At The Post

Turallure Closes Strong To Win Ricoh Woodbine Mile

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:50:00 -0400

Turallure caught Courageous Cat right before the wire to secure victory in the Grade I Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Photo: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Turallure closed the best along the long stretch of the E.P. Taylor turf course to win the $1 million Grade I Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, Turallure has secured a berth in the 2011 TVG Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs in November.

As expected, 14-1 local longshot Kara's Orientation broke the best and went straight to the front in the early going, followed by a group that included Woodbourne, Courageous Cat, Riding the River and Side Glance.

After setting an opening quarter of 23.83, Kara's Orientation was joined on the lead by the favoured Courageous Cat as they guided the field into the turn. The half-mile was run in 47.11. Woodbourne and Side Glance continued to track the frontrunners through the turn and into the frantic stretch run.

Courageous Cat took the lead at the top of the stretch and continued strong as several runners began to line-up across the track behind him. As Courageous Cat continued to hold a slim lead over Riding the River at the eighth-pole, Turallure swung out from the two-path into the eight-path and began to make his drive to the finish. Courageous Cat was still leading at the sixteenth-pole, but he was joined by Right One along the rail. Courageous Cat, Right One and Turallure dueled in the final strides but it was Turallure who got up just in time to secure his spot in the Breeders' Cup.

Trainer Charles Lopresti, who had never run a horse at Woodbine before, was concerned with the wall of horses in front of Turallure in the stretch.

"I was asking myself 'where are we going to go'," said Lopresti, who now has two good candidates for the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile with Turallure and Wise Dan. "There was no where to go but with the long stretch, we knew if he could get out we would have a chance."

Jockey Julien Leparoux, who won the Grade II Canadian Stakes earlier in the day with Never Retreat, didn't have any problems with his trip.

"It was good. We left from the outside, so I just took him back and saved all the ground around the turn," said Leparoux. "There was a lot of traffic, but I was able to get out and he ran great. He was big today."

The four-year-old Turallure is now the first Grade I winner for Canadian Triple Crown winner and sire Wando.

"It's pretty neat to be able to come up to Canada and win with [Turallure]," Lopresti remarked. "Wando's a hero here and everyone was telling us about him."

Turallure returned $14.90, $5.90 and $4.10, combining with Courageous Cat ($3.10, $2.90) for a $42.30 exactor. Right One finished third ($4.90) and completed a triactor worth $212.30. A $1 superfecta with the fourth place finisher Side Glance, paid $572.15.

2011 Woodbine Mile Draw Set For Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:19:00 -0400

Court Vision will look to defend his 2010 Woodbine Mile victory on Sunday. Photo: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

The post position draw for the 2011 Ricoh Woodbine Mile will take place on Thursday, September 15, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer will be the guest drawmaster for Sunday's big race.

A field of 11 looks likely to pass through the entry box for Sunday's Ricoh Woodbine Mile, which will grant the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs in November. Pam and Martin Wygod's Courageous Cat and defending champion Court Vision headline the field.

Several local horses will also make up the field, headlined by Sam-Son Farm's Grand Adventure and Dominion Bloodstock and HGHR's Riding The River, bother of which had raced in the Grade II Play The King Stakes at Woodbine on August 28.

Here's the likely field of 11 for Sunday's race:

Horse/Owner/Jockey/Trainer

Courageous Cat/Pam & Martin Wygod/Bill Mott/Pat Valenzuela
Court Vision/Spendthrift Farm LLC/Dale Romans/Robby Albarado
Dance And Dance/Mohammed Rashid/Ed Vaughan/Jamie Spencer
Forte Dei Marmi/Stella Perdomo/Roger Attfield/John Velazquez
Grand Adventure/Sam-Son Farm/Mark Frostad/Patrick Husbands
Hollinger/Robert Harvey & Al Wortzman/Roger Attfield/Tyler Pizarro
Riding the River/Dominion Bloodstock and HGHR/David Cotey/Richard Dos Ramos
Right One/Ghislaine Head/Christophe Clement/Garrett Gomez
Side Glance/Pearl Bloodstock/Andrew Balding/Jimmy Fortune
Turallure/Donna Arnold/Charles Lopresti/Julien Leparoux
Woodbourne/The Very Dry Stable/Robert Tiller/Emma-Jayne Wilson

James Reimer, the outstanding second-year goaltender for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, will be the drawmaster when the post position draw for the Ricoh Woodbine Mile takes place at noon, on Thursday, September 15, at Woodbine's east-end VIP tent. Reimer, 23, took the league by storm in his rookie campaign with 20 wins in the last half of the season.

Thursday's Woodbine Mile draw from the VIP tent will be streamed live at www.woodbinemile.com.

Bold Executive Colt Tops Day One Of CTHS Yearling Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 6 Sep 2011 10:31:00 -0400

A Bold Executive colt, out of the stakes-winning mare Honolulu Gold by Alwuhush, was the only horse to bring six figures, selling for $100,000 on the first day of the 2011 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale at Woodbine on Monday night.

70 horses went through the sales ring on day one of the selected session, as part of the new three-day format of the sale this year. Day one and day two of the sale are both selected sessions, with day three scheduled as the open session on Saturday.

48 horses sold on Monday for a gross of $1,322,000. The median was $23,000 and the average was $27,542. The median was higher than the sale median of $20,000 in 2010, but the average was slightly lower than the $28,000 average price in last year's sale.

Bear Stables Ltd. was the top buyer of the night, purchasing four horses for $302,000, including the two top horses in the sale. They paid $100,000 for the Bold Executive colt out of Honolulu Gold and also purchased a colt by Where's The Ring out of Gypsy Genna for $95,000. The colt is the full brother to Gypsy Ring, who is stakes-placed and most recently finished fourth in the gr. II Play The King Stakes at Woodbine on August 28. They also purchased a colt by Trajectory out of Juicey for $57,000 and Marcus Mucci, a colt by Marcavelly out of Mama Mucci, for $50,000.

Day two of the selected session will begin on Tuesday, September 6, at 2:00 p.m. at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion, where hips 71 through 227 will go through the sales ring. You can watch the sale live on the CTHS website at www.cthsont.com.

Woodbine Responds To Short Cards, Small Field Sizes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:15:00 -0400

Photo: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Woodbine Racing fans may have noticed that over the past week or so, the depth of the thoroughbred racing cards has not be up to its usual standard.

This week, Wednesday's program featured only seven races instead of the usual eight, and field sizes were for the most part small, as three of the seven scheduled races attracted just six entrants. The largest race on Wednesday's card, a six and half furlong sprint for fillies and mares three-years-old and up on turf, attracted eight runners but one was entered for main track racing only.

Wednesday's program was also affected by wicked weather that passed through the Toronto area, forcing Woodbine to cancel the final three races of the card.

Even last week Woodbine had trouble filling races, as Sunday's program featured nine races instead of the usual 10, and five of nine races were run with six horses or less after scratches.

Thursday's card featured a full eight race program, but again short fields were common with four of the eight races attracting seven horses or less.

Woodbine's track management say this is nothing out of the ordinary.

"We annually experience weakened field size in August and early September at Woodbine," said Steve Koch, Woodbine's Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing. "Our very long racing calendar means that older campaigners by August are taking a vacation and the young two-year-olds aren't quite ready to step up yet. Based on previous years experiences, we can expect field size to pick back up in mid to late September when the Woodbine product will be at its best."

To go along with the long season, a number of horses are apparently coping with a virus making its way around the Woodbine backstretch. As a result, many trainers appear to be exercising extreme caution with their runners.

"A further limit on our horse supply this August is a minor virus that has temporarily sidelined an additional contingent of horses," said Koch. "Hopefully the population will have worked through this virus shortly and we will be at full strength very soon."

It appears fans of Woodbine's thoroughbred racing product will not have to wait long to enjoy the large fields Woodbine usually attracts. The weekend program, especially Sunday's card, features full 10-races programs, with a total of 189 entries.

Casse, Contreras Close In On New Records

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:55:00 -0400

Photos: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Trainer Mark Casse came so close to setting a new Woodbine training record last season. This season, it appears it's just a matter of time before it's his. Both Casse and jockey Luis Contreras are on pace to set new trainer and jockey records for victories in one season in 2011.

