Tuesday’s juvenile races begin with race 1 at Finger Lakes (4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight), and trainer/owner Michael Lecesse will send out one of two entrants (as the same jockey is named on both). Freuds On Holidays appeals to me on several angles—her dam won here as a 2-year-old at first asking, and she drops in class after running at Presque Isle first up. She didn’t do much in that race, but posted a much stronger workout afterwards. If Freuds On Holidays doesn’t go, her stablemate Re Examine looks equally talented—and her dam’s already produced four winners, including G3-placed Rereadthefootnotes at age 2 (and winner of this year’s Hollie Hughes Stakes at Aqueduct). Not feeling the appeal of John Terranova’s Maximo Star, as the colt offered little getting whipped by the filly Readygetsgold first up at Belmont—and he’s not particularly well-bred, out of an unraced dam whose mother won only once in 29 starts, and produced nothing of note. On the other hand, the unraced dam of Miss Marla is a half-sister to G3 victor Wishful Tomcat and a full-sister to Uncle T Seven, runner-up in Monmouth’s Continental Mile at 2.
In race 4 at Delaware, these 2-year-old maidens are in for a tag of $30-$40k, and it will be no surprise when Todd Pletcher-trained Myersrocks goes off the extremely short-priced favorite. He finished fourth (just 4-1/2 lengths back) in his first start—a maiden special weight event here on May 29; his half-brother broke his maiden in his third try (as a 3-year-old) in the maiden claiming ranks so maybe he’s now properly placed. Still, I’ll try to beat him. Bret Calhoun sends out a Henny Hughes firster, Dalamar, whose dam is a half-sister to G3 UAE 2000 Guineas runner-up Where’s That Tiger—and his second dam Blissful is a full-sister to Fusaichi Pegasus. Modest gate works, but high-percentage trainer with 2-year-olds. Here For the Music finished third (of eight) last out and moves up two classes, but was claimed out of that race and switches trainers—in addition to gaining the services of Jeremy Rose, he'll run on Lasix for the first time (usually a positive angle). G Man Joe has modest workouts, but his dam has produced nine winners from 11 starters; he’s trained by Ron Alfano for Rickman Racing (the family that owns Delaware Park).
Prairie Meadows race 4 (4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight) isn’t limited to Iowa-breds, and actually features some interesting fillies. Menwolf ships in from Churchill Downs where she started off well, nosing out next-out winner Internet Café for second-place in a maiden special weight on May 7, but then followed two disappointing outings, losing by a combined 21+ lengths—not really feeling her here. Kelly von Hemel-trainee Launch Light Lady looks live after a narrow first-out runner-up effort; she’s a full-sister to two stakes winners, including Launch Light who won last year’s Iowa Cradle at Prairie Meadows—and, given that her second dam Clever Kat was a prolific juvenile stakes winner, signs are good for this one to continue the family tradition. Laynee’s Moose has posted impressive gate works, and she’s by 17% first-time sire Cactus Ridge, out of a Woodman mare who’s already produced four winners. And, boy, there’s the back class there, as her second dam is a half-sister to the great Alydar and Our Mims! The other Cactus Ridge filly, Cactus Two Punch, looks good as well; her dam Heavenly Punch won over $300k, including the G3 Duchess Stakes at Woodbine and Maryland Million Distaff, and has produced four modest winners in four starters. With Ramsey Zimmerman up, she could make it five.
UPDATE:
Well, both parts of the 1-4 entry stayed in at Fingers Lakes, while Maximo Star and another entrant scratched. Benefitting from the inside post, Freuds on Holidays easily defeated her stablemate Re Examine, and that one was much the best of third-place finisher Freuds Ana Streak. No value, though, at those odds.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
More Juveniles for Monday
Okay, so I don’t want this to necessarily become a regular feature, but until I get bored of it I’ll keep at it—that’s the beauty of juveniles: full of promise, the stuff of dreams...until the running starts, that is. Besides, who knows where the superstars of tomorrow will first turn up?
On Monday, at Delaware in race 3, Todd Pletcher ships in Surmount whose precocious dam Ms Louisett finished third in the G1 Oak Leaf Stakes at age 2. Solid but not spectacular works, but her sire Speightstown is high % winner with first-time starters, especially sprinting like this 5 furlong maiden special weight event. Trainer Bret Calhoun (who’s about as successful as Wesley Ward with 2-year-olds) sends out North Freeway, by Jump Start; her dam Shawnee Country won the G3 Tempted and placed third in the G2 Demoiselle as a juvenile. Coax Liberty has posted three consecutive bullet workouts (two from the gate) in anticipation of this first start; her sire Successful Appeal is extremely successful with first-timers, her dam Chelsie’s House was stakes-placed (Anna M. Fisher Debutante) at 2, and her second dam Coax Chelsie was runner-up in the G2 Schuylerville as a juvenile. The Orientate filly Table Talking has some nice (albeit short) works from the gate; her dam Dixie Talking won the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship going 8.5 furlongs. Cindy Jones saddles Summer Soiree who finished well-back in fifth in the Polly Drummond Stakes first up; the winner of that race, Final Mesa came back to crush the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine this past weekend, and the third-place finisher Mis Vizcaya ran away with an allowance race at Delaware on Saturday. Great form line.
