The one and only time Bullards Alley raced at Woodbine, he just missed netting top prize. On October 15, the five-year-old son of Flower Alley will look to go one better in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International.
Trained by Tim Glyshaw for owners Faron McCubbins and Wayne Spalding, Bullards Alley contested the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine on July 2, marking the first time he raced outside of the United States.
Sent off at 5-2, the dark bay, who was bred by Eugene Melnyk, was collared late by Aldous Snow in the 1 1/2-mile feature over the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course, finishing second (by a neck) to the decorated Sam-Son Farm star.
“We thought he was a winner in the last race at your place, but Malcolm’s (trainer Pierce) horse loves that course and he did a great job having him ready,” said Glyshaw.
Now, Bullards Alley’s connections are ready to give the Toronto oval green scene another shot.
“We were very happy with his race earlier this year at Woodbine and that’s basically what made our decision to come back,” said Glyshaw. “This is going to be a much tougher race than our last visit. But his last race there gives us confidence that he will run well again. There are not many 1 1/2-mile or longer races around and we have to hunt for them.”
Winless in nine starts this year, the five-time winner from 34 starts will have Eurico Rosa Da Silva, Woodbine’s leading rider, in the irons for next Sunday’s race.
“There is a $100,000 race (Grade 3 Sycamore) at Keeneland four days after this race, but for 100k, it will come up very tough,” noted Glyshaw, of the race Bullards Alley finished third in last year.
It’s another reason why the conditioner would prefer to be where his horse feels right at home.
“Bullards tries every time,” offered Glyshaw. “Though he’s winless this year, he has run some nice races, the one at your place being the best.”
POSTULATION HAS FOUND HIS NICHE
Postulation has found his niche racing in turf marathons for trainer Eddