ON TRACK

Na na, na-na na! QUALITY ROAD is on a roll on his way to the Kentucky Derby. He zooms to the top of the DERBY TOP TEN on Thoroughblog.
Photo after the Florida Derby shot by AMBER CHALFIN, courtesy www.-horse-races.net.



WOODBINE - WEDNESDAY IS THE FIRST DAY FOR ENTRIES

The LA VOYAGEUSE STAKES heads Saturday's opening card at Woodbine and there are 16 nominations for the race.
Entries for the first of 167 racing cards at Woodbine in 2009 will be taken on Wednesday.
Racing will be held this weekend and then 3 days a week for a month, followed by four days a week for a month and then a 5-day schedule begins.

If her workout on Friday morning
was any indication, Empress Stables'
KOONUNGA HILL (photo at right from www.horse-races.net) looks ready to go should she be entered in the La Voyageuse.

Under EMMA-JAYNE WILSON, Koonunga Hill, winner of the Ice Water Stakes last year, worked a solid and steady 5 furlongs from the gate over a super-fast Polytrack surface on Friday in 1:03 while not being asked.

The Wonneberg filly will be travelling 5 furlongs in the La Voyageuse.

The next stakes race at Woodbine will be the April 11 Achievement Stakes which has just 10 nominations.


MORE WOODBINE STUFF

VERNE'S BABY, track record setter and stakes winner who has not raced since June 2007, is now trained by Vito Armata and had a workout Saturday morning.
Working on his own, the Whiskey Wisdom 7-year-old went in 1:00 flat breezing on a very fast Polytrack.

MAIN EXECUTIVE looked razor sharp on SATURDAY. He worked from the gate in 46. 60 and tow-roped a workmate.

JUST RUSHING, stakes winner for Tucci Stable, had a quick 3 furlong work yesterday at Woodbine in 35 flat on on the Polytrack. He is 8-years-old now.


(Photo at right) VLADiMIR CERIN, a top trainer from California, is setting up shop at Woodbine reports DAILY RACING FORM - see yesterday's post on Thoroughblog. He is one of several new trainers at Woodbine this season.


Trainer LES FROST won a race at Mountaineer Park yesterday with Ontario bred PORTERS COURT who honoured his even-money backing to win the $5,000 claiming event by 2 3/4 lengths.
Albert Sanges is the owner of Porters Court, a son of Graeme Hall.

PATENA, who was well beaten in his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr in the Louisiana Derby in the slop, is regrouping and had a workout at Keeneland on Saturday in 51.80. The Seeking the Gold colt, co-owned by a group of Canadians, is scheduled to race in the BLUE GRASS STAKES.


QUALITY GROUP FOR KENTUCKY DERBY
and still more to come Saturday!

There are a litany of really good American 3-year-olds currently on the trail to the Kentucky Derby but at this point QUALITY ROAD stands out far in front.

He already has a 113 Beyer Figure and he predictably regressed a bit in the Florida Derby but his effort was strong nonetheless and this Elusive Quality colt could explode again in 5 weeks.


(Photo of the Florida Derby
romp by Quality Road shot
by Amber Chalfin)



On Saturday, THE PAMPLEMOUSSE and PIONEER OF THE NILE are in the Santa Anita Derby (on synthetic dirt however) and others waiting in the wings are FRIESAN FIRE, I WANT REVENGE etc.

DUNKIRK, the expensive yearling who was a solid 2nd in the Florida Derby, showed a nice dimension in his running style as he came from well back to make a bid on the turn before Quality Road took off.

Trainer TODD PLETCHER told ESPN he was not happy with the condition of the track, which did appear to be speed favouring to some extent:

"They obviously sped the racetrack up today. It's been speed-favoring all day... I told Bill Murphy [Gulfstream prez/GM] if I'd have known the track was going to be like this I would went to Aqueduct. It's frustrating that the surface has been so good, fair, safe the whole meet that they want to change it..."

FROM LOUISVILLE-COURIER JOURNAL

Offer made on Quality Road

By Jennie Rees • jrees@courier-journal.com • March 28, 2009

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Owner Edward P. Evans said he was offered $2.5 million by a bloodstock agent for Quality Road after the colt won a 6-1/2-furlong maiden race at Aqueduct Nov. 29.

"They said the buyer wanted to win the Derby," Evans recalled after his homebred colt captured today's $750,000 Florida Derby by 1 3/4 lengths over favored Dunkirk. "I thought about it and said, 'The owner would like to win the Derby, too.'"

Evans - who has never had a starter in a Triple Crown race but is the son of the late Thomas Evans, whose Pleasant Colony won the 1981 Derby - took an important step toward that goal as Quality Road set a Gulfstream Park record by powering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.72.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090328/SPORTS08/90328016



GINGER BREW THIRD

Making just her 2nd start on traditional dirt, GINGER BREW finished third beeaten 8 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream yesterday in the Grade 2 Rampart Stakes.
The Milwaukee Brew 4yo Ontario bred, Canada's champion 3yo filly of 2008, has had some bad luck kicking off her American campaign with two thirds and a fifth place finish in her last 3 starts.
The winner of the Rampart was the undefeated monster filly ONE CAROLINE, at 17 hands high. The Unbridled's Song gal is 5 for 5 in her career.

Another Canadian champion MINE THAT BIRD, the 2yo colt/gelding champ last year, WAS 4TH BEATEN 3 LENGTHS and a neck in the Sunland Derby last night at Sunland Park.



LOVE-IN

The maiden score by HARD KISSES on Saturday at Santa Anita puts the Canadian-bred filly on the path to the Woodbine Oaks - although the filly is also a Queen's Plate eligible.
A Toccet filly out of Hutning Jade, Hard kisses won her 2nd career start on Saturday for trainer Bob Baffert.

She earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

HARD KISSES, bred by the Everatt family of Shanondoe Farm in Ontario, has been a well traveled miss in her 3 years. She has been entered in and/or gone through SEVEN auctions.

She was initially entered in the Keeneland November Breeding sale as a weanling in 2006 but was withdrawm. She was sold the next January at Keeneland for $50,000 to RLH Thoroughbreds by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

In September at Keeneland, the filly sold for $100,000 to MSTS.

Hard Kisses was then entered in 2yo sales at Barretts in 2008 and Keeneland before she found her way to Florida and was sold for $210,000 to Hal Earnhardt at the April Ocala sale.
She had been withdrawn from a sale at Barretts in May to go through the Ocala sale.

HARD KISSES' 3rd dam is Midlemarch, the dam of top class Woodbine stakes winner PENNYHILL PARK.

SO GOOD

OOZING WITH QUALITY

QUALITY ROAD shrugged off DUNKIRK off the turn and powered to a track record setting Florida Derby win yesterday at Gulfstream.
Edward Evans' homebred by Elusive Quality - Kobla ran in 1:47 for 9 furlongs and earned a 103 Beyer Figure over the sizzling fast Gulfstream strip.
The colt seemingly is poised to bounce back to his 113 Beyer from his Fountain of Youth win when Kentucky Derby day arrives and that would make him tough to beat.

(above right photo from last year by SARAH K. ANDREW)

In fact, it's possible the colt could have won by more had he - rather his rider John Velazquez - been aware that Dunkirk had made a huge, quick, mobe from far back around the turn to join him. Valezquez was just sitting in his colt and looked to his inside while riding confidently whule Dunkirk almost blew past.


DUBAI RE-CAP

“This is an unbelievable experience - I’m so blessed and I love this game.” - Aaron Gryder

PLENTY OF AMMUNITION
Well Armed wins by 14!

It was a night of some wild results in Dubai and in the big daddy of the all, the $6 million DUBAI WORLD CUP, the American shipper WELL ARMED tow-roped his field to win the big race by about a dozen lengths in a super shocker.
A 6yo gelded son of Tiznow, Well Armed was no factor behind Curlin and Asiatic Boy last year but he just loped along on the lead and no one challenged him. It was thought there would be a lot of speed but there was not.
The winner is a homebred from Winstar Farm LLC and is trained by Eoin Harty.
It was easily the biggest win longtime veteran rider AARON GRYDER.



WELL ARMED, photo by Vanessa Ng



"It would be the chance of a lifetime" - Frankie Dettori about riding in Kentucky Derby

UAE DERBY
Ransom Crashes Party, both headed to Kentucky Derby


DESERT PARTY, trying to make a bid for the Kentucky Derby with a win in the UAE Derby, could not catch stablemate REGAL RANSOM through the long stretch and lost by just over half a length.
The pair were miles ahead of the 3rd place finisher which suggests that these two might be good enough to get a shot at the Derby.
Desert Party was a stunning 1 to 5 in the betting in North America but his stablemate led all the way and stole the show under Alan Garcia.
The winning pair were 13 to 1.
REGAL RANSOM is by Distorted Humor - Kelli's Ransom by Red Ransom.
Both Regal Ransom and Desert Party, who raced flat throughout (perhaps reacting a bit off the 2 big efforts to start his season) are headed to Churchill Downs.
With Gary Stevens on the TVG telecast, Desert Party's rider Frankie Dettori said:
"We were disappointed the horse got beat, he didn't produce the turn of foot he usuaally has, i think the Derby is primary target and I wouldn't mind going..
It would be the chance of a lifetime."