Race 6 at Philadelphia—a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight for fillies—features A.P. Song who narrowly missed winning at Monmouth first up, albeit vs. claimers. Also back from that race is Ratoath Special who may do better with Lasix added; her dam Shocking Dunn won the 3-furlong juvenile Mockingbird Stakes at Gulfstream back in the day. Mark Shuman-trained Ever Adored is extremely well-bred, by Forest Wildcat out of a Seattle Slew mare that has already produced five winners and was herself a G3 runner-up (Prix de Minerve) on grass in France going 12 furlongs. Lots of turfsters in her family, including recent G3 Hill Prince victor Krypton; having worked over the Tapeta at Fair Hill, I’m thinking she might like Presque Isle’s surface better—but we’ll see. I’m not a huge fan of E Dubai, but his daughter Nashi does have one big positive going for her—her second dam Morris Code was a nice 2-year-old, finishing second in both the G2 Alcibiades and G2 Golden Rod.
An entire field of first-time starters in race 5 at Prairie Meadows for Iowa-bred 2-year-olds—which is WAY out of my area, but let’s give it a shot. Another E Dubai offspring, Father Wayne has posted a string of sharp works from the gate, and his dam has already produced four winners, including two by E Dubai. His trainer Kelly Von Hemel also sends out Thunderdo whose dam Fantango Lady won 22 of 55 starts in the mid-West, most stakes and handicaps, including the Canterbury Oaks—and her maiden effort at 2. Why Be Blue only has two modest workouts, so I doubt he’ll fire first up; however, his dam has already produced two decent winners, and his second dam Solar Halo won the 1984 G2 Firenze Handicap (now Personal Ensign) at Saratoga—and finished third behind the great Lady’s Secret in the then-G2 Ballerina. Interesting that high-percentage jockey Tanner Riggs comes in to ride Caylor J whose works are modest at best, his Street Cry dam is unraced, and I can’t even find a thing about her family in Pedigree Query. Puzzling, to be sure. Since he’s paired in the betting with another, it will be hard to tell at post-time which one the money is coming for, as Coley Joe is better bred—his half-brother Awesome Rhythm won three races at Woodbine last year, including the G3 Marine Stakes, and he finished second to Palladio in the G2 Autumn Stakes.
UPDATE:
At Delaware, Surmount, Coax Liberty and North Freeway fleshed out the $2 trifecta that paid $178.80.
Hope someone caught the first-time Lasix angle with Ratoath Special—she went off at nearly 12-1, and paid a sweet $25.40 win! Nashi scratched. Ever Adored trailed the entire way, finishing last—TAPETA, just saying! Ship her to Presque Isle.
At Prairie Meadows, the quinella of Father Wayne ($3.60 win) and Why Be Blue ($7.80 place) paid $20.40, just a few bucks less than the $2 exacta ($24.60). Thunderdo and Coley Joe were both fractious in the gate and began greenly, finishing near the back—maybe next time.
On Monday, at Delaware in race 3, Todd Pletcher ships in Surmount whose precocious dam Ms Louisett finished third in the G1 Oak Leaf Stakes at age 2. Solid but not spectacular works, but her sire Speightstown is high % winner with first-time starters, especially sprinting like this 5 furlong maiden special weight event. Trainer Bret Calhoun (who’s about as successful as Wesley Ward with 2-year-olds) sends out North Freeway, by Jump Start; her dam Shawnee Country won the G3 Tempted and placed third in the G2 Demoiselle as a juvenile. Coax Liberty has posted three consecutive bullet workouts (two from the gate) in anticipation of this first start; her sire Successful Appeal is extremely successful with first-timers, her dam Chelsie’s House was stakes-placed (Anna M. Fisher Debutante) at 2, and her second dam Coax Chelsie was runner-up in the G2 Schuylerville as a juvenile. The Orientate filly Table Talking has some nice (albeit short) works from the gate; her dam Dixie Talking won the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship going 8.5 furlongs. Cindy Jones saddles Summer Soiree who finished well-back in fifth in the Polly Drummond Stakes first up; the winner of that race, Final Mesa came back to crush the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine this past weekend, and the third-place finisher Mis Vizcaya ran away with an allowance race at Delaware on Saturday. Great form line.
Race 6 at Philadelphia—a 4-1/2 furlong maiden special weight for fillies—features A.P. Song who narrowly missed winning at Monmouth first up, albeit vs. claimers. Also back from that race is Ratoath Special who may do better with Lasix added; her dam Shocking Dunn won the 3-furlong juvenile Mockingbird Stakes at Gulfstream back in the day. Mark Shuman-trained Ever Adored is extremely well-bred, by Forest Wildcat out of a Seattle Slew mare that has already produced five winners and was herself a G3 runner-up (Prix de Minerve) on grass in France going 12 furlongs. Lots of turfsters in her family, including recent G3 Hill Prince victor Krypton; having worked over the Tapeta at Fair Hill, I’m thinking she might like Presque Isle’s surface better—but we’ll see. I’m not a huge fan of E Dubai, but his daughter Nashi does have one big positive going for her—her second dam Morris Code was a nice 2-year-old, finishing second in both the G2 Alcibiades and G2 Golden Rod.
