THIS ONES FOR...

(at right, THIS ONES FOR PHIL, by Untuttable, goes where after his 116 Beyer Fig last time?, read more below)















In memory of Ontario horseman GORDON COWIE, 44, who passed away last week in Fort Erie.

FROM TORONTO STAR:

E-mail death notice to friends and family

COWIE, Gordon Raymond - Unexpectedly in Etobicoke, Ontario on Thursday, February 26, 2009, in his 44th year. Loving fiancé and best friend of Ashley Palmer.
Cherished son of Elizabeth and Donald Page and brother of Tom (Kim) Cowie. Also survived by his extended family and friends in Nova Scotia. Predeceased by grandparents George and Bridget Turnbull. Gordon was a respected and successful owner/trainer at both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks. He will be fondly remembered by his extended family and many friends with whom he worked and competed.
Benner Funeral Services, 1105 Benner Ave., Fort Erie entrusted with arrangements. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 5 - 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church on Monday afternoon at 1 p.m.
If so desired, donations to the S.P.C.A. would be appreciated by the family.

Published in Toronto Star on 02/28/2009

LAST CAT?
This colt out of graded SW HALO AMERICA may be the last Thoroughbred colt ever born to the legendary sire STORM CAT.
The photo of the 3 hour-old colt was provided by Hill 'n' Dale Farm.










FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH PREVIEW
Since it was shortened to a one-turn mile this year, the race has attracted a solid field but the horses who may have success won't necessarily be 1 1/4 mile winners on the first Saturday in May.

As written in my last post, the big three speedballs in the race have huge Beyer Figures - NOTONTHESAMEPAGE, THIS ONES FOR PHIL and TAQUARAB HAVE 116 114, AND 103 Beyers.
CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN is son of the mare STORMY WAY, who raced with success at Woodbine for Vizier Bloodstock and trainer Shelly Fitzgerald.


Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. (G2) February 28,

$250,000, 3yo, 1m, Gulfstream Park, 5:14 PM ET P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer
1. Bee Cee Cee Songandaprayer Cornelio H. Velasquez 120 Edward Plesa Jr.
2. Theregoesjojo Brahms Kent J. Desormeaux 116 Kenneth G. McPeek
3. Notonthesamepage Catienus Elvis Trujillo 120 Wesley A. Ward
4. Take the Points Even the Score Christopher P. DeCarlo 116 Todd A. Pletcher
5. Jack Spratt Candy Ride (Arg) Rene R. Douglas 120 Michael J. Maker
6. Rocketing Returns Gone West Jose Lezcano 116 Nicholas P. Zito
7. Beethoven Sky Mesa Calvin H. Borel 122 John T. Ward Jr.
8. Break Water Edison Lemon Drop Kid Eibar Coa 122 John C. Kimmel
9. Capt. Candyman Can Candy Ride (Arg) Julien R. Leparoux 122 Ian R. Wilkes
10. Taqarub Aldebaran Alan Garcia 120 Kiaran P. McLaughlin
11. Quality Road Elusive Quality John R. Velazquez 114 James A. Jerkens
12. This Ones for Phil Untuttable Edgar S. Prado 120 Richard E. Dutrow Jr.


The Miami Herald previews the race - the pick here is BEETHOVEN.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/925896.html

Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth Stakes features plenty of horsepower

BY JIM FREER Miami Herald Writer

The winner of Saturday's $250,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes will gain star status among Gulfstream Park's 3-year-olds and probably take a big step up on this year's list of Kentucky Derby contenders. Picking that winner could be one of the biggest handicapping challenges of Gulfstream's 2009 meet.

The Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, at one mile on the dirt, has 12 entrants -- with no prohibitive favorite. Three have won sprint stakes races at Gulfstream this year: Capt. Candyman Can, This Ones for Phil and Notonthesamepage. Beethoven and Break Water Edison won graded stakes races in Kentucky and New York, respectively, in 2008.

Theregoesjojo was impressive in winning an allowance race at Gulfstream, and Taqarub has won two 2008 races at Aqueduct. Those horses have been on racing publications' lists of top 20 contenders for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 -- but none is in the top five.

''Every year, Gulfstream is where the best group of 3-year-olds race, and this is the time when a horse usually jumps out,'' said Ken McPeek, who trains Theregoesjojo. The Fountain of Youth is the day's ninth race, with post time at 5:14. The eighth race is the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (Grade 3) at one mile on turf for males 4 years old and up. Vanquisher, Hey Byrn and Delightful Kiss are prominent names in the 11-horse field.

Click on the link above to read the rest of the story..

SHAM STAKES preview
FROM SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE
Pamplemousse seeking a Kentucky reservation By Hank Wesch (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer 2:00 a.m. February 28, 2009

The Pamplemousse, which translates from French as “grapefruit,” takes on 11 rivals in today's Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.

And if it's not a sour experience, the San Diego-connected colt will have completed two steps on what figures to be a three-step program aimed at getting him to the Kentucky Derby on May 2 with major contender status.

Picked out of a sale a year ago by Alex Solis II, son of the Hall of Fame-nominated jockey who rides him, and purchased for $150,000, the Kafwain colt is owned by a group led by the young Solis that includes Jeffrey and Bill Strauss of Del Mar.

The Pamplemousse is named for the Strausses' restaurant, across the street from the stable area of the Del Mar track and frequented by many racetrack people during the summer meeting. The Pamplemousse, the horse, didn't make the races until October at Santa Anita and didn't win until his third outing, in December at Hollywood Park.

The first two starts being at six and 6½ furlongs established that sprinting might not be The Pamplemousse's game. The maiden victory at Hollywood Park, at 1 1/16 miles, and a victory in the one-mile San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 17, are being taken as indicators that distance racing could be. The Sham, a $200,000, Grade III event, is at 1 1/8 miles, the same distance as the April 5 Santa Anita Derby, which determines the West's best hope for Louisville.

The Pamplemousse could be the first Kentucky Derby starter for trainer Julio Canani, a 70-year-old Peruvian who can be personable and perplexing at the same time when discussing a horse with the media.

“I don't got the (Kentucky Derby) fever,” Canani told the Daily Racing Form after The Pamplemousse worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 on Feb. 18. But then came the excitement in his voice and his next words:

“Did you see that? Look at him. He was just galloping. Thank God I don't got the fever,” delivered a mixed message. Alex Solis Sr., who has no wins and three seconds in 15 Kentucky Derby starts, easily warmed to the subject when he hopped off The Pamplemousse after a 2-length victory in 1:35 1/5 in the San Rafael.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/28/1s28horsecol22460-pamplemousse-seeking-kentucky-re/?zIndex=59942


Sham S. (G3) February 28, $200,000, 3yo, 11⁄8m, Santa Anita Park, 4:38 PM PT

PP Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer

1. Hi Flyin Indy A.P. Indy Alonso Quinonez 116 Eoin G. Harty
2. Smart Bid Smart Strike Rafael Bejarano 118 H. Graham Motion
3. Tiz True Tiznow Aaron T. Gryder 116 David E. Hofmans
4. Lifeline Pulpit Tyler Baze 116 Myung Kwon Cho
5. The Pamplemousse Kafwain SD Alex O. Solis 118 Julio C. Canani
6. Balfour Park Mutakddim Brice Blanc 116 Craig Anthony Lewis
7. Mr. Hot Stuff Tiznow Corey S. Nakatani 116 Eoin G. Harty
8. Bourbon Bay Sligo Bay (Ire) Joel Rosario 116 Neil D. Drysdale
9. Ventana Toccet Jesus M. Rios 116 Bob Baffert
10. Mark S the Cooler Johar Joseph Talamo 116 Doug F. O’Neill
11. Unbridled Roman Roman Dancer Mike E. Smith 116 Christopher S. Paasch


CANADIAN CHAMPION MINE THAT BIRD is back

Borderland Derby February 28, $100,000, 3yo, 11⁄16m, Sunland Park, 4:55 PM MT

PP Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer
1. Hoya Cat Thief Ken S. Tohill 122 Chris A. Hartman
2. Tiz Believing Tiznow Joe A. Martinez 118 H. Ray Ashford Jr.
3. Mine That Bird Birdstone Casey T. Lambert 122 Bennie L. Woolley Jr. 4. Hornung Speightstown Alejandro Medellin 116 Steven M. Asmussen
5. Scorewithcater Even the Score Alonso Quinonez 120 Doug F. O’Neill
6. Lefty Who Quinton’s Gold Carlos D. Madeira 122 Joel H. Marr
7. Smokin’ Legend Smoke Glacken Jorge Espitia 118 O. Dwain Grissom
8. Dumar Maria’s Mon Luis Contreras 118 Steven M. Asmussen
9. Infernal Sir Cherokee Mark Anthony Villa 116 Bart G. Hone


CANADIAN BREDS ELSEWHERE

ACTIVE DUTY, a top contender for the 150th Queen's Plate was last beaten about 7 lengths in an allowance race at Santa Anita on Thursday. The dark bay gelding was off to a messy strat, lacked speed behind a slow pace of 49/07 for half a mile and then could not fire.
Trainer Mark Casse said the gelding is likely headed to Keeneland and will have one Woodbine start before the Plate if the 3yo continues on the trail.

