the next 43 years between Woodbine and Fort Erie .
Bowles is survived by his wife Laura and sons Kent and Les.

Funeral details;
Saturday, January 24
First Baptist Church
2 Wellington St. East
Brampton, Ontario
Church will open at 2:00pm to allow family and friends to share memories, the service will begin at 3:00pm.



DUBAI RACING CARNIVAL
DAY 2 THIS MORNING

Preview from THOROUGHBREDNEWS.CO.NZ


Al Tayer Motors sponsor Thursday's second meeting of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival and an all thoroughbred, nine race card starts at 6.55pm.

The feature race of the evening is the Group III Al Shindagha Sprint, a 1200m dash on dirt, for which 12 have been declared.

Saudi Arabia’s Big City Man, trained by American Jerry Barton and South Africa’s Diana’s Choice, trained by Mike de Kock, look certain to be popular selections.

Barton’s assistant, Stephane Chevalier, said: “Big City Man pleased when winning last time and has improved for that run. He should go well.”

De Kock, who won the race with Asiatic Boy last year, is more cautious: “She has to prove herself on the dirt and we should learn a lot about her.”

UAE Champion Trainer Doug Watson saddles both Barbecue Eddie and Force Freeze who, along with his former charge Terrific Challenge and last year’s runner-up Salaam Dubai, form a strong home challenge.

Of his duo, Watson said: “They both have a chance; Force Freeze pleased when winning here last time and Barbecue Eddie is a proven quality sprinter.”

Kuwati handler Rashed Bouresly saddles Star Crowned who also merits consideration.

The other non-handicap on the card is the Ford Flex Trophy, a 1400m conditions race, also on the dirt, in which de Kock would appear to hold all the aces.

Having won the equivalent race in each of the past two seasons with Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the pair combine with three of the sixteen runners this year.

Stable jockey Kevin Shea partners Rocks Off.

Herman Brown seeks a third win in the Jaguar XF trophy, a 1500m turf handicap.

Having won it with Linngari and Great Rhythm in the past two years and he chooses this race to reintroduce last year’s Dubai Duty Free winner Jay Peg but warns his stable star will improve for the outing: “He is ready for a race certainly but will improve a lot for the run. He is being trained towards Dubai World Cup night and has been off since the spring but we think he will go well.”

Spain become the 26th country to be represented at the Carnival with Flying Blue set to take part in the second the Land Rover Trophy, a 1300m turf handicap.

The night concludes with a 1600m dirt handicap, the Al Tayer Motors 1600, which has a full field of 16.



CANADIANS ELSEWHERE
TODAY

CENTENNIAL FARMS (NIAGARA) is represented by DRUMMOND HILL (Tomahawk) in a $15,000 claiming race at Gulfstream today. The colt won his debut for $20,000 at Woodbine last fall for trainer Don MacRae. He is an Ontario bred fellow bred by Mike Carroll.
JIM MCALENEY rides.

In race 6 today at the GULF, Chiefswood Stables' FAVOURITE SOUP debuts in a one mile grass maiden allowance. The Alphabet Soup chestnut colt is out the farm's favourite mare PIPERS TRICK.
The beginner has the rail and interestingly, ROB LANDRY, who once rode full time for Chiefswood, is back on board.
In post 2 is the Manitoba-bred KADARKA (Tomahawk-Classic Beth), making his 2nd start. The colt was bred by Ross McKague.
In post 10 is EXCLUSIVELY MINE (Saarland-Jingle Berry), bred by Yvonne Schwabe. He debuts for Just for Fun Stable.

In race 7, JULIA CAREY'S CARGO MATE, co-owned by Weila Ye and JMJ, is a longshot chance for the bottoms of exotics in a tough $20,000 claiming event.

FAIR GROUNDS, RACE 9 - Sam-Son Farms' FOREVER RED is an outsider in a turf allowance against another Ontario bred SNOW DELICIOUS, who has come to life on turf recently. Woodbine trainer MALCOLM PIERCE, with 7 wins at Fair Grounds already, sends out Kentucky bred FAN DAME.

SANTA ANITA - Beautifilly bred A CAT NAMED SNIPE, bred by Yvonne Schwabe, races in an allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. The Sky Mesa-Irish Cherry fellow is 3 for 6 in his career and is making his grass debut.

Graded stakes winner ZAPPA (a Kentucky bred 7yo) is eligible for the SANDYLANE GOLD CUP in Barbados but races for $80,000 claiming at Santa Anita today.



CANADIANS ELSEWHERE
YESTERDAY

There were several scratches of Canadian horses yesterday at various tracks.
At Gulfstream, Archers Alyancer and Sligovitz both scratched from a one-mile turf optional claimer.

