Another great Canadian – AFLEET, has passed away at 30
Michael Burns photo
from Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame:
No horse had more of an impact on Canadian racing in 1987 than Afleet, a flashy 3-year-old colt who was named Horse of the Year. Owned and bred by Rick Kennedy of Toronto, the regally-bred colt was trained by Phil England and was by champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of Polite Lady, who won a Sovereign Award as champion broodmare in 1988.
Unraced as a 2-year-old, Afleet gained considerable fame when he captured the prestigious Jerome Stakes at Belmont Park. Afleet accomplished the feat in impressive style as he was clocked in 1:33 4/5th for the mile, the second fastest time in the race’s 117-year history. Afleet then went on to trounce millionaire Lost Code in the Pennsylvania Derby and was beaten a nose in the Meadowlands Cup in New Jersey. In his final start he fared poorly, finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Hollywood.
His 3-year-old season began at Woodbine when he broke his maiden by 10 lengths. A week later he won the Friar Rock Stakes. His march to the Queen’s Plate was impressive as he won the Queenston and Plate Trial Stakes and was sent off as the odds-on favorite for the Plate. Afleet took command in the turn for home, but the mile and one-quarter distance was perhaps too much for him as he was unable to withstand the late charge of Market Control and finished second. The colt won six of 10 starts.
At four Afleet was a contender every time he stepped onto the track for owners Rick Kennedy and Taylor Made Farm of Lexington, Ky. He won the Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct, was second in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont, runner-up in the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, third in the $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs and third in the Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs. Up against champion sprinter Gulch and Canada’s champion sprinter Play The King, Afleet’s chances of winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint were hindered as he broke slowly and was jostled. He was 12th in the 13-horse field with two furlongs to run. In the stretch he made a valiant charge along the rail to finish a game third by less than two lengths.
Afleet was retired to stud in 1989 at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky. He won seven of 15 starts and was out of the money only twice. At stud he sired 16 graded stake winners and 46 black-type winners. His greatest money winner has been Golden Jack, a filly who earned $2.8 million in Japan. Other starters in Japan who’ve earned more than a million include Preeminence and Primo Ordine. Afleet has also sired five Breeders’ Cup starters in Northern Afleet, the sire of 2005 Preakness and Belmont champion Afleet Alex, Big Sky Chester, Top Secret, Flat Fleet Feet and Balisian Beauty.
(horse-races.net shared links in the comment section below to photos of Wando)
updated Thursday morning…Racing fans in Canada (and elsewhere) are mourning the sudden death of champion and Triple Crown winner WANDO today.
I have replaced the video with the proper one from his Breeders’ Stakes romp in 2003 and boy, can you hear all of us screaming. That large and raucous crowd is a measuring stick for all big days at Woodbine these days.
A tribute is further down the page while I update news on this very cold Ontario morning.
HOLY BULL ON SATURDAY, first major race to the Kentucky Derby
Woodbine trained KATERINA VASSILIEVA and MARK CASE have sophomores in the very competitive Holy Bull on Saturday, stay tuned for a Thoroughblog preview tomorrow!
Holy Bull S.
1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G2 STAKES | Purse: $400,000
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta
PP HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER CLAIM $ EQUIP. MED.
1 Coup de Grace J. Velazquez 116 Lbs C. Brown – L
2 Financial Mogul J. Ortiz 116 Lbs R. Violette, Jr. – L
3 Best Plan Yet E. Zayas 120 Lbs S. Gold – L
4 Almost Famous C. Borel 116 Lbs P. Byrne – L
5 Our Caravan C. Lanerie 116 Lbs M. Dilger – L
6 Mr Speaker J. Lezcano 120 Lbs C. McGaughey III –
7 Cairo Prince L. Saez 122 Lbs K. McLaughlin – L
8 Wicked Strong J. Castellano 116 Lbs J. Jerkens – L
9 Conquest Titan S. Bridgmohan 116 Lbs M. Casse – L
10 Big Bazinga J. Bravo 116 Lbs K. Vassilieva – L
11 Intense Holiday J. Rosario 116 Lbs T. Pletcher – L
OCALA RACES
The Canadians did not have much luck at the Ocala races on Monday although a few picked up some cash. Canadian owner MARK DODSON had the most success as his filly RUSLANA won the 3yo filly sprint (see wrap-up below).
SHANAGARRY, trained by Justin Nixon, had a toubled 4th place finish in that race. In the 3yo filly route race, BUMP BUMP, trained by Mike Wright, was 5th while Sherry Mclean’s CHARLOTTE’S QUEST was 6th.