Casse and WOODFORD RACING won a race yesterday at Santa Anita with Kentucky bred CLOSING SPEED, a filly by Cherokee Run. She won a $100,000 maiden claimer by 2 lengths as the favourite.


MUSTFUHR, a full brother to Grade 1 winner Jambalaya, won a $20,000 claiming race at Gulfstreamthe grass on Thursday for Frank Calabrese. The gelding was bred by Dr. Brian Van Arem, who owns the mare Muskrat Suzie.

DONVER STABLES (Donna and Verne Dubinsky) claimed 19 to 1 longshot DAZZLER for $20,000 from a race at Gulfstream yesterday. Their trainer is Josie Carroll.
The Dubinskys have TRUE RESURGENCE in the STYMIE Handicap today at Aqueduct.



SHE'S A WINNER!

BARBARA SOCHA and EQUIWINNER PATCHES have joined the Thoroughblog family. Socha, seen here with her TB named Hapsburg, has a successful 5yo business at www.signal-health.com featuring her Equiwinner Patches:

Equiwinner is a signaling device using Smart Cell Signal™, which restores the normal metabolism of the horse by communication with the body cell signaling system. In other words, the horse's body can sense the electrolytes in the patches and responds to them. There are no ingredients as such, since nothing passes into the body of the horse except the signals. There are no side effects.

Please click on Barbara's ad on the sidebar on the right to check out this super product.



HASTINGS PARK PREVIEW (The 'Bear' arrives!)

Excerpt from THE PROVINCE Hastings beating economic blues
Race track keeps thinking positive
By Kent Gilchrist, The Province

There's a new director of racing (Paul Ryneveld), new and improved B.C. Derby purse ($300,000 minimum), a return to midweek racing (two Wednesdays during the PNE) and more Friday nights.

Amid the economic downturn, Hastings Racecourse is attempting to keep things positive and the result seems to be working.
Applications for stall space numbers total 1,420, which is about 400 more than available stalls. Big Alberta outfit Bear Stables has already moved in and is using more than 20 stalls.

"I was on the backside this morning and walked through their barn," said Ryneveld, who was recruited from Fairplex in southern California. "Dale [trainer Greenwood] has some nice-looking racehorses."
Greenwood is training for Bear Stables owner Danny Dion, the kind of big owner Ryneveld figures Hastings needs to attract to get the thoroughbred industry back on its feet. Dion has a string at Gulfstream in Florida, likely headed to Woodbine in Toronto and more in Edmonton.
Read the rest at..

http://www.theprovince.com/Hastings+beating+economic+blues/1334311/story.html
hkgilchrist@yahoo.com

QUALITY

ON DUTY
Queen's Plate contender active today


ACTIVE DUTY, who rates as the local favourite for the QUEEN'S PLATE, makes his 2nd start of 2009 today at Santa Anita (where the Pick 6 could zoom up to $3 million!).
The Deputy Commander gelding, bred by Adena Springs, is owned by Woodford Racing LLC and trained by Mark Casse.
The gelding was 3rd in his season debut on Jan 29.
He won the prestigious CORONATION FUTURITY last year.

Santa Anita today 4th (2:34)

1 1/16 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds Allowance | Purse: $52,000

Prg. #	PP	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Wt.	Claim $	Equip.	Med.	ML
1	1	Herr Mozart	Gomez G K	Baffert Bob	118			L	7-2
2	2	Unbridled Roman	Smith M E	Paasch Christopher S	118			L	5-2
3	3	Jeranimo	Blanc B	Pender Michael	118			L	8-1
4	4	Major Rock Star	Bejarano R	Mitchell Mike	118			L	6-1
5	5	Advice	Rosario J	Pletcher Todd A	118			L	6-1
6	6	Active Duty	Husbands P	Casse Mark	122			L	5-1
7	7	African Gray	Baze M C	West Ted H	118			L	12-1
8	8	Balfour Park	Quinonez A	Lewis Craig A	118		Blk-On	L	15-1
9	9	African Diamond	Gryder A T	Harty Eoin	118			L	15-1

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $2 Parlay $2 Rolling Double / $1 Pick Three (Races 4-5-6) $1 Superfecta (.10 Min.

Launch pad - BEAR'S ROCKET gearing up for the Tampa Bay Derby next week. Jim McAleney is working in Florida this winter and is on board the Bear Stables colt.












WEEKEND PREVIEW

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - Gulfstream
Big Beyer Figures, big speed

The big three in the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - THIS ONE'S FOR PHIL,

NOTONTHESAMEPAGE and TAQUARAB are fast and have big Beyer Figures.

The three posted 116, 114, and 104 Beyer Figures respectively in their last starts.

But the once-classic, class prep is now just aone0turn mile race and may not have an

impact on the Kentucky Derby 2 months from now.

But it is a supercard at Gulfstream on Saturday and the 'Youth is a fascinating race.

THE PICKS FROM THIS CORNER: Beethoven, Quality Road


Saturday, Gulfstream Park
FASIG-TIPTON FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH S.-GII,
$250,000, 3yo, 1m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT

1 Bee Cee Cee Songandaprayer Velasquez 120
2 Theregoesjojo Brahms Desormeaux 116
3 Notonthesamepage Catienus Trujillo 120
4 Take the Points Even the Score DeCarlo 116
5 Jack Spratt Candy Ride (Arg) Douglas 120
6 Rocketing Returns Gone West Lezcano 116
7 Beethoven Sky Mesa Borel 122
8 Break Water Edison Lemon Drop Kid Coa 122
9 Capt. Candyman Can Candy Ride (Arg) Leparoux 122
10 Taqarub Aldebaran Garcia 120
11 Quality Road Elusive Quality Velazquez 114
12 This Ones for Phil Untuttable Prado 120

Read this preview from Jennie Rees:
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090226/COLUMNISTS03/902260479/10

02/SPORTS



SANTA ANITA - GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
SHAM STAKES for 3yo's,


THE PAMPLEMOUSSE CAN PUT SOLIS CLOSER TO DERBY AIM IN

SHAM

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2009) – Aiming for his first Kentucky Derby

victory after three seconds in 15 career rides, 44-year-old Alex Solis attempts to

move a notch closer on Saturday in Santa Anita’s Grade III, $200,000 Sham Stakes

while riding heavily favored The Pamplemousse, a 3-year-old co-owned and selected

at sale by his son, Alex II.

The Kentucky-bred son of Kafwain, purchased last March by a partnership

for $150,000, will face eleven other 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles, the same distance

as the April 5 Santa Anita Derby and one that would seem well suited for the gray

colt, whose name translates to “grapefruit” in French.

After losing his first two starts while sprinting, The Pamplemousse broke his

maiden with an impressive victory at

1 1/16 miles while timed in a rapid 1:41 2/5 over Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track

synthetic surface. He subsequently sizzled in taking the Grade III San Rafael Stakes

while covering one mile in 1:35 1/5 over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on Jan. 17.

