CONCERT

“I think we all have American Pharoah hangover.” – Bob Baffert on why unbeaten Nyquist is not getting as much attention as the mighty one a year ago

 

 

**BREAKING NEWS FROM WOODBINE**

The amazing HEDLEY will play at the Queen’s Plate with Matthew Good and the Strumbellas as part of a packed concert line up.

We just say HELLO! Hedley!!

 

 

 

 

WOODBINE SUNDAY WRAP

Crumlin Spirit digs deep to win Lady Angela, closers track speeds up in light rain

 

Crumlin Spirit, with Davy Moran aboard, tracked down odds-on favourite Caren in the final yards to win Sunday’s $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes at Woodbine.

Trained and co-owned by Mike Doyle, the bay daughter of Court Vision, who came into the seven-furlong event off a second-place effort in her seasonal bow on April 10, rallied three-wide as the field straightened for home, wearing down multiple stakes winner Caren to secure her first added-money crown.

In victory, Crumlin Spirit shrugged off a string of runner-up stakes performances last year – in the Shady Well, OLG Muskoka and Victorian Queen – to post her second career triumph, accompanied by five seconds, from nine starts.

Moran kept tabs on pacesetter Old Valyria, who was being stalked by 1-2 public choice Caren, through splits of :22.85 and :46.23. As the field straightened for home, Caren took charge, but a persistent Crumlin Spirit dug in for the drive and took charge late to win by a length in a final time of 1:22:53.

Her Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form was a career best 87.

Trini Brewette edged Old Valyria for third.

Moran, aboard for all of the filly’s starts, saw the signs of a determined effort.

“She’s a beautiful filly,” said Moran. “We’ve been getting pretty excited about her over the last little while. From 2 to 3, she developed strongly physically and was only just getting going at the end (of the race) really. The plan was to sit back, stalk and chase down Caren. By the time we got to the turn, I had myself right by her. I thought for a stride or two, Caren was going to pick up, but my filly dug deep and opened up.”

Doyle, who watched his Bill Graham-bred May foal finish second to Old Valyria to launch her three-year-old campaign at five panels on the Woodbine Tapeta earlier in the month, was equally enthused by the energetic display shown by Crumlin Spirit.

“We ran her at the end of the year trying to break her maiden and she did,” Doyle said. “She found it hard to break it but she did well all year. She had a great winter at Windhaven Farm and has had a great spring. I ran her with older horses (on April 10, finishing second) because I wanted three weeks to the (Lady Angela) if she was good enough, and she ran great that day. She’s done well since.”

Bill Duffy, under Dura Racing, co-owns Crumlin Spirit, who bested the field of seven Ontario-sired three-year-old fillies. “She’s just a lovely filly.”

Crumlin Spirit served notice she’s a major contender for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, slated for Sunday, June 12 at the Toronto oval.

More Sunday – 

Race 1- BETWEEN DRINKS had a dream set-up as he chased a hot pace battle between favourites Organized Mind and Armando Big and then darted up an open rail path to win this $20,000 claiming race in his second outing of the season. Owned and trained by Desmond Maynard, the gelding is by Gauteng and he is 2 for 10 in his career

Race 2 – KENTUCKIANA gave the Daily Double to jockey Luis Contreras. From the hot Nick Nosowenko barn, this Stormy Atlantic mare was tucked inside a 3 horse pace battle that included heavy favourite Crazy Janey who hopped up at the start, lost a couple of lengths and then was a bit rank as she joined the duel. The winner darted between rivals while out in the 3 path in early stretch and grabbed the lead from Ring for Essa. Kentuckiana won this $40,000 claiming race for her 2nd career win.

Race 3- Longshot SEEKING THE BAY won his season debut in 2015 and came back to win 2016 opener in a 6 furlong race for $40,00 claiming, non-winners of 3. The Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms bred 5yo is by Seeking the Dia from Clubay by Schossberg and he is owned by A and G Racing Stabkle. Larry Cappuccitti trains and it was his 2nd winner of the season.

Race 4-  The very large YONG GAN came from last place under Eurico da Silva to win this maiden allowance in his 7th career race. Here is a Milwaukee Brew gelding owned and bred by Victoria Meadows Inc. and trained by Nick Gonzalez who was losing for $16,00 claiming in Florida. He found this group of OS horses to his liking and charged to victory as the last one to move  in a race that featured several bids to the lead. The hot pace battle between Head Hunter and firster Vintage Time set things up for closers although Vintage Time, owned by Nathan Squires, ran a very strong race in his debut.\

Race 5- A MANS DRINK was raced in Florida and while she did not have any success in 4 outings, she was happy to get back to Woodbine for this $10,00 claiming race from far off the pace. She won powerfully over Optimism, who touted herself in post parade as one of the best looking horses of the day. A Mans Drink is owned by Deborach Fletcher and trained at Woodbine by Alec Fehr. She is a Langfuhr mare who is 3 for 16 in her career.