Here’s Johnny wins OBS Championship Stakes
OBS MEDIA RELEASE
The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company celebrated its 25th annual Day of Champions by offering pari-mutuel wagering on the first two races.
In the afternoon’s fifth and final race, Ice Wine Stable’s Here’s Johnny battled down the stretch with Alto Racing’s Canzoni in the $100,000 OBS Championship Stakes for colts and geldings and prevailed by a nose in a photo finish. It was a neck back to H. Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice’s East Hall in third. The race was the second victory of the day for the combination of jockey Kent Desormeaux and trainer Wesley Ward, who teamed to win the day’s second race with Mark Dodson’s Ruslana. Here’s Johnny, a Florida-bred gelding by Colonel John, sold for $220,000 by Beth Bayer, Agent, at the 2012 OBS August Sale, ran the mile and a sixteenth in 1:45 4/5. He’s now 7-3-2-0 and has earned $163,381 to date.
An experienced world traveler, Here’s Johnny was a good fourth last August in the Prix de la Vallee d’Auge Stakes at Deauville for Ward, an Eclipse Award winning apprentice rider in 1984. Wesley also saddled OBS graduate Jealous Again for her victory in the 2009 Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Ascot.
William D. McCarty’s Naughty Holiday rallied between horses on the far turn of the $100,000 OBS Championship Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, took the lead turning for home and scored by a length and a half over Alifyfe Racing’s Babe’s Ruler. Pinnacle Racing Stables, H. Jack Hendricks and Roger L. Justice’s Holiday Magic found room late and rallied for third. Naughty Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday, trained by David Fawkes and ridden by Javier Castellano, ran the mile and a sixteenth in 1:46 3/5. Sold for $40,000 by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, at the 2013 OBS April Sale, Naughty Holiday is now 3-2-1-0 and has earned $92,400.
Canadian Mark Dodson’s Ruslana took command at the head of the lane and held off late runs by Bernard G. Schaeffer’s Henny Jenney and Second Chance Stable’s Epic Story to win the $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, winning by a length and three quarters and running the six furlongs in 1:10 4/5. Sold for $70,000 by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, at the 2013 OBS April Sale, the daughter of City Zip is now 5-2-1-0 and has earned $76,115. Ruslana paid $4.80, 3.40 and 2.60 and the 8-6 exacta was worth $13.40. Henny Jenney returned $4.80 and 4.00; Epic Story paid 3.40 to show. The 8-8 daily double combination of Dashin Bye Slinky and Ruslana was worth $13.80.
Rustlewood Farm’s Prudhoe Bay saved ground under a heady ride by Paco Lopez, got through on the rail in the stretch and won the $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings by a neck over Rontos Racing Stable’s Breitling Flyer, with Tommy Roberts and Dan Hurtak’s Can’t Stop the Kid two lengths back in third. The Florida-bred colt by Songandaprayer, who ran six furlongs in 1:10 flat, was consigned by Summerfield, Agent, to the 2012 OBS August Sale. The win leaves him with a 3-2-0-0 record and $56,535 in earnings.
Monica Lee Arrieta’s Dashin Bye Slinky edged Javier Rodriguez’ Craig Judd by a nose in the afternoon’s first race, a 220 yard Quarter Horse Allowance purse. Salvador Lopez’ Hello My Boy was three quarters of a length back in third. Trained by Angel Rodriguez and ridden by Oscar Delgado, the winner ran the 220 yard distance in :12.24. The winner paid $6.40, 3.40 and 2.60 and the 8-9 exacta returned $19.20. Craig Judd returned $6.40 and 3.80; Hello My Boy paid 2.80 to show.
OBS MIXED SALE
CANADIAN-BRED 3yo colt ZENSATIONAL STORM worked 3 furlongs in :34 over the synthetic surface on Monday at OBS for consignor Paul Sharp, agent and is sure to be a popular prospect in the sale.
The Zensational – Storming Starlet, by Storm Boot colt was bought by Howard Walton for $120,000 as a yearling at Fasig Tipton Kentucky 2 years ago. The colt was bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc. in Ontario.
First session Canadian buyers..
M Featherwing Rockport Harbor Tasso Run Backtalk Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent L Sherry McLean 7,000
Below are all the Ontario-bred horses with SALES PRICES, RESULTS, names and year of birth etc.
