SEAMLESS

by Thoroughblog and Gulfstream media

Sharp, speedy and bossy HEART TO HEART is one of the best Ontario/Canadian breds horses anywhere right now – GULFSTREAM PHOTO

Terry Hamilton’s Heart to Heart led from gate to wire on his way to victory in the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2) Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

After getting loose on the lead under a well-judged ride by Julien Leparoux, the Brian Lynch-trained 5-year-old horse had more than enough energy in reserve to hold off a late bid by Luke’s Alley by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile turf event. The son of English Channel was making his first start since capturing the River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs Nov.26.

“When you give him a little time between races he’s very effective,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “He’s had a nice little break since River City and he’s a very exciting little horse. He got the mile and an eighth in the River City, which I thought was a stretch and got freshened up and got the mile and a sixteenth today. Hopefully he’s got a big year ahead of him.”

Heart to Heart ($8) was sent right to the lead out of the starting gate leading the way around the first turn, chased by rail running Luke’s Alley and War Correspondent along the backstretch past fractions of 24.28 and 48.38. Turning for home, Leparoux asked for some run and received an immediate response from the Ontario-bred, who scooted to a two-length lead in mid-stretch before comfortably holding off the ground-saving Luke’s Alley.

“The key to him is to stay quiet on him and get him to relax,” said Leparoux, who mount was the 3-1 second choice in the nine horse field. “We got a perfect trip today. I thought I would have to fight for it (the lead) a little bit more, but I was happy leaving there to get the lead that easy.”

Heart to Heart ran 1 1/16-miles over a firm turf course in 1:41.71.
That was good for a 104 Beyer Speed Figure, matching his previous top earned in his most recent race, the River City Handicap at Churchill Downs which he won.

Eugene Melnyk’s homebred Luke’s Alley, the champion older horse of 2014, finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of All Included, who stalked the pace under Javier Castellano but was unable to threaten. Lochte, the 2-1 favorite ridden by Javier Castellano, finished a neck farther back.

The Fort Lauderdale was Heart to Heart’s fifth graded-stakes victory, all achieved in front-running fashion.

“He’s tough when he makes the lead and gets to dictate the terms. I’ve always felt he’s a superior turn runner and he showed it again today going into that bottom turn there. They were all sort of scratching the leather to get to him and his little ears pricked and he opened up,” Lynch said. “He always has an opportunity to steal a few lengths as they straighten for home and I think that’s where he gets it.”

Heart To Heart earned $119,040 for his eighth victory in 19 starts, boosting his earnings to more than $625,000.

“(The Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap at Gulfstream on Feb. 6) is on the radar, we just have to see,” Lynch said. “He probably needs a little bit more time between them, but it’s certainly on the radar.”

Heart to Heart was bought at the CTHS Ontario yearling sale 4 years ago for $25,000 by Alistair Roden for Hamilton. The son of English Channel – Ask the Question, by Silver Deputy was bred by Red Hawk Ranch, which is based in Alberta and owned by Darrel Bauder.

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SHINY AND NEW! CALIFORNIA CHROME IS BACK AND ON TO DUBAI
He’s had an unsusual life since he was Horse of the Year in 2014, being sent to England after his 2nd place finsh in the Dubai World Cup in 2015 by his curious set of owners before an injury led him to the sidelines for almost 10 months. Now with some new ownership (Taylor Made), new silks and a more focused career management, CALIFORNIA CHROME is ready to take on the world again.
It’s cool that the horse, who is expected to enter stud in 2017, is still racing and his win in the San Pasqual at Santa Anita last evening (EST) was workmanlike and sold enough for a horse getting the racing kinks out.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-santa-anita-california-chrome-20160110-story.html
CANADIANS ELSEWHERE

QUEEN’S PLATE HOPEFULS had mixed results yesterday at Gulfstream. CONQUEST SANDMAN, who had such an amazing debut race when 2nd on the grass, tried the dirt for the first time in a 10 furlong maiden allowance yesterday but he never looked comfortable and faded to be 11th. Perhaps the Tapeta will be a nice choice for the son of Sat Daddy later on but for now, he may be a grass horse.