An entire field of first-time starters in race 5 at Prairie Meadows for Iowa-bred 2-year-olds—which is WAY out of my area, but let’s give it a shot. Another E Dubai offspring, Father Wayne has posted a string of sharp works from the gate, and his dam has already produced four winners, including two by E Dubai. His trainer Kelly Von Hemel also sends out Thunderdo whose dam Fantango Lady won 22 of 55 starts in the mid-West, most stakes and handicaps, including the Canterbury Oaks—and her maiden effort at 2. Why Be Blue only has two modest workouts, so I doubt he’ll fire first up; however, his dam has already produced two decent winners, and his second dam Solar Halo won the 1984 G2 Firenze Handicap (now Personal Ensign) at Saratoga—and finished third behind the great Lady’s Secret in the then-G2 Ballerina. Interesting that high-percentage jockey Tanner Riggs comes in to ride Caylor J whose works are modest at best, his Street Cry dam is unraced, and I can’t even find a thing about her family in Pedigree Query. Puzzling, to be sure. Since he’s paired in the betting with another, it will be hard to tell at post-time which one the money is coming for, as Coley Joe is better bred—his half-brother Awesome Rhythm won three races at Woodbine last year, including the G3 Marine Stakes, and he finished second to Palladio in the G2 Autumn Stakes.
UPDATE:
At Delaware, Surmount, Coax Liberty and North Freeway fleshed out the $2 trifecta that paid $178.80.
Hope someone caught the first-time Lasix angle with Ratoath Special—she went off at nearly 12-1, and paid a sweet $25.40 win! Nashi scratched. Ever Adored trailed the entire way, finishing last—TAPETA, just saying! Ship her to Presque Isle.
At Prairie Meadows, the quinella of Father Wayne ($3.60 win) and Why Be Blue ($7.80 place) paid $20.40, just a few bucks less than the $2 exacta ($24.60). Thunderdo and Coley Joe were both fractious in the gate and began greenly, finishing near the back—maybe next time.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
More Juveniles on Sunday
Decent results from yesterday’s juvenile analysis, particularly with Final Mesa crushing the My Dear Stakes and Miz Vizcaya winning at Delaware—not to mention selecting four of the top 5 finishers in race 7 at Calder (but not the winner, alas), a race that’s 10 cent superfecta paid a whopping $15,143.39! Man, I mentally beat myself up all night about that one! Let’s give it another try with some of Sunday’s juvenile races.
Race 1 at Churchill Downs is a 5 furlong turf sprint for 2-year-old maidens, and Steve Asmussen-trained Mae B Today looks perfectly bred for this. By turf sire Stormy Atlantic, his Woodman dam Ethyl Mae won the listed Staten Island Stakes over Belmont turf at age 2; his second dam is a full-sister to top turfster Fourstars Allstar, winner of the 1991 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, and also produced G2 turf winner Mystic Lady, a turf producer in her own right. Another promising Stormy Atlantic is Michael Maker-trained Typhoon Slew, half-brother to stakes winners Slew’s Tizzy and Slew’s Tiznow, the former who finished third in the 2007 Commonwealth Turf; nice long workouts. At first glance, Truly Smart doesn’t appear made for turf, until you consider his dam is a half-sister to multiple G1 turf winner Subordination. The only filly in here is Dos Lunas, with excellent turf breeding, by Hennessey out of an El Prado mare who is a half-sister to G1-placed turfster Transduction Gold and G3 turf winner Kim Loves Bucky; she’s had a number of workouts in advance of this debut.
In Churchill’s race 6—a 5 furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies—Wayne Catalano sends out for Ken and Sarah Ramsey a daughter of Kitten’s Joy, Love This Kitten; her dam is a full-sister to talented G1-placed sprinter Talent Search, and a half-sister (by Kitten’s Joy) to Kera’s Kitten, a stakes-winner at age 2. Witchy One breaks from post 1 for George Arnold; her dam has already produced G1-placed It’s Tea Time. Of those who have raced already, Congo Carah looks promising, having finished third in her only race to next-out allowance winner (and G3 Debutante fourth-place finisher) Internet Café and next-out MSW winner (by over six lengths!) Golden Phoenix. For a longshot, how about Like Mama Like Mia, whose dam has produced Sumwhrovrtherainbw, who not only won first out as a 2-year-old, but finished third in the juvenile Junior Champion Stakes at Monmouth? By high-percentage (17%) first-time starters sire With Distinction, this one could pop a nice surprise with Oriana Rossi up.
Race 1 at Monmouth is a maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies, and Wesley Ward-trainee Voodoointhevibes appears ready to fire first-out, with a serious of sharp workouts; her second dam Humble Clerk won the G2 Golden Rod as a juvenile. Wildly Lana, who finished third in her first race, takes a class drop; her precocious second dam Speed Dialer won the G2 Arlington-Washington Lassie. Patrick Biancone ticks all the boxes with Happy Jo—drops from MSW to claiming, 2nd career race and adds blinkers; she was a non-factor in her first effort, but is out of G2-placed dam Happily Unbridled. The only positive angle (besides nice workouts) I can find for Whatsthedifference is, unlike her first poor effort, she’ll run on Lasix this time.
Hollywood race 2 features a Roman Ruler first-timer for Bob Baffert; Romanette fired a sub-one minute 5 furlong workout from the gate in anticipation of this start. Baffert also sends out Royal Ancestry, full-sister to G1 Spinaway victress Awesome Humor. Nice works for Family Plan, and she’s a full-sister to G3 Sweetest Chant victress Capital Request (runner-up at 2 in Hollywood Wildcat Stakes), G2-placed filly Closeout and G3-placed Family Foundation (also at age 2). With such precocious siblings, she looks very good indeed. Based on her workouts (and 25% first-time starters sire Congrats), Wickedly Perfect looks live with Bejarano up.