Race 6 – a maiden allowance race for ‘open’ horses and LEAVEM IN MALIBU left’em in the Tapeta dust. This is a big, gorgeous bay who was bought by Manfred and Penny Conrad as a weanling from Bill Graham. Mark Casse is the trainer of this $175,000 purchase, a full brother to the late Danzig Moon.

Third in his debut at 6 1/2 furlongs, this big guy ran into some traffic trouble halfway through the race but once he shook clear, he blew past Storm Hawk and won by 4 1/4 lengths with jockey Gary Boulanger pointing at the colt as they came to the finish line.

Seems as if Gary likes the colt, why not? He earned an 81 Beyer Figure on the very fast Tapeta for 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.50.

Race 7 – The bounce is a term that can be thrown around a lot but when a horse runs a huge race off a long layoff, sometimes if he’s back in a couple of weeks, he is not quite as sharp. Big winner Sweet Grass Creek, who won his season debut on April 16, moved out from 5 furlongs to 7 furlongs in this quick return and he stalked the speed of returnee Where’s the Widget but raced evenly while the Widget kept on going to win in 1:22.02. Freitag ran a huge race to be 2nd off the layoff.

In fact, the Beyer Figure of 94 for the winner, a son of Giant Gizmo – Lori’s Expectation by Valid Expectations, means that Sweet Grass Creek is not far off his 86 from his season debut. Where’s the Widget, the 3rd winner for Eurico da Silva on the day, is owned by Mary Biamonte and trained by Rakph Biamonte.

Race 9 –  RIVER MAID has won 3 races in succession and both outings this year. The Where’s the Ring mare who an allowance race in her opener (an $84,693 purse) and then took this non-winners of 2 ‘other than’ after a stalking trip under Patrick Husbands. The $62,000 purse ballooned to over $90,000 since she is an Ontario-sired, Ontario bred filly and she earned $56,000. Bred by Jay Cochlin, River Maid has career earnings of just about $200,000.

race 10  – A hotly contested pace and a lot of horses moving too soon and wide set things up for the closer NIIGON’S GLORY, well prepared by trainer Sylain Pion off thje November – May layoff. Many horses moved hard and fast in this race but were out of gas by the late stages. Favoured Greatest Game, a 3yo, was a closing 2nd. The winner is a 6yo by Niigon who was claimed for $25,000 by Pion and the 4U Thoroughbred Racing Stable.

The purse of this allowance race of $56,600 soared to over $77,000 because the winner is a Niigon, Ontario sired fellow.

Java’s Bourbon had a rough trip as he was checked and steadied into the first turn

Wagering on Sunday was over $4.4 million.

 

KENTUCKY OAKS DRAWN FOR FRIDAY

No Songbird so anything goes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post positions were just drawn for the 142nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Kentucky Oaks, to be run Friday at Churchill Downs as the 11th of 13 races. Fifteen 3yo fillies will be on the program, although only as many as 14 can start in the 1 1/8-mile race. Rachel’s Valentina is the 7-2 morning-line favorite in a well-matched field

First post is 10:30 a.m. ET, with the Oaks set for 5:49.

1. TERRA PROMESSA, R.SantanaJr., 10-1  CURLIN FILLY, our of Missile Bay by Yes It’s True. Oaklawn winner of Honeybee and Fantasy

2. WEEP NO MORE, C.Lanerie, 9-2, MINESHAFT filly out of crosswind by Storm Cat Won the Ashland, deep closer

3. LEWIS BAY, I.OrtizJr., 8-1 BERNARDINI FILLY out of Summer Raven by Summer Squall. Won the Gazelle

4. GO MAGGIE GO, L.Saez, 12-1 GHOSTZAPPER – MAGIBEL by Tale of the Cat  2 for 3 won GP Oaks

5. DREAM DANCE, B.HernandezJr., 30-1 AFLEET ALEX filly – This Cat Can Dance by Vindication Graded sp

6. MOKAT, F.Prat, 20-1 UNCLE MO filly – Flashy Frolic by Premiership

7. MO D’AMOUR, J.Rosario, 30-1 UNCLE MO filly – Neverthesame by Scat Daddy

8. ROYAL OBSESSION, F.Geroux, 20-1 TAPIT filly – Rote by Tiznow, $1.7 million Regis Stables dispersal

9. PAOLA QUEEN, I.Jaramillo, 30-1 FLATTER filly – Kadira, by Kafwain

10. VENUS VALENTINE, S.Bridgmohan, 30-1 CONGRATS filly – Valentine Fever by Stormin Fever. 3rd dam RAMBUCKUS, by Bold Ruckus, family of GAL IN A RUCKUS