MORE DUBAI....
BIG DEAL

BIG CITY MAN, who romped through some sprint preps in Dubai this winter, had a minor letdown in his last race, exploded to win the Golden Shaheen on the card, holding off INDIAN BLESSING, the fast filly from United States but was caught a bit flat-footed at the start.
The winner, ridden by Jose Verenzuela is by Northern Afleet out of Mini Appeal, by Valid Appeal.

The winner was a stakes winner at Calder as a 2yo two years ago and was owned by Mr. T Stables previously.


GLAD, HAPPY

Trainer MUBARAK BIN SHAFYA won consecutive races on the card - the DUBAI DUTY FREE worth $5 million and the Sheema Classic, also worth $5 million.
Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi rode both winners.

GLADIATORUS, a Silic colt that cost just $8,000 as a FASIG TIPTON YEARLING, led all the way in the Duty Free to win the 1 1/8 mile race by a long margin while his jock stood straight up in the irons at the wire.
The winner was 2 for 2 off the long layoff - he missed all of 2008 at the races but is 9 for 12 in his career and he was a budding Italian star before he went on hiatus.

EASTERN ANTHEM, bred in Ireland and by Singspiel, chugged down the middle of the turf course to win a 3-way photo in the SHEEMA CLASSIC, beating Spanish Moon and Purple Moon. The 5yo horse seemed to be lugging in quite well through the stretcha nd crowding the pair of Moons but he won the bob and piled another winner's share of $5 million into the pockets of his trainer and rider.
This horse was also 2 for 2 off a layoff but he had raced in England last year for Saeed Bin Suroor and, like Gladiatorus, had been ridden by Frankie Dettori in the past.
He is 5 for 10 in his career now.


TWO STEP MILE

from Press Association

Two Step Salsa led home stablemate Gayego to give Saeed bin Suroor a 1-2 in the Godolphin Mile on World Cup day at Nad Al Sheba.

The 2-1 favourite was always up with the pace under Frankie Dettori and put distance between himself and his rivals soon after turning for home.

The result was in little doubt from that moment, with Ted Durcan's mount, Gayego, coming out of the chasing pack to fill the runner-up spot, two and a quarter lengths in arrears.

Dettori said: "It's a long straight here and I was running out of petrol, but he had enough to win the race. I was lucky no-one was really close to me so I was able to relax in front."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford added: "They both came here with good form from America and we expected a 1-2. It was never going to be easy, but they did it well."

A delighted Suroor said: "I'm really happy with Frankie and I told him to ride him like that. We'll now take Two Step Salsa back to New York and try to find a race for him there."
TWO STEP SALSA is by Petionville out of Two to Waltz, by Seattle Slew.


VLADMIR CERIN AT WOODBINE

The DAILY RACING FORM has reported that well known California trainer VLADIMIR CERIN is setting up a stable at Woodbine.
The 55-year-old Croatianr lived in Canada when he was a teenager and later studied sports science in California.
He once worked with tennis star Tracy Austin and, since he grew up with animals, he turned to training racehorses in the late 1970s.
He has trained dozens of top class horses and last fall won his first Breeders' Cup race when Albertus Maximus won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year at Santa Anita.


CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

Sunday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:14 p.m. EDT
RAMPART S.-GII, $150,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE TRAINER ODDS

1 Ginger Brew Milwaukee Brew Lynch 3-1
2 So Glitzy Gilded Time H Jerkens 15-1
3 One Caroline Unbridled’s Song Arnold 5-2
4 Hamsa Fusaichi Pegasus Tagg 4-1
5 Sea Chanter War Chant Pletcher 5-1
6 Striking Tomisue Smart Strike Zito 4-1
7 African Violet Lemon Drop Kid Motion 10-1


Sunday, Sunland Park, post time: 7:45 p.m. EDT
SUNLAND DERBY, $800,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE TRAINER ODDS

1 Valid Stripes Valid Expectations Ja mison 15-1
2 Santamonicacanyon Soto Vienna 12-1
3 Advice Chapel Royal Pletcher 6-1
4 Dumar Maria=s Mon Asmussen 12-1
5 Mayor Marv Distorted Humor Baffert 7-2
6 Scorewithcater Even the Score O'Neill 6-1
7 Mythical Power Congaree Baffert 10-1
8 Kelly Leak Runaway Groom Machowsky 4-1
9 Mine That Bird Birdstone Woolley Jr 8-1
10 Infernal Sir Cherokee Hone 20-1
11 Mark S the Cooler Johar O'Neill 12-1
12 Smokin' Legend Smoke Glacken Grissom 20-1

QUEEN'S PLATE ELIGIBLE, a filly, HARD KISSES, won her maiden at Santa Anita yesterday in her 2nd career start for Parri and Hal Earnhardt III.
The Toccet - Hunting Jade filly was a $50,000 and $100,000 yearling purchase. She was bred by James A & Janeane Everatt & J Arika Everatt-Meeuse in Ontario.
Bob Baffert trains.


FRIDAY - Ontario bred GHETTO SUPERSTAR won a $15,000 claimer for Maggi Moss and trainer Steve Asmussen and was claimed by trainer Keith Bourgeois.
The 5yo is by Touch Gold out of Punchbowl by Two Punch.

PIECE OF THE PIE, by Domasca Dan - Emerald Afternoon by Cabrini Green, won at 7 to 1 at Mountaineer for $5,000 claiming for the red-hot combo of Mike Newell and Mike Barkowski.
She is a 5yo mare bred by Gardiner Farms.

GREY MIRAGE won on Friday at Mountaineer for $5,000 claiming by a nose at 5 to 2. The You and I gelding is a 6yo owned by Doncaster Farm and trained by Paula Loescher.


ONTARIO'S HORSE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
H.I.P.

The Ontario Racing Commission March 25 approved $47.1 million Canadian for the 2009 Horse Improvement Program, which funds stakes, breed development, and equine research for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing.

The Thoroughbred program will get $20.9 million, and the Standardbred program $26.2 million, according to an ORC release.

The Thoroughbred program will offer about $6.1 million for Ontario-bred bonuses, $3 million in breeders’ awards, $400,000 in stallion awards, and $5.8 million in purse supplements for Canadian- and Ontario-bred horses and Canadian graded stakes.

THREE YEARS

ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Thoroughblog just celebrated its 3rd year anniversary on MARCH 27 - check back for news on today's DUBAI RACES..

for now..here is a stunning update from KENTUCKY...

1987 Kentucky Derby Winner Alysheba Euthanized After Fall
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10087471&nav=menu203_2

1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba was euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park Friday night, Horse Park officials confirm.

Alysheba fell in his stall on Friday afternoon and was not able to get up. Dr. Nathan Slovis was immediately called to the Kentucky Horse Park, and an equine ambulance transported Alysheba to the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute directly across the road from the park. Dr. Slovis and his team treated Alysheba and evaluated his condition. By evening, it was clear that he had sustained an insurmountable injury.

"Due to a chronic degenerative spinal condition that led to ataxia and instability, Alysheba fell in his stall yesterday injuring his right hind femur," said Kathy Hopkins, Kentucky Horse Park Director of Equine Operations. "Complicated by his advanced age, this trauma resulted in severe pain that did not respond to analgesic therapy. The resulting pain and suffering, and the inability to stand unaided, led to a joint decision for euthanasia. This very difficult decision was made by the veterinary staff of Hagyard Medical, the veterinary staff of His Majesty King Abdullah, and those who loved and cared for him at the Kentucky Horse Park."

read the rest at link above.

ACCOMPLISH

REFLECTING - Dubai World Cup favourite ALBERTUS MAXIMUS checks out some friends on the track yesterday morning - here he's watching the grey butt of KIP DEVILLE jog away from him. Kip Deville competes in the DUBAI DUTY FREE on Saturday at 1 1/8 miles on the grass.

Vanessa Ng photo and see more and read a lot of cool notes at www.horse-races.net.




(At right, GODOLPHIN MILE favourite TWO STEP SALSA is pumped up for his run against stablemate GAYEGO.
Vanessa Ng photo)













WORLD CUP CARD - Watch and wager on HPI TV beginning at 9:40 a.m. on SATURDAY.

If you are a racing fan, then Saturday morning will be a whirlwind.

There are numerous storylines during the DUBAI WORLD CUP CARD at Nad al Sheba - the UAE Derby: does DESERT PARTY earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby? The Golden Shaeen, can fleet American filly INDIAN BLESSING win the straightaway race?

Does Canadian International winner MARSH SIDE get his stuff together for the Sheema Classic?