In the last race of that card, EXECUTIVE CHOICE faded to 7th in a $40,000 claimer for Reade Baker who trains for a partnership.
Top Woodbine jockey JIM MCALENEY was on board the gelding, who was beaten about 10 lengths after setting the pace.

BOLD COMMENT, an earner for over $287,000, won the 2nd race at Phildephhia Park yesterday for owner/trainer LAYNE GILIFORTE. The Bold Executive-Pyrenee, My Livermore 6yo was recently taken to Philly by Giliforte from Woodbine where the horse was racing for Windways Farm and trainer Malcolm Pierce since he debuted as a 2yo.
He was dropping from $20,000 claiming to $12,500, non-winners of 4 lifetime.
Bred in Ontario by Gardiner Farms, Bold Comment was claimed by Plumstead Stables.

At PENN NATIONAL, owner RALPH BIAMONTE and trainer ANTHONY ADAMO had ALARIC well prepared to win the first race for $6,250 claiming by a neck
The Tethra - Sosaleta Sue 4yo was bred by Robert Craig.

Also at Penn, CONSET POINT (Graeme Hall-Heavenly Sunshine, West by West) won race 6 for $5,000. He is an Ontario bred owned by Joe Asbell and bred by Eugene Melnyk.

Stakes winner TWISTED WIT was 6th at 22 to 1 for $25,000 claiming at Philly Park yesterday, beaten more than 10 lengths. The Canadian bred recently was sent south from Ontario and he competes for American interests.
The winner of that race was former Woodbine runner OK NOTHANKSFORASKN.



SUNSHINE MILLIONS NEWS

EXCERPT FROM WEBWIRE

Macho Again Looks to Capture West Point Thoroughbreds’ First $1 Million Race
WEBWIRE – Wednesday, January 21, 2009

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (January 21, 2009) - West Point Thoroughbreds, a worldwide leader in thoroughbred partnerships, will send Jim Dandy (G2) winner, and Preakness runner-up Macho Again to the starting gate in this Saturday’s $1,000,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park. The four-year-old son of Macho Uno will be one of the favorites when the race goes off Saturday afternoon, and with a win, would become the first horse owned by West Point Thoroughbreds to win a million dollar race.

“We’ve had some great success with horses running in races like this before but the million dollar race has eluded us,” said WPT President Terry Finley. “We’ve won a $750,000 race, we’ve run second in the Preakness Stakes (one million), and third in the Breeders Cup Classic (five million), but we’ve never won a million dollar race.”

Finley Continued, “We’re very proud of what we have accomplished. We started off with very modest beginnings and now we are consistently taking our partners to some of the biggest races in the sport.”

During its 17-year history, West Point Thoroughbreds has had horses run in numerous million-dollar events. “We’ve run in seven Breeders Cup Races, the UAE Derby, the Hong Kong Mile, the Travers, the Queen’s Plate, and every triple crown race. For us to win one of these would just be another great moment for our partners and the team and we hope Macho Again can provide us with that moment this Saturday,” Finley said.

The Sunshine Millions Classic will be Macho Again’s first start of the year and second start following a three month layoff. “We gave him a few months off following his three-year-old season, and got a race under his belt on the turf coming back,” said trainer Dallas Stewart. “I think he’s ready to put forth a big effort on Saturday.”

Macho Again’s three-year-old season was highlighted by wins in the Grade II Jim Dandy at Saratoga Race Course and the Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs. He also grabbed headlines when he finished second behind Big Brown in the Preakness Stakes.

A four-year-old son of Macho Uno, Macho Again has earned over $750,000 during his career thus far. He was purchased for $150,000 by bloodstock agent Buzz Chace, on behalf of West Point Thoroughbreds, at the 2006 OBS yearling sales in February.

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=85189



SUNSHINE MILLIONS RACES WITH LOCALS

OBS Sunshine Millions Classic S.
January 24, $1,000,000, 4yo & up, 11⁄8m, Gulfstream Park, 5:45 PM ET
P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer Odds

1. Finallymadeit ConcertoEduardo O. Nunez 122 Javier Negrete 12-to-1
2. Dream Maestro Concerto Juan C. Leyva 120 William A. Kaplan 20-to-1
3. Macho Again Macho Uno Kent J. Desormeaux 120 Dallas Stewart 4-to-1
4. Palladio Lycius Robby Albarado 122 Roger L. Attfield 12-to-1
5. It’s a Bird Birdonthewire Julien R. Leparoux 122 Martin D. Wolfson 12-to-1
6. Medzendeekron Unusual Heat Alan Garcia 122 Barry Abrams 20-to-1
7. Dry Martini Slew Gin Fizz Edgar S. Prado 122 Barclay Tagg 6-to-1
8. Atoned Repent Christopher P. DeCarlo 120 Todd A. Pletcher 5-to-1
9. Hey Byrn Put It Back Cornelio H. Velasquez 120 Edward Plesa Jr. 6-to-1
10. Nima’s Pad Lord Carson Martin Garcia 120 John W. Sadler 20-to-1
11. Famous Patriot Repent Javier Castellano 120 Timothy A. Hills 20-to-1
12. Delightful Kiss Kissin Kris Calvin H. Borel 122 Pete D. Anderson 3-to-1
AE On Board Again Awesome Again John R. Velazquez 122 Robert Frankel 8-to-1
AE Solemn Promise Broken Vow Aaron T. Gryder 122 Doug O’Neill 20-to-1
AE Pistol Pete Afleet Northern Afleet Jesus M. Rios 120 Jorge Periban 20-to-1