“I’m speechless, I really am,” Solis said immediately following his two-length

triumph in the San Rafael. “It feels like he’s walking, he does everything so

effortlessly.” Referring to the Kentucky Derby, Solis added, “I better start going to

church and hoping he stays sound.”

The Pamplemousse could provide the first Kentucky Derby starter for his

trainer, 70-year-old Julio Canani, who has saddled three Breeders’ Cup winners

during a 37-year career that has seen his runners earn over $40 million.

“I don’t got the (Kentucky Derby) fever,” the Peruvian-born Canani excitedly

told the Daily Racing Form after The Pamplemousse effortlessly worked six furlongs

in 1:12 2/5 on a recent morning. “Did you see that?” he exclaimed. “Look at him. He

was just galloping. Thank God I don’t got the fever.”

The Pamplemousse, who has earned $89,280 from his four starts and ranks

among the leading contenders for the Santa Anita Derby, drew post position No. 5

for the Sham, named for the winner of the 1973 Santa Anita Derby and which will be

contested for the ninth time. Giacomo ran third in the 2005 Sham in route to his

dramatic Kentucky Derby upset.

Todd Pletcher, the four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer who gained his

first Triple Crown victory with Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont Stakes, has

shipped Take the Points to Santa Anita to take on The Pamplemousse on Saturday.

Take the Points, who broke his maiden in the mud at Belmont Park last

September before winning an allowance event at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31, will be

racing over a synthetic surface for the first time with Garrett Gomez named to ride.

“He trains like he’ll handle it,” Pletcher said of the gray colt owned by

Starlight Partners and sired in Kentucky by Even the Score. “If he runs well, he can

come back in the Santa Anita Derby.”


THE PICKS FROM THIS CORNER: The Pamplemousse, Ventana

SHAM S.-GIII, $200,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT)
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT

1 Hi Flyin Indy A.P. Indy Quinonez 116
2 Smart Bid Smart Strike Bejarano 118
3 Tiz True Tiznow Gryder 116
4 Lifeline Pulpit T Baze 116
5 The Pamplemousse Kafwain Solis 118
6 Balfour Park Mutakddim Blanc 116
7 Mr. Hot Stuff Tiznow Nakatani 116
8 Bourbon Bay Sligo Bay (Ire) Rosario 116
9 Ventana Toccet Rios 116
10 Mark S the Cooler Johar Talamo 116
11 Unbridled Roman Roman Dancer Smith 116
12 Take the Points Even the Score Gomez 118



CANADIAN-BREDS IN CANADIAN TURF

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

1 Rogue Victory Victory Gallop Douglas 116
2 Sporting Art Doneraile Court Desormeaux 122
3 Hey Byrn Put It Back Velasquez 122
4 Buffalo Man El Prado (Ire) Coa 122
5 Delightful Kiss Kissin Kris Borel 122
6 Passager (Fr) Anabaa Prado 120
7 Vanquisher Gulch Garcia 120
8 Just As Well A.P. Indy Leparoux 118
9 Twilight Meteor Smart Strike Velazquez 120
10 Bujagali Johannesburg Trujillo 116
11 Buddy's Humor Distorted Humor Lezcano 120


STYMIE HANDICAP
Canadian owned True Resurgence a contender

Donna and Verne Dubinsky's TRUE RESURGENCE is surging into a top older

horse in New York right now. Back at Aqueduct after a failed run in the Hal's Hope

at Gulfstream, the colt is trained by John Terranova.

The Dubinsky's own DONVER STABLE and they are from western Canada.

Canadian champion JUDITH'S WILD RUSH, who seemingly has been racing

forever, is also in the field.




FROM BLOOD-HORSE
FIVE-CROSS FILES BLOG
by Scot Gillier

Ascot Stud Offer Motivates Breeders

I enjoyed a nice phone chat late last week with Chris Blake of Ascot Stud in Ontario,

Canada. I had called him to discuss the farm's unusual incentive plan for breeders, as

part of my research for an upcoming issue of MarketWatch. He chatted with me for

several minutes about the program, which actually pays the owners of "solid,

hard-knocking mares" to be bred by the farm's Clifton Park (pedigree), a stallion

entering stud service in 2009.

Blake told me that the stallion's owner committed to "thinking outside the box" to

introduce Clifton Park in his first year at stud. "We asked ourselves what can we do

to maximize his strength and get the best book possible," Blake remembers. Ascot

Stud researched "what the big markets are doing as far as incentives" and tried to

emulate the innovations seen elsewhere. Blake liked the idea of offering cash rewards

to breeders who patronized a stallion in his first year, and was committed to improving

on that type of offering. The answer was: offer a "guaranteed incentive" to the owners

of broodmares that would likely improve Clifton Park's success as a first-year sire.

Instead of offering a cash payout to the breeder of the first Clifton Park foal to break

his maiden or to win a stakes, the owners of all mares accepted to the stallion's book

will receive a "reverse stud fee" of $1,000 to $5,000 (once the foal has been

vet-certified as "stands and nurses"). Read about Ascot Stud's Breeders' Incentive

Program for Clifton Park.

Blake admits that the current economic climate has "put a dent into how well the

program could've done," but he is certain that the net effect has been a larger and

much higher-class book than Clifton Park might otherwise have attracted as a

first-year stud in Ontario. The stallion's book is already halfway to the goals set by

the farm and the stud's owner.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/scot/archive/2009/02/23/ascot-stud-clifton-park-offer

-motivates-breeders.aspx




FORT ERIE - SITTING, WAITING
Province of Ontario holds the key...

story from Niagara Falls Review...

Fewer owners willing to commit to Fort Erie Race Track
Posted By RAY SPITERI, REVIEW STAFF WRITER
Posted 44 mins ago


As the clock keeps ticking on the Fort Erie Race Track's future, the number of

horsemen willing to work there is shrinking, says the president of the Ontario

Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

"We're losing horses every day, so every day we lose we have one less trainer, one

less owner, one less horse to ... make a competitive meet that the public is going to

accept as being viable to wager on," said Sue Leslie.

"Every day we wait, we jeopardize the quality of the meet and ... income that the

horsemen and the race track are going to realize in terms of wagering dollars."

The fate of the Fort Erie Race Track is mired in limbo.


read the rest...
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1452483

QUICK SCAN

The YOUTH movement will begin today when the field is drawn for the FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES on Saturday at GUlfstream.

Get the gang together and head out to your favourite teletheatre (WEGZ is a good one in Toronto) to watch some good racing on Saturday.

For more on the race, see yesterday's post.



FUN STUFF

Testing out the new scanner (and some old memories) at THOROUGHBLOG....


Favourite photos -

Top: That's yours truly mauling a Queen's Plate winner only hours after he won it - MARKET CONTROL (Pudgy) owned by David and 'Bud' Willmot.
(1987!)


Right - A loving moment, Brad Nicholds and Play the King at Churchill Downs, 1988




REMEMBER when the GLOBE & MAIL had selections?
This was my first day on the job, April, 1987

























CANADIAN BREDS ELSEWHERE

COLEBROOK FARMS and trainer ASHLEE BRNJAS celebrated another win at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday when KING'S HIGHWAY won his maiden for $50,000 claiming at 1 1/16 miles. The Kentucky bred by Mizzen Mast was up to win by a neck at 5 to 2.


HERO OF THE NORTH is an Ontario bred by Minstrel Dancer our of I Am Amazing by Fast Play, foaled 5 years ago at Bruno Schickedanz's farm. The horse won for $5,000 claiming by 11 1/2 lengths on Monday at 17 to 1. He is owned by Ed Govang and Anthony Ralph.

On that same night ESKIMO KISS won for $15,000 claiming for Adam Sobczak. The Ontario bred by Ascot Knight - Key Brokerette, Key to the Mint won by 11 lengths as well - at 14 to 1.

Yesterday at Mountaineer, STELLARTON, Randy Regent-Amy's Falcon by Maria's Mon, won a $5,000 claiming by 3 3/4 lengths for Outlaws and Angels Inc. The Ontario bred 4yo filly was born at Colebrook Farms.