BATTERY, trained by Todd Pletcher, was second beaten 6 lengths in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles and posted a 67 Beyer Figure. That was down a bit from his maiden win Beyer of 73.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE, a Queen’s Plate hopeful for West Point Thoroughbreds, had his 3rd workout of the winter, 49 flat at Palm Meadows on the dirt on January 8. The son of Einstein was 3rd in the Coronation Futurity to Shakhimat for trainer Graham Motion.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE, from the West Point Thoroughbred team. Photo from West Point TB web site

CHIEFSWOOD STABLE will start ESPRESSO TIME at Gulfstream toda in the final race, a maiden allowance on the grass. This is a $1,000,000 Tapit filly trained by Graham Motion making her 2nd career start.

TAYLOR MADE LAUNCHES E- CATALOGUE FOR JANUARY SALE

This is quite cool – watch videos of the horses from its consignment in the sale next week…

http://tmsaecatalog.com/
CLASSY LANE TRAINING CENTRE FIRE INVESTIGATION
The area of origin has been determined although no cause pinpointed just yet…
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/1-8-16/barn-fire-investigation-concludes.html

KEN AND SARAH RAMSAY – WEST POINT NOMINATE 8 TO SANDY LANE GOLD CUP

2 Canadian-breds on nomination list for March 5 race

STRONG STIPULATION is nominated to the Gold Cup by West Point Thoroughbreds

The Barbados Turf Club announced that of the sixteen horses nominated at the first stage of nominations for the 35th running of the SANDY LANE BARBADOS
GOLD CUP, nine are American based with one other out of Trinidad.
Leading the American invaders is the 2015 Sandy Lane Gold Cup winner SAYLERS CREEK, for the husband and wife team of Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey who have made their way to the Gold Cup winners’ enclosure in 2014 and 2015, with Mr. Ramsey declaring that his intentions of making it hat-trick in 2016. The
pair has nominated five horses, including SHINING COPPER who campaigned in the 2015 edition of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf GR 1 (Purse US $3million).
The 16 horses which have been nominated and their respective Owners are:-

BARBADOS
DASHING DAVID – Sir David Seale – by Lemon Drop Kid – 3rd 2014 Gold Cup
DAUNTING DAVID – Sir David Seale by Aragorn
DERBY KITTEN – Mr. Steve Samaroo – earner of $496K, claimed in spring for $25,000, former Ramsay runner
INDIANO JONES – Mr. Lewin Godding – A P Indy gelding 8th in last year’s Gold Cup
JUST A FASHION – Aysha Syndicate
MARCUS ANTONIUS – Sir David Seale

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

THISONESFORRON – Mr. John O’brien – Alberta-bred 5-year-old by Gilded Time, top runner in Trinidad
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTRADICT – West Point Thoroughbreds – 4yo, 2nd in turf allowance IN Dec., trainer by Tom Albertrani, by Tale of the Cat
DEFONDO – West Point Thoroughbreds, entered at Fair Grounds, trainer Dallas Stewart, by El Corredor
PURELY BOY – Mr. Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey by Purim, 7yo 14-time winner
SAFFRON HALL – Mr. Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey – Ontario bred 9-year-old by Giant’s Causewau, entered this week at Gulfstream
SAYLER’S CREEK – Mr. Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey – won last year’s Gold Cup with Rico Walcott up
SHINING COPPER – Mr. Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey – fast rabbit used for Big Blue Kitten
STRONG STIPULATION – West Point Thoroughbreds, stakes placed Lemon Drop Kid 5yo – Graham Motion
WAR ENVOY – Mrs. Gay Smith – War Front 4yo recently purchase after 2nd at Tampa Bay
WATCHYOUROWNBOBBER – Mr. Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey – classy speedster, stakes winner by Hard Spun, 4yo

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SHE’S BAAAAACK – LEXIE LOU ENTERED AT TAMPA BAY DOWNS ON WEDNESDAY

The long awaited return to racing of LEXIE LOU, the 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs in a 1 mile turf allowance/optional claiming event. The champ has been away since the early winter of 2015 with various issues, most recently an eye injury. She has post 8 in the race and Anthony Gallardo will ride for Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse.

Lexie Lou has been working at Winding Oaks Farm…

Winding Oaks Farm  12/31/2015   Turf 4F 48.20 Breezing 1/1
Winding Oaks Farm  12/24/2015  Turf 5F 1:00.60 Breezing 1/1
Winding Oaks Farm  12/15/2015   Turf 7F 1:27.00 Breezing 1/1
Winding Oaks Farm  12/9/2015     Turf 5F 1:00.00 Breezing 1/2
Winding Oaks Farm  12/2/2015     Turf 5F 1:00.40 Breezing 1/1