UPDATE (SUNDAY, 1:30 p.m.):
Hope someone played Dos Lunas in the first race at Churchill—a $30.60 runaway winner! Good thing most American bettors still don't believe filles can beat males, as particularly at age 2, when fillies are often more advanced than their male counterparts, it's a huge positive when a trainer runs them against the boys. Just watch enough turf racing in Australia, and you'll see it happens ALL THE TIME!
At Monmouth, Happy Jo, Wildly Lana and Whatsthedifference fleshed out a $1 trifecta that paid $93.80; with Voodoointhevibes, the 10 cent super paid $25.88. Too bad I was out and missed this and the Churchill race :-(
Race 1 at Churchill Downs is a 5 furlong turf sprint for 2-year-old maidens, and Steve Asmussen-trained Mae B Today looks perfectly bred for this. By turf sire Stormy Atlantic, his Woodman dam Ethyl Mae won the listed Staten Island Stakes over Belmont turf at age 2; his second dam is a full-sister to top turfster Fourstars Allstar, winner of the 1991 Irish Two Thousand Guineas, and also produced G2 turf winner Mystic Lady, a turf producer in her own right. Another promising Stormy Atlantic is Michael Maker-trained Typhoon Slew, half-brother to stakes winners Slew’s Tizzy and Slew’s Tiznow, the former who finished third in the 2007 Commonwealth Turf; nice long workouts. At first glance, Truly Smart doesn’t appear made for turf, until you consider his dam is a half-sister to multiple G1 turf winner Subordination. The only filly in here is Dos Lunas, with excellent turf breeding, by Hennessey out of an El Prado mare who is a half-sister to G1-placed turfster Transduction Gold and G3 turf winner Kim Loves Bucky; she’s had a number of workouts in advance of this debut.
In Churchill’s race 6—a 5 furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies—Wayne Catalano sends out for Ken and Sarah Ramsey a daughter of Kitten’s Joy, Love This Kitten; her dam is a full-sister to talented G1-placed sprinter Talent Search, and a half-sister (by Kitten’s Joy) to Kera’s Kitten, a stakes-winner at age 2. Witchy One breaks from post 1 for George Arnold; her dam has already produced G1-placed It’s Tea Time. Of those who have raced already, Congo Carah looks promising, having finished third in her only race to next-out allowance winner (and G3 Debutante fourth-place finisher) Internet Café and next-out MSW winner (by over six lengths!) Golden Phoenix. For a longshot, how about Like Mama Like Mia, whose dam has produced Sumwhrovrtherainbw, who not only won first out as a 2-year-old, but finished third in the juvenile Junior Champion Stakes at Monmouth? By high-percentage (17%) first-time starters sire With Distinction, this one could pop a nice surprise with Oriana Rossi up.
Race 1 at Monmouth is a maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies, and Wesley Ward-trainee Voodoointhevibes appears ready to fire first-out, with a serious of sharp workouts; her second dam Humble Clerk won the G2 Golden Rod as a juvenile. Wildly Lana, who finished third in her first race, takes a class drop; her precocious second dam Speed Dialer won the G2 Arlington-Washington Lassie. Patrick Biancone ticks all the boxes with Happy Jo—drops from MSW to claiming, 2nd career race and adds blinkers; she was a non-factor in her first effort, but is out of G2-placed dam Happily Unbridled. The only positive angle (besides nice workouts) I can find for Whatsthedifference is, unlike her first poor effort, she’ll run on Lasix this time.
Hollywood race 2 features a Roman Ruler first-timer for Bob Baffert; Romanette fired a sub-one minute 5 furlong workout from the gate in anticipation of this start. Baffert also sends out Royal Ancestry, full-sister to G1 Spinaway victress Awesome Humor. Nice works for Family Plan, and she’s a full-sister to G3 Sweetest Chant victress Capital Request (runner-up at 2 in Hollywood Wildcat Stakes), G2-placed filly Closeout and G3-placed Family Foundation (also at age 2). With such precocious siblings, she looks very good indeed. Based on her workouts (and 25% first-time starters sire Congrats), Wickedly Perfect looks live with Bejarano up.
UPDATE (SUNDAY, 1:30 p.m.):
Hope someone played Dos Lunas in the first race at Churchill—a $30.60 runaway winner! Good thing most American bettors still don't believe filles can beat males, as particularly at age 2, when fillies are often more advanced than their male counterparts, it's a huge positive when a trainer runs them against the boys. Just watch enough turf racing in Australia, and you'll see it happens ALL THE TIME!
At Monmouth, Happy Jo, Wildly Lana and Whatsthedifference fleshed out a $1 trifecta that paid $93.80; with Voodoointhevibes, the 10 cent super paid $25.88. Too bad I was out and missed this and the Churchill race :-(
Friday, June 25, 2010
Saturday's Juvenile Jaunts
There is solid racing this weekend, including some interesting 2-year-old races on Saturday.