Casse won 87 races in 2010 at Woodbine, falling just two wins shy of a 15-year record held by the late Frank Passero Jr. Passero Jr. set the Woodbine training record in 1995 after winning 89 races.

Going into the final weekend of the 2010 meet, Casse needed six victories to surpass Passero Jr.'s record, but was only able to record three wins in 15 starts over the last three days of the meet. Casse finished the meet with 87 wins from 572 starts (15%) and over $4.7 million in purse earnings.

At just over the halfway point in the 2011 meet (Sunday marked the 86th day of Woodbine's 167-day meet), Casse has already recorded 67 victories in 293 starts (23%) and his horses have earned over $3.9 million.

Contreras, like Casse, is well on his way to chasing his own record. Contreras is looking to surpass Mickey Walls' record of 221 wins by a jockey at Woodbine, set in 1991. Last season, Contreras was only allowed to ride for American owners for a good portion of the season. Once he was allowed to ride for all owners at Woodbine, Contreras' win rate picked up, and he finished the meet with 127 victories in 675 starts (19%) and over $5.2 million in purse earnings.

In 2011, Contreras has had a memorable season already, and it's only the halfway point. Contreras leads all jockeys at Woodbine with 126 victories from 576 starts (22%), just one victory less than he had all of last year. Contreras has also won every major race for Canadian-bred three-year-olds this season, including the Woodbine Oaks, Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes. Those four races have gone a long way in helping Contreras secure over $7.3 million in purse earnings so far in 2011.

Casse and Contreras are both on pace to shatter the existing records. Casse has averaged 0.78 wins per day over the first 86 days of the Woodbine meet. If he continued at his same pace for the remainder of the season (81 race days), Casse would win 63 more races this year, and finish with an incredible 131 wins for the meet, 42 more than the current record. If Casse's pace were to continue at its current rate, he would earn his 90th victory of the season and break Passero Jr.'s record on September 18th.

Although Contreras has a little more ground to make up on his quest to reach 221 victories, he is also on pace to break the record with plenty of room to spare. Contreras has averaged 1.48 wins per race day in 2011 and would record 119 more victories in the remaining 81 race days at that same pace. Contreras would finish the season with 245 wins and would break the record on November 13th. The new record would be 24 more victories than the current record.

The amazing thing about the achievements of these two talented individuals is the significant increase in each of their win percentages in 2011. Casse has increased his winning percentage from 15% in 2010 to 23% in 2011. The low win percentage may have been a reason why Casse lost out on the Sovereign Award last season to Roger Attfied, despite winning far more races than any other trainer on the grounds.

Contreras' win percentage has not seen a dramatic increase like Casse's, but it has also broken the 20% barrier in 2011. Contreras finished 2010 winning 19% of his starts, but is now clicking three percentage points higher at 22% in 2011.

It has been a great season for these two individuals already, and it could get even better for the pair should they go on to break the records they are on pace for in the second half of Woodbine's 2011 meet. After the remarkable achievements this season, the pair look to be odds-on favourites to win Sovereign Awards in their respective divisions.

Pender Harbour Wins His Second Jewel In The Breeders'

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 8 Aug 2011 22:41:00 -0400

Photo: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Pender Harbour won his second Triple Crown race in a row with a photo-finish victory in the 121st running of the Breeders' Stakes on Sunday Afternoon at Woodbine. Pender Harbour became the first horse since A Bit O'Gold in 2004 to win two legs in the Canadian Triple Crown.

The 2011 Breeders' Stakes began with Born to Boogie and Delawana, rushing out to the early lead. They continued to lead throughout the first six furlongs, setting opening fractions of 24.28 for the opening quarter-mile, 48.75 for the opening half-mile and 1:14.64 for the opening six furlongs. The duo would go on to lead clear by several lengths over the rest of the field tightly bunched together. Along the backstretch, the leader of the rest of the pack, Celtic Conviction, began to close the gap on the leaders. His run towards the leaders was followed by Hippolytus, Stunning Split, Pender Harbour and Crown's Path.

The gap on the leaders got smaller and smaller as the field progressed through the far turn, and when Celtic Conviction, Stunning Split and Hippolytus caught the two frontrunners at the top of the stretch, the race for the line was on.

Celtic Conviction quickly took the lead, but Stunning Split and Hippolytus were right on him as the three battled in close quarters. Pender Harbour angled off of the rail and began to make his run down the middle of the turf course. As the field continued down the E.P. Taylor course, Crown's Path ducked to the inside of Celtic Conviction along the rail, and Stunning Split began to fade, making it a four-horse race to the wire.

Pender Harbour continued to avoid trouble down the centre of the track, but the three to his inside would stir up a bit of controversy. Hippolytus and Celtic Conviction, running right next to each other, began to drift in towards the rail, forcing Crown's Path to check slightly. Celtic Conviction would emerge from the group and went head-to-head with Pender Harbour in the final furlong. Having to make the slimmest of margins, Celtic Conviction could not quite get there as Pender Harbour won the Breeders' Stakes in a photo finish. Crown's Path cross the line third, also in a photo, over Hippolytus, who finished fourth. The final running time for the one-mile and one-half was 2:36.31 over a soft Woodbine turf course.

After the race, the inquiry sign was posted and Celtic Conviction would be taken down to third, penalized for the interference caused to Crown's Path, who was moved up to second.

"I wasn't sure," winning trainer Michael DePaulo said of the head-bob finish in the race. "For a second there, I thought we got beat, but Luis [Contreras] rode him great. He's a great horse. He's tough. He's a real nice horse. I walked the course in the morning and I thought the rail was pretty good. The turf was actually pretty good, surprisingly. I just thought, stick on the fence as long as you can, and on the turn for home angle him out and get a clear run. That's what he did."

Contreras emphatically put his stamp on the Breeders' Stakes, capping a day to remember for the 25-year-old Mexican-born jockey. With the victory, Contreras swept the Canadian Triple Crown and became the first jockey in the Triple Crown era to win the series aboard two different horses. Contreras has also won the Woodbine Oaks this season and dominated Sunday's program, winning the first five races of the day along with the Breeders' Stakes.

"[The Triple Crown sweep] is the best thing that's happened to me," Contreras said. "I was excited before but this is absolutely amazing."

Contreras won the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie with Pender Harbour on July 17th, and helped add to Pender Harbour's strong three-year-old resume with the Breeders' Stakes win, the son of Philanthropist's first career turf start.

"He was comfortable the whole way," Contreras said. "I just tried to keep him in the race. I was in a good position, and I tried to keep my position. Turning for home, when I put my horse outside and really asked him, he gave me everything. He was a little tired at the end, but I was tired too.

Pender Harbour paid $6.20, $4.50, $3.20, combining with Crown's Path ($18.30, $10.00) for a $127.10 exactor. Celtic Conviction ($4.00 to show), the 6-1 third choice, rounded out the $1,129.90 triactor. Hippolytus, at 8-1, was fourth and rounded out a $3,710 superfecta.

Previewing The 2011 Breeders' Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sat, 6 Aug 2011 17:53:00 -0400

Celtic Conviction. Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

The 2011 Breeders' Stakes will take place on Sunday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The 121st running of the Breeders', the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run over one-mile and one-half on Woodbine's famous E.P. Taylor Turf Course for three-year-olds foaled in Canada. The 13 horses in the race will be running for a purse of $500,000.

Originally a field of 14, on Friday we learned that the 3-1 morning line favourite, Queen'splatekitten, would not be making the trip north from Saratoga for the Breeders' Stakes. Trainer Todd Pletcher was not completely happy with how Queen'splatekitten was doing at this time and will look for another race for the three-year-old son of Kitten's Joy. The scratch is a pretty significant one, as Queen'splatekitten was graded stakes placed in a race on turf at Gulfstream over the winner.

