MORNING TRAINING – Jeff Bowen took this awesome image of top trainer MIKE KEOGH watching his horses train at Woodbine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWILIGHT FRIDAY AT WOODBINE

The first 3:45 twilight post time at Woodbine this summer took place on July 7 and just over $3 million was wagered on the card.

Woodbine’s Grandstand Social made its debut and there was a festive beat to the races.

While the quality of races was on the lower end for the most part, there were some wild finishes on the day, in particular, a 6 furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares, claiming $50,000.

Joey Gee Thoroughbreds’ KASUGA, who loves a turf sprint, won by 6 1/2 lengths with her ears pricked and reportedly stopped the teletimer in 1:06.88, a course record and not far off a world record.

The grass at Woodbine has been as slick as ever this summer and the fast time is not surprising. The Daily Racing Form has not assigned a Beyer Speed Figure yet, however, as it perhaps is reviewing the race.

 

BLUEBLOOD IS THE VICTOR –  VICTORIA

 

Toronto Ont.July 8, 2017 Woodbine Racetrack.Jockey Patrick Husbands guides Blueblood to victory in the $100,000 dollar Victoria Stakes for owner Fox Hill Farm and trainer Mark Casse. michael burns photo

The lone Ontario bred in the 111th Victoria Stakes, a famous 2yo stake race at Woodbine, was the winner on Saturday.

BLUEBLOOD, a solidly built bay colt by City Zip – Forest Gamble by Forest Wildcat wore down another City Zip baby, Tenacity Zip, to win the 5 furlong race with a 66 Beyer Speed Figure.

Bred by Ivan Dalos’ Tall Oaks Farm, Blueblood was the 2nd most expensive yearling by the top sire City Zip last year at $300,000. Rick Porter’s Fox Hill farm ownws the colt and Mark Casse trains. Patrick Husbands rode the colt who is now 2 for 2.

Patrick Husbands won 3 races on the day – with Steven Chircop’s SWEET ESCAPE off the claim in race 1 and the Uncle Mo Canadian bred 2yo Mo Big Cat in race 2 on the grass.

It was a good day (again) for Dalos) as in the previous race, his fleet Silent Name (Jpn) filly SILENT SONET won for the 2nd time in a turf sprint, zipping 6 furlongs in 1:07.40 while winning easily for trainer Nick Gonzalez. Her Beyer Figure was posted as 88.

 

 

The THRILL OF VICTORY – Thank yo to JUDY POTTINS who took this neat shot from the Woodbine broadcast of the Mike DePaulo team and WHO’S GOT IT when they found out the gelding was placed first through disqualification on Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIEW FROM SYDNEY – VICKY LEONARD, 30, AND HER VIEW OF LURING NEWCOMERS TO RACING

 

A super blog posting by horsewoman Vicky Leonard, marketing manager at Arrowfield Stud

 

Tell the stories of the horses, and the people who dedicate their lives lovingly tending to them. Share accurate statistics on thoroughbreds being rehomed post racing. Show the farms where the horses are raised, the high level of care and attention they are given, and explain the regulation and integrity processes that protect them. Teach people about the incredible biomechanics of the thoroughbred and how they are trained like high performance athletes. – Vicky Leonard @VickyLeo

 

https://www.dita-blog.com/single-post/2017/07/03/Off-The-Pace-how-our-industry-must-change

 

 

 

CORAL -ECLIPSE FEATURES GREAT FINISH – IN GENERAL

from Sporting Life..

Connections of Ulysses will let the dust settle before mapping out the four-year-old’s programme for the rest of the season following his pulsating victory in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

Races such as the Juddmonte International and the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes over the Eclipse distance of a mile and a quarter are likely to be considered, as well as mile and a half features like the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/no-rush-to-make-plans-for-eclipse-1-2/85576