Saturday, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
DUBAI WORLD CUP-G1, $6,000,000, 4yo/up, 2000m
PP HORSE SIRE TRAINER

1 Muhannak (Ire) Chester House Beckett
2 Arson Squad Brahms Dutrow Jr
3 Snaafy Kingmambo al Muhairi
4 Asiatic Boy (Arg) Not for Sale (Arg) de Kock
5 Happy Boy (Brz) Ski Champ bin Shafya
6 Gloria de Campaeo (Brz) Impression (Arg) Bary
7 Well Armed Tiznow Harty
8 Casino Drive Mineshaft Fujisawa
9 Joe Louis (Arg) Lode Barton
10 Albertus Maximus Albert the Great McLaughlin
11 Muller (Arg) El Compinche (Arg) Bruss
12 Anak Nakal Victory Gallop Zito
13 Paris Perfect (SAf) Muhtafal Bruss
14 My Indy (Arg) Indygo Shiner bin Suroor
All carry 126 pounds.



(Photo at right, the draw for the WORLD CUP card is held at
the Madinat Jumeirah Resort which is "a gorgeous castle like building in a complex that includes the resort, shopping, and meeting facilities. Part of the facilities is the Burj Al Arab hotel, the world's tallest all suite hotel which resembles a sailboat and has any luxury you can imagine." Vanessa Ng photo.

(For fields of all races see www.drf.com)


FLORIDA DERBY
BEETHOVEN INJURED, LIKELY OUT UNTIL SUMMER

Beethoven was not entered in Saturday's Florida Derby and may be out of the Kentucky Derby picture as well.
Trainer John Ward said the Sky Mesa colt has some heat in a left front tendon.

FLORIDA DERBY-GI, $750,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY

1 Toby the Coal Man Mineshaft Leparoux
2 Quality Road Elusive Quality Velazquez
3 Casey's On Call Gimmeawink Baird
4 Dunkirk Unbridled's Song Gomez
5 Sincero Repent Trujillo
6 Theregoesjojo Brahms Desormeaux
7 Danger to Society Harlan's Holiday Madrid
8 Europe Unbridled's Song DeCarlo
9 Stately Character Pleasant Tap Douglas


FROM LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL
STRAPPED FOR CASH, DUNKIRK NEEDS WIN
Ky. Derby hopes ride on Fla. Derby purse

By Jennie Rees • jrees@courier-journal.comThe Courier-Journal • March 26, 2009

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Gambling on a horse is nothing new for thoroughbred owners Michael Tabor, John Magnier and Derrick Smith, who together paid a world-record $16.2 million for a 2-year-old -- The Green Monkey -- who never won a race.

So coughing up $3.7 million to purchase Dunkirk, the 9-5 favorite for Saturday's Florida Derby, as a yearling in 2007 was more or less chump change.

But now those partners and trainer Todd Pletcher are taking what in some ways is a more imposing gamble.

The 11/8-mile, Grade I Florida Derby will be Dunkirk's only chance to collect enough graded-stakes earnings to make the Kentucky Derby field if more than 20 horses are entered.

Dunkirk, the top price at Keeneland's 2007 September yearling sale, has raced only twice, winning a Jan. 24 maiden race by 53/4 lengths after breaking slowly and encountering traffic, and a 11/8-mile allowance race by 43/4 Feb. 19 after being extremely wide on the first turn.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090326/SPORTS08/903260447


Kentucky Derby Graded Stakes Earnings
Compiled by Churchill's Ben Huffman (Through Mar. 24)

Horse Trainer Graded $

Square Eddie (Smart Strike) O'Neill $774,981
Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) Baffert $743,250
Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy) Jones $570,465
Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace {Chi}) bin Suroor $417,500
Terrain (Sky Mesa) Stall $410,830
Old Fashioned (Unbridled’s Song) Jones $330,000
I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even) Mullins $324,000
Hold Me Back (Giant’s Causeway) Mott $288,000
Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}) bin Suroor $241,667
West Side Bernie (Bernstein) Breen $235,160
Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}) Hollendorfer $220,000
Bittel Road (Stormy Atlantic) Pletcher $211,000
*Musket Man (Yonaguska) Ryan $200,000
Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) Meehan $195,020
The Pamplemousse (Kafwain) Canani $180,000
*Win Willy (Monarchos) Robertson $180,000
Papa Clem (Smart Strike) G Stute $160,000
Charitable Man (Lemon Drop Kid) McGlaughlin $150,000
*Quality Road (Elusive Quality) J Jerkens $150,000
Mine That Bird (Birdstone) Woolley $138,705
*Not nominated to Kentucky Derby.


ORC makes changes to Triactor and Superfecta Wagering

from press release

The Board of the Ontario Racing Commission has approved new directives dealing with triactor and superfecta wagering, reducing the number of betting interests required for the featured bet types to be permitted.
For triactor wagering, the required number of separate betting interests has been reduced from six to five. For superfecta wagering the required number of separate betting interests has been reduced from eight to seven for all races other than stakes races. No change was made to the number required for stakes races, as the required number remains seven



SMART IDEA FOR BREYER HORSES

A racing fan is trying to get a Dance Smartly model made in the Breyer horse collection which currently has a Horses of the World set theme.

And Rebecca Mottin wants to help.
"Breyer has created many models of racehorses including Cigar, Seabiscuit, Ruffian, Rags to Riches, and Afleet Alex. They also have a “Horses of the World” theme going on right now, so why not a Canadian superstar? "

At least 50 signatures would help get this idea passed.

If anyone here thinks they’d likely buy a Dance Smartly model could you please forward your name and state or province to REBECCA at rebeccamottin@hotmail.com and Rebecca will forward your support.

COVER UP

Hundreds of horses, trainers, exercise riders and grooms are busy on the Woodbine backstretch - only 11 days until opening day!
Here is IAN BLACK leading out one of his charges yesterday morning. DAVE LANDRY PHOTO.


DUBAI WORLD CUP AND UNDERCARD NEWS

Watch and wager on the huge Dubai card Saturday morning, HPI TV, 9:40 a.m.


SPORTING LIFE:
DETTORI IN THE GROOVE WITH SALSA

By Andrew Mullen, PA Sport, Dubai
Godolphin Mile: Two Step Salsa 9/4

Frankie Dettori is hoping his decision to opt for Two Step Salsa over stablemate Gayego will pay off in Saturday's Godolphin Mile at Nad Al Sheba.

Twelve months ago the flamboyant Italian trudged away from the World Cup meeting without a win from six starts as Godolphin drew a blank for a second consecutive year.

This time around Dettori is confident of making a successful start with Two Step Salsa, who won last month's six-furlong Etisalat Wasel Trophy on his seasonal debut.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/09/03/25/RACING_Dubai_Godolphin.html



(Photo at right, former claimer INFORMED, trained by Doug O'Neill, goes bananas in Dubai. He is a contender for the Godolphin Mile. Vanessa Ng photo from www.horse-races.net)



DUBAI RACING CLUB WEBSITE

ASIATIC BOY TACKLES ALBERT


Last year’s Dubai World Cup runner-up Asiatic Boy was in action on the Tapeta training track at Nad Al Sheba on Tuesday morning.
Second to Curlin in the US$6m race last year, having won the UAE Derby in 2007, the horse returns for a third run at the Dubai World Cup meeting.
The five-year-old enters the race on the back of a victory in the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, over the same 2000m dirt course and distance as the showpiece race under regular partner Johnny Murtagh.
Trainer Mike De Kock said: “That was a big run last year and Curlin (the winner) was exceptional so we had to be happy with second.
“His preparation has gone well this time and all been based around Saturday night. We have to hope he will go very close.”
His second intended runner, Honour Devil will miss the race with a trapped epiglottis and will undergo surgery.
Asiatic Boy will re-oppose Well Armed, who was a neck away in third. The American raider walked the shed row Tuesday following his half-mile work in :49.00 on Monday. He is scheduled to return to the track on Wednesday.
Fellow American challenger, Anak Nakal galloped Tuesday over the main dirt track as he continues his preparations for the Emirates-sponsored contest.



DUBAI RACING CLUB WEBSITE

1-2 FINISHERS IN BIG SOUTH AFRICA RACE READY

Bruss confident of big Dubai World Cup run

Saudi Arabian-based Neil Bruss has high hopes that his first runners in the UAE could win the sport’s biggest prize, the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Zimbabwe-born Bruss only moved to the Middle East this season but the trainer - who is a familiar name in Africa - has enjoyed a fairytale start to his Saudi experience.

Last month, he saddled Muller and Paris Perfect to finish first and second in the country’s most prestigious race, the King’s Cup, and now the duo line up for the UAE’s showpiece event, worth US$6m.

”I think they both have an equal chance,” said Bruss, who was champion trainer eight times in his homeland before moving to South Africa in 2003.

“Paris Perfect won 10 of his 17 starts in South Africa and then won his first start in Saudi Arabia before running fourth in the prep race for the King’s Cup.

“The mile and a half was probably too far for him when he was second in the King’s Cup, and he came around the field too, so it was a pretty good run all in all.