$23,000 SFD Bloodstock 6 09 M Holy Wine Holy Bull Flows Like Wine Ontario Beth Bayer, Agent V
$10,000 J. Brocklebank, agent 34 07 M Supertunia War Chant Heliotrope Ontario Beth Bayer, Agent V
$12,000 C. Schumer,agent 57 04 M Pugilistic Maria’s Mon La Macarena Algorithms Ontario Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent XII
NOT SOLD ($1,500) 98 09 M Glow Tomahawk Old Flame Ontario Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent for Blue Valley Farm, Inc. #2
$30,000 J. Ropes 184 06 M D’ Country D’wildcat Western Melody Soaring Empire Ontario Kaizen Sales (Richard Kent), Agent X
NOT SOLD 31,000 213 99 M Lentil Alphabet Soup Black Tie Diamond Tale of the Cat Ontario TdM Sales (Tristan & Valery de Meric), Agent VII
SELLING TODAY…
264 – 11 C Sligo Bay (IRE) Geriano Ontario Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent VIII
283 out 11 C Old Fashioned Jo Zak Ontario James Layden, Agent I
307 G 12 F War Cry More to Prove Ontario FAV Racing
340 PP’s – 11 G Where’s That Cat Where’s the Ring Runaway Cat Ontario Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent VIII
342 PP’s 48.4 11 G Lucky Coin Bluegrass Cat Sancoin Ontario Moonshadow Farm, Agent
348 – 11 F Atlantic Zip Stormy Atlantic Sentebale Ontario L & S Bloodstock
361 34.0 11 C Zensational Storm Zensational Storming Starlet Ontario Paul Sharp, Agent
385 40.3 11 C Strut the Stage Waltzing Around (IRE) Ontario Moises Ovando Sales, Agent
401 – 12 C Arch Athena’s Gift Ontario Tradewinds Farm, Agent
403 36.1 11 F Coco’s Lute Midnight Lute Baby Blaze Ontario Whitman Sales, Agent V
520 04 M Peaks Diamond Peaks and Valleys Gilded Diamond Exclusive Quality Ontario Beth Bayer, Agent IX
571 05 M Fast Miss Sligo Bay (IRE) Little Miss Fast Field Commission Ontario Racehorse Consignment, Agent I
577 95 M Queen St West Smarten Lucky Minister Hold Me Back Ontario TdM Sales (Tristan & Valery de Meric), Agent IX
675 03 M Archeress Archers Bay Should Say Wildcat Heir Ontario Journeyman Bloodstock Services, Inc. (Brent & Crystal Fernung), Agent
713 08 M Pleasant Vale Awesome Again Sweet Vale Flower Alley Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I
783 13 C Court Vision Best Diamond Ontario Select Sales, Agent
802 Y 10 F Laynes Road Harlington Chancery Lane Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I
CANADIANS ELSEWHERE
David Fernandes and Spam Investments’s SAMMY ALEXANDER (GB) won a $16,000 claiming race on the turf on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs. The son of Storming Home is trained by Woodbine-based conditioner Brian Lynch.
Saturday, Tampa Bay Downs, post time: 3:53 p.m. EST
ENDEAVOUR S.-GIII, $150,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT
1 Moment in Dixie Dixieland Band Trujillo Toner 116
2 Seattle Me Up Point Given Bernal Durr 116
3 Floral Romance After Market Centeno Mott 116
4 Sca Doodle K Scat Daddy Boulanger Vella 116
5 Cloud Scapes Smart Strike Rodriguez Motion 116
6 Final Escrow Bernardini Gallardo Delacour 118
7 Donna’s Fly Girl Kitalpha Marin Aschngr 116
8 Rare Event K A.P. Indy St. Julien Oliver 116
9 Action Lady Action This Day Santos Norris 118
10 Wholelottashakin K Scat Daddy Garcia Bush 116
11 Left a Message K Mr. Greeley Hamilton Proctor 116
12 Dream Clover (GB) Oasis Dream (GB) Garcia Shpprd 116
13 Liberty Girl K A. P. Warrior Allen Jr. Harty 116
FAST CANADIANS BREDS FROM JAN 13-JAN 19
from DRF BREEDING NEWSLETTER (sign up for this cool newsletter today, see link below)
Three-year-old colt WE MISS ARTIE started off his sophomore campaign with a near miss in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sunday. The son of Artie Schiller, bred by Richard Lister, posted an 86 Beyer Figure and he certainly appears to be one of the top contenders for the Queen’s Plate. He is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Todd Pletcher.