In race 5 at Churchill, a full-field of mostly first-time starters go five furlongs in a maiden special weight. Grigio (with Calvin Borel up) is the highest-price ($350k yearling purchase) colt in the race; by Stormy Atlantic ($35k) out of $16k-winning mare Underworld, he must either be a superior physical presence or hypnotized someone. Don’t know if he’ll win first out, but Paul McGee sends out Ready to Taunt whose dam is a half-sister to this year’s G2 Black-Eyed Susan winner Acting Happy, as well as I Ain’t P T, dam of recent G2 Commonwealth Stakes victor Together Indy. Ready to Taunt’s second dam is the multiple-G1 winning I Ain’t Bluffing, thus he is related to G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Borrego. One of only two with race experience, Singingmyhymnsong has thrown down several nice workouts since his last start. His unraced dam Start the Thunder is a half-sister to G2 winning Silver Music who tragically died this May covering a mare; his owner and fellow blogger Glenn Craven (Fugue for Tinhorns) discusses Silver Music’s family and racing career in this tribute. If he draws into the field, Wesley Ward-trained Tingaleo looks good—sharp workouts, by precocious Dixieland Band, and out of Call Me Up who won the G2 Schuylerville as a 2-year-old. On the other hand, Well Connected (Dynaformer out of G3-winning A.P. Indy mare Indy Groove) looks to want much more than five furlongs.
Five races later, in the G3 Debutante, Salty Strike—with Calvin Borel poised for a front-running rail ride—may be the post time favorite, but I finding it telling that Robbie Albarado abandoned her in favor of Just Louise, a half-sister to speedy Godolphin G2 winner Sara Louise. Still, the one in here that really intrigues me is Internet Café with apprentice jockey Oriana Rossi up. Her dam is a half-sister to Nancy’s Glitter who won four juvenile stakes at Calder, indicative of early brilliance. Not that she won’t thrive on dirt, but Salty Strike’s pedigree makes me think she would also love turf, as her dam’s half-sister Just One Rainbow produced the nice Minnesota-bred mare Bella Notte who won the grassy Princess Elaine Stakes at Canterbury last weekend. Another half-sister My Rainbow is the dam of Medicine Bow who finished third behind Ruff in the 2000 G3 Miss Grillo over the Belmont turf.
At Woodbine, the My Dear Stakes features in its small field of five Wesley Ward-trainee Final Mesa, easy winner of the Polly Drummond last out; if she crushes this field as easily, I might take a closer look at Miz Vizcaya who challenges Twelve Pack Shelly in an AOC at Delaware, race 8, and has form behind Final Mesa. Steve Asmussen sends out Mimi’s Missy who smoked a field of nine last out; the third-place finisher in that race Devilish Stunt came back to win gate-to-wire by six lengths. Canadian Lady has some back class in her pedigree; her dam is a full-sister to Mysterious Affair, second in the Ontario Debutante Stakes who subsequently won the G3 Hendrie and G3 Whimsical (twice) among several other Woodbine sprints.
It’s back-to-back 2-year-old races at Presque Isle on Saturday. In race 1, Graham Motion sends out first-timer starter Beatnik; by Kitten’s Joy, Beatnik’s second dam is French-G1 Prix de l’Abbaye victress Silver Fling, and his dam won on turf in England. Another who should appreciate the Tapeta surface is Hurricane Denton, a son of War Front out of an unraced Royal Academy mare who’s a half-sister to handicap stalwart Recoup the Cash. Race 2 features second-time starter Rustler Hustler, third here in his previous outing. It’s a first-timer, though, who interests me most: King Samurai (First Samurai) whose Devil His Due dam Hostility not only was a 2-year-old stakes winner, but also set a new track record over the Atlantic City turf course (5f, 55.86). This is her first foal, and he’s posted several sharp bullet work in advance of this start.
Race 7 at Calder for 2-year-old fillies includes first-time starter Delightful Dawn (Act of Duty) who sold for $47k at Ocala’s March Select Sale; her dam Dakota Light won Calder’s Three Ring Stakes at 2 (over subsequent champion 3-year-old Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town) and was runner-up in the G3 Florida Oaks. The Silver Train filly Truly Classy also looks promising, although I’m not crazy about two posted workouts within two days of each other; her unraced Conquistador Cielo dam Interruption is a half-sister to G3 Aristides victor Bold Start. Luna Grande posted a whopping 99 Bris speed figure finishing second in her first outing, but it’s Such A Sweet Girl who I think can improve off her last start; as a full-sister to two-time Sovereign Award winner True Metropolitan, Such A Sweet Girl is likely to improve with both age and distance.
At Hollywood Park, race 3 marks the debut of Richard Mandella-trainee Actual Size (Bluegrass Cat) whose dam Lady Melesi has already produced G2 Dwyer runner-up Doc Cheney and Barbaro Stakes winner Roman Emperor. Nice workouts for Quiet Assault, a full-brother to G3 turf stakes winner Bright Abundance. The only filly in the field is Lucky Sis who’s been unlucky in her first five starts, having yet to hit the board in maiden claiming efforts; she’s by little-known sire Cayoke, a G3 winner in France (once G1-placed) standing in California for $1k. Her breaking through here would be a monstrous surprise.
In race 5 at Churchill, a full-field of mostly first-time starters go five furlongs in a maiden special weight. Grigio (with Calvin Borel up) is the highest-price ($350k yearling purchase) colt in the race; by Stormy Atlantic ($35k) out of $16k-winning mare Underworld, he must either be a superior physical presence or hypnotized someone. Don’t know if he’ll win first out, but Paul McGee sends out Ready to Taunt whose dam is a half-sister to this year’s G2 Black-Eyed Susan winner Acting Happy, as well as I Ain’t P T, dam of recent G2 Commonwealth Stakes victor Together Indy. Ready to Taunt’s second dam is the multiple-G1 winning I Ain’t Bluffing, thus he is related to G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Borrego. One of only two with race experience, Singingmyhymnsong has thrown down several nice workouts since his last start. His unraced dam Start the Thunder is a half-sister to G2 winning Silver Music who tragically died this May covering a mare; his owner and fellow blogger Glenn Craven (Fugue for Tinhorns) discusses Silver Music’s family and racing career in this tribute. If he draws into the field, Wesley Ward-trained Tingaleo looks good—sharp workouts, by precocious Dixieland Band, and out of Call Me Up who won the G2 Schuylerville as a 2-year-old. On the other hand, Well Connected (Dynaformer out of G3-winning A.P. Indy mare Indy Groove) looks to want much more than five furlongs.