Let's break down the field one-by-one, and I will also provide you with my selections for the race:

#1 - DELAWANA (12-1)

Delawana enters the Breeders' Stakes coming off of his maiden victory in a one-mile and one-quarter Maiden Special Weight race on turf at 82-1 odds. He led the entire way, setting a fairly slow pace and breaking from post 10. The condition of the turf course was firm in that race, and with a slight chance of rain overnight in Toronto, it is likely that the turf course will remain firm for the Breeders' Stakes. That's certainly a benefit for this one, who despite leading throughout in his last race, will likely race in the middle of the pack in the early going. Expect the pace to be 48 to 49 seconds at the half mile, but I think others will come home faster than Delawana. Certainly one to consider at the bottom of exotic tickets.

#2 - STUNNING SPLIT (15-1)

Stunning Split comes into the Breeders' Stakes as one of two maidens in this field and that's one reason why you see the morning line at 15-1. Stunning Split has run the best two races of his career in his last two times out, both of those on turf. On June 10th, Stunning Split finished second to Clement Rock in a one-mile and one-sixteenth Maiden Special Weight race on a firm turf course and in his last race, on July 16th, Stunning Split finished fifth behind winner Delawana in that one-mile and one-quarter turf event as the heavy favourite. Stunning Split, like Delawana, should race in the middle of the pack in the early going, but again, I think others will come home faster.

#4 - CROWN'S PATH (20-1)

Crown's Path is another Breeders' Stakes entrant who won his last start, a one-mile and one-eighth Maiden Special Weight race on turf. In the race, Crown's Path came from off of the pace and pulled away in the end, winning by two and one-quarter lengths. Crown's Path matched his career best Beyer figure of 72 with that win, but that is far below the career highs of several others in this field. Expect Crown's Path to sit towards the back of the pack in the early going, and with some quick horses in front of him, he's going to need a strong run down the stretch. An interesting stat for Crown's Path is trainer Gregory de Gannes' win percentage with turf runners. In 34 starts, de Gannes is clicking at a 24% win rate (8 winners), with a return on investment of $2.81. This could be a reason to throw him in on the bottom of your tickets, but I think I will look elsewhere.

#5 - CONTROL (15-1)

Last time out, Control faded late to finish second in a one-mile and one-quarter non-winners of two allowance race on turf. Control took the lead mid-stretch but faltered late was caught at the line by Cojac. It was the fourth consecutive race that Control ran at the non-winners of two classification, but his first race on turf. He earned a career best Beyer Figure of 77 in the defeat and now adds an additional two furlongs, which is a bit of a concern for me. He's also taking the blinkers off, which hasn't been effective for him in the past.

#6 - SEAWATCH (10-1)

Expect Seawatch to take some money as he runs here for Josie Carroll and Donver Stable. He ran pretty big in the Queen's Plate at 41-1, finishing sixth behind the winner, and fellow Donver Stable horse, Inglorious. One thing I've always felt about Seawatch is that he needs a quick pace to run at to be successful, and he certainly got a quick early pace in the Queen's Plate. Here, I'm not so sure he's going to get that quick pace to run at as I'm projecting a half mile in 48 or 49 seconds. Another stat that doesn't give me confidence is Carroll's 4% win rate with first-time turf horses this season.

#7 - MOLINARO REMARKS (30-1)

Molinaro Remarks will likely be the pace setter in this race after leading the opening half-mile in each of his last two starts, both of which have been on turf. This horse is clearly a better turf horse, as he's run consecutive 74 Beyers on turf after only managing a high of 35 on polytrack in four starts. Molinaro Remarks ran in the same non-winners of two Allowance race that Control finished second in on July 8th. Molinaro Remarks led the race throughout, but faded to fourth in the stretch run. With an additional two furlongs tacked on, if Molinaro Remarks were to fade, it might be towards the back of the pack.

#8 - BLACKSTONE BAY (20-1)

Blackstone Bay broke his maiden last time out in a one-mile Maiden Claiming race on turf. It's a huge step up in class for the three-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, but I think he might be able to do it. Luis Contreras has been on this one in every career start except for his first, and now Blackstone Bay gets second-place jockey Patrick Husbands, which is my reason for considering this one. Husbands rode Control and Runaway Whiz in their last starts, but is now moving over to Blackstone Bay for trainer Mark Casse. Despite the distance concerns, I'm going to throw this one on the bottom of my triactor ticket and see what happens.

#9 - PENDER HARBOUR (7-2)

Pender Harbour could take a stranglehold on the three-year-old male division in Canada with a win in this race. Pender Harbour won the Prince of Wales Stakes last time out in a terrific stretch battle, narrowing beating Bowman's Causeway and Oh Canada. Pender Harbour also finished third in the Queen's Plate. Pender Harbour will try turf for the first time in his career here and gets Woodbine's leading rider Contreras in the irons. Pender Harbour will likely look to come from off of the pace in this one, but I feel that he won't be able to catch Celtic Conviction, who will be a little further ahead going into the stretch. I will have this one in the exactor.

#10 - DIEGO BAY (20-1)

Diego Bay is the other maiden in this race, with Stunning Split, and has only had three career starts, all this season. Last time out, Diego Bay finished fourth behind the winner Delawana in a Maiden Special Weight race that was contested over one-mile and one-quarter on turf. Diego Bay angled out late in the race and ran well, but was too far off of the pace to get into the money. He should find himself coming off of the pace in this one as well, but I think Pender Harbour will close faster than this horse. Expect a middle of the pack finish for Diego Bay.

#11 - CELTIC CONVICTION (6-1)

Celtic Conviction will be my top selection in this race, although I probably won't get 6-1 on him with the scratch of Queen'splatekitten. Last time out, Celtic Conviction finished second in the Toronto Cup Stakes behind Clement Rock as a 31-1 longshot. Celtic Conviction stalked the pace and tried to catch the winner, but came up just short, losing by a neck. Celtic Conviction is the lone stakes winner on turf in this field, winning the Cup and Saucer as a two-year-old at odds of 43-1. This one is certainly bred for turf as well, as sire Strut the Stage was a graded stakes winner on turf. Celtic Conviction should be forwardly placed in this one and should be in good position to hit the line first.

#12 - RUNAWAY WHIZ (30-1)

Runaway Whiz is coming back to the track after finishing second behind Ojibway Signal on July 20th in a non-winners of two Allowance race on Polytrack. Ojibway Signal has been on a tear after running in the Queen's Plate, winning two consecutive races, so Runaway Whiz may be exiting a key race. An interesting trainer stat for Runaway Whiz is a 25% win rate for Mark Frostad in his horse's second race after a 45-180 day layoff, but the return on investment is only $1.63. Husbands had ridden this one in his last two races and now goes to Blackstone Bay in this one. I anticipate he will be a longshot in this race and I don't expect much from this three-year-old son of Old Forester.

#13 - BORN TO BOOGIE (15-1)

Born to Boogie comes into the Breeders' Stakes off of a win in an non-winners of two Allowance race on turf all the way back on June 18th. In that race, Born to Boogie raced in the middle of the pack, off of the pace, came four-wide in the turn and found enough to win. This three-year-old is lightly raced, with two starts as a two-year-old and two starts as a three-year-old. If you're looking for a fresh horse, this could be the one for you. Since it's been so long since this one has raced, we have to look at the workouts to see what kind of condition this horse is in. In his latest work on July 29th, Born to Boogie breezed five furlongs in a solid 1:00.40 on the turf training course. This horse could have upset potential but I have chosen to look elsewhere.

#14 - HIPPOLYTUS (8-1)

Hippolytus is competing with Pender Harbour for the lead in the three-year-old male division after a second place finish in the Queen's Plate and a fourth place finish in the Prince of Wales Stakes. Hippolytus and Pender Harbour are the only two horses who will have run in all three races in the Triple Crown and freshness could be an issue. In the Prince of Wales, Hippolytus faded to fourth in the stretch after stalking the pace throughout and this may happen again in the Breeders' Stakes. Hippolytus will try the turf for the first time as well in this race and I believe he will finish in the middle of the pack.

SELECTIONS

1. Celtic Conviction

2. Pender Harbour

3. Blackstone Bay

4. Delawana

Who's your pick to win the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine tomorrow? Visit our Facebook page by clicking here, and participate in our poll, or leave your comments below. Good luck and enjoy the race!

Queen'splatekitten Scratched From Breeders' Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:55:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Queen'splatekitten, who was the 3-1 morning line favourite for Sunday's $500,000 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine, has been scratched from the race.