“Muller was a champion in Peru, where he won the Triple Crown and won eight or nine in a row. He has top form in Saudi, having come second in the Crown Prince Cup, before winning the King’s Cup.”

Bruss is arguably best-known for his exploits with Zebra Crossing who won the J&B Met at Kenilworth in 2006. The horse was bred by his brother Robin and carried the green and white colours that originally belonged to his father Les.



DESERT PARTY - FROM DESERT TO DERBY?

GODOLPHIN'S Kentucky Derby hopeful DESERT PARTY (Street Cry) is the big favourite in the UAE DERBY and should he impress again, he will be headed to the Kentucky Derby.

from the SPORTING LIFE:

GODOLPHIN READY TO PARTY
By Andrew Mullen, PA Sport, Dubai

Kentucky Derby hopeful Desert Party has no excuse not to follow up his UAE 2000 Guineas win with victory in Saturday's UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The three-year-old son of Street Cry easily beat stablemate Regal Ransom last time out and, along with Godolphin Mile candidates Two Step Salsa and Gayego, is rated by Bin Suroor as his best chance of ending a two-year winless streak on World Cup night.

"He (Desert Party) is a horse that reminds me of his dad, Street Cry," said Bin Suroor.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/09/03/25/RACING_Derby.html



FLORIDA DERBY ON SATURDAY

Gulfstream Park's highlight race of the meeting and the last big Kentucky Derby prep in the south is Saturday's Florida Derby at 9 furlongs.

Strong Derby hopefuls like QUALITY ROAD (photo at right by EquisportPhotos.com/Z. Laskowski at www.horse-races.net) and DUNKIRK will square off. The latter, a multi-million dollar yearling purchase who is unbeaten in 2 races is by Unbridled's Song. His trainer Todd Pletcher has never won the Kentucky Derby.
Pletcher could run $2.3 million yearling purchase and maiden EUROPE (also by Unbridled's Song) in the Florida Dervy as a rabbit for Dunkirk.

Florida Derby and Todd Pletcher story:
http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/737746.html



CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

MAGIC AL JACK, a British Columbia bred 4yo gelding, won his 3rd of his last 4 starts last night at Mountaineer for his red-hot owner/trainer BOBBY PION. The gelding, by Alfaari, won for $5,000 claiming for the 3rd time in those last 4 starts (the other race was a 68 length loss for $15K claiming).
Magic Al Jack had won his maiden four starts ago by 23 lengths.

HURRY HARD, owned by Rachelle Morden and trained by Lyle Morden, won a $5,000 claiming race at Mountaineer last evening as the odds-on favourite. The 7yo gelding is by Bold Executve out of Whose to Know.



STUCK IN TRAFFIC BACK

Multiple stakes winner STUCK IN TRAFFIC, who gave Queen's Plate winner NOT BOURBON all he could handle last spring before he went on the sidelines, sizzled 4 furlongs on the Woodbine Polytrack yesterday morning in 47.60, the 6th fastest of the morning for the distance.
Owned by Martha Gonzalez and MAD Racing and trained by Nick Gonzalez, Stuck in Traffic wintered at Dr. Lea Guitard's farm north of Woodbine.

MAD Racing's champion runner WHOLELOTTABOURBON is also back as he worked the same distance in 48.20. He is a 7yo.

Stakes winners DANCER'S BAJAN and SHADOWLESS were also on fire yesterday. The sprinters worked 5 furlongs in 59.40 and 59.00 respectively for trainers Robert Tiller and David Bell.

The Bajan and Shadowless could join Legal Move and Main Executive in one of the early stakes events of the 2009 season which begins April 4.

FAIR

ALBERT TO THE MAX


Get ready for tons of racing action this Saturday, just over one week out from the start of WOODBINE'S 2009 season.
SATURDAY MORNING is the DUBAI WORLD CUP CARD with 97 pre-entries for its blockbuster card.
The big favourite for the DUBAI WORLD CUP (see pre-entries below) is DONN HANDICAP winner ALBERTUS MAXIMUS, see galloping in Dubai yesterday morning (photos by Vanessa Ng, courtesy www.-horse-races.net)


You can watch and wager on the DUBAI CARD through the Woodbine network beginning at 9:40 a.m. SATURDAY MORNING.

Later in the day, a large GUlfstream Park card will include the FLORIDA DERBY.


Saturday, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
DUBAI WORLD CUP-G1, $6,000,000, 4yo/up, 2000m
HORSE SIRE JOCKEY

Albertus Maximus Albert the Great Garcia
Anak Nakal Victory Gallop Bravo
Arson Squad Brahms Prado
Asiatic Boy (Arg) Not for Sale (Arg) Murtagh
Casino Drive Mineshaft Ando
Gloria de Campaeo (Brz) Impression (Arg) Leme
Happy Boy (Brz) Ski Champ Ajtebi
Joe Louis (Arg) Lode Ramos
Muhannak (Ire) Chester House Moore
Muller (Arg) El Compinche (Arg) Marwing
My Indy (Arg) Indygo Shiner Dettori
Paris Perfect (SAf) Muhtafal Faydherbe
Snaafy Kingmambo Hills
Well Armed Tiznow Gryder



(Photo at right) INDIAN BLESSING worked in 33 and change for 3 furlongs in Dubai for her Sprint outing on Saturday...the fleet American filly should be favoured.


ALL PRE ENTRIES CAN BE VIEWED HERE:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/pdf/DWC20090328_PreEntries.pdf




THE LONGEST SHOT
Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee dies at age of 20

The following excerpt is from USA Today but referred to LIL E. TEE as a chestnut...that part has not been included (he is a bay)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Lil E. Tee, who upset heavily favored Arazi to win the 1992 Kentucky Derby, has died. He was 20.

The horse was euthanized at Old Frankfort Stud on March 18. Farm owner Jim Plemmons said the horse fell ill last month following an operation to repair an obstructed bowel and struggled to recover.

"He was losing his equilibrium and we didn't want him to suffer," Plemmons said. "Up to that point he had been fabulous. He looked like he was 10 years old."

from WIKIPEDIA..

As a weanling, Lil E. Tee had nearly died but was saved by emergency stomach surgery. Considered to have little racing potential, he was sold for $2,000 as a yearling, and at age two his owner tried to sell him again but was rejected by an auction company who deemed the horse unsaleable. Lil E. Tee finally ended up in the hands of a Florida owner and was stabled at Calder Race Course in Miami, Florida where he showed some promise, winning a 7 furlong maiden race.



PEEK A BOO!

This precious little girl was foaled Feb. 20 at Woodlands and is by Bold 'n Flashy out of Psychedelia.
Photo courtesy Woodlands.











JUST DESSERTS

JUST LE FACTS RETIRED

from alexbrownracing.com:

To all who have been following this tough little guy's racing journey, thought you might like to know that Just Le Facts has been retired!

His trainer recently sought out the Turning for Home program. Many of the folks involved with that program have been following Just Le Facts for a long, long time. One of them has adopted Just Le Facts - and Just Le Facts and his new owner couldn't be happier!


(Photo at right is of JUST LE FACTS ENJOYING RETIREMENT...thanks to the Alex brown Forum for the photo.)


HERE ARE SOME FACTS ABOUT JUST LE FACTS...

(previous posts about him from Thoroughblog)



9-year-old JUST LE FACTS, written about on this site many times, was 7th at Penn National last night in a $4,000 claimer. He won the Red Bank Handicap years ago and has earned over $259,000 from 48 races.
He is a horse that has been pulled up in races and has been written about in many major publications including the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (JERRY BOSSERT) FEBRUARY - 2008

TRIPPED UP: The quality of racing at Aqueduct during the winter isn't the best but it may have hit a new low today. Entered in the fifth is Just Le Facts, a 9-year-old gelding who "broke down" at Philadelphia Park in his last start according to the comment issued in the Daily Racing Form on Jan. 19. In his previous start, Just Le Facts was eased at Aqueduct on Dec. 27. Since breaking down, the gelding allegedly worked twice, including a bullet workout on Feb.16 over the Belmont training track.

Anyway, now we can celebrate JUST LE FACTS RETIREMENT FROM THE GAME. Good Luck JUSTIN!




(Missed previous posts on THOROUGHBLOG? They are all listed on the right and also under the archives, or you can do a search up top. IUf you missed recent, you missed this OLD FORRESTER colt foaled at Longview Farm)



BETFAIR
The Future of horse racing in North America?

This is a super interview in the THOROUGHBRED DAILY NEWS TODAY...


Betfair is the pioneer in the field of betting exchanges.
In a betting exchange, customers bet against one
another. In horse racing, for example, a customer posts
odds on a horse and the amount of money he or she is
willing to accept in wagers on that horse. If another
customer wants to bet the horse at the posted price, the
bets are matched, much as buyers and sellers are
matched in traditional stock markets. Betfair accepts
wagering on a number of sports and events, everything
from horse racing, soccer games, and political elections
to whether or not it will snow on Christmas Day in
London...


http://pdfs.thoroughbreddailynews.com/generic_upload/pdf/3-23i%20BetfairQandA.pdf

REVVING UP

He's a beauty - HOLD ME BACK, grandson of Canadian champion AVOWAL, won the Lane's End Stakes on Saturday. Cindy Pierson Dulay photo.