In race 8 , NO GRUMBLING (Compadre-Sleek Prospector, Geiger Counter) won a non-winners of 3 for $10,000 claiming by 1/2 a length at 9 to 2.
The 5yo gelding is owned by MIKE NEWELL and JIM VETERE.


SELVA WINS

Canadian stakes winner SELVA won the Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds yesterday. A Kentucky bred 3yo filly with 3 wins in 5 strats, Selva won the Glorious Song Stakes last year at Woodbine.
She has a Canadian-bred 2yo half-brother named STYNER, who was a $90,000 yearling purchase by Terry Hamilton from the Woodbine sale last year.



H.B.P.A. CLARIFIES
and is still fighting each day to work out a Fort Erie solution


As posted yesterday on its website and on THOROUGHBLOG, the Ontario division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has clarified the events in recent days in which Nordic Gaming's release about Fort Erie racetrack featured "misleading" information.

Local papers have erroneously reported that the town of Fort Erie's offer was "withdrawn" - not the case.

Read below from the H.B.P.A.

For Clarification:

* The HBPA has been fully apprised and engaged in all negotiations.
* The HBPA fully supports the steps and position taken by the EDTC.
* The rhetoric coming out of Nordic is at best, misleading.
* The EDTC did NOT withdraw the offer. The offer made to Nordic had an 11am on Monday February 23rd deadline. Nordic failed to respond by that deadline.
* The Province is the key to the ongoing success at Fort Erie. The Province & our regulator, the ORC, are fully apprised of the developments.
* Negotiations among all parties will continue and are ongoing as we speak

We, the horsepeople, and particularly, right now, the Fort Erie horsepeople are amazingly committed. You are resilient, proud and dedicated to both our industry and especially to the horses. Now, you have also demonstrated incredible patience.

We can’t promise the final outcome of Fort Erie, but we can promise the effort to save Fort Erie will be fought to the bitter end. I personally, will not be deterred or intimidated by criticism, public posturing, or set backs such as yesterdays.

Please continue to refer to our website.

Respectfully yours,

Sue Leslie
President


DUBAI TOMORROW MORNING

Only a week before SUPER THURSDAY and a month until WORLD CUP night and tomorrow, some horses are back to prep for big engagements.

ARCHIPENKO, a troubled 2nd in the Arlington Million last year, is in the Zabeel Mile against Kelso Stakes winner TAM LIN.

In the listed $250,000 UAE Oaks at 1 1/8 miles, So Shiny will face most of the same fillies she beat in the Guineas three weeks ago including the Dance Brightly filly SOS BRILLANT.



MINE THAT BIRD IS BACK
New trainer, New Mexico for Canadian champion


Borderland Derby
February 28, $100,000, 3yo, 11⁄16m, Sunland Park, 4:55 PM MT
PP Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer

1. Hoya Cat Thief Ken S. Tohill 122 Chris A. Hartman
2. Tiz Believing Tiznow Joe A. Martinez 118 H. Ray Ashford Jr.
3. Mine That Bird Birdstone Casey T. Lambert 122 Bennie L. Woolley Jr.
4. Hornung Speightstown Alejandro Medellin 116 Steven M. Asmussen
5. Scorewithcater Even the Score Alonso Quinonez 120 Doug F. O’Neill
6. Lefty Who Quinton’s Gold Carlos D. Madeira 122 Joel H. Marr
7. Smokin’ Legend Smoke Glacken Jorge Espitia 118 O. Dwain Grissom
8. Dumar Maria’s Mon Luis Contreras 118 Steven M. Asmussen
9. Infernal Sir Cherokee Mark Anthony Villa 116 Bart G. Hone


TRACKMASTER LINK

Get solid information on betting from Trackmaster ( see link on my sidebar at the right)

Here's a recent post about BETTING THE PICK 6


Can a Minnow beat the Whales? - Trackmaster

Since there have been quite a few large Pick Six carryover days at tracks across the country in recent months, I wanted to revisit some tips from an article Trackmaster published years ago. This is an updated version that will hopefully help you successfully tackle the Pick Six and other multi-leg wagers.

Why? Why Not!

How can a small time player beat the big syndicates at the Pick Six game? The answer is that it's very tough, but on certain days it is definitely worth the risk. The syndicates have a big bankroll, the ability to "buy" a race and in some cases large rebates to aid their cause. Us little guys have to use savvy handicapping and intelligent strategies to cash in for all of the marbles. Let's face it; a big Pick Six score is really the only way the average bettor is going to make a killing at the track in a single year. So why not give it a shot, especially when there are big carryover days like there have been in recent months.

Two (or more) Heads Are Better Than One

As I am sure you have heard before, it is better to have part of a larger ticket than to play a ticket on your own. Even if you can't play tickets as large as the "big boys," it is a good idea to pool your money together with other players. The more combinations played, the better the chance of cashing.

One of the drawbacks to betting together is that there may be races where different handicappers have varied opinions and covering all of the possibilities is just too costly. The solution is to have one person in charge of taking everyone's opinion and constructing the Pick Six ticket. Most groups have a "chief" handicapper that everyone else respects to handle this job. Trust me, it's not an easy task, so make sure to choose someone who can handle the pressure. If you don't like the idea of being bothered with the choices of others, get friends or family who know nothing about the races to go in on the Pick Six with you. Selling them on the hopes of a big score can make it hard for them to resist the desire to invest along with you.

One of the benefits to having a handicapping group is that the brainstorming that goes on can lead to some inspired selections. Stating the case for certain choices and making the case against others, strengthens the process of putting tickets together. It's a tough chore for one person to come up with all six winners. Many times a horse that was playable by someone else is the key to having that last winner that you missed by playing on your own.

If you still insist on betting by yourself on your own, then it is a good idea to take a look at a reputable selection service. Purchasing one of the TrackMaster Selections products is a great way to shore up your own handicapping or possibly even gain insight to a contender that you would have otherwise overlooked.

Check out the rest at Trackmaster (see link on my sidebar)

FLAP, JACK

Today...Pancake Tuesday! Fountain of Youth Stakes coming up...but more unsettling FORT ERIE NEWS...

UPDATE - 2:35 P.M.
from the Ontario H.B.P.A....

The breakdown of negotiations yesterday regarding the purchase of Fort Erie Racetrack from Nordic was disappointing, but not entirely a surprise to all of us involved in the process. For Clarification: The HBPA has been fully apprised and engaged in all negotiations. The HBPA fully supports the steps and position taken by the EDTC. The rhetoric coming out of Nordic is at best, misleading. The EDTC did NOT withdraw the offer. The offer made to Nordic had an 11am on Monday February 23rd deadline. Nordic failed to respond by that deadline. The Province is the key to the ongoing success at Fort Erie. The Province & our regulator, the ORC, are fully apprised of the developments. Negotiations among all parties will continue and are ongoing as we speak We, the horsepeople, and particularly, right now, the Fort Erie horsepeople are amazingly committed. You are resilient, proud and dedicated to both our industry and especially to the horses. Now, you have also demonstrated incredible patience. We can’t promise the final outcome of Fort Erie, but we can promise the effort to save Fort Erie will be fought to the bitter end. I personally, will not be deterred or intimidated by criticism, public posturing, or set backs such as yesterdays. Please continue to refer to our website. Respectfully yours, Sue Leslie President

THE CURIOUS CASE OF FORT ERIE RACETRACK

In another bizarre turn in the story of the fate of Fort Erie racetrack, Nordic Gaming put out a press release yesterday making the city of Fort Erie look like the bad guys this time.

The press release said the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corp. had "withdrawn" its offer to buy the track. The city says that is not the case - a deadline has expired.

(On Feb. 13, the Ontario Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said a plan was presented to Nordic to offer a non-refundable down payment for the purchase of Fort Erie racetrack from Nordic Gaming, $2.25 million, along with EDTC.)

First up, yesterday's NORDIC RELEASE....

Nordic Gaming Corporation / Elad Canada, the owner and operator of the Fort Erie Race Track, has been working with both the Town of Fort Erie and the Province of Ontario, as well as other stakeholders, for the past several years to move forward with a proposal to revitalize the Town of Fort Erie as a major tourist destination and in so doing, generate sufficient population to operate a profitable racetrack.