Trainer Todd Pletcher communicated the news to the Woodbine race office on Friday morning. Pletcher said he is not completely happy with how Queen'splatekitten is doing at this time, according to the Daily Racing Form. Queen'splatekitten was preparing for the Breeders' Stakes, the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, with Pletcher at Saratoga.

Pender Harbour, the winner of the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on July 17th, will now be the likely favourite for the race, a one-mile and one-half event on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course for three-year-olds foaled in Canada. Luis Contreras will ride Pender Harbour for trainer Mike DePaulo.

A win by Pender Harbour in Sunday's Breeders' Stakes would give Contreras an historic triple as he attempts to become the first jockey in the Triple Crown era to win all three jewels with two horses. Contreras won the Queen's Plate aboard the filly, Inglorious, and captured the Prince of Wales with Pender Harbour three weeks ago.

The 121st running of the Breeders' Stakes in the ninth race on Sunday's program and will be run at approximately 5:08 p.m. Canadian horse racing fans can catch the race on The Score, who will air a special one-hour presentation from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Field Set For 2011 Breeders' Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 4 Aug 2011 14:51:00 -0400

Pender Harbour is looking to win the Breeders' Stakes after winning the Prince of Wales Stakes on July 17th. Courtesy: WEG/ Michael Burns Photography

The post position draw for the 2011 Breeders' Stakes, the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, took place earlier this morning at Woodbine. Let's meet the field who will be competing for the winner's share of the $500,000 purse in the one-mile and one-half event on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

UPDATED (Aug. 6): Previewing The 2011 Breeders' Stakes - Selections and analysis for the race on Sunday

#1 -DELAWANA

Trainer: Michael Keogh Jockey: David Moran
Owner: Gustav Schickedanz
Breeder: Gustav Schickedanz

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#2 - STUNNING SPLIT

Trainer: Malcolm Pierce Jockey: Jim McAleney
Owner: Sam-Son Farms
Breeder: Sam-Son Farms

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#3 - QUEEN'SPLATEKITTEN

Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Owner: Mill House LLC
Breeder: Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#4 - CROWN'S PATH

Trainer: Gregory de Gannes Jockey: Jesse Campbell
Owner: J.M. Stritzl Stable
Breeder: J.M. Stritzl Stable

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#5 - CONTROL

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Omar Moreno
Owner: William S. Farish Jr.
Breeder: William S. Farish Jr.

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#6 - SEAWATCH

Trainer: Josie Carroll Jockey: Slade Callaghan
Owner: Donver Stable
Breeder: Donver Stable

Seawatch - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#7 - MOLINARO REMARKS

Trainer: Vito Armata Jockey: Steven Bahen
Owner: Molinaro Stables
Breeder: Molinaro Stables

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#8 - BLACKSTONE BAY

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Owner: Winstar Farm LLC (Lessee)
Breeder: Josham Farms Limited

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#9 - PENDER HARBOUR

Trainer: Michael De Paulo Jockey: Luis Contreras
Owner: D. Andrews, S. Lazaruk and R. & R. Giffin
Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited

Pender Harbour - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#10 - DIEGO BAY

Trainer: Roger Attfield Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos
Owner: Stronach Stables
Breeder: Adena Springs

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#11 - CELTIC CONVICTION

Trainer: Michael Doyle Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
Owner: Dura Racing and M.J. Doyle Racing Stable Ltd.
Breeder: Sam-Son Farms

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#12 - RUNAWAY WHIZ

Trainer: Mark Frostad Jockey: Corey Fraser
Owner: Whizway Farms
Breeder: Kingview Farms

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#13 - BORN TO BOOGIE

Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips Jockey: Justin Stein
Owner: Annecchini & D'Alimonte Holdings Inc. & Kingfield R/S Ltd.
Breeder: Sam-Son Farms

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#14 - HIPPOLYTUS

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
Owner: Horse'n'Around Racing Stable & R. Lederman
Breeder: John Carey

Hippolytus - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

The Breeders' Stakes is the ninth race on Woodbine's Sunday program and post time is set for approximately 5:08 p.m. Join us tomorrow for our Breeders' Stakes analysis and selections on At The Post.

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Breeders' Cup Points Up For Grabs In Canadian Graded Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Wed, 3 Aug 2011 22:08:00 -0400

Courtesy: Breederscup.com

The Breeders' Cup announced today that horses finishing first, second or third in Canadian graded stakes races will receive official Breeders' Cup points towards starting positions in the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred racing’s premier global event, consisting of 15 races and purses totaling $26 million, will be held November 4-5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The Breeders' Cup Points system is a qualification factor for positions in the World Championships. Horses earn graded stakes points by finishing first, second or third in a graded stakes race in the United States or Canada held from January 1st to October 23rd.

Win, place, and show horses in Grade I stakes earn ten, six, and four points respectively. The top three finishers in Grade II stakes earn six, four, and two points, respectively, and in Grade III stakes the points earned are four, two, and one, respectively.

Breeders' Cup World Championships Graded Stakes Points

	Win	Place	Show
Grade 1	10	6	4
Grade 2	6	4	2
Grade 3	4	2	1

There are 33 graded stakes races in Canada scheduled in 2011, including 13 that have already been run, before the Breeders' Cup Pre-Entry deadline on October 24th. All 13 Canadian graded race results thus far in 2011 will be included retroactively in the Breeders' Cup point standings.

"Given the high standard of international competition within Canadian racing, our Racing and Nominations Committee strongly recommended that the graded stakes races in Canada should be on equal footing with the American graded stakes races in our overall Point standings," said Craig Fravel, Breeders' Cup President and CEO. "Canadian breeders and owners have been an important part of the Breeders' Cup program since its inception, and we believe this change will further encourage Canadian participation in the Championships."

Among the top graded Canadian races that will now be eligibile for Breeders' Cup Points are: $250,000 Sky Classic (gr. II) for 3-year-olds and up on turf on August 21st; $250,000 Summer Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds on turf on September 17th; the $200,000 Natalma Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies on turf on September 17th; $1,000,000 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (gr. I) for 3-year-olds and up on September 18th; $500,000 Northern Dancer Turf (gr. I) on October 16th; $1,500,000 Pattison Canadian International (gr. I) on October 16th; $1,000,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (gr. I) on October 16th and the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-olds and up on turf.

Woodbine Racetrack will host six Breeders' Cup Challenge races this year. Winners of the Natalma Stakes, Summer Stakes, Ricoh Woodbine Mile, E.P. Taylor Stakes, Pattison Canadian International and the Nearctic will receive an automatic berth into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships if nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by October 24th.

Breeders' Cup races are limited to 14 starters. In an oversubscribed field, seven of the 14 starters are determined first by Breeders' Cup Challenge winners and, secondly, by the highest number of Breeders' Cup Point earners. The remaining seven are chosen by a panel of Racing Directors/Secretaries.

21 Nominated To 2011 Breeders Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 20:33:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

The 2011 Breeders' Stakes, the third jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, has attracted 21 total nominations. The one mile and one half event for three-year-olds foaled in Canada will be run on Sunday afternoon over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

UPDATED (AUG. 4, 2011): Field Set For 2011 Breeders' Stakes

Leading the way is the Prince of Wales winner Pender Harbour, who fended off Bowman's Causeway and Oh Canada in the final strides to win the one mile and three sixteenths race on Fort Erie's dirt track on July 17th. Bowman's Causeway is included in the nominations, while Oh Canada is not.

A surprise to me was the inclusion of Check Your Soul, who disappointed as the favourite in both the Queen's Plate and the Prince of Wales Stakes. While this list does not mean that the horse will be making a start, I had anticipated that Check Your Soul would be given a layoff and an opportunity to recover for more racing in the fall. Check Your Soul had been suffering from thumps and muscle soreness during the Plate and his performance in the Prince of Wales may have suggested he hadn't fully recovered.

Other notables include Queen's Plate runner up, Hippolytus, who was named the morning line favourite in the Prince of Wales and finished fourth, and Queen'splatekitten, who finished fifth in the Queen's Plate on June 26th.

