Rondure’s roll in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on July 2 moved the Oxbow colt all the way up to top spot on Canadian Thoroughbred‘s Top 15 Queen’s Plate horses.
Owned by Borders Racing of Hazel Bennett, from Alberta, and Harry Dobson of Monte Carlo, Rondure dusted his rivals last weekend with new rider Rafael Hernandez. Katerina Vassilievea was winning her first graded stakes race as a trainer.
Meanwhile on the Oaks front, American-based Ontario-bred INTERSTATEDAYDREAM, who won the Black Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico, has been entered in the July 9 Indiana Oaks at Indianapolis Downs. Flurry Racing and trainer Brad Cox had originally indicated the filly would be pointed to the Oaks, which is July 24, but should she race in the Indiana Oaks, it would suggest she is passing up a trip to Woodbine.
That is good news for MOIRA, owned by X-Men Racing, Madaket Stable and SF Racing and trained by Kevin Attard. The Fury Stakes winner had a booming workout last week in 1:13 for 6 furlongs.
Other Oaks contenders include New York based SAHLIBAYA, who has placed in two career starts, recent maiden winner SISTER SEAGULL and SOUPER FLASHY, who was fourth in the Fury Stakes. Sam-Son Farms and Gail Cox unleashed a nice 3-year-old filly last weekend, LADYWEARSTHERING, who ran fast in her debut win on the grass.
The Plate Trial will also be held on July 24 and that will pit THE MINKSTER, who won the Queenston Stakes, against possible Sam-Son Farms’ DANCIN IN DA’NILE, recent maiden winner HALL OF DREAMS and perhaps SIR FOR SURE and SHAMATEUR.
Based on Rondure’s easy win in the Marine, other 3-year-olds will need to get going to catch this nicely rounded colt. In the Marine, Rondure won by more than 5 lengths over Duke of Love, who continues to race greenly and he a handful in the paddock. Duke of Love, owned by Myracehorse.com is certainly improving, however, and his fabulous pedigree says long distances should be welcomed.
He is by Cupid (Tapit), who won the Rebel Stakes and Hollywood Gold Cup. The dam Tell the Duchess (Smart Strike) did not race but she is from the immediate family of Group 1 winner and champion BALANCHINE plus Group winners ROMANOV and $16 million earner THUNDER SNOW.
IRONSTONE finished third in the Marine, another game effort by this dark grey son of Mr. Speaker. While distance appears to be a huge question for this guy, he had a messy Marine journey as he was sent for the lead, then hard held and wrestled halfway through the race.
Horses in the Marine who were not as good as they looked were ALLEGORICAL (Giant Gizmo) and LAC MACAZA (Giant Gizmo) who were both flat.
Sneaking into the picture is HALL OF DREAMS, fresh off his maiden score after looking a lot like a confirmed bridesmaid. The son of Lemon Drop Kid is from the Mark Casse barn.
Stronach Stables’ SHAMATEUR, a son of Ghostzapper, ran a wake-up race last week on the grass when second with an 80 Beyer Figure.
Canadian Thoroughbred’s Top 15 Queen’s Plate Contenders – July 5
1. Rondure, Marine Stakes winner, 96 Beyer Speed Figure
2. Interstatedaydream (filly, would have to be supplemented), Black-Eyed Susan, 91 Beyer
3. The Minkster – won Queenston with an 86 beyer
4. Dancin in Da’Nile – 3rd in turf race, 84 Beyer
5. Boston Tea Party – maiden winner, 87
6. Duke of Love – 2nd Marine Stakes
7. Ironstone – 3rd Marine Stakes
8. Moira – Fury Stakes, 74 Beyer
9. Hall of Dreams – maiden winner, 76 Beyer Figure
10. Giant Teddy – would have to be supplemented, 85 Beyer
11. Causin Mayhem – maiden win 82
12. Allegorical – maiden winner 78, 5th Mrine SAtakes 81
13. Lac Macaza – 7th Marine, 80 Beyer
14. Basketball Jones – maiden winner – 76
15. Shamateur – second allowance race, 80 Beyer
Woodbine Oaks Top 10 Contenders
1. Interstatedaydream – Black Eyed Susan Stakes
2. Moira – Fury Stakes
3. Sahlabiya – New York based maiden, 78 Beyer
4. Sister Seagull – maiden winner
5. Ladywearsthering – maiden winner
6. Souper Flashy – 4th Fury
7. Pioneer’s Edge – 5th selene, 2nd Fury
8. Maccool’s Girl – debut winner, 70 Beyer
9. Curlin Candy – maiden
10. Swoop to Finish – maiden winner
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