More recently, Elad has been working with the Town of Fort Erie , in addition to the Province and other stakeholders, to ensure that live racing would continue in Fort Erie for the 2009 racing season. It was within this context that a proposal was made by the local Economic Development and Tourism Corporation (EDTC) to work with the Province to purchase the Fort Erie Race Track.

On Friday, February 20, 2009 the EDTC presented Elad with a very lengthy offer that contained a myriad of conditions that from both an economic and performance perspective were non achievable and unacceptable. In addition, the only condition that Elad had previously placed on an offer, which would have ensured live racing for 2009, was not fully satisfied. While Elad was prepared to continue negotiating with the EDTC to arrive at an agreement on both the shortfall and the conditions that the EDTC attached to the offer that it presented on Friday afternoon, on Monday, February 23, 2009, Elad Canada was informed by email that in fact, the EDTC was withdrawing its offer to purchase the Race Track.

While it is unfortunate that there will be no agreement to purchase between the EDTC and Elad, Elad and Nordic continue to believe in the importance of the Fort Erie Race Track both to the local community and the Province as a whole. In that regard, the Company will continue to work diligently to try and find a commercially viable solution to ensure the Race Track’s long-term survival.


In today's ST. CATHERINES STANDARD....

EXCERPT:

Owners won't sell to EDTC
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS, SUN MEDIA
Posted 44 mins ago


The fate of the Fort Erie Race Track is up in the air once again.

In a surprising development Monday, Nordic Gaming/El-Ad Canada Inc., owner and operator of the track, issued a statement saying an offer to buy the 111-year-old border oval by the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corp. had been withdrawn and that "there will be no agreement to purchase."

The statement contained few clues as to what had happened between the parties, other than to say a revised offer submitted by the EDTC Friday "contained a myriad of conditions that from both an economic and performance perspective were non-achievable and unacceptable."

A spokesman for the company could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

However, EDTC general manager Jim Thibert said his agency did not withdraw its offer to buy the track for $35 million.

"I can tell you, we're not too pleased," said Thibert.

"First of all, the word withdrawn is not a correct connotation. We provided an offer with a response time ... and they failed to meet it, so the offer expired."

Read the rest...

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1448835



BIG TALK FOR PATENA
in tomorrow's DAILY RACING FORM


Patena is scheduled to make his first start for Dutrow in the Louisiana Derby. A son of Seeking the Gold, he was purchased privately by IEAH Stables after his second-place finish behind Friesan Fire in the Fair Grounds' Grade 3 LeComte.

"He's been improving from the day he got here right up to today," said Dutrow. "I didn't ask a lot of him in his first couple of works, but we asked him today and he showed up. He passed the test. And if he keeps passing the tests, there's no reason why he shouldn't run big in the Louisiana Derby."


FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STAKES

Do you have a favourite race?

Some folks have a favourite race - an event they never miss (other than the big ones like the Derby, Preakness etc.).
It could be the Santa Anita Handicap, the Travers Stakes...anything.

Yours truly has been a FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH fan for years.

My first one I attended - 1984 when DARN THAT ALARM went wire-to-wire to win. In just a few years, I was working at the racetrack for KINGHAVEN FARMS, thanks to Darn That Alarm.

It has been 15 years since Thunder Gulch parlayed a Fountain of Youth win into a Kentucky Derby win (1995) and Mike Smith rode that day for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Some good horses have won the 1 1 /16 - 1 1/8 mile race over the years - Pulpit, Forty Niner, Bet Twice - but now that the race is a ONE-TURN MILE, is may not have any impact on the 10 furlong, two-turn Derby in May.

But the field is expected to be interesting esepcially since the leading names have HUGE BEYER SPEED FIGURES.

THIS ONE'S FOR PHIL, the subject of an Andy Beyer story in the DRF/Washington Post based on his miraculos 116 Beyer win in the Sunshine Millions, his first start for Rick Dutrow Jr; NOTONTHESAMEPAGE ran like a wild horse when he won the Spectacular Bid Stakes with a 114 BEYER SPEED FIGURE and New York invader TAQARUB, who has a 103 Beyer Figure form his latest,

All 3 are fast, fast, fast.

Also expected is BREAK WATER EDISON, CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN, BEETHOVEN and JACK SPRAT.

FORTY NINER IN 1988 - from Bryan3229 at YouTube.com

SLUMMIN

UPDATE...FORT ERIE NEWS..

Courtesy Daryl Wells Jr./Fort Erie racetrack

Economic Development and Tourism Corporation - Fort Erie (EDTC) -

WITHDRAWS OFFER to Purchase the Fort Erie Racetrack:

Nordic Gaming Corporation / Elad Canada, the owner and operator of the Fort Erie Race Track, has been working with both the Town of Fort Erie and the Province of Ontario, as well as other stakeholders, for the past several years to move forward with a proposal to revitalize the Town of Fort Erie as a major tourist destination and in so doing, generate sufficient population to operate a profitable racetrack.

More recently, Elad has been working with the Town of Fort Erie , in addition to the Province and other stakeholders, to ensure that live racing would continue in Fort Erie for the 2009 racing season. It was within this context that a proposal was made by the local Economic Development and Tourism Corporation (EDTC) to work with the Province to purchase the Fort Erie Race Track.

On Friday, February 20, 2009 the EDTC presented Elad with a very lengthy offer that contained a myriad of conditions that from both an economic and performance perspective were non achievable and unacceptable. In addition, the only condition that Elad had previously placed on an offer, which would have ensured live racing for 2009, was not fully satisfied. While Elad was prepared to continue negotiating with the EDTC to arrive at an agreement on both the shortfall and the conditions that the EDTC attached to the offer that it presented on Friday afternoon, on Monday, February 23, 2009, Elad Canada was informed by email that in fact, the EDTC was withdrawing its offer to purchase the Race Track.

While it is unfortunate that there will be no agreement to purchase between the EDTC and Elad, Elad and Nordic continue to believe in the importance of the Fort Erie Race Track both to the local community and the Province as a whole. In that regard, the Company will continue to work diligently to try and find a commercially viable solution to ensure the Race Track’s long-term survival.

TROUBLED ROUTE

Florida was not the place to be for Canadians on the weekend with several suffering bad trips.

SPICE ROUTE, the stakes winner owned by Harlequin Ranches and trained by Roger Attfield, was trapped and steadied at a crucial part of the MacDiarmida Stakes and closed too late to be 3rd behind a very game winner, PRESIOUS PASSION.

Earlier on the card, the Catherine Day Phillips trainee ALTONA ROAD, 10 to 1 in a maiden allowance race on the grass, stumbled and checked and had little chance to make an impact.

The Gulfstream turf course, which has come under scrutiny lately, claimed another horse on Saturday - odds- on favourite REV IT UP RHONDA broke down on the backstretch during race 5, a starter allowance.

On Sunday at Gulfstream, Attfield and Harlequin Ranches had more bad luck as champion turf mare in Canada of 2008, CALLWOOD DANCER, was eased when last in the The Very One Stakes.

At Tampa, Attfield=trainee SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN, had the lead late again but once again, was caught. This time it was in the Tampa Bay Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. The 6yo Not Impossible stakes winner was nabbed by a neck and a nose by 30 to 1 shot Victory Alled and 3 to 1 Classic Campaign, both of whom came from farther back off the pace.
Robert Landry rode Society's Chairman.


JAMBALAYA, VAN LEAR ROSE UPDATE
from Gulfstream barn notes

Kingfield Racing Stable’s Grade 1-winner Jambalaya has seen the timetable for his return from his 16-month-long injury pushed back again and will not be ready in time for the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3) next Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Catherine Day-Phillips said the 7-year-old, winner of the 2007 Gulfstream Park Turf (G1) and Arlington Million (G1), has not progressed enough in his training this winter in South Florida.

“Unfortunately, we’re forced to go by his schedule,” said Day-Phillips Saturday. “He’s just not coming together as quickly as I would have hoped.”