ANOTHER NEW FACE ON DERBY TRAIL

Avowal remembered

HOLD ME BACK came from 12th out of the gate and 11th early on and mowed down his field to win the Lane's End Stakes on Saturday.

His rally, long, smooth stride and 97 Beyer Figure surely puts him on the edges of Kentucky Derby hopefuls, another new face in the picture for the world's most famous horse race.

It was the Bill Mott trainee's first race of the year. WinStar owns the colt and co-bred him with Haras Santa Maria de Araras.

(At right, HOLD ME BACK before the Lane's End, Cindy Pierson Dulay photo)

Jockey Kent Desormeaux said:

"I thought I was hopelessly beaten the second the doors opened. He just stood there and it worked out really well in the end because closers perform so much better on (Polytrack). After a fearful start he carried me around the racetrack in great fashion, strong, in the bridle, continued to move forward, and I allowed him to do that passing the 1/2 mile pole and just collected the frontrunners continually until we made the lead. Bittel Road was struggling down the backside so I just peeled out from behind him and just went about my own business. He just powered for the wire, full of energy."

HOLD ME BACK is by Giant's Causeway out of a mare named Restraint, an Unbridled's Song mare who did not race.

Restraint's dam is Canadian champion AVOWAL, the brilliant 3yo filly of 1982 who won the Canadian Oaks and 13 races from 30 starts for Rick Kennedy.

Avowal is by L'Enjoleur.

Did HOLD ME BACK make it onto Thoroughblog's top 10 Derby list? Check the SIDEBAR at the RIGHT!



SPICE ROUTE'S PAN AM WASHED OUT

Heavy rain in Florida on Saturday resulted in Canadian owned and trained Spice Route being scratched from the Grade 3 Pan American Handicap as the race was moved to the sloppy main track.

The card at Gulfstream actually featured a 2 horse race that was originally scheduled for the grass.

Canadian-bred SLIGOVITZ stayed in the Pan Am and was third behind Buddy's Humor, a son of Distored Humor who won the 1 1/4 mile race by 3/4 of a length.



HEAD START

Ontario-bred HEAD START won Saturday's Sportsman's Paraside Stakes at Delta Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen and Gold Mark Farms and collected his 3rd win in 7 races.

The 3yo colt was bred by Ron Clarkson and is a son of Jump Start out of Opening Line, the dam of stakes winner SWAMP LINE.

(Swamp Line is a featured chapter story in the new book SECOND CHANCE HORSES, set to be released next week by Eclipse Press over at bloodhorse.com).

Headstart was 12 to 1 for the mile race and didn't have a head start - he came from almost last place with a big rally to win in 1:39.42.

His previous best Beyer Figure was a 76 from his win in a race before the Delta Stakes. A Beyer Figure was not available from Daily Racing Form yet this morning.

Headstart is not currently a Queen's Plate eligible.
He was a $200,000 Kentucky summer yearling purchase by Gold Mark 2 years ago.



EDDIE'S BACK ON TRACK

Canadian-bred SQUARE EDDIE, who was made the big 5 to 2 favourite for the June 21 Queen's Playe, is still headed to the Kentucky according to trainer Doug O'Neill in the news this morning.

Brisnet.com and other sites reported that the colt could still make the Derby following a workout on Saturday.

He worked three furlongs in :37 2/5, breezing, on the Hollywood Park Cushion Track.

No plans for a trip to Woodbine for the Queen's Plate are currently apparent.


CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

MARASCHINO RED landed on top in a maiden allowance at Gulfstream Park yesterday. The Ontario bred 3yo filly is by Medaglia D'oro out of Irish Cherry by Irish OPen and was making her 5th career start. A $900,000 2yo purchase by lael Stable the Barlcay Tagg trainee was bred by Yvonne and Doagmar Schwabe.
The filly is a half sister to the fleet graded stakes winner DAAHER.


At Fair Grounds yesterday, WOODBOURNE (h, 5, Danzig--Checker Hall, by Seeking
the Gold) won a turf allowance for his 3rd win in 10 starts. He was bred by Eugene Melnyk and is trained by Mark Casse.

At Oaklawn, GARBURETOR ( 4, Petionville--Miss Prado (MSP-PR), by
El Prado (Ire).) won his maiden at 6 furlongs. He was bred by James
& Janeane A Everatt & J Arika Everatt-Meeuse in Ontario and he was a $42,000 yearling urchase.

LAHAINA LADY won at Mountaineer yesterday for Kevin Buttigieg, owner/trainer. The Souvenir Copy - Rainbow Stakes filly won the non-winners of 3 lifetime race for $5,000 claiming as the even-money favourite.


EMMA-JAYNE WILSON WEBSITE UPDATES!

Emma-Jayne Wilson, a champion Canadian jockey, recounts some memories of 2008 on her website and statistics on Wilson's riding have also been updated.

Read about her her Hong Kong trip, her 2008 season and plans for the future here:

http://www.ejwilson.com/media.shtml



FORT ERIE UPDATE
HORSES, PEOPLE FILLING BACKSTRETCH

There is reportedly more than 500 horses already moved into the Fort Erie backstretch now that the 2009 season has been saved.

Many dedicated people played a role in helping a deal be worked out for the track including the Ontario division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

In the NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW, this story appears today:


New owner, new hope at track
JOBS: Horse owners, trainers excited by possibilities to promote live racing
Posted By RAY SPITERI REVIEW STAFF WRITER
Posted 36 mins ago


As horse owners and trainers prepare for a 112th season at Fort Erie Race Track - a season some thought wouldn't arrive at all - they're already casting one eye to the future.

With new ownership preparing to take over the venue, they say suddenly there are more possibilities.

"We need to promote a lot more if this track is to have long-term success," said horse owner Richard Hurst, who spent Sunday morning at the Catherine Street facility getting stalls ready in the backstretch.

"There are a lot of people with a lot of good ideas, and it's important we listen and improve upon the entertainment options here."

The 2009 racing season, slated for 78 days, will run from May 2 to Oct. 27. Post time for the scheduled three-day weeks -Sunday, Monday and Tuesday -will be 1:05 p. m. as usual.

It once looked as though the track might not open for another season. But an 11th-hour deal struck between track owner Nordic Gaming and the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corp. changed all that.

The EDTC, an agency of the Town of Fort Erie, is trying to buy the facility for $35 million and set it up as a not-for-profit entity. The parties continue to negotiate terms of the sale, work out financing and develop a business plan.

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1490225

MEANS TO AN END

The first day of spring arrived yesterday at 7:44 a.m. and on the Woodbine backstretch, indeed the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.

But we sure were bundled up!

It was a frigid morning to kick off spring 2009 but the mercury starts to go up again this weekend.

On the track, well over a hundred horses zipped by in workouts, alone or in compnay. The times were normal to fast and there were some recognizable names on thetab including stakes winners MAIN EXECUTIVE and LEGAL MOVE, both guys getting ready for the sprint stakes to start the season.

Everyone is happy at this time of the season, talkative, funny and eager to get going.

The Woodbine season starts April 4.

So, while we have some time to wait, there is some interesting stuff to watch today..



BIG DAY FOR BERNIE

It's a big day for some fringe Kentucky Derby prospects - in particular WEST SIDE BERNIE (PHOTO AT RIGHT BY AMBER CHALFIN), who made a wild, full throttle-while-widest rally in the Holy Bull Stakes against an inside, speed bias.
He's at Turfway today for the Lane's End Stakes.
It will hbe interesting to see how bad that Polytrack surface is this weekend, it has had a lot of kick back this winter.
Bernie's main rival appears to be PARADE CLOWN, a son of Distorted Humor.


