A mass exodus is underway at Woodbine as horsepeople pack up their horses and equipment for a long winter’s nap.
Some are headed south (or all already there) and will race some of the familiar names at places such as Tampa Bay, Gulfstream, Parx or Oaklawn Park while others will give their horses a rest and take one themselves.
There are still 7 cards left at Woodbine for 2017 and some exciting stakes events to come.
Saturday’s DISPLAY Stakes for instance, brings back Grey Stakes (Grade 3) winner Archellegos to Woodbine and another victory puts him squarely in the picture as Champion Two-Year-Old Male along with Aheadbyacentury and a few others.
Saturday, Ontario bred 2-year-old filly WONDER GADOT is in action in the Demosielle (Grade 2) at Aqueduct and a good effort gets this Mazarine Stakes winner a chance at the Sovereign Award for top 2yo filly. But her arch rival, DIXIE MOON, has popped up in the Ontario Lassie on Sunday in a surprise move. The Cup & Saucer winner would secure the deal with a victory.
The industry shifts gears soon as horseowners and breeders plan their matings of their mares for the spring and welcome new foals.
There are plenty of nice Ontario sires to choose from from farms throughout the province.
Here is some news on a recent study by BLOOD-HORSE MARKETWATCH on first year (soon to have foals in the ground this spring) sire RELOAD, a half brother to former top Ontario sire Philanthropist
The CLASS PERFORMANCE INDEX (see at right) lists the top first-year years in NORTH AMERICA by the quality of the mares’ foals by other stallions.
RELOAD lands 7th on this list, an impressive position considering the names above him.
For example, FROSTED, a Grade 1 winner, stands for $50,000 in 2018, Flintshire, $20,000 etc.
Reload is offered for just $3,000 Canadian and he stands at Northern Dawn Farm in Hillsburgh, ON. Reload has a Facebook page complete with articles and photos and news. The son of Hard Spun was a multiple graded stakes winner who handled all surfaces.
Last week, RELOAD’S close relative LEAVEM IN MALIBU was an impressive allowance winner at Woodbine for owner Gary Barber and Conrad Stables.
Read more about Reload at https://canadianthoroughbred.com/magazine_articles/new-stallion-to-ontario-reload/
Contact Sherry McLean at (416) 576-3815 to book your mare.
92-88 AMAZING TRAINER’S RACE AT WOODBINE
The powerful Mark Casse stable, which has hundreds of horses around the continent, has led Woodbine trainer standings for many years. This year the team has a bit of competition from Norm McKnight and his group despite having half the starters.
The score is 92 to 88 coming into Friday racing. It was be hard for Norm (who is 4 wins away from 500 career wins) to tie or beat the Casse conglomerate but what a season his stable is having.
Both barns are well represented today, Thoroughblog keeps tabs on Twitter @jensblog.
