Win number 729 for DAVID BELL as a trainer came with the neat dark bay gelding BETTER BOOGIE who won his maiden by a nose in a 6 1/2 furlong turf sprint Thursday, August 6. Better Boogie had been second three times in his previous six races but won a photo this time with Steve Bahen riding.

Bell and partner VAL TOPP purchased Better Boogie for just $8,000 at the 2018 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale. The son of Silent Name (Jpn) – Money Shaker by Tumblebrutus was bred by Jennifer Leuty and sold by Sherry McLean’s Northern Dawn Farm as agent.

Better Boogie has earned $70,000 (US).

Bell is familiar with Better Boogie’s breeding since he races the 6-year-old full brother MARTEN RIVER, who is seriously fast and was a serious bargain. Martin River cost $3,500 at the 2015 CTHS sale and he has won over $220,000 Cdn for Bell.

A Reload yearling colt out of Money Shaker is up for sale in the September 2 CTHS sale.

Thursday’s afternoon of racing, held on a bright, sunny summer day, minus the humidity leads the meeting into a stakes-less weekend but there will be a lot of big races the following weekend when the Woodbine Oaks is run for the 65th time.

A wrap from Thursday –

METADATA overcame a very slow start to win his maiden in race 1 for $7,500 claiming at 1 1/16 miles. The Data Link 5-year-old is owned by John Workman and Warren LeBlanc and trained by LeBlanc. Jason ‘Jet Lee’ Hoyte rode the gelding to victory.

Race 2 – CAROLINA GRACE was returning to action in 7 days and won this grass race for non-winners of 2, $14,000 claiming. The Showing Up mare, now 7-years-old, was winning for the first time for P413 Racing and trainer Alex McPherson which claimed the mare in 2018 for $20,000. Steven Bahen was the winning ride in this one mile inner turf race.

HASSAH (GB) won race 3 and was the first winner this season for trainer Bonnie Eshelman who also owned this 8-year-old Halling mare. Hassah was returning to Tapeta and dropping to $7,500 claiming and won with Skye Chernetz on board. She was claimed from the race by Barrington Siddo.

SPEEDY MOONLITE won this maiden optional claiming race for the red-hot Buttigieg Training Centre. The homebred son of Souper Speedy – Moonlite Glint by Bold n’ Flashy held on to defeat Priceless Will under Justin Stein. It was the second career race for this quick gelding.

Race 6 was on the main turf at 6 1/2 furlongs and Elliot Logan’s SANDY BAY is now 2 for 2 in 2020 after missing all of 2019. The 5-year-old won his season debut on the Tapeta and then streaked to victory in this $25,00 claiming race under Patrick Husbands. Martin Drexler trains the Animal Kingdom gelding.

Race 7, more turf, this time 1 mile on the inner course and NATIVE PRINCE at 8 to 1 became the first winner of the season for trainer Robert Rose. The Head Chopper 4-year-old, owned and bred by Chris and Patrick Fung was ridden by Daisuke Fukumoto.

The last race of the day, presented by the HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT and PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION saw the Souper Speedy filly QUEEN’S SPEED win her maiden at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf for Dr. Rolph Davis, his fourth straight win and 5th win of the season. Dr. Davis’ Forester’s Turn recently won the Greenwood Stakes.

Queen’s Speed, trained by Robert Tiller, was ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson and this gal was bred by Paradox Farm and purchased as a yearling two years ago for $39,000. There is a full brother to Queen’s Speed in the upcoming CTHS sale.