Saturday, Turfway Park, post time: 5:43 p.m. EDT
LANE'S END S.-GII, $500,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT)
PP HORSE OWNER BREEDER TRAINER/JOCKEY ODDS

(FIELD BOX COURTESY THOROUGHBRED DAILY NEWS)

1 Hold Me Back WinStar Farm LLC Haras Santa Maria de Araras/WinStar-KY Mott 6-1
(c, Giant’s Causeway--Restraint, by Unbridled’s Song) Desormeaux

2 Bittel Road James T Scatuorchio & John Iracane John Iracane-KY Pletcher 5-2
(c, Stormy Atlantic--Sultry Sal, by Sultry Song) Gomez

3 A. P. Cardinal Ol Memorial Stable Adena Springs Farm-KY McLaughlin 10-1
(c, A.P. Indy--Smok’n Frolic, by Smoke Glacken) Velasquez

4 West Side Bernie Lori & George Hall Polo Green Stable/Andrew Savas-KY Breen 3-1
(c, Bernstein--Time Honored, by Gilded Time) Prado

5 Jack Spratt Sand Dollar/Skychai/Conway et al Nikolaus Bock/Lee McMillin-KY Maker 8-1
(c, Candy Ride {Arg}--Mayapple, by Miner’s Mark) Leparoux

6 Parade Clown Donamire Farm Mira Ball-KY Ball 10-1
(c, Distorted Humor--Twilight Parade, by El Prado {Ire}) Coa

7 Bruce N Autumn Zayat Stables LLC Arthur Hancock-KY Romans 20-1
(c, Lemon Drop Kid--Loose Park, by Stop the Music) Lebron

8 Orthodox Kim & John Glenney Mr & Mrs John Glenney Jr-KY Glenney 10-1
(r, Pulpit--Dominique’s Joy, by Strawberry Road {Aus}) Castanon

9 Loch Dubh Texas Toyco LLC The Answer LLC-KY Talley 20-1
(c, Friends Lake--Star Landing, by Caller I.D.) Borel

10 Flying Private Grand Slam Farm LLC John & Martha Jane Mulholland-KY Lukas 12-1
(c, Fusaichi Pegasus--Beautiful Treasure, by Unbridled) Ocampo

11 Dynamite Bob Bobby R Rankin Bobby Rankin-KY Lopez 50-1
(c, Malabar Gold--Morning Roar, by Roar) Guzman

12 Proceed Bee William Stiritz Hunter Valley Farm/H & W T’breds/Wade-KY Gestes 12-1
(g, Bernstein--Procession, by Private Terms) Prescott
859-873-



SPICE IS HOT

Hmmm, Thoroughblog is going to scrape up some coins here and there and put it all on SPICE ROUTE today in the PAN AMERICAN HANDICAP, a Grade 3 at Gulfstream.
The flashy 5yo gelding, owned by Harlequin Ranches, Ralph Johnson and Roger Attfield will be ridden by Jim McAleney and he looks poised to win his first North American stakes race after a 3rd place finish in the MacDiarmida in his season debut.
Spice Route is in post 2 for the 1 1/2 mile turf test and he is a son of King's Best.

JIM MCALENEY goes for a big win in this race and he would be the first Woodbine jockey to win this event since DONNY SEYMOUR guided superstar mare CAROTENE to win the 1980 Pan Am.

The Pan Am has been good to Canadian horses as JAMBALAYA has won it as has Canadian bred FLAG DOWN.

SPICE ROUTE'S main competiton is SLIGOVITZ, a Canadian-bred by Sligo Bay (who now stands in Ontario) and is owned by Stronach Stables (who recently hired Roger Attfield to train some horses).
Sligovitz, trained by Brian Lynch, ran a 100 Beyer Figure in the Gulfstream Turf Handicap when 3rd to Kip Deville. He was 2nd in the 12 furlong Breeders Stakes at Woodbine but has to prove he is a 12 furlong horse still.



Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:45 p.m. EDT
PAN AMERICAN S.-GIII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/2mT
PP HORSE SIRE TRAINER ODDS

1 Sligovitz Sligo Bay (Ire) Lynch 5-1
2 Spice Route (GB) King=s Best Attfield 5-2
3 South Handyman (Arg) Southern Halo Garoffalo 12-1
4 Quasicobra Wild Rush Romans 4-1
5 Presious Passion Royal Anthem Hartmann 3-1
6 Buddy's Humor Distorted Humor Levine 6-1
7 Nergal (Fr) Simon du Desert (Fr) Clement 6-1


Other stuff -
The 11-year-old millionaire TOUR OF THE CAT races for just $7,500 claiming again today at Aqueduct. He is 2 for 4 this year.
In the next race, the red-hot Canandian-bred claimer THREE IN THE BAG is off the claim again and the Silver Deputy 7yo has won 2 of his last 3 races.

Queen's Plate contenders are in the finale at Gulfstream - D'ORO DIABLO (Medaglia D'Oro) from owner/breeder Bob Harvey, COUNT FLOYD (Aldebaran) and CARCILLO (Perfect Soul), the latter who is not yet nominated to the Plate.



BLACK MINK WINS

She stole the race up the rail

Michael Byrne's homebred filly BLACK MINK, bred in Ontario at Byrne's PARK STUD, won a $50,000 claiming race on the grass at Gulfstream thanks in part to a lovely trip tucked in behind the speed on the rail.
Ridden by Edgar Prado, Black Mink, by Black Minnaloushe - Miss American Mink by Quiet American, zoomed to a 2 1/2 length win at 5 to 1 win in the 1 mile grass race.
MIKE DEPAULO trains the 4yo filly.

SPRING FLING

QUEEN'S PLATE WINTERBOOK ODDS

123 nominations released

Square Eddie (at left, by www.horse-races.net) the fave, but will he come?




GET READY FOR PLATE NO. 150!

There will be lots of celebrations and special events around the historic 150th running of the Queen's Plate this year, North America's longest, continously run horse race.

The 1 1/4 mile classic has currently 123 nominations but supplements to stakes races at Woodbine can be made now so other faces could show up in the picture between now and the June 21 race.

As expected SQUARE EDDIE is the big favourite - the American owned, trained and raced colt was foaled in Ontario but has never raced here but he is by far the most accomplished colt on the list.

The bad news is, Square Eddie has been sidelined by a shin injury and it is possible that the J. Paul Reddam- owned, Doug O'Neill-trained colt does not have a trip to Toronto in his plans.

UTTERLY COOL, the second favourite, IS RECOVERING FROM ANKLE SURGERY and will be babied along until he is ready to go. The brilliant gelding was a monster in the Cup & Saucer last year but has never raced on Polytrack.

ACTIVE DUTY, trained by Mark Casse, has been in California and has raced twice but has not seemingly progressed much from his 2yo form that saw him win the Coronation Futurity. He does like Woodbine's surface, however, and trainer Casse is confident of the colt's ability to get the distance.

EL BRUJO is ready to run after many good preps in New Orleans for trainer Malcolm Pierce. He may race at Woodbine for his season debut. VAN LEAR ROSE, the champion 2yo filly, has just started working again and is one of the better sophomores on the list (of those who have raced.).

PARABOLA, a stakes winner for owner/breeder Janet Jeanpierre, is training in Ontario and has matured according to trainer Barb Minshall.

Stay tuned for many possibilities racing at Keeneland this spring and sharpen your pencils, the QUEEN'S PLATE FANTASY CHALLENGE starts again in a few days, so get your team together!
Check the Woodbine web site for more details.

The full list is below.


FAVOURITES

SQUARE EDDIE 5-2
UTTERLY COOL 6
ACTIVE DUTY 10
EL BRUJO 12
VAN LEAR ROSE 12
PARABOLA 15
KEINO WEST 15
MEAN GREEN 20
STARDUST ZIGGY 20
FLIP FOR THE COIN 20