87 Best Behavior……………..4……….F………. Into Mischief……………….CLM………………………………………………………GP……………15-Jan…………..6F…………………D……………….1…………ON…………..11-3-4-3
86 We Miss Artie…………….3……….C……… Artie Schiller…………………STK………Kitten’s Joy S…………………………..GP……………19-Jan…………..1 1/16M………..T……………….2…………ON…………….6-2-2-0
85 Dene Court…………………5……….M……… City Zip…………………………AOC………………………………………………………GP……………15-Jan…………..1M………………..T……………….2…………ON………….10-3-4-0
85 Fanticola…………………….4……….F………. Silent Name (JPN)..………STK………Megahertz S……………………………SA…………….18-Jan…………..1M………………..T……………….2…………ON…………….7-3-3-1
84 Behemoth…………………..5……….H……… Giant’s Causeway………….AOC………………………………………………………LRL…………..16-Jan…………..1M………………..D……………….3…………ON………….29-6-5-6
84 Global Express…………..4……….C……… Street Sense…………………AOC………………………………………………………GP……………16-Jan…………..1 7/16M………..T……………….5…………ON…………… 8-2-0-0
84 Black Bird Rock..…………5……….M……… Flower Alley………………….AOC………………………………………………………GP……………18-Jan…………..1 1/16M………..T……………….3…………ON…………..17-3-4-3
82 Celebrator..………………..4……….C……… Elusive Quality………………AOC………………………………………………………GP……………16-Jan…………..6 1/2F…………..D……………….3…………ON…………….3-1-0-1
82 Hothersal.…………………..6……….H……… Smart Strike………………….AOC………………………………………………………GP……………16-Jan…………..1 7/16M………..T……………….7…………ON…………..11-2-4-2
82 Kaigun……………………….4……….G……… Northern Afleet……………..AOC………………………………………………………GP……………17-Jan…………..1 1/16M………..D……………….4…………ON……………. 8-2-1-1
82 Red Strike…………………..7……….G……… Smart Strike………………….CLM………………………………………………………FG…………….18-Jan…………..7 1/2F…………..T……………….3…………ON…………..16-3-1-4
http://www.drf.com/breeding-today-archive
‘BLOODBATH’ for BOOKMAKERS
from Daily Mail
Bookmakers were estimated to have lost millions in just a few hours yesterday after four heavily-backed horses won at races across the country.
One bookie has estimated the losses could be as high as £15million, but other industry estimates have suggested about £2million could have been lost.
Each of the horses were believed to have some link to legendary gambler and former trainer Barney Curley.
Bookmakers had been on red-alert from early morning after latching on to the well-backed quartet, all of which were returning from lengthy absences and struck at Lingfield, Catterick and Kempton.
LETTER FROM B.C RACING GROUPS RE: Great Canadian Gaming discussions
It is important that all owners, trainers and breeders understand the events that have unfolded with regards to the ongoing discussions that representatives of the thoroughbred sector have had with Douglas S. Scott, Chair of the Horse Racing Industry Management Committee, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and standardbred sector.
Recall that in April 2013 the HRIMC produced a draft “White Paper” that was to be the framework for racing going forward in terms of structure, management and finances. This draft report was produced after “consultation” with industry stakeholders and considerable delay. Interestingly, one of the report’s precepts was that GCGC would be made “whole”. GCGC would be guaranteed that it would not lose money running racing and would be paid by the industry to do so. No one on the horsemen’s side of the equation can remember that concept being discussed. Nevertheless, it was in the report front and center and remains the sticking point in negotiations to this day.
On September 23, 2013 all parties met at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation headquarters to present their positions. Each of the stakeholders made their presentations with the idea that the HRIMC would then make some decisions for the future in general and the 2014 season in particular. However, following the September 23 meeting, the parties were advised by the Committee to work out their agreements on their own. In effect, the Committee abandoned its previous position as the decision maker of record and told the industry to figure it out.
In late October of 2013 the Chair of the HRIMC directed the thoroughbred and standardbred sectors to come to a long term agreement with regards to revenue sharing. This request carried a threat of the loss of slot revenues by both sectors if no agreement could be reached. After numerous meetings an agreement was reached and signed off on by both groups. The agreement was for 5 years and both parties were satisfied that it would enable them to build their respective businesses going forward.
On November 22, 2013, GCGC finally submitted a proposal to both sectors outlining revenue sharing and racing schedules. Both the standardbed and thoroughbred sectors found the proposal completely unacceptable for a variety of reasons, including GCGC’s position that each sector would pay all costs, both training and racing, over and above very minimal racing schedules. Initially GCGC proposed a base schedule for thoroughbreds of 27 days. Further, there were several material mistakes in the proposal that necessitated an amendment. This amendment was not completed by GCGC until the 10th of December.