All of the other horses on the nominations list are new to the Triple Crown trail, including Blackstone Bay, Celtic Conviction, Clean House, Control, Crown's Path, Delawana, Diego Bay, Ghost Gunner, Good Better Best, Grand Style, Head Honcho, Kurogane, Molinaro Remarks, Nanaimo, Runaway Whiz and Stunning Split.

Grand Style, the lone filly nominated, will most likely not start in the Breeders' Stakes, as she took part in the Wonder Where Stakes this past Sunday at Woodbine.

Clean House would be making his first start of his career in the Breeders' Stakes should he go postward. Clean House has had regular works for trainer Josie Carroll leading up to the Breeders' Stakes, with his most recent work being a four furlong breeze from the gate on July 29th in 49.60.

Six horses come into this race having won their last time out, including Pender Harbour who won the Prince of Wales Stakes on July 17th. Blackstone Bay won a $50,000 maiden claiming event on July 2nd, Crown's Path won a maiden special weight race for Ontario-sired horses on July 17th, Delawana won an open maiden special weight race on July 16th, Good Better Best won an allowance race at Keeneland on April 22nd and Kurogane won an allowance race at Woodbine on July 6th.

Here's the full list of nominees listed in alphabetical order:

The post position draw for the Breeders' Stakes will take place at Woodbine on Thursday afternoon, but will not have a special event feel to it. The draw will be a part of Woodbine's normal race draw proceedings. Check back with At The Post on Thursday for the results of the post position draw. We will also break down the race and make our selections this weekend.

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Jenny's So Great Comes From Last In Royal North

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 18:51:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Jenny's So Great recorded the first graded stakes victory of her career by winning the Grade III $150,000 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine on Monday Afternoon. Jenny's So Great came from last at the top of the stretch to win the six furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares who are three-years-old and up.

Four horses, including Wildcat Marie, True Religion, Supreme and Waccamaw, began the race the quickest and rushed out on the lead. Wildcat Marie and True Religion would go on to fight for the lead and carried the field through a quick opening quarter of 21.86. Through most of the turn, the field maintained their positions, but Supreme and Waccamaw would look to challenge at the the top of the stretch.

In the stretch run, Wildcat Marie continued to lead by just over a length, but Supreme was right on her toes and Jenny's So Great came flying down the stretch from last place. A seam opened up for Jenny's So Great on the outside of Supreme, and the four-year-old daughter of Greatness took full advantage. Jenny's So Great surged to take the lead from Supreme and continued to run strong, taking the Royal North by two lengths. Supreme finished second as Sea Road closed to finish third. Wildcat Marie faded to fourth.

"There were a few anxious moments but that, right there, is what horse racing is all about," said winning jockey Jesse Campbell. "They were flying up front and she's a horse you can be patient with."

"I let the race develop and about halfway through she came up underneath me so nice," added Campbell. "I had to wait a little bit longer than I wanted to, but the last thing I wanted to do was circle the field because I knew this filly has a quick turn of foot. When it opened, she hit it as fast as I saw it and that's power.

Jenny's So Great won her first graded stakes race in her fifth try. The win improved her career record to six wins, four seconds and four thirds in 20 starts. She has earned $551,479 for owners Bill and Vicki Poston. The win was an important one for the Postons, as trainer Gregory de Gannes revealed that they are thinking of retiring the four-year-old mare after the season to the breeding shed.

"It will be all about putting money behind her name now," said de Gannes.

Jenny's So Great paid $18.90, $6.50, $4.40, combining with Supreme ($3.90, $3.40) for an $89.20 (6-8) exactor. A 6-8-2 (Sea Road, $4.20 to show) triactor was worth $326.30.

Marketing Mix Captures The Wonder Where

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 18:26:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Marketing Mix came through along the rail in the stretch to win the third race of the Triple Tiara series, the $250,800 Wonder Where Stakes, at Woodbine on Sunday afternoon. The Wonder Where, a one mile and one quarter event on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course for three-year-old fillies foaled in Ontario, was Marketing Mix's first career stakes victory.

25-1 shot Hoi An broke the best from the inside and was followed out of the gate by Spooky Kitten, Niigon's Touch and Isabella Bay. Marketing Mix had one beaten in the early going as the opening quarter was clocked in a slow 25.21. The pace quickened, however, as Isabella Bay moved along the outside to challenge Hoi An for the lead. The two would continue to trade the lead as the opening half mile was run in 48.80.

As the field headed into the turn, Hoi An continued to lead with Isabella Bay in second, but Marketing Mix was making her move along the rail and came up to challenge the leaders. The order remained unchanged after running the first six furlongs in 1:12.52, but Hoi An opened up a slight advantage on Isabella Bay and Marketing Mix as the field turned for home.

As the field exited the turn and headed into the stretch, Hoi An swung into the centre of the track, opening up the rail for Marketing Mix to run for the line. Spooky Kitten would pass Hoi An along the outside, but Marketing Mix would assume command of the race and sprinted clear to win easily by four and three-quarter lengths in 2:01.21. The final time was just six tenths of a second off of the track record. Spooky Kitten finished second by three and three quarter lengths over Hoi An, who held off Bear It's Time for third.

"I breezed her going into the Oaks and she was a very aggressive filly. Today, the word from the trainer was to get her to relax and put her behind horses," said winning jockey Patrick Husbands. "We drew the outside (Post 9) and she was relaxed the whole way. She was never aggressive. Down the lane, she gave me everything she could have given me."

Marketing Mix completed the Triple Tiara as the third different winner in the series. Marketing Mix finished third to Inglorious in the Woodbine Oaks in June and followed that up with a fourth place finish behind winner Bear It's Time in the Bison City Stakes, before winning the Wonder Where Stakes on Sunday afternoon.

Marketing Mix improved her record to two wins, one second and one third in six career starts, all of which have come in 2011. She won her first race since breaking her maiden at Keeneland in April and has now earned $287,345 for owner Glen Hill Farm.

Marketing Mix paid $11.50, $5.10, $4.30, combining with Spooky Kitten ($4.60, $3.80) for a $43.40 (9-3) exactor. A 9-3-1 (Hoi An, $11.50 to show) triactor was worth $743.10.

Stablemates Finish 1-2 In Vandal Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 17:02:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Stablemates Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer finished 1-2, while upsetting Making Amends and Everyday Dave, in the $150,000 Vandal Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday. Buongiorno Johnny rebounded from his previous defeat to win the six furlong sprint for two-year-olds foaled in Ontario.

Everyday Dave, who came into the race off of an 11th place finish at Royal Ascot in his last start in England, broke on top from the seven post, with Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer behind him from the outside. Everyday Dave ran by himself along the rail, as Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer held their positions in the middle of the track in an opening quarter of 22.58. Everyday Dave led by as much as a length and a half along the backstretch, but his lead continued to shrink as Buongiorno Johnny closed in. The opening half mile was run in 45.78.

In the turn, Buongiorno Johnny, Maritimer and Making Amends in fourth position, all began to make their moves to position themselves for the stretch run. In that stretch run, Buongiorno Johnny took the lead away from Everyday Dave and looked poised to capture victory. His stablemate would not let him get away easily though, as Maritimer would make a late kick trying to catch the leader, but the line came just in time for Buongiorno Johnny, who secured his first career victory in 1:10.27. Maritimer finished second and Making Amends closed to finish third. Early leader Everyday Dave finished in fourth.

"That's a storybook ending. They're good horses and Sid and his crew have done a good job with them," said the owner of the victorious Norseman Racing Stable, Howard Walton. "This horse is an up-and-comer. He improved so much off that last race and you'll hear more from both of them. The other horse (Maritimer) probably wants to go a little longer and he's bred for the grass as well.

"He (Walton) said let them both run and he was right," said winning trainer Sid Attard. "This horse is going to get better and better. I really liked how he ran today."

Buongiorno Johnny broke his maiden by winning the Vandal Stakes in just his second career start. In his other start, he finished second behind Indian Evening, a promising two-year-old for Vinery Stables and Josie Carroll. Buongiorno Johnny has earned $108,121 for Norseman Racing Stable.

Buongiorno Johnny paid $21.00, $8.70, $4.60, combining with Maritimer ($7.90, $3.80) for a $102 (8-10) exactor. An 8-10-5 (Making Amends, $2.50 to show) triactor was worth $324.10.