Jambalaya, a gelded son of 9LANGFUHR (PRESS RELEASE SAYS Dynaformer) emerged from his win in the Arlington Million with a deep bone bruise. He was working toward a return last winter in Florida, but was hampered by a pulled muscle in his hind end. He had been working steadily until the last two weeks this winter and was not nominated to the Canadian Turf last Saturday.

Day-Phillips also pointed out her family’s 3-year-old filly Van Lear Rose, sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita, is back in training.

“She’s just getting back going,” she said. “I’m not sure she can be ready for anything at this meet … maybe something at the tail end. If not, we’ll get her back (to Woodbine) and go from there.”



CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

PATENA MAKES WORKTAB

The process of training Canadian-owned PATENA for the Louisiana Derby has been slow and steady but the Seeking the Gold colt posted a faster workout yesterday at Gulfstream - 1:14.40 for 6 furlongs.

Now trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., Patena is a Kentucky Derby hopeful recently sold (70%) to IEAH by John and Glenn Sikura and Dominic Dilalla.

The colt had been working very slowly in recent weeks in his first few preps for his new trainer.


BEAR'S ROCKET readies for Tampa Bay Derby with a 1:01/60 work at Palm Meadows training centre yesterday. Second in the Holy BUll Stakes with a 97 Beyer Figure, Bear's Rocket is owned by Bear Stable and trained by Reade Baker. He is a Kentucky bred by Lion Heart.

PRETTY KATHERINE (Vindication) is a Canadian-bred who was nominated for stakes at Woodbine last year and there is stilla chance she can hit the Toronto track in 2009.
The filly just won on Friday at GOLDEN GATE FIELDS in a 6 furlong allowance race with a 71 Beyer Figure for co-owner, breeder John Sikura.
Her trainer JERRY HOLLENDORFER apparently has been granted stalls at Woodbine.


UTMOST RESPECT should be getting a lot of that these days - he won his 5th consecutive race at Charles Town yesterday, with an 82 Beyer Figure. The 7yo by Numerous-Buxton Spice by Bold Ruckus was bred by Monshall Farms.
Today, the gelding races for $8,000 claiming.He loves to win too - he has 14 victoris from 56 career races and 12 other top three placings.

NOFUNATHOME won a non-winners of 4 lifetime at Mountaineer yesterday for owner/trainer MIKE NEWELL. The 4yo filly is by Cat's at Home out of Runaway Babe by Blushing John. She won for $5,000 claiming by 5 3/4 lengths.

In race 3 at the Mountain yesterday, WALL STREET DAVE, an Ontario-bred by Kinshasa - Simply Wild, by Wild Again won for $5,000 claiming by 9 lengths at 9 to 2.

Ontario-bred MOLLI DAY (Harlan's Holidau-Mollywaki, by Miswaki) repelled Ontario bred SPICEY DISH to win a $5,000claiming race at Mountaineer on Saturday. Owned by Six Brothers Stable and trained by Robert Johnston, Molli Day was 3 to 1 for the one mile race.

CREASE INFRACTION, at age 11, raced for trainer Anthony Adamo on Friday and was third for $14,000 claiming with a 77 Beyer Figure.


LANE'S END STAKES NOMINEES
includes many local horses

ACTIVE DUTY (Ontario bred g. by Deputy Commander)
BEAR'S PROSPECTOR - owned by Bear Stables, trained by Reade Baker
BEAR'S CONDUCTOR - owned by Bear Stable, trained by Reade Baker
BEAR'S ROCKET - owned by Bear Stable, trained by Reade Baker
PATENA - co-owned by John and Glenn Sikura, Centenntial Farms
SHAFTED - trained by Mark Casse

LET LOOSE

SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN at Tampa

Canadian-bred SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN (Not Impossible) should be very tough to beat at Tampa today for the Tampa Bay Stakes, worth $150,000. Owned by Charles Fipke, the 6yo horse comes off a near miss in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream when he led late.
He meets tough ones like Atoned and Classic Campaign today.
Canadian-bred ARCHERS ALYANCER is also in the race for trainer John Simms.


AT GULFSTREAM, Harlequin Ranches' Spice Route has been within two lengths of the winner in every one of his five North American turf starts, and enters this off a game nose score over Soldier's Dancer (Lost Soldier) in the Dec. 6 GIII Tropical Turf H. at Calder. The chestnut gelding was also second in the GI Canadian International S. going a mile and a half and third in the GII Sky Classic S. at the Mac Diarmida trip at Woodbine last October. Edgar Prado gets the mount.

(photo, Spice Route at Woodbine from www.-horse-races.net)

February 21, $150,000, 4yo & up, 13⁄8mT, Gulfstream Park, 5:14 PM ET
P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer

1. Finallymadeit Concerto SD Eduardo O. Nunez 120 Javier Negrete
2. Silver Mountain Victory Gallop Pascacio Lopez 116 Thomas F. Proctor
3. Spice Route (GB) King’s Best Edgar S. Prado 120 Roger L. Attfield
4. Summer Patriot Unbridled’s Song SD Eibar Coa 120 Barclay Tagg
5. Quasicobra Wild Rush Julien R. Leparoux 118 Dale L. Romans
6. Always First (GB) Barathea (Ire) Rene R. Douglas 122 Thomas H. Voss
7. Slambino Grand Slam SD Cornelio H. Velasquez 116 Frank A. Alexander
8. Imawildandcrazyguy Wild Event Manoel R. Cruz 120 William A. Kaplan
9. Baltimore Bob Malibu Moon Jose Lezcano 118 Helen Pitts
10. Mr. Sidney Storm Cat Kent J. Desormeaux 118 William I. Mott
11. Phil the Power Red Bullet SD Eibar Coa 120 Joseph F. Orseno
12. Presious Passion Royal Anthem Elvis Trujillo 122 Mary Hartmann


CANADIAN-OWNED YANKEE BRAVO back

Saturday, Santa Anita, post time: 2:03 p.m. PT
SAN CARLOS H.-GII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 7f
PP HORSE OWNER BREEDER TRAINER/JOCKEY ODDS

1 Star Nicholas King Max Farms/Mostero Family Trust P Cristofi & B Nugent (Ca) Eurton/ 12-1
(g, 6, Poteen--Viznaga, by Royal Roberto) M Baze

2 Halo Najib Zayat Stables LLC John S Scott (Fl) Mitchell/ 5-1
(c, 4, Halo’s Image--Najibe’s Wish, by Sword Dance {Ire}) Bejarano

3 Yankee Bravo Bienstock/Winner/Harlequin Racing T Burberry & B Hay (Ky) Gallagher/ 15-1
(c, 4, Yankee Gentleman--Vickey Jane, by Royal Academy) Solis

4 Past the Point Darley Stable Sequel 2001 (Ky) Harty/ 4-1

(r, 5, Indian Charlie--Bit of the Bubbly, by A.P. Indy) Rosario

5 Georgie Boy George Schwary George Schwary (Ca) Walsh/ 3-5
(g, 4, Tribal Rule--Ippodamia, by Peterhof) Gomez

6 Mutadda Andrena Van Doren Andrena Van Doren (Ky) Amoss/ 6-1
(h, 5, Mutakddim--Carita Tostada {Chi}, by Gallantsky) Talamo


STERWINS HAS GOOD COMEBACK
top Canadian-bred from 2008

Canadian-bred STERWINS, owned by Eugene Melnyk finished 2nd in a tough allowance race on the grass at Fair Grounds yesterday in what may be a prep for the upcoming Mervin Muniz Stakes.

Sterwins hadn't raced since finishing second in the Grade III Eclipse in June at Woodbine.

"That's a good comeback race for sure,'' trainer Malcolm Pierce said of Sterwins' performance to the TIMES PICAYUNE newspaper.



CANADIANS ELSEWHERE


BAHIA GIRL, an Ontario bred by new ONtario sire SLIGO BAY, won an allowance race yesterday at Gulfstream at 7 to 1 for Stronach Stables and trainer Brian Lynch.
The 4yo is out of a Quest for Fame mare and she led most of the way to win the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:41.93.

