**Belmont Stakes picks can be found at www.TalkinHorses.com
JULIE WRIGHT grabbed this cool image of the first EUROTURF race at Woodbine – right-handed grass racing at 5 furlongs and guess what? Englishman MIKE KEOGH won it with trainee FIREBALL MERLIN! – Julie Wright photo
FIREBALL MERLIN lights the way in first EURO-TURF SERIES RACE!
Gus Schickedanz’s FIREBALL MERLIN took off like, well, a fireball, and won the first clockwise, right-handed, turf race run at Woodbine on Friday afternoon.
Trained by Mike Keogh, who by the way is an Englishman, familiar with right-handed racing and one of Woodbine’s top horsemen, FIREBALL MERLIN hugged the rail while chasing the pace and then took off down into the final bend to win big under Luis Contreras.
The race went off without too many hitches although the outside horse, LEO’S LOOKIN, post 7, went straight into the turn and did not corner well at all under Jesse Campbell and he lost all chance. Horses with the inside few posts will certainly have a big advantage.
Merlin, a son of Curlin just missed winning his season debut at the first allowance level on Tapeta at 5 furlongs and this was his first win on the turf. The race was a starter allowance and he posted a career best 80 Beyer Figure.
Wagering on the race, the first event of the day, was $90,000 which was about average.
Other races on Friday were a mixed bag of events:
Race 2 – ETHANOL raced 3 wide in a chasing spot under Emma-Jayne Wilson in this $62,350 claiming race and powered away to win the 5 furlong dash in 59.39 for Joey G Thoroughbreds. The 6yo gelding is trained by Martin Drexler but he is sitting out a 45 day suspension from last year and Jim Ensom is running the Drexler barn currently.
Race 3- “Bit of an odd start” is what Robert Geller the track announcer said as they started this $16,00 claiming race at 7 furlongs. The outside 2 gates in the 7 horse field opened early so Atypical and Creative Thunder, who ran hard, huge races, were both declared non-starters. The winner, stalking the pace from the inside, was DAN AND RED, a Munnings fellow owned and trainer by Sam DiPasquale making his first start of the year. Alan Garcia had a great ride on the gelding who took to the slow surface better than his mates.
8 year old THE BEST GLACIER was claimed from Robert Atto by trainer Don MacRae .
Race 4- UNIKAT, a gelded son of Galileo (Ire) won this $40,00 claiming race on turf for Stronach Stables. Sid Attard trains and Luis Contreras broght the bay from well back to rally wide in time for the win with a 78 Beyer Figure. It was the 2nd win from 12 races for the Ontario bred.
Strut N Stomp, who had a very troubled trip, was claimed by Don MacRae.
Race 5- Aa 5 furlong maiden $10,000 dash and the well prepared beginner TIPSY’S MAGIC broke sharply from a wide post, led all the way and held on for the score for owner and breeder Colleen Beaumier. Preston Ferris celebrated his first won of the season. This 4yo colt by Marcavelly is out of the Whiskey Wisdom mare Reel Tipsey. He was 1st time with lasix and showed light workouts four bandages and was wearing the Woodbine house silks to boot! Eurico da Silva rode.
INTERNAL BOURBON won the 6th race, an allowance on turf, as expected for Charles Fipe and Roger Attfield. Emma-Jayne Wilson with her 2nd win of the day.
The Not Bourbon mare’s Beyer was 84.
Race 7 – 85 beyer Figure for CONSTANTINO won is 2 for 2 this year and he rallied from last under Gary Boulanger for the Conrad Farms. Mark Casse trains this 6yo by Master of Command who is 6 for 14 lifetime and he has raced at this exact $62,500 claiming level for his last 10 races.
Race 8 Mark Casse trainee SEASON TICKET returns from New York and Kentucky to her best track and wins an allowance/optional claiming race on the grass with an 87 Beyer Figure. Patrick Husbands rode the Lemon Drop Kid 4yo who won the Wonder Where Stakes last year.
race 9 – SOUTHERN PUZZLE won this maiden race for $20,000 claiming for Mark Fournier and jockey David Garcia. She was favoured in the 6 furlong race and it was her 4th career race and 2nd start of the year.
CTHS AWARDS – ONTARIO – FUN NIGHT AT PIPERS HEATH!
A who’s who of Ontario Thoroughbred racing and breeding gathered in Milton on Friday night for the always popular and fun CTHS Awards. The dress-up but casual event, complete with silent auction, good food and drink honours the breeders of Ontario bred stakes winners worldwide. And DAN LOISELLE was on hand to host the event with Vicki Pappas of LongRun and the duo had the crowd laughing and enjoying the evening. IVAN DALOS was named Breeder of Year and he had his entire family with him but the humble Dalos did not make an acceptance speech. TED BURNETT was presented with the Mint Julep Cup but was not in attendance. Yvonne Schwabe did read a speed from Burnett that was an emotional tribute to those who started him in the business including John Sikura.
TONY RUSSO receives a trophy for being a 50 year member of the CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOCIETY . Julie Coulter, the CTHS manager, presented to Russo.