Anne's Beauty Snaps Skid In Duchess Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 16:20:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Anne's Beauty snapped a three-race losing streak by capturing her first victory of 2011 in the $150,000 Duchess Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Elusive Pearl broke the best of them all in the seven-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies, with Honey Chile right behind her. Anne's Beauty, on the other hand, did not have a good start as she bumped with Our Lady in Red and would start the race at the back of the pack. Elusive Pearl continued to lead in an opening quarter of 23.44. Along the backstretch, Anne's Beauty recovered from her bad start and began to maneuver her way through the middle of the field, settling into fourth position. Meanwhile, Honey Chile found herself in the lead as she slipped to the front along the rail and opened up a slight edge on Elusive Pearl. The opening half mile was completed in 46.00.

In the turn, Honey Chile and Elusive Pearl opened up by two lengths on the rest of the field, but Anne's Beauty began to make her move. At the top of the stretch, Honey Chile still led, with Elusive Pearl second and Anne's Beauty continued to chip away at the lead in third. In the stretch, it was just a three-horse race and Anne's Beauty would pass Honey Chile in the final sixteenth, pulling away to win by two lengths in 1:22.83. Honey Chile would finish second with Elusive Pearl in third.

"The first half was pretty slow, but it worked out perfect," said the winning jockey Patrick Husbands. "By the time I reached the five-eighths pole, I was on the outside and I was sitting on a lot of horse. She did everything professionally. When I got after her at the top of the lane, she kicked on."

Anne's Beauty improved her career record to three wins, one second and two thirds in seven career starts and has earned $261,876 for owner Robert Smithen. Anne's Beauty has a perfect in-the-money percentage at the seven-furlong distance with two wins and two thirds in four tries.

Anne's Beauty paid $6.20, $3.60, $2.60 combining with Honey Child ($5.60, $4.00) for a $6.30 (5-3) exactor. A 5-3-7 (Elusive Pearl, $4.70 to show) triactor was worth $146.30.

Queen Street Beach Victorious In Deputy Minister

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 2 Aug 2011 15:32:00 -0400

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Queen Street Beach improved his career record to three wins in three starts last Wednesday night as he captured the $125,000 Deputy Minister Stakes by a half-length at Woodbine.

Going off as the 3-5 favourite in the seven furlong polytrack sprint, Queen Street Beach stalked the leaders, Altius and Old Blue Eyes, in the opening quarter, run in 23.48. Along the backstretch, Altius began to open up on the rest of the field, and Queen Street Beach gained ground while looking to take over second position. The opening half mile was clocked in 46.00.

In the turn, Queen Street Beach and Old Blue Eyes began to make up ground on Altius along the outside. As the field turned for home, Altius still held the lead but Queen Street Beach continued to gain ground. The two three-year-olds would fight neck in neck down the stretch, but in the final sixteenth of a mile, Queen Street Beach pulled away to win in a final time of 1:22.88. Altius finished second, while Old Blue Eyes held on for third.

Trained by Mark Casse and owned by Melnyk Racing Stables, Queen Street Beach paid $3.40, $2.60, $2.30, combining with Altius ($4.00, $2.60) for a $10 exactor. Old Blue Eyes ($4.00) completed a $71.10 triactor.

Tizsation Breaks Maiden At Fort Erie

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:02:00 -0400

Tizsation, an At The Post 2010 CTHS Winter Mixed Sale "Horse To Watch", broke his maiden in Tuesday's fifth race at Fort Erie. Tizsation broke in front and put away his competition at the top of the stretch, winning the six and a half furlong maiden allowance for three-year-olds and up by seven and one quarter lengths.

Back in November, At The Post identified Tizsation as a "Horse To Watch" in the 2010 CTHS Winter Mixed Sale. Here's what was written about the now three-year-old son of Tiznow going into the sale:

Hip 175: Tizsation - Tizsation is a colt by Tiznow, a horse of the year and a two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic. Over the course of his career he earned $6,427,830. Tiznow has also produced some great champion horses like Well Armed, who was owned by Winstar Farms and captured the Dubai World Cup. Although Tizsation has not had great races as a two-year-old, part of me feels like someone could get a really valuable horse for a good price. Tizsation has not placed in three starts in maiden special weight company, but a drop down into maiden claiming company could be just what he needs. Going into next season, anything can happen and this two-year-old may just surprise in the future.

Tizsation was entered into the 2010 Winter Mixed Sale by Touchstone Farm, but was withdrawn right before the sale began. He was entered into the six and a half furlong sprint by trainer Justin Nixon and owners Touchstone Farm.

In the race, Tizsation broke on top and was able to draw clear of the rest of the field as he set reasonable opening fractions of 23.50 and 46.18. Tizsation was still in front heading into the final turn, where it looked like Ready Response would be able to apply pressure. Tizsation would turn away any doubt at the top of the stretch, however, and cruised down the lane to romp by seven and one quarter lengths. The race for second proved to be the most interesting as Ready Response just held on at the wire over Silent Humor in third and Where's Ringo in fourth.

Tizsation now has one win to go along with one third place finish in five career starts. He has now earned $11,241 for owners Touchstone Farm.

Windward Islands Defends Nijinsky Crown

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:48:00 -0400

Windward Islands, pictured, passed Fifty Proof in the final stages to win the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes for the second year in a row on Sunday at Woodbine. Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Windward Islands captured the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes for the second year in a row, defeating a field of five others in the one-mile and one eighth event on a yielding E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine on Sunday. Windward Islands used his quick strides to pass a fading Fifty Proof in the final stages to secure the victory.

The start for Windward Islands was not as graceful as the finish, however, as the seven-year-old gelded son of Cozzene bumped with the favoured Fifty Proof out of the gate. The bump knocked Windward Islands back into fifth position in the early going, three and one quarter lengths behind Fifty Proof who guided the field through a slow opening quarter of 25.47. Fifty Proof would quicken the pace just a little bit in the next four furlongs, setting fractions of 49.39 at the half mile and 1:13.23 for the opening six furlongs. Windward Islands was sitting comfortably on the rail, made up ground from fifth to fourth and set himself up to strike as the field turned for home.

In the stretch, Fifty Proof's lead continued to dwindle as Windward Islands began to make his move under Emma-Jayne Wilson. Windward Islands angled out off of the rail behind Fifty Proof as the line drew closer, and was able to pull away to score the three quarter length victory. Fifty Proof finished second and Hailstone finished third.

"My guy got his feet together, found his composure, and got into a nice settled spot," said the victorious Wilson, who also won three other races on Sunday's card. "I was pretty confident that he could surge along pretty quickly down the lane."

The win in the Nijinsky was the first victory of 2011 for Windward Islands. In four starts this season, Windward Islands now has one win with two third place finishes. Windward Islands also notched his second straight win in the Nijinsky and has now competed in this same race three times. His other start in the Nijinsky was a fourth place finish in 2008. In 23 career starts, Windward Islands has found the winner's circle six times with four seconds and four thirds. He has earned $869,393 for owners Sam-Son Farms.

Windward Islands returned $9.70, $3.20 and $3.00 to his backers, combining with Fifty Proof ($2.70, $2.50) for a $29.60 (3-2) exactor. A 3-2-6 (Hailstone, $3.80 to show) triactor was worth $153.80.

Embur's Song Wires Strong Field In Ontario Matron

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:37:00 -0400

Embur's Song recorded her fourth stakes victory in a row in Sunday's Grade III Ontario Matron Stakes. Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Embur's Song recorded her fourth stakes victory in a row, while wiring a good field of seven fillies and mares, in the Grade III Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday. Ridden by Patrick Husbands, Embur's Song led for the entire one mile and one sixteenth race and held off a closing Ariana D to secure the victory.

Some of the best fillies and mares who call Woodbine home went to the post in the Ontario Matron, including 2010 Sovereign Award Winners Indian Apple Is and Biofuel. When the gate opened it was Embur's Song who took the early lead, and she would go on to open up a two length lead over Hooh Why as the opening quarter was completed in 23.59. Along the backstretch, Embur's Song would see her lead shortened as she slowed down the pace on the front end. Hooh Why trailed by just one and one half lengths, with Indian Apple Is and Biofuel close behind in a half mile of 47.63.