On December 23, 2013 the industry stakeholders again met with the HRIMC at BCLC headquarters in Vancouver. The stated purpose of the meeting was to arrive at an agreement with the assistance of the HRIMC who would be providing guidance and to some extent, mediation. This turned into an all-day session, but unfortunately it produced no resolution of the horsemen’s differences with GCGC. It was agreed that all parties would meet again after the New Year. To date, no such meeting has taken place although the thoroughbred representatives are more than willing to do so.
In any event, the thoroughbred and standardbred groups remain steadfast in their desire to not pay surcharges for racing and training. GCGC continues to insist on extra money to run more than a minimal number of racedays and they want to be paid on a per month basis for training costs. This would have to come out of purse money and is a concept that exists at no other track. Such costs are the responsibility of the track operator the world over.
To the present time, GCGC has remained intractable in its position, and while threats were very quickly made in regard to the horsemen’s share of slot revenue, it would appear that no similar threats have been conveyed to GCGC in an effort to move them to seriously negotiate agreements with regard to racing schedules or revenue sharing with the two breeds.
Discussions continue to take place between all parties in an effort to resolve this difficult situation. However, thoroughbred representatives are very clear and unwavering in their refusal to not pay GCGC’s outrageous and unprecedented demands for racing and training expenses that are properly and historically the responsibility of the track operator and will stand firm on the recent agreements between the two breeds.
The thoroughbred sector is determined and will not cave in to the demands of GCGC. It is of utmost importance that all owners, breeders and trainers stand united in the ongoing negotiations. Make no mistake, racing will continue at Hastings as it has for more than 100 years. There will be racing in 2014 at Hastings and into the future.
David Milburn President of the HBPA of BC
Ole Nielsen President of BCTOBA
Leif Nordahl President of CTHS BC Division
It was an honour to know him from 2002 until this year. It was an honour to kibitz with him so many times over the years, give him carrots and mints. It was an honour knowing WANDO.
WANDO found dead, he was just 14
Remember that day? A sea of people jammed the Woodbine stands. There were Barbados flags aplenty (for jockey Patrick Husbands who rode Wando) and many were decked out in their Wando t-shirts.
It was electric.
I watched from the apron, although it was hard to see. The noise was deafening once Wando extracted himself from a jackpot in which Sam-Son Farm runners tried to box him in.
Then he was gone. With Husbands saluting wildly as the pair approached the wire, Wando had won the Canadian Triple Crown, the 7th horse to do so and the first since Peteski in 1993.
The year was 2003 and it was Wando’s year. The son of Langfuhr–Kathie’s Colleen, by Woodman raced for breder Gustav Schickedanz of Schomberg, Ontario and was trained by one of Woodbine’s nice guys, Mike Keogh.
I remember meeting Wando before he began his racing career. A gorgeous chestnut, muscular and solid but also racy. For a colt, he was a gentle fellow. He loved his scotch mints and he loved attention. He was a girl’s horse to be sure.
He was locked on the rail in a dirt sprint in his first career start but managed to win anyway and that was the precursor to a championships career. He won Vandal S. by 7 3/4 lengths next out. He added the GII Grey Breeders’ Cup S. before the season was out, and was pegged as an early favorite for the Plate, Canada’s most important race. After missing by a quarter-length in his sophomore debut, Wando won five straight stakes, including the Triple crown sweep: a nine-length wire-to-wire romp in the Queen’s Plate, an eased-down victory in the slop in the Prince of Wales S., and a similarly effortless score in the Breeders’ S. when switched to the turf.
He was named the 2003 Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt. Later, he was retired at the age of 5 due to a suspensory injury after an abbreviated 5-year-old campaign, and went to stud with 11 wins from 23 starts and earnings of $2,563,038. Wando stood his first 5 season at Lane’s End Farm before returning to Schonberg Farm, where he stood since 2011. His best progeny has been GI Woodbine Mile victor and GI Breeders’ Cup Mile second Turallure, who died suddenly last fall of a break down. He is also the sire of stakes winner Wando Woman and Grade I-placed Associate.
Wando will be buried at Schonberg Farm. His photos grace my living room and my office, he was a special horse in my lifetime as he was to so many other people. I saw him only a few months ago: he lived in a small barn under an apartment of a friend of mine and he always liked to greet people.
Thank you Wando.