Horse/Breeding Odds
Owner

ABSOLUTELYSTRIKING (Smart Strike – Hummingbird Red) 100
Owner: Sam-Son Farms
ACTIVE DUTY (Deputy Commander-Punchbowl) 10
Woodford Racing LLC
AGAIN PLEASE (Toccet – Patience Please) 100
Bull Market Stable & Jim Aston
AIR STRIKE (Smart Strike - I Beat the Tornado) 40
Woodford Racing LLC.
ALLEYNES BAY (Forestry – Alleynedale) 75
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
ALWAYS PRINCE (Dixie Union – Princess Ruckus) 100
G.Schickedanz
AMA SOUL MAN (Perfect Soul – Seeking the Blue) 50
Charles E.Fipke
AMONG GIANTS (Giant’s Causeway – Alexis) 50
Firestone Farms Inc.
ANNA'S SOUL (f) (Perfect Soul – Star de Lady Anne) 100
Charles E.Fipke
AXMINSTER (Tomahawk – Very Popular) 150
Karen & Mickey Taylor LLC.
BACCHAUS (Forest Wildcat – Piano) 100
Laurel Byrne
BATTLE AT SEA (Smart Strike – Sails Unfurled) 40
Sam-Son Farms
BIG HURT (Grand Slam – Nashwan Rose) 100
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
BREAK AND ENTER (Perfect Soul – Old Moda Vor) 100
Firestone Farms Inc.
BRU BORU (Gone West - Inish Glora) 100
Robert J. Costigan
BUCEPHALUS (Cape Canaveral – May Time) 75
Knob Hill Stable
BUCK THE TREND (Sligo Bay – The Lady Is Silver) 200
C.E.C.Farms
CAREER HIGH (Strong Hope – Ahead by a Century) 75
W. S. Farish
CHAMPAGNE FLIGHT (Fusaichi Pegasus – Go First Class) 75
Sam-Son Farms
CLEARVIEW HEIGHTS (Graeme Hall – Bright Stars) 150
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. CLOVER CREST (Graeme Hall – Coverly) 150
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
COLLEROSA (Tomahawk – Vinona) 75
Frank Romano
CONSENSUS (Langfuhr – Colorful T) 100
G.Schickedanz
COSTALIVIN (Tomahawk – Sylky Market) 50
Jam Jar Racing Stable
COUNT FLOYD (Aldebaran – Fairy West) 50
S. and D. Fitzhenry
D'ORO DIABLO (Medaglia d’Oro – Dancehall Floozy) 75
Robert Harvey
D'WILD MAN (D’Wildcat – Gleaming Field) 75
Gil Rowntree Racing Stable and Ed Lang
DANCE INTO HEAVEN (Dance to Destiny – Keys to Heaven) 40
Sam-Son Farms
DIAMOND QUEST (Katahaula County – Rock Creek Redhead) 100
Jim and Linda Sentes, SV Atwall Ent.
DON VALENTINO (El Prado (Ire) – Speed to Burn) 50
Stronach Stables Inc.
DR. FUNKENSTEIN (Proud Citizen – Parlour Maid) 40
Kingview Farms
DRUMBLARE (Smart Strike – Marimba Belle) 75
Anderson Farms and L. Silvera
DUKES ALLEY (Speightstown – Mount Hillaby) 100
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
EL BRUJO (Candy Ride – Enchanted Spell) 12
Windways Farm
EXECUTIVE DREAM (Trajectory – Found Treasure) 150
3 Sons Racing Stable
EYE OF THE LEOPARD (A.P. Indy – Eye of the Sphynx) 40
Sam-Son Farms
FIRST NATIONAL (Captain Bodgit – Little Oyster) 150
Ross Gyori & Aleatha McGill Gyori
FLIP FOR THE COIN (Compadre – Social Knight) 20
Molinaro Stable
FOREST UPROAR-f (Forest Wildcat – Split the Arrow) 100
Sam-Son Farm
FROZEN TREASURE (Seeking the Gold - Wilderness Song) 100
Sam-Son Farms
FULL THROTTLE (Dixie Union – Full Sister) 40
G.Schickedanz
GALL HILL (El Prado – Eden Lodge) 75
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
GRAEME WAFER (Graeme Hall – Bar U Mokwa) 200
C.E.C.Farms
GREEN BACK WILDCAT (D’Wildcat – Blue Sky Lady) 200
John S. Terdik
GUIPAGO (My Way Only – Cherokee Chick) 75
Fieldstone Farms
HAPPY VALLEY VOW (Broken Vow – Mountain Hideaway) 75
Glenn and Dolores Bryant
HARD KISSES-f (Toccet – Hunting Jade) 40
Hal and Patti Earnhardt
HARRIER (Tomahawk – Oh Dear) 150
C. N.Harris and D.Ross
HI HO CIANO (Ciano Cat – Hi De Ho Miss) 150
Molinaro Stable
HISAKI (Compadre – Cupid’s Executrix) 150
Fieldstone Farms
HUDSON BAY (Tomahawk – Katebryne) 100
Firestone Farms Inc.
I'M THE MANAGER (Tempolake – Promise the Banker) 200
Molinaro Stable
IMA SOUL MISS-f (Perfect Soul – Rahfee) 150
Charles E. Fipke
INDIGO NORTH-f (Grand Slam – Turned On) 100
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
INTHESCHEMEOFTHINGS (Trajectory – Pick Ten) 150
Gardiner Farms Limited
KEEP SIX (Perigee Moon – Cousin Charlotte) 100
W.Lawrence and M.Gardiner
KEINO WEST (Kissin Kris – Vanetta Hill) 15
Track West Racing and Susan Foreman
KELLHAM (Distorted Humor – Appleby Gardens) 50
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
KING KYLE (Alphabet Soup – Madame Pietra) 75
Stronach Stables Inc.
KINNAIRD (Milwaukee Brew – Too Late Now) 150
John Fielding
UNNAMED(Dance to Destiny – Somebody Else) 200
120011 Ontario Inc.
LAST CENTURY (Tomahawk – Hollywood Ending) 100
Firestone Farms Inc.
LEOPARD STRIKE (Tactical Cat – Noble Strike) 75
Arosa Farms
LITTLE AFLEETS (A Fleets Dancer – Little Storm) 200
H. W. Chambers
LONG PANTS (Tomahawk – Hot Pants) 150
Kingfield Racing Stable & D.Anderson
LOVER’S LAKE (One Way Love – Cathy Super) 150
Lisa A. Guaraldi
LUIGI’S HONOR (Sky Classic – Irish Toby) 100
Centennial Farms (Niagara)
MARCY’S WOODS (Point Given – Sea Dragoness) 100
Weila Ye
MEAN GREEN (Trajectory – Emerald Afternoon) 20
Norseman Racing Stable
MEGA RUSH (Megas Vukefalos – Solina) 150
T.V. Stables
MENSCH (Compadre – Edirne) 150
Fieldstone Farms
MERKABAH (Theatrical – Chopinina) 100
Knob Hill Stable
MONSIEUR PHILLIPE (Whiskey Wisdom – Victoria Princess) 75
G. B. Stable
MOONDRIFTER (Golden Missile – Curiosity) 75
J. M. Stritzl Stable
MORE THAN CONQUERORS (Piccilo Pete – Shark Attack) 150
Silver Duck Racing Stable
MR. FORICOS TWO U (Porto Foricos – Song Spring) 75
Annecchini and D'Alimonte Holdings Ltd.
NAJRAN’S PICK (Majran – Pick’s Change) 200
Connie Patton
NAVY BAND (Dixieland Band – South Sea Blues) 50
Woodford Racing LLC
NO MORE TEARS (Gilded Time – Heavenly Tears) 100
Kingfield Racing Stable Ltd.
NUMEROUS EXECUTIVE (Bold Executive – Crown’s Shadow) 100
J. M. Stritzl Stable
OLIVER’S STRIKE (Smart Strike – Oliva) 100
G.Schickedanz
PARABOLA (Trajectory – Flying Tabriz) 15
Janet A. Jeanpierre
PERFECT SHOWER (Perfect Soul – Showering) 50
Charles E.Fipke
POLTERER (Awesome Again – Instore) 100
Stronach Stables Inc.
POWASSAN (Candy Ride – Papoose) 75
Victura Farm
PRETTY KATHERINE-f (Vindication - Indigene) 50
J.Sikura, W.DeBurgh, J.Hollendorfer
PRIME TIME (Medaglia d’Oro – Sioux City) 50
W. Werner and R. Attfield
QUEEN OF THE RINGS (Empire Maker – Seeking the Ring) 100
Sam-Son Farms
QUIET APPROVAL (Quiet American – Agolo) 40
Kingfield Racing Stable Ltd.
QUIETDETERMINATION (El Prado – Quiet Cleo) 50
Sam-Son Farms
RAPID RELEASE (Action This Day – Bail Money) 50
David and Paula Mueller
SARGENT PARK (Fusaichi Pegasus – Prior Park) 75
Melnyk Racing Stables Inc.
SEBCOE WEST (Milwaukee Brew – Awesome Touch) 150
Track West Racing
SECRET WISH (Street Cry – Awesome Lass) 50
Cudney Stables
SHUT IT DOWN (Porto Foricos – Bar U Raphael) 50
K. K. Sangara
SIBELIUS (Friends Lake – Madiera) 75
Earle I. Mack
SIOUX LOOKOUT (Action This Day – Arablue) 100
R. Woods
SLEWLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic – Sashaying Slew) 100
Karen & Mickey Taylor LLC
SOUL OF NATAKA-f (Perfect Soul – Nataka) 150
Charles E.Fipke
SOUTHDALE (Street Cry – Pinafore’s Pride) 40
Rod Ferguson
SOUTHERN BUDDY (Annihilate – Southern Sweet) 75
Sherri-Lee Hawley and S. and F. Laing
SPARTACUS (Pulpit – Wheedle) 50
Woodford Racing LLC
SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike – Forty Gran) 5-2
J. Paul Reddam
STARDUST ZIGGY (Holy Bull – Rare Vision) 20
UN Stable
STEPONTHEWILDSIDE (Giant’s Causeway – Song of the Wild) 75
Sam-Son Farms
STORM WIND (Awesome Again – Brook’s Approval) 75
Stronach Stables Inc.
SUCCESSFUL KNIGHT (Porto Foricos – Devil’s Pledge) 100
ASG Stable, B.Petrick and E.Tannenbaum
TAKAMOSA (Peaks and Valleys – Unique Sky) 200
Ed Lang
THE WORLD TO ME (Domasca Dan – La Gazelle) 200
Binmar Farm
THOR’S PIPER (Thunder Gulch – Lone Piper) 100
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
TIMBER WOLF (Tomahawk – My Date) 75
W. Werner and R. Attfield
TORREADORA-f (El Prado – Fleet of Foot) 100
Sam-Son Farms
UTTERLY COOL (Smoke Glacken – Destroy) 6
Jim Dandy Stable
VAN LEAR ROSE-f (Stroll – Devaluation) 12
Kingview Farm
VENABLO (Porto Foricos – La Gran Raquel) 200
Fieldstone Farms
VIABLE (Vindication – Belle Breesing) 100
Karen & Mickey Taylor LLC
WHERS THE JUICE (Where’s the Ring – Juicey) 100
Jam Jar Racing Stable
WHISPERED HOPE (Porto Foricos – Whispered Secret) 50
Sam-Son Farms
WIN AND REIGN (Tomahawk – It’s a Ruby) 40
Hillsbrook Farms
WOLF MOUNTAIN (Awesome Again – Petrina Above) 75
Stronach Stables Inc.
WOODMAN’S SOUL (Perfect Soul – Forest Flora) 75
Charles E. Fipke
YORKVILLE (Rahy – Prospector’s Band) 75
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
YOU DON’T PASS (Pikepass – Silver and Bronze 100
3 Sons Racing Stable

CENTRE OF THE RING

Today's post dedicated to my friend SHIRLEY GILL

Whether it was working on films, working on a story, snapping a zillion photos, handicapping a race for her next bet or simply just meeting and greeting folks at the big functions of the the business, SHIRLEY GILL was passionate about life and racing.