CLASSIC FRANCESCO, a 7yo Ontario bred by Bold 'n Flashy out of She's Impressive by Regal Classic won a $16,000 claiming race at Charles Town yesterday. He is owned by Webb Stable.

(Former Woodbine runner PANTS N KISSES also won on the card - he is a 9yo now with tons of back class. He was winning for $4,000 claiming at odds-on yesterday.)



HOTTEST SIRE IN THE WORLD?
UNBRIDLED'S SONG is one of them

ONE CAROLINE is 4 for 4 in her career after her win in the Sabin Stakes yesterday at Gulfstream and the 4yo became the 76th STAKES WINNER for Unbridled's Song, wh stands at Taylor Made in Kentucky.

Unbridled's Song has 2 grey 3yo's on the Derby trail in Old Fashioned and Dunkirk (see yesterday's post) plus the Breeders' Cup champ MIDSHIPMAN.

(then and now...this first photo is Unbridled's Song when he first entered stud...)

This year's stakes winners are:


Horse Age/Sex/Stakes Broodmare Sire Stakes Race (Grade if Applicable; Date of Race)

OLD FASHIONED 3yo, C, 2009 SW Meadowlake Remsen S. (g. II; 11/29/2008)
Southwest S. (g. III; 2/16/2009)




(and Now....this is what he looks like today, oh yes, he stands for $125,000)


HONEST MAN 5yo, H, 2009 SW Known Fact Philip H. Iselin S. (g. III; 8/16/2008)
Mineshaft H. (g. III; 2/7/2009)

ONE CAROLINE 4yo, F, 2009 SW Broad Brush Sabin S. (g. III; 2/20/2009)

CLASSIFY 5yo, M, 2009 SW Olympio Dr. A. B. Leggio Memorial S. (1/10/2009)
Tellike S. (5/3/2008)

SILVER CITY 3yo, C, 2009 SW Mt. Livermore Dixieland S. (1/16/2009)
2nd Southwest S. (g. III; 2/16/2009)

AWESOME ASHLEY 5yo, M, 2009 SW Lyphard Plankton S. (1/9/2009)
3rd Get Lucky S. (2/4/2009)

INSPIRATIONAL

(don't listen to the audio with the video, it doesn't match by the halfway mark!, found on YouTube.com)


LET THE CROWNING BEGIN
DUNKIRK ROMPS, 98 BEYER FIGURE

In just his 2nd career start, Dunkirk won an allowance race at Gulfstream even though he raced at least a quarter of a mile farther than any other 3yo colt in the field.

The $3.7 million yearling purchase, a grey by Unbridled's Song out of Secret Status earned a 98 Beyer Figure following his 78 Beyer from his debut win.

Ridden for the first time by Garrett Gomez - who flew in from California to ride him - Dunkirk was in the 6 path around the first turn of the 1 1/8 mile race and lost an incredible amount of ground.

The colt never saw the inside but edged up 3 and 4 wide the rest of the way before drawing off into the stretch to score by 4 3/4 lengths.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has said the next start for the Smith, Magnier, Tabor colt would be the March 28 Florida Derby, making it his third and final start before the Kentucky Derby.

On forums and in chats last night, there were people who were exclaiming that Dunkirk was the Derby winner.

Let the discussions begin.








CANADIAN-BRED WELL POSITIONED works

One of the much talked about 3yo's to start the Gulfstream meet was Canadian-bred WELL POSITIONED.

A smart winner of his maiden in New York with a 91 Beyer Figure.

The Awesome Again colt, however, was blasted in his 3yo debut at Gulfstream.

From DAILY RACING FORM...

"In retrospect, I probably should have taken another few weeks before starting him," Reynolds said. "Sometimes, Awesome Agains need a little longer to get to the bottom, and he still needs a little extra tweaking. But there's too much horse there to give up on. The way he broke his maiden wasn't a mirage. You'll see him here again before the end of the meet."

WELL POSITIONED is not, however, currently eligible for the QUEEN'S PLATE.





WHO HATH MY FOOD?

One of the first babies by Woodbine Mile (Gr1) winner SHAKESPEARE is this smart colt, born Feb. 4 at Norse Ridge Farm in King, Ontario.

The colt is owned by Frank Justice and is out of the Gone West mare Violent Beauty.










MORE TRACK PROBLEMS
TURFWAY CANCELS

EXCERPT FROM THOROUGHBRED TIMES...

by Frank Angst

Citing cold weather and wind, Turfway Park canceled its final six races on Thursday after a breakdown in the third race that sent jockey Erin Wilkinson to the hospital.

The Northern Kentucky track cited wind chill temperatures in its decision to cancel the remainder of the card. According to weather.com, the temperature for Thursday afternoon was 24 degrees but there was a steady wind of 24 miles per hour with 32 mile per hour gusts for a wind chill of 9 degrees.

The cancellation decision followed the third race breakdown of Kays Kitty Cat. The five-year-old mare fell while turning for home in the six-furlong maiden claiming race. The state veterinarian reports Kays Kitty Cat was euthanized on the track.

Turfway said Erin Wilkinson, who was riding Kays Kitty Cat, was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Wilkinson’s agent was not immediately available for an update on her condition.

Turfway saw eight breakdowns on its Polytrack surface during its 21-day holiday meeting, which ended on December 31. But from January 10 to February 10, there was not a breakdown during racing.

READ THE REST AT WWW.THOROUGHBREDTIMES.COM


COMING UP TOMORROW/SUNDAY


SPICE ROUTE, a Canadian stakes winner trained by Roger Attfield, is in the MacDiarmida Stakes at Gulfstream.


Woodbine owners Rocco D'Alimonte and Frank Annecchini will have their maiden colt ALTONA ROAD (a road near Uxbridge, Ont.) in a one mile turf race today at Gulfstream.
Altona Road is trained by Catherine Day Phillips

In a dirt maiden allowance, Ontario bred MUFASA CAT goes for Bru-Mel Stable and trainer Alison Crook. Jim McAleney will ride.

Sunday, Gulfstream Park
THE VERY ONE S.-GIII, $100,000, 4yo/up, f/m,
1 3/8mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT

1 Snow Cone Cryptoclearance Bravo 120
2 Dress Rehearsal (Ire) Galileo (Ire) Desormeaux 120
3 Lamentation (GB) Singpsiel (Ire) Douglas 116
4 Callwood Dancer (Ire) Danehill Dancer (Ire) Garcia 122
5 Lady Carlock Chester House J Bridgmohan 122
6 Sea Chanter War Chant Velazquez 122
7 Backseat Rhythm El Corredor Coa 122
8 Leap in the Sun Anees Trujillo 116
9 Criticism (GB) Machiavellian Prado 122
10 High Heel Sneakers (GB) Dansili (GB) Velasquez 120
11 Long Approach Broad Brush Leparoux 116
12 Lookalike Dynaformer Lezcano 116
13 Avie=s Tale Tale of the Cat Marquez 118
14 Laguna Plateada (Chi) Sir Cat Baird 120


ALEX BROWN FEATURED IN ARKANSAS PAPER

Anti-horse slaughter advocate, excerise rider and all-round funny guy ALEX BROWN has been the subject of hundreds of stories from Toronto to the south.
Yesterday he was featured in an Arkansas paper.
Brown is headed back to Woodbine for gallop horses for Steve Asmussen again in 2009.

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/252896/

VISIT

The next SUPERMAN? At right is DUNKIRK, the $3.7 million yearling from 2 years ago who make shis 2nd career start today at Gulstream Read more below (photo from www.thehorse.com)

CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

Trainer/owner SCOTT FAIRLIE won a race a Philadelphia Park yesterday with Ontario bred TALE OF THE FOX who won y 6 1/2 lengths under Woodbine jockey NA SOMSANITH.
Former Woodbine trainer MAGGIE COUSE put the saddle on the filly by Tale of the Cat-Foxy Connection.
The filly was claimed from the $20,000 claimer by trainer Scott Lake.

IN THE WORKS

Back in action at Fair Grounds are stakes winners for trainer JOSIE CARROLL - AUTHENICAT worked a sharp 5 furlongs in 1:00 3/5 yesterday and SERENADING went in 1:01. Also DANCE TO MY TUNE worked in 1:01.