Hill ‘n’ Dale Sunshine Millions
Filly and Mare Sprint S.
January 24, $300,000, f&m, 4yo & up, 6f, Gulfstream Park, 5:05 PM ET
P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer Odds

1. High Resolve Put It Back SD Robby Albarado 120 Greg Gilchrist 6-to-1
2. Flashover Unusual Heat SD Chantal Sutherland 120 Barry Abrams 20-to-1
3. Marina Ballerina Outflanker Jose Lezcano 122 Sam Di Pasquale 10-to-1
4. Dubai Majesty Essence of Dubai Kent J. Desormeaux 120 W. Bret Calhoun 12-to-1
5. Unfolding Wish Gilded Time Alan Garcia 120 William I. Mott 20-to-1
6. Lovely Isle Double Honor SD Edgar S. Prado 120 Robert J. Frankel 5-to-1
7. Sekira Holy Bull SD Cornelio H. Velasquez 122 Brian A. Lynch 20-to-1
8. Peisinoe Yes It’s True SD Julien R. Leparoux 120 Ian R. Wilkes 8-to-1
9. Mistical Plan Game Plan SD Javier Castellano 122 Doug F. O’Neill 3-to-1
10. Dearest Trickski Proudest Romeo Rene R. Douglas 122 Brian A. Lynch 4-to-1
11. Set Play Van Nistelrooy SD Carlos H. Marquez Jr. 120 Timothy E. Salzman 15-to-1
12. American County Gibson County Jamie Theriot 120 Dale L. Romans 12-to-1

Sunshine Millions Dash S.
January 24, $250,000, 3yo, 6f, Gulfstream Park, 4:07 PM ET
P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer Odds

1. Southern Exchange Exchange Rate SD Alan Garcia 120 Gregory de Gannes 5-to-1
2. Backbackbackgone Put It Back SD Robby Albarado 120 Peter Miller 4-to-1
3. Billionaire Bob Snuck In Julien R. Leparoux 120 Paul G. Aguirre 20-to-1
4. Ju Jitsu Jax Tiger Ridge Carlos H. Marquez Jr. 120 Scott A. Lake 8-to-1
5. Gotmymojoworkin Gimmeawink Martin Garcia 120 John W. Sadler 10-to-1
6. Echo West Swiss Yodeler SD Cornelio H. Velasquez 120 Ted H. West 20-to-1
7. Kelly Leak Runaway Groom Kent J. Desormeaux 120 Michael Machowsky 6-to-1
8. Player’s List Gimmeawink Arienne Cox 120 Wayne W. Rice 30-to-1
9. This Ones for Phil Untuttable Edgar S. Prado 120 Richard E. Dutrow Jr. 12-to-1
10. All Saint Skimming John R. Velazquez 120 Triphon B. Dahl 10-to-1
11. You Luckie Mann Exchange Rate SD Jermaine V. Bridgmohan 120 Martin D. Wolfson 5-to-2


ALUMNI HALL, SEEKING THE BEST

The first reported foal by multiple Grade 3 winner Alumni Hall was born on January 15 at Norse Ridge Farm in King City, Ontario.
The bay filly is out of the winning Danzig mare Easter Egg.

NHL hockey player JASON ALLISON, who operates the former Mark Casse farm in King, Ontario, welcomed a foal recently, the first by Japanese Group 3 winner Seeking the
Best (Ire), by Seeking the Gold, was born on January 18. Jason Allison owns the filly, who is out of multiple graded stakes winner Mamselle Bebette, by Copelan.



EXCERPT - THOROUGHBRED TIMES REPORT

FAIR GROUNDS HIT WITH BREAKDOWNS

“I’m extremely puzzled. Quite frankly, I’m embarrassed and I’m uncomfortable talking about it, but at the same time I don’t want this to happen to any more horses. … If it’s a freak deal, then it’s the freakiest deal I’ve ever been around.” - TOM AMOSS, who has had two breakdowns

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2009/January/21/Fair-Grounds-endures-rash-of-fatal-injuries.aspx