In the turn, 2010 Canadian Horse of the Year, Biofuel, began to make her move and took command of second place, but Embur's Song still held a two length lead as the field hit the top of the stretch. In that stretch run, Biofuel continued to chip away at the lead held by Embur's Song, but Ariana D came on strong along the inside. Biofuel flattened out as Ariana D took over second place, but she couldn't catch Embur's Song who went on to win by three quarters of a length. Ariana D was second, Biofuel finished third and Indian Apple Is was fourth.

"I took a little hold of her after the turn and she was relaxed from there. She was travelling easy," said winning jockey, Husbands. "It played a big factor last time on the road at Presque Isle. Swinging home I had no horse, but the quality of her took me to the wire. Today, in the post parade, she was on her game. She's just a nice horse."

Embur's Song won her fourth stakes race in a row and sixth race overall in the Ontario Matron on Sunday. The win was also her third Grade III victory in four starts, as she also captured the Grade III Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine on May 14th and the Grade III Hillard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland on April 22nd. Last time out, Embur's Song won the Windward Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on July 5th. She improved her 2011 record to four wins in six starts and her career record to six wins in 10 starts, with one second and one third. She has now earned $550,782 for owners Fares Farm Inc.

Embur's Song returned $4.70, $2.90 and $2.20 to her backers, combining with Ariana D ($6.70, $3.10) for a $25.50 exactor. Biofuel ($2.10) completed a triactor worth $65.40.

News broke earlier today from Jennifer Morrison's Thoroughblog that Biofuel suffered an ankle chip in the race and will be retired. Click here to read the full article, including breeding plans for Canada's 2010 Horse of the Year.

Weekend Romance Wins First Stake In Passing Mood

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:31:00 -0400

Weekend Romance held off Sinister Quill to capture Saturday's Passing Mood Stakes at Woodbine. Photo: Caitlyn Campbell / At The Post

Weekend Romance won her third race in a row and captured her first stakes win with a half-length victory over Sinister Quill in Saturday's $125,000 Passing Mood Stakes at Woodbine. Weekend Romance and Sinister Quill completed the Old Forester exactor in the seven furlong turf sprint for Ontario-sired three-year-old fillies.

Weekend Romance broke from the gate well and immediately took the early lead along the backstretch, opening up a half-length on longshots Charming Beauty and Zee Beauty in an opening quarter of 22.40. Weekend Romance would pull away from the two longshots in the turn and opened up a two and a half length lead at the top of the stretch, in a spirited half mile time of 44.59.

With a safe lead in hand, Weekend Romance was able to hold off a strong late charge from Sinister Quill and Emile Ramsammy to capture her first career stakes victory by half a length. Medabuck made a late run to finish third, while Burmah Star finished fourth.

"She's a very, very fast filly," said Weekend Romance's trainer Catherine Day Phillips. "She jumped on the bridle and was very aggressive today. I think Luis [Contreras] was a little surprised with how quick, and how aggressive, she actually was. It was a long stretch."

Ridden for the first time by Woodbine's leading jockey, Luis Contreras, Weekend Romance won her third race in a row and fourth in six starts in the Passing Mood. In her six career starts, Weekend Romance has never finished out of the money, with four wins, one second and one third. She has now earned $210,180 for owners Annecchini & D'Alimonte Holdings Inc. & Kingfield R/S Ltd.

Weekend Romance paid $3.10, $2.20 and $2.10 to her backers as the 1-2 favourite in the race, and combined with Sinister Quill ($2.90, $2.20) for a $6.30 (4-5) exactor. A 4-5-1 (Medabuck, $2.90 to show) triactor was worth $18.00.

Hollywood Hit Returns To Winning Form At Woodbine

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:47:00 -0400

Hollywood Hit returned to the winner's circle at Woodbine for the first time since September, winning the $150,000 Bold Venture Stakes on Wednesday night. Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Hollywood Hit recorded his first win at Woodbine this season, and second win overall in 2011, with a three quarter length victory over Signature Red in Wednesday's Bold Venture Stakes. Hollywood Hit was just two tenths of a second off of the track record in the six and one half furlong sprint for three-year-olds and up.

A full field of nine went postward in the $150,000 Bold Venture Stakes and to no one's surprise, Hollywood Hit and Essence Hit Man went toe-to-toe from the outside right out of the gate. The pair opened up a quick two length advantage on the remaining seven horses in the field, completing the opening quarter in 21.83.

Hollywood Hit would then sit back just a little bit along the backstretch, allowing Essence Hit Man to run on his own into the far turn. In that far turn, Hollywood Hit began to close, and took the lead on the outside of Essence Hit Man right at the top of the stretch, as the half mile time of 43.82 was posted.

In the stretch, there was no doubt that Hollywood Hit would win his first race at Woodbine since the King Corrie Stakes on September 22. He crossed the line in 1:14.76, just two tenths of a second behind Fatal Bullet's six and one half furlong track record of 1:14.54, set in the 2008 edition of the Bold Venture. Signature Red finished second, with Riding The River third and Essence Hit Man rounded out the superfecta in fourth.

"This horse was very, very sharp today. He's won races on the lead and he's won races coming from off the pace," said winning jockey Jim McAleney. "I was really hoping to get him to settle today. It was a little bit more of a job, but he did. It was a brilliant bunch of horses who were all on top of their game today."

Hollywood Hit recorded his second victory of the season in his third start after winning the Karl Boyes Memorial on June 22 at Presque Isle Downs. In 17 career starts, Hollywood Hit has now recorded nine wins and four second place finishes, and has earned $609,964. He paid $5.30, $3.30, $2.90, combining with Signature Red ($6.80, $4.20) for a $31.30 (9-2) exactor. A 9-2-7 (Riding the River, $6.20 to show) triactor was worth $353.90. The superfecta with Essence Hit Man paid $947.55.

Sutherland Victorious On First Day At Del Mar

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:16:00 -0400

It didn't take Chantal Sutherland long to make an impact at one of Southern California's most prestigious meets.

The former Woodbine jockey recorded her first victory at Del Mar on the meet's first day, crossing the line first on Mentidoso in Wednesday's sixth race. Going off at odds of 18-1, Mentidoso had one rival beaten in the early going, sat well off of the pace and then made his move at the half-mile pole and won the six furlong, $25,000 claiming race for three-year-olds and up, by two and three quarters of a length.

Making the story even more interesting is the fact that Mentidoso was claimed by an interesting stable name as far as Sutherland, a Canadian, is concerned. Trainer Jack Carava claimed the three-year-old gelding for new owners La Canada Stables LLC.

Unfortunately for Sutherland, the victory in Wednesday's sixth race was her lone in-the-money finish on the card. In five other races, Sutherland could do no better than a trio of sixth place finishes in the second, fifth and ninth races.

Sutherland returns to action at Del Mar on Thursday with three mounts on the eight race card.

Pender Harbour Captures The Prince Of Wales Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:30:00 -0400

Pender Harbour (middle) won the 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes over Bowman's Causeway (outside) and Oh Canada (insider) in a thrilling finish Sunday at Fort Erie. Courtesy: Fort Erie Race Track / Michael Burns Photography

Jockey Luis Contreras kept his Triple Crown bid alive aboard Pender Harbour, who held off Bowman's Causeway and Oh Canada to win the 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on Sunday afternoon. The victory was Pender Harbour's first of the year and third of his career.

As expected, Oh Canada assumed the lead from the inside as the field headed into the first turn, with Welloiledmachine settling behind him on the outside in second. Queen's Plate runner up, Hippolytus, stalked the two lead horses in third, with Pender Harbour right behind him in fourth in an opening quarter of 24.41.

Along the backstretch, Oh Canada quickened the pace in front, with Hippolytus moving up into second inside of Welloiledmachine in third. Pender Harbour continued to sit fourth, with Bowman's Causeway fifth, Oban sixth and favourite Check Your Soul continued to trail at the back of the pack as the field hit the half-mile in 47.85.