11. RACHEL’S VALENTINA, J.Velazquez, 7-2 BERBARDINI – Rachel Alexandra by Medaglia D’oro

12. CATHRYN SOPHIA, J.Castellano, 9-2 STREET BOSS – Sheave by Mineshaft

13. LAND OVER SEA, M.Gutierrez, 5-1 BELLAMY ROAD filly – Belle Watling by Pulpit

14. TAXABLE, M.Smith, 20-1 TAPIT filly – Jackpot Joanie by Giant’s Causeway

15(ae). DOTHRAKI QUEEN, G.Stevens, 30-1 PURE PRIZE filly – Shariji Blossom by Saint Ballado

 

OAKS POINTS LEADERS

Rank HorsePoints Owner(s) Trainer Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
— Songbird 190 Fox Hill Farms Inc. (Rick Porter) Jerry Hollendorfer $1,940,000
1. Terra Promessa 150 Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) Steve Asmussen $360,000
2. Lewis Bay 130 Alpha Delta Stables (Jon Clay) Chad Brown $399,600
3. Land Over Sea 128 Reddam Racing LLC (J. Paul Reddam) Doug O’Neill $420,000
4. Weep No More 100 Ashbrook Farm (Glenn S. Bromagen) Rusty Arnold II $340,000
5. $-Go Maggie Go 100 Mike Tarp Dale Romans $151,900
6. Cathryn Sophia 80 Cash is King LLC (Chuck Zacney et al) John Servis $355,520
7. Mo d’Amour 70 King of Prussia Stable (Ed Stanco) Todd Pletcher $118,000
8. Venus Valentine 50 Rosemont Farm LLC (James Eigel) Tom Amoss $132,275
9. $-Mokat 50 JK Racing Stable Richard Baltas $112,000
10. Rachel’s Valentina 48 Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) Todd Pletcher $670,000
11. Royal Obsession 45 Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) Steve Asmussen $68,000
12. Dream Dance 44 Stoneway Farm (James L. Stone) Neil Howard $146,453
13. Taxable 40 Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell) Steve Asmussen $80,000
14. Paola Queen 40 Grupo 7C Racing Stable (Alejandro A. Ceballos) Gustavo Delgado $49,000

15. Dothraki Queen 20 Magdalena Racing (Kenny McPeek et al) Kenny McPeek $419,480

KENTUCKY DERBY FEVER

 
NEWSDAY FEATURE BY ED MACNAMARA
CAN NYQUIST GET THE DISTANCE?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Everyone seeks perfection, yet when they find it, they look for flaws. It’s a human thing. No race is overanalyzed more obsessively than the Kentucky Derby, and whenever an undefeated horse shows up, handicappers probe endlessly for weaknesses, real or imagined.

For weeks, many alleged experts have been trying to find holes in California trainer Doug O’Neill’s 7-for-7 colt, Nyquist, so they can beat him at a nice price. As former Newsday racing writer Ed Comerford liked to say, “You don’t get a medal for picking the favorite.’’ And if you’re right, it doesn’t pay much
http://www.newsday.com/sports/horseracing/kentucky-derby-can-nyquist-handle-churchill-downs-distance-1.11756600
FORT ERIE OPEN FOR TRAINING
Cool temperatures and a radiant sunrise greeted the Fort Erie racing colony on Saturday morning for the first day of training at the Fort Erie Race Track. Trainers are gearing up for opening day on Tuesday, May 31, which will mark the track’s 119th season of racing.

More than 100 horses were stabled on the grounds after horses started to ship in on Thursday, April 28. Jackie Eder, Fort Erie’s racing secretary, was pleased by the early results and noted that most of the horses on the grounds were fit and ready to race. “Knowing that there will be racing at Fort Erie has instilled a high level of confidence on the part of Fort Erie owners and trainers,” said Eder. “As a result, trainers are now keeping their horses racing and fit during the winter.”

Trainers such as Kevin Buttigieg, Paula Loescher and Nick Mileni shipped down to Mahoning Downs in Ohio and Penn National in Pennsylvania to race over the winter. Trainers John Simms, Steve Cathcart and Michael Blake used Tampa Bay Downs as their winter training center, while Nick Gonzalez had ten horses at the marquee winter meeting at Gulfstream in Florida.

Drew Cady, who is in charge of the dirt and turf courses in Fort Erie, has the main track in excellent condition, sparking a number of compliments from exercise riders. Chris Griffith compared his first workout as “galloping on a cloud,” while exercise rider Sarah Collicut and jockey Melanie Pinto praised the consistency and cushion of the track, calling it the best racing surface anywhere. Cady commented that the turf course was also in great shape due to the mild winter. The hope is to run as many turf races as possible throughout the summer.

Live racing will kick off on Tuesday, May 31 with the return of the popular 4:15 twilight post time, followed by the entertaining Tiki Bar Summer Concert Series. Fort Erie will host 40 race dates from May 31 to Oct. 18 on Tuesdays and Sundays.

The track’s events schedule features the return of popular promotions such as the Farmers Market, Breakfast Club, Circle the Course for Cancer Research and C.O.P.E., and the 81st running of the Prince of Wales Stakes on July 26.

For more information on live racing dates and events, visit www.forterieracing.com.