AT OCALA TRAINING CENTRE, trainer CATHERINE DAY PHILLIPS was busy working a litany of Canadian breds:


ACE IN MY POCKET (ON) 34.80 b 3/13
DR. FUNKENSTEIN (ON) 34.00 b 1/13
LONG PANTS (ON) 37.00 b 10/13
MR. FORICOS TWO U (ON) 37.20 b 11/13
NO MORE TEARS (ON) 35.80 b 7/13
QUIET APPROVAL (ON) 34.00 b 1/13
RACE THE BREEZE (ON) 36.40 b 8/13
SELEMBAO (ON) 35.60 b 5/13
SHORT SHORTS (ON) 37.20 b 11/13
SPORTLEY (ON) 34.80 b 3/13
STAND STRONG (ON) 35.60 b 5/13
TRUE JEAN (ON) 37.60 b 13/13


ALL EYES ON DUNKIRK
today at Gulftream, Gomez flies in to ride colt!

DUNKIRK, yet another Kentucky Derby grey prospect by Unbridled's Song, makes his 2nd career start in a 9 furlong allowance at Gulfstream today, a loaded field of lightly raced 3yo prospects.

Dunkirk, the $3.7-million saletopper at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale, will face winners for the first time in a 11⁄8-mile allowance event, carded as
the eighth race. Post time is scheduled for 4:42 p.m. EST.

Garrett Gomez will fly in from Southern California to pilot Dunkirk, who cruised to a 53⁄4-length win under Edgar Prado in his debut on January 24 at Gulfstream Park.

He earned a 78 BEYER SPEED FIGURE.

Gomez picked up the mount on the colt out of 2000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Status, by A.P. Indy, when Prado opted to stick with Alma d’Oro for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.
Alma d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro, scored by five lengths in a one-mile
maiden special weight race on January 15 at Gulfstream.

Handicapping the race - there are a number of possibilities in the race.
Impressive debut winner WARRIOR'S REWARD, from all reports, is an imposing equine and he was 30 to 1 for his debut that he won with an 81 Beyer Figure.
He adds Lasix off the debut win and is a son of Medaglia D'oro.

ALMA D'ORO received a 90 BEYER SPEED FIGURE for his maiden score at 1 mile at Gulfstream.

AMERICAN DANCE, by A.P. Indy, has not raced since he was 3rd in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct last fall behind Old Fashioned. He is an Edward Evans homebred with an 84 Beyer from his last outing.

And in the outside post is canadian owned SAINT READE, by Pulpit, who is turf to dirt for his 2nd race of the meeting. The promising colt was 5th in the ultra-key Display Stakes last fall at Woodbine. Whos is owned by Jus Luk Stable and trainer by Reade Baker. JIM MCALENEY will ride.




FAIR GROUNDS STATS through yesterday

Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings

Steven M. Asmussen 295 58 54 40 $2,046,345
Cody Autrey 125 37 26 14 $656,204
W. Bret Calhoun 152 37 18 13 $908,601
Thomas M. Amoss 119 23 19 16 $614,650
Morris G. Nicks 89 23 7 12 $527,840
Michael Stidham 108 18 21 14 $578,595
Patrick Mouton 160 17 13 26 $705,182
J. Larry Jones 70 13 11 8 $689,730
Albert M. Stall, Jr. 90 12 11 14 $512,760
Sturges J. Ducoing 56 12 10 6 $440,112
Alvin Sider 110 11 7 13 $249,854
Merrill R. Scherer 69 11 6 6 $350,261
Steve Margolis 47 10 10 7 $372,940
William I. Mott 49 9 8 12 $429,410
Mark E. Casse 70 9 7 6 $297,750
Malcolm Pierce 51 9 5 9 $357,140


MOUNTAINEER STATS
Pion batting 50%


Douglas E. Shanyfelt 16 5 1 2 $41,649
J. Michael Baird 11 5 1 1 $52,277
Bart Baird 31 4 3 2 $36,995
Chris J. Englehart 10 4 2 0 $31,792
Robert J.W. Johnston 12 4 1 3 $28,367
Stacey Cooper 14 4 1 2 $31,856
Robert A. Pion 8 4 1 0 $25,234

DUBAI PREVIEW THIS MORNING
South Africans go for Group 2 score again

from Dubai Racing Club

Thursday’s seventh meeting of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival, kindly sponsored by the Commercial Bank Of Dubai, is a nine race card featuring the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort.

Seven have been declared for the 1600m turf feature in which South African trainers are seeking a sixth win in seven years and jockey Kevin Shea is bidding to win it for a fourth consecutive year.

The South African partners Imbongi for compatriot Mike De Kock who has won the race three times, twice with Shea and saddles two this year and the jockey, says:

“It is certainly a race I have enjoyed a lot of success in and it was our win with Ipi Tombe in 2003 which really put Mike (De Kock) and I on the map here in Dubai. Imbongi ran a really nice race on his first start here and hopefully we can go close.”

De Kock also saddles Hunting Tower, the mount of Frankie Dettori, and the trainer added: “He won well first time but then only had a week between races which, in hindsight, was not long enough. I expect both to run well.”

Shea combined with Herman Brown to win this in both 2006 and 2007 with Linngari but it is John Egan in the saddle on the trainer’s Traffic Guard this year.

Runner-up to Epsom Derby winner New Approach in last year’s Irish Champion Stakes, he has had a run this carnival and Brown expects a big run: “We knew he would need his comeback and he has been going well since. These races are never easy to win but he should give a good account.”

Johnny Murtagh partners Summit Surge, a carnival winner already this year for fellow Irishman Ger Lyons and he appears the main danger to the South Africans in a race the internationals have dominated since 2002.

De Kock’s 2008 UAE Derby winner Honour Devil reappears in the Al Dana Investment Plate, a 1600m dirt conditions race with Murtagh resuming his partnership with the four-year-old who also landed the UAE 2000 Guineas last year.

COMING UP SATURDAY


Mac Diarmida S. (G2)
February 21, $150,000, 4yo & up, 13⁄8mT, Gulfstream Park, 5:14 PM ET
P Horse Sire Jockey Wt. Trainer

1. Finallymadeit Concerto SD Eduardo O. Nunez 120 Javier Negrete
2. Silver Mountain Victory Gallop Pascacio Lopez 116 Thomas F. Proctor
3. Spice Route (GB) King’s Best Edgar S. Prado 120 Roger L. Attfield
4. Summer Patriot Unbridled’s Song SD Eibar Coa 120 Barclay Tagg
5. Quasicobra Wild Rush Julien R. Leparoux 118 Dale L. Romans
6. Always First (GB) Barathea (Ire) Rene R. Douglas 122 Thomas H. Voss
7. Slambino Grand Slam SD Cornelio H. Velasquez 116 Frank A. Alexander
8. Imawildandcrazyguy Wild Event Manoel R. Cruz 120 William A. Kaplan
9. Baltimore Bob Malibu Moon Jose Lezcano 118 Helen Pitts
10. Mr. Sidney Storm Cat Kent J. Desormeaux 118 William I. Mott
11. Phil the Power Red Bullet SD Eibar Coa 120 Joseph F. Orseno
12. Presious Passion Royal Anthem Elvis Trujillo 122 Mary Hartmann


NOW THIS IS A CHANNEL!

THE BLOOD-HORSE introduced the AUCTION CHANNEL yesterday and it is a super resource for looking up any horse that went through a sale in recent years.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred-sales



COMMENT ON POST FROM LAST SUMMER

Once in a while I get a comment on a post from a long time ago.
This note came today from a woman who saved a mare named Kristin, related to Secretariat (see the post called Speak Up last August) - not her full name, however.

Hi Jen, I was one of Kristin's "moms" and we thank you for helping publicize her plight (and by extension that of so many other forgotten horses). We miss Kristin SO much but we don't regret a moment we spent with her!

We would love to track down her foals and find out what happened to them. If anyone knows of one please email me at summerhorse.geo@yahoo.com