Five races later, in the G3 Debutante, Salty Strike—with Calvin Borel poised for a front-running rail ride—may be the post time favorite, but I finding it telling that Robbie Albarado abandoned her in favor of Just Louise, a half-sister to speedy Godolphin G2 winner Sara Louise. Still, the one in here that really intrigues me is Internet Café with apprentice jockey Oriana Rossi up. Her dam is a half-sister to Nancy’s Glitter who won four juvenile stakes at Calder, indicative of early brilliance. Not that she won’t thrive on dirt, but Salty Strike’s pedigree makes me think she would also love turf, as her dam’s half-sister Just One Rainbow produced the nice Minnesota-bred mare Bella Notte who won the grassy Princess Elaine Stakes at Canterbury last weekend. Another half-sister My Rainbow is the dam of Medicine Bow who finished third behind Ruff in the 2000 G3 Miss Grillo over the Belmont turf.
At Woodbine, the My Dear Stakes features in its small field of five Wesley Ward-trainee Final Mesa, easy winner of the Polly Drummond last out; if she crushes this field as easily, I might take a closer look at Miz Vizcaya who challenges Twelve Pack Shelly in an AOC at Delaware, race 8, and has form behind Final Mesa. Steve Asmussen sends out Mimi’s Missy who smoked a field of nine last out; the third-place finisher in that race Devilish Stunt came back to win gate-to-wire by six lengths. Canadian Lady has some back class in her pedigree; her dam is a full-sister to Mysterious Affair, second in the Ontario Debutante Stakes who subsequently won the G3 Hendrie and G3 Whimsical (twice) among several other Woodbine sprints.
It’s back-to-back 2-year-old races at Presque Isle on Saturday. In race 1, Graham Motion sends out first-timer starter Beatnik; by Kitten’s Joy, Beatnik’s second dam is French-G1 Prix de l’Abbaye victress Silver Fling, and his dam won on turf in England. Another who should appreciate the Tapeta surface is Hurricane Denton, a son of War Front out of an unraced Royal Academy mare who’s a half-sister to handicap stalwart Recoup the Cash. Race 2 features second-time starter Rustler Hustler, third here in his previous outing. It’s a first-timer, though, who interests me most: King Samurai (First Samurai) whose Devil His Due dam Hostility not only was a 2-year-old stakes winner, but also set a new track record over the Atlantic City turf course (5f, 55.86). This is her first foal, and he’s posted several sharp bullet work in advance of this start.
Race 7 at Calder for 2-year-old fillies includes first-time starter Delightful Dawn (Act of Duty) who sold for $47k at Ocala’s March Select Sale; her dam Dakota Light won Calder’s Three Ring Stakes at 2 (over subsequent champion 3-year-old Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town) and was runner-up in the G3 Florida Oaks. The Silver Train filly Truly Classy also looks promising, although I’m not crazy about two posted workouts within two days of each other; her unraced Conquistador Cielo dam Interruption is a half-sister to G3 Aristides victor Bold Start. Luna Grande posted a whopping 99 Bris speed figure finishing second in her first outing, but it’s Such A Sweet Girl who I think can improve off her last start; as a full-sister to two-time Sovereign Award winner True Metropolitan, Such A Sweet Girl is likely to improve with both age and distance.
At Hollywood Park, race 3 marks the debut of Richard Mandella-trainee Actual Size (Bluegrass Cat) whose dam Lady Melesi has already produced G2 Dwyer runner-up Doc Cheney and Barbaro Stakes winner Roman Emperor. Nice workouts for Quiet Assault, a full-brother to G3 turf stakes winner Bright Abundance. The only filly in the field is Lucky Sis who’s been unlucky in her first five starts, having yet to hit the board in maiden claiming efforts; she’s by little-known sire Cayoke, a G3 winner in France (once G1-placed) standing in California for $1k. Her breaking through here would be a monstrous surprise.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Oh Lightning Fast Monmouth Turf!
While the Belmont Stakes card dominated this past weekend, a number of other interesting performances should be noted, beginning with the one-mile turf world record (1:31.23) set at Monmouth by 6-year-old gelding Mandurah. Once a member of the Darley stable, he’s lingered in claiming ranks of late, having been available for $7,500 as recently as February. However, he is a full-brother to multiple G1-winning filly Flashing, and closely related to G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Seaside Attraction (dam of G1 Florida Derby champ Cape Town and 1995 champion 2-year-old filly Golden Attraction); Queen’s Plate victor Key to the Moon; and multiple-G1 victress Gorgeous. Quite a pedigree, but obviously had some issues (apparently mental). Still, he’d won three of his last four races, and this was his first start ever on turf (duh, you would thought someone would have figured out sooner to try turf). By A.P. Indy out of a Machiavellian mare who was a G3 turf winner in France, there’s no way this boy should have been overlooked, but the record was a bit surprising.