In the final turn, Oh Canada continued to hold the lead, but Pender Harbour began to make his move along the outside. Bowman's Causeway was eager to move as well, but ran into trouble as he sat behind a wall that included Hippolytus, Welloiledmachine and Pender Harbour. As Pender Harbour continued along the outside, so did Bowman's Causeway behind him, which set up a terrific stretch run.

Oh Canada and Krista Carignan looked to steal the race from the rest of the field on the front end, but Pender Harbour was closing in on the lead and the wire with every stride. Bowman's Causeway was able to find racing room in the stretch, and closed in on the lead as well. As the trio headed into the final furlong, it looked like Oh Canada would hold on to the victory, but Pender Harbour snatched it away and got to the line just before a hard-charging Bowman's Causeway to secure his second career stakes victory. Oh Canada finished third.

"My horse had a clean trip and he gave me everything he had," said a victorious Contreras, who took the mount on Pender Harbour after Inglorious skipped the Prince of Wales. "I had a lot of horse at the top of the stretch and I felt like I could win it."

With his victory on Pender Harbour in the Prince of Wales, Contreras has now won all three of the major races for Canadian-bred three-year-olds that have taken place so far in 2011. Contreras and Inglorious won the other two major races, including the Woodbine Oaks on the June 5th and the Queen's Plate on June 26th.

Trainer Mike DePaulo won his second career Prince of Wales Stakes with Pender Harbour, after winning the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown in 2006 with Shillelagh Slew.

"My horse showed a lot of heart," said DePaulo. "This gelding may be one of the best horses I've ever trained."

All signs now point to Pender Harbour returning to the track on August 7th at Woodbine for the third jewel of Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders' Stakes, which is run over one-mile and one-half on turf.

"His sire is by Kris S. and that's a good sign that he will take to the grass," DePaulo added.

Favourite Check Your Soul disappointed for the second race in a row after looking so strong in the Plate Trail Stakes back on June 5th. Check Your Soul never really looked like he was ready to race today, finishing at the back of the pack, just over 14 lengths behind Pender Harbour. It was reported that Check Your Soul had a case of the thumps and muscle soreness in the Queen's Plate and it appears he may not have recovered in time to challenge today.

I expect that Check Your Soul will be given a lengthy break to recover and we may see him back in the starting gate in the fall with the Ontario Derby set for September 24th at Woodbine. This path was similar to 2010 Plate Trial and Queen's Plate winner Big Red Mike, who failed to win the Prince of Wales Stakes but returned to the track in the Ontario Derby.

The Prince of Wales win by Pender Harbour improved his career record to three wins in seven starts, with one third place finish. With the $300,000 winner's share in the Prince of Wales Stakes now added to his bankroll, Pender Harbour has earned $532,020.

Pender Harbour paid $10.30 for the win and combined with Bowman's Causeway for a $28.70 exactor. Oh Canada completed the $186.20 triactor and the superfecta, with Hippolytus, paid $301.10.

Breaking Down The 2011 Prince Of Wales Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:38:00 -0400

Hippolytus, pictured, finished second in the Queen's Plate at 61-1 but how will he do as the 2-1 morning line favourite? Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

The 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run on Sunday afternoon at Fort Erie Racetrack. The one mile and three sixteenth race on dirt has attracted a field of seven, all vying for the winner's share of the lucrative $500,000 purse. The 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes is the ninth race of a 10-race card on Sunday at Fort Erie and post time is scheduled for approximately 5:45 p.m. Here's how I see the race playing out.

The Early Pace

Based on the running lines you see in the racing form, you would expect that Oh Canada will set the early pace, as he did in the 2011 Queen's Plate, run at Woodbine back on June 26th. Despite setting quick fractions, Oh Canada faded in the Plate and finished 13th in the 17 horse field. It's possible that a change of racing tactics may be in play for Oh Canada in the Prince of Wales to try and save some of his energy for the end. If that's the case, look for Welloiledmachine to be in front. The duo, regardless of who is in the lead, will likely try to set a quick pace to bait the favourites into making a move earlier than they would like. Fractions of 23 or 24 seconds in the opening quarter and 48 or 49 seconds at the half-mile pole are likely.

The Backstretch

We've talked about the frontrunners, but let's try to get an idea of what the rest of the field will look like as they head into the final turn. Expect Hippolytus to use a similar stalking style to what he used in the Plate, staying in front of the second group of horses. Hippolytus sat fourth, about four and a half lengths behind a leading trio that included Oh Canada in the Queen's Plate, and was able to get a clean trip to secure the lead going into the stretch. I think Pender Harbour will be shadowing Hippolytus every step of the way down the backstretch, with Check Your Soul and Bowman's Causeway behind them. Oban will likely be the trailer and I don't expect him to challenge on Sunday.

The Final Turn

Check Your Soul will likely make the first move heading into the final turn and expect Bowman's Causeway to go with him. Bowman's Causeway could be the horse that uses the Inglorious trip, just sticking with Check Your Soul until the stretch and trying to draw off of him for the victory. I expect the frontrunning duo of Welloiledmachine and Oh Canada to tire and fade, either in the final turn or at some point down the stretch. Depending on track position, the fading frontrunners could cause some problems for Hippolytus and Pender Harbour, who may get caught in traffic as Check Your Soul and Bowman's Causeway make their moves along the outside.

The Stretch Run

This race is looking like it will set up a great stretch run between four pretty good horses. I expect Hippolytus, Pender Harbour, Check Your Soul and Bowman's Causeway to all have a great shot at winning this race, but I'm going to go with my Queen's Plate selection, Check Your Soul. I expect that he will have a huge bounce back race on Sunday. I like Bowman's Causeway to finish second, Pender Harbour to finish third and Hippolytus to complete the superfecta in fourth. I have a feeling that the traffic issue I mentioned previously will come into play, allowing Check Your Soul and Bowman's Causeway to pass Pender Harbour and Hippolytus in the stretch before those two can really get going. Despite Check Your Soul being my top selection, I wouldn't discount Bowman's Causeway at all, especially since he is one of only two horses in this field to have experience racing on dirt (Welloiledmachine is the other).

To review, here are my top four selections for the 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes:

Check Your Soul
Bowman's Causeway
Pender Harbour
Hippolytus

How do you see the race playing out? Leave your selections in the comment box below. Good luck and enjoy the race on Sunday!

Field Set For 2011 Prince Of Wales Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:11:00 -0400

The 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes will be contested on Sunday at Fort Erie Race Track. Courtesy: Michael Burns Photography

The post position draw for the 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, took place earlier this afternoon at Fort Erie Race Track. Seven horses will vie for the winner's share of the $500,000 purse, led by the runner up in the Queen's Plate, Hippolytus. Let's meet the field and see how they will line up on Sunday:

#1 - OH CANADA (12 - 1)

Trainer: Robert Tiller Jockey: Krista Carignan
Owner: Frank Di Giulio Jr.
Breeder: Frank Di Giulio Jr.

Oh Canada - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#2 - PENDER HARBOUR (3 - 1)

Trainer: Michael DePaulo Jockey: Luis Contreras
Owner: D. Andrews, S. Lazaruk and R. & R. Giffin
Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited

Pender Harbour - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#3 - HIPPOLYTUS (2 - 1)

Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Tyler Pizarro
Owner: Horse'nAround Racing Stable and R. Lederman
Breeder: John Carey

Hippolytus - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

#4 - WELLOILEDMACHINE (15 - 1)

Trainer: Mike Keogh Jockey: Jim McAleney
Owner: Christine and Dennis Windsor
Breeder: John Kennedy

#5 - OBAN (12 - 1)

Trainer: Mike Keogh Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
Owner: G. Schickedanz, D. Howard, G. Kenny and Partner

Breeder: Gustav Schickedanz

#6 - BOWMAN'S CAUSEWAY (4 - 1)

Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Owner: Martin Schwartz
Breeder: Adena Springs

#7 - CHECK YOUR SOUL (7 - 2)

Trainer: Roger Attfield Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Owner: Charles Fipke
Breeder: Charles Fipke

Check Your Soul - Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

First race post time on Sunday at Fort Erie is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The 2011 Prince of Wales Stakes will be run over one mile and three sixteenths on dirt and will be run at approximately 5:45 p.m. Check back later on in the week for my analysis and selections for the race.