Shirley owned racehorses, loved to bet on them, and was fascinated by every aspect of the business. Each year she would spend hours calculating her team for the Queen's Plate Fantasy Challenge contest, and she often did well.

In her retirement, Shirley never slowed down, writing stories on the Hall of Fame inductions, yearling sales and proofreading and editing statstics for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine.

And Shirley would do anything for anyone - she was gracious and fun and so very keen and always happy.

From Nassau, Bahamas, her hometown, to Vancouver to Toronto, Shirley made an impression of so many, many folks.

Shirley passed away after a brief illness on March 17, 2009 in Newmarket, Ontario. She leaves her wonderful daughter Linda and dozens of friends.

She will be missed.



WHO SPILLED THE PAINT?

This young boy, photographed by Doris Carey at T.C. Westmeath Stud in Shelburne, apears to already have his bridle in place.

The Old Forester - Regent's Signet colt has cornered the market on white markings (there is even a white part of his body shown in one of these phtoos that we can't show!)

Thanks to the Carey family and Lois Keays for sending these pictures.
























ATTFIELD TO TRAIN FOR STRONACH

Hall of Fame trainer ROGER ATTFIELD will train about 20 horses for Frank Stronach and family's Stronach Stables in 2009.
Attfield has trained for Stronach before.
Interestingly, Attfield could beat the Stronach team Saturday in the Pan American...read more below.

(Photo of Attfield, far right, taken after he won the Plate with Not Bourbon by www.horse-races.net)



MAC TAKES A PAN-AM ROUTE

JIM MCALENEY, who came close to being the champion jockey of 2008, has been riding in Florida this winter and Saturday gets a chance to win one of the biggest races of his career.
McAleney is reunited with his buddy SPICE ROUTE, the British bred gelding from Harlequin ranches and trainer Roger Attfield in the PAN AMERICAN HANDICAP at Gulfstream Park.

Spice Route was 2nd in the Grade 1 Canadian International last year and is clearly sitting on a big race.
In his 2009 debut, he was 3rd beaten 1 1/2 lengths after being checked on the last turn in the MacDiarmida Stakes under Edgar Prado.
That day, the gelding was some 22 lengths off the leader, Presious Passion, during the race and he meets that one again.
Another one to beat is Canadian-bred SLIGOVITZ, from Stronach Stables.

(In the photo below right from www.-horse-races.net), Spice Route is the white faced fellow in the middle)

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
PAN AMERICAN S.-GIII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/2mT PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT


1 Sligovitz Sligo Bay (Ire) Velazquez 114
2 Spice Route (GB) King=s Best McAleney 122
3 South Handyman (Arg) Southern Halo Bravo 122
4 Quasicobra Wild Rush Garcia 118
5 Presious Passion Royal Anthem Trujillo 122
6 Buddy's Humor Distorted Humor Lezcano 120
7 Nergal (Fr) Simon du Desert (Fr) Douglas 120




CANADIAN BRED BEGINNERS IN FINALE SATURDAY

There are a trio of 3yo Canadian bred colts in the last race at Gulfstream on Saturday and any ability shown y them would surely put them in the Queen's Plate picture for June.

D'ORO DIABLO, owned and and bred by Bob Harvey, is in post 2 for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The Medaglia D'oro - Dancehall Floozy colt has worked in bullets in Florida.

COUNT FLOYD goes for Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, from post 11. The Fitzhenry's bred the Aldebaran - Fairy West colt who is training smartly for trainer Catherine Day Phillips.

In post 12 is Mario Forgione's CARCILLO, a homebred Ontario bred son of Perfect Soul out of Miss A Fleet. He is trained by Mike DePaulo.





KENTUCKY DERBY STUFF
LANE'S END STAKES ON SATURDAY

The race looks like a 2 horse event with WEST SIDE BERNIE likely a big favourite and PARADE CLOWN as his main rival.

Saturday, Turfway Park
LANE'S END S.-GII, $500,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT)
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY

1 Hold Me Back Giant's Causeway Desormeaux
2 Bittel Road Stormy Atlantic Gomez
3 A. P. Cardinal A.P. Indy Velasquez
4 West Side Bernie Bernstein Prado
5 Jack Spratt Candy Ride (Arg) Leparoux
6 Parade Clown Distorted Humor Coa
7 Bruce N Autumn Lemon Drop Kid Lebron
8 Orthodox Pulpit Castanon
9 Loch Dubh Friends Lake Borel
10 Flying Private Fusaichi Pegasus Ocampo
11 Dynamite Bob Malabar Gold Guzman
12 Proceed Bee Bernstein Prescott



QUEEN'S PLATE CONTENDERS prep at Ocala

A bunch of Catherina Day Phillips trainees, all 3yos that could become Queen's Plate hopefuls, had some quick preps at the Ocala Training Centre yesterday morning.

Note: EQUIBASE now lists the age and sex of the horse in its workout pages.

Dr. Funkenstein (ON) Gelding 3 59.60 b 2/10
Long Pants (ON) Gelding 3 59.40 b 1/10
Mr. Foricos Two U (ON) Gelding 3 1:01.40 b 7/10
No More Tears (ON) Gelding 3 1:00.20 b 5/10
Quiet Approval (ON) Gelding 3 59.80 b 3/10



ORDER SECOND CHANCE HORSES TODAY!!

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Included in the book is Cansdians SWAMP LINE, LINDROS and IMPROPRIETY.

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WIN AND YOU'RE IN KENTUCKY DERBY RACE
"Arrogant and tough" colt headed to Kentucky

Trainer John Gosen has confirmed that MAFAAZ, who was adding blinkers yesterday, is going to try Kentucky, perhaps the Blue Grass Stakes, after the colt won the Challenge Stakes on an all weather track at Kempton yesterday, a 'win and you're in' type event.
Gosden called the colt is press releases "arrogant and tough".


KENTUCKY DERBY CHALLENGE S. (COND), ,80,000,
Kempton Park, 3-18, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT), 1:55.13,

Result from Thoroughbred Daily News:

1--MAFAAZ (GB), 129, c, 3, by Medicean (GB)
1st Dam: Complimentary Pass (GB), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Capo di Monte (Ire), by Final Straw (GB)
3rd Dam: Burghclere (GB), by Busted (GB)
(230,000gns wnlg >06 TATDEC; 400,000gns yrl >07
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum;
B-The Complimentary Pass Partnership; T-John
Gosden;



OCALA 2YO SALE WRAPS UP

Trainer SID ATTARD bought one juvenile (an Officer filly) on a very light day for Canadians at the OBS 2yo sale yesterday.

Gross sales at the auction dropped $13 million from last year.

Although the number of horses sold - 215 - was down only slightly from 2008, when 233 sold, salesy totaled just $20,681,000, compared to more than $33 million for last year's sale.

The average price dropped from $143,262, compared to just $96,191 this year.



WEIRD STORY
Former Woodbine runner wins Horse of the Year, after initially losing

Previously trained by Greg de Gannes at Woodbine, Storm Street has come to life in the Caribbean:

from Trinidad Express
Storm Street confirmed as new Horse of the Year
Thursday, March 19th 2009

IT'S OFFICIAL, Storm Street is the new 2008 Horse of the Year winner, replacing Chief Commander.

An unsigned press release from the Arima Race Club (ARC) sent on Tuesday confirmed the change which reversed the annoumcement of Chief Commander as the award winner on the night of the 26th edition of the Jetsam Awards ceremony on March 2 at the Century Ballroom, Queen's Park Oval.

Tuesday's release stated: "The ARC has completed an investigation into the selection of the Horse-of-the-Year award 2008. Having concluded that there were deficiencies in the process adopted by the Selection Committee in selecting the Horse-of-the-Year, the ARC wrote to the five members requesting them to convene a meeting to resolve the present controversy with respect to the Horse-of-the-Year selection".

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161453930