Two races later, Two Notch Road remained undefeated over Monmouth’s turf course after impressively wiring an 8.5 furlong allowance field in a new track record time (1:39.2). He’s been on my radar since his win in the Continental Mile last August—at 107-1! He won on opening weekend with John Velasquez up, but regular rider Shannon Uske guided him to a victory over such competitors as G1 Secretariat third-place finisher Laureate Conductor and 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf third-place finisher Coronet of a Baron. Not bad for the only 3-year-old in the field!
Mine That Bird’s little ½ brother Brother Bird is a maiden still, having finished second (for the third time) in Race 12 at Monmouth on Saturday. Having finished in the money in all four of his lifetime races, surely this colt will put in together soon.
3-year-old Fillies Update
After her non-performance in the Kentucky Oaks, nearly 40-1 Champagne D’Oro capturing the G1 Acorn was surprising, but really shouldn’t have been with the favorable cut-back in distance and off a bullet workout. Martin Garcia got her to break much better, and she never relinquished the lead. Her dam Champagne Glow finished second to Meadow Star in the 1 mile G1 Frizette in 1990, and Champagne D’Oro has looked much better on dirt this year than in California last year. Tidal Pool just looks exhausted, while Amen Hallelujah did well to get up for second.
Still, for what looked to be a competitive race going it, the Acorn was ultimately pretty disappointing. Maybe Blind Luck would have done better running into this race’s “speed” as opposed to the painfully pedestrian fractions set in the G2 Hollywood Oaks. Especially if the plan is to run Blind Luck in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and the G1 Alabama, why did they skip the first jewel of the Filly Triple Tiara?
Isn’t it time to give much-raced Joanie’s Catch a rest? I loved her Florida form this winter, but after her 10th place finish in the Oaks, they ran her in a 5f turf optional claimer against older mares where she finished a respectable third. However, in the 1 mile turf Sweettrickydancer Stakes at Calder on Sunday, she was a well-beaten eighth and never a factor. Give her a break, for god’s sake!
No Such Word returned from her runner-up effort in the G2 Black-Eyed Susan to win the 8.5f Go For Wand at Delaware on Saturday. While certainly not in record time (1:46.11), Terry Thompson had her loping along effortlessly until called to run as they entered the final turn where she was forced four-wide, and fought back gamely against Havre de Grace for the victory. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam out of the Carson City mare Easter Bunnette) is a filly to put in your Virtual Stable, as she looks to have a graded stakes win in her future. Maybe turf too? Her dam is a half-sister to The Bink (Seeking The Gold), dam of back-to-back G1 Flower Bowl victress Riskaverse.
Two races later, Two Notch Road remained undefeated over Monmouth’s turf course after impressively wiring an 8.5 furlong allowance field in a new track record time (1:39.2). He’s been on my radar since his win in the Continental Mile last August—at 107-1! He won on opening weekend with John Velasquez up, but regular rider Shannon Uske guided him to a victory over such competitors as G1 Secretariat third-place finisher Laureate Conductor and 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf third-place finisher Coronet of a Baron. Not bad for the only 3-year-old in the field!
Mine That Bird’s little ½ brother Brother Bird is a maiden still, having finished second (for the third time) in Race 12 at Monmouth on Saturday. Having finished in the money in all four of his lifetime races, surely this colt will put in together soon.
3-year-old Fillies Update
After her non-performance in the Kentucky Oaks, nearly 40-1 Champagne D’Oro capturing the G1 Acorn was surprising, but really shouldn’t have been with the favorable cut-back in distance and off a bullet workout. Martin Garcia got her to break much better, and she never relinquished the lead. Her dam Champagne Glow finished second to Meadow Star in the 1 mile G1 Frizette in 1990, and Champagne D’Oro has looked much better on dirt this year than in California last year. Tidal Pool just looks exhausted, while Amen Hallelujah did well to get up for second.
Still, for what looked to be a competitive race going it, the Acorn was ultimately pretty disappointing. Maybe Blind Luck would have done better running into this race’s “speed” as opposed to the painfully pedestrian fractions set in the G2 Hollywood Oaks. Especially if the plan is to run Blind Luck in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and the G1 Alabama, why did they skip the first jewel of the Filly Triple Tiara?
Isn’t it time to give much-raced Joanie’s Catch a rest? I loved her Florida form this winter, but after her 10th place finish in the Oaks, they ran her in a 5f turf optional claimer against older mares where she finished a respectable third. However, in the 1 mile turf Sweettrickydancer Stakes at Calder on Sunday, she was a well-beaten eighth and never a factor. Give her a break, for god’s sake!
No Such Word returned from her runner-up effort in the G2 Black-Eyed Susan to win the 8.5f Go For Wand at Delaware on Saturday. While certainly not in record time (1:46.11), Terry Thompson had her loping along effortlessly until called to run as they entered the final turn where she was forced four-wide, and fought back gamely against Havre de Grace for the victory. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam out of the Carson City mare Easter Bunnette) is a filly to put in your Virtual Stable, as she looks to have a graded stakes win in her future. Maybe turf too? Her dam is a half-sister to The Bink (Seeking The Gold), dam of back-to-back G1 Flower Bowl victress Riskaverse.
Mediocre State of Mind
With spring racing nearly at an end, I find myself utterly disappointed by the quality of this year’s 3-year-old male crop. There, I said it. I know some contrarians out there will disagree, that I'm being too harsh, but after the results thus far (not to mention one of the slowest Belmont Stakes in history), it’s hard to imagine this crop being anything but below average. No colt or gelding has won more than one Grade 1 race this year, and only Sidney’s Candy, Eskendereya, Conveyance and Lookin at Lucky have won more than one graded stakes race as a 3-year-old:
■ Sidney’s Candy (G1 Santa Anita Derby, G2 San Felipe, G2 San Vicente)
■ Eskendereya (G1 Wood Memorial, G2 Fountain of Youth)
■ Ice Box (G1 Florida Derby)
■ Line of David (G1 Arkansas Derby)
■ Stately Victor (G1 Blue Grass)
■ Super Saver (G1 Kentucky Derby)
■ Lookin at Lucky (G1 Preakness, G2 Rebel)
■ Drosselmeyer (G1 Belmont)
Unfortunately, we lost promising colts like Eskendereya, G3 Sunland Derby winner Endorsement, and G3 Tampa Bay Derby winner Odysseus to injury. Still, unless this is a crop of later developers, its mediocrity doesn’t bode well for the rest of the year. And, honestly, that’s okay. With the disproportionate attention placed on 3-year-olds, it might not be the worst thing in the world for real racing fans to pay more attention to the quality that is available to us.
For example, in our turf runners. Not that a wider audience would know that, however. Like the G2 Dixie Stakes on Preakness Day, the G1 Manhattan Handicap was not shown on ABC despite their exclusive right to air it. Major epic fail, as Winchester upset his Eclipse-winning stablemate Gio Ponti, in a field of 11 that included seven G1 winners. For those that missed it—and that would be everybody hoping to see it live on Saturday—here is the replay:
There’s been plentiful coverage of how poor ESPN/ABC’s coverage was, and particularly the horrific pre-race vocal performance of “Empire State of Mind”. I totally agree on all accounts. Sadly, though, mediocrity is rampant—and apparently acceptable—in nearly ever facet of today’s society, so why should horse racing be any different? God, even the National Spelling Bee was picketed this year by advocates of “phonetic spelling”—yet another anti-intellectual movement to elevate the lazy mind!
Not to toot my own horn (okay, maybe a little), but in the post I wrote for Hello Race Fans about the pedigrees of Belmont contenders, two of the four I highlighted fleshed out the exacta: Drosselmeyer and Fly Down both have exceptional pedigrees to run 1-1/2 miles. Ice Box really was an obvious choice from a stamina breeding point-of-view, but it turns out he flipped his palette during the race and his Pulpit blood got him a little too excited, thus his failure to close. Spangled Star was a total flop as well—I should have thrown him off my trifectas when Rick Dutrow didn’t show the least bit enthusiasm about his chances before the race. So, while the race was rather formful in terms of breeding, I cringed watching the entire field crawl home like a bunch of $10k claimers. On the other hand, I’m thrilled trainer Bill Mott finally got a Classic win—one of the few trainers out there I totally respect as one of the “good” guys. Same goes for jockey Mike Smith.
■ Sidney’s Candy (G1 Santa Anita Derby, G2 San Felipe, G2 San Vicente)
■ Eskendereya (G1 Wood Memorial, G2 Fountain of Youth)
■ Ice Box (G1 Florida Derby)
■ Line of David (G1 Arkansas Derby)
■ Stately Victor (G1 Blue Grass)
■ Super Saver (G1 Kentucky Derby)
■ Lookin at Lucky (G1 Preakness, G2 Rebel)
■ Drosselmeyer (G1 Belmont)
Unfortunately, we lost promising colts like Eskendereya, G3 Sunland Derby winner Endorsement, and G3 Tampa Bay Derby winner Odysseus to injury. Still, unless this is a crop of later developers, its mediocrity doesn’t bode well for the rest of the year. And, honestly, that’s okay. With the disproportionate attention placed on 3-year-olds, it might not be the worst thing in the world for real racing fans to pay more attention to the quality that is available to us.
For example, in our turf runners. Not that a wider audience would know that, however. Like the G2 Dixie Stakes on Preakness Day, the G1 Manhattan Handicap was not shown on ABC despite their exclusive right to air it. Major epic fail, as Winchester upset his Eclipse-winning stablemate Gio Ponti, in a field of 11 that included seven G1 winners. For those that missed it—and that would be everybody hoping to see it live on Saturday—here is the replay:
There’s been plentiful coverage of how poor ESPN/ABC’s coverage was, and particularly the horrific pre-race vocal performance of “Empire State of Mind”. I totally agree on all accounts. Sadly, though, mediocrity is rampant—and apparently acceptable—in nearly ever facet of today’s society, so why should horse racing be any different? God, even the National Spelling Bee was picketed this year by advocates of “phonetic spelling”—yet another anti-intellectual movement to elevate the lazy mind!
Not to toot my own horn (okay, maybe a little), but in the post I wrote for Hello Race Fans about the pedigrees of Belmont contenders, two of the four I highlighted fleshed out the exacta: Drosselmeyer and Fly Down both have exceptional pedigrees to run 1-1/2 miles. Ice Box really was an obvious choice from a stamina breeding point-of-view, but it turns out he flipped his palette during the race and his Pulpit blood got him a little too excited, thus his failure to close. Spangled Star was a total flop as well—I should have thrown him off my trifectas when Rick Dutrow didn’t show the least bit enthusiasm about his chances before the race. So, while the race was rather formful in terms of breeding, I cringed watching the entire field crawl home like a bunch of $10k claimers. On the other hand, I’m thrilled trainer Bill Mott finally got a Classic win—one of the few trainers out there I totally respect as one of the “good” guys. Same goes for jockey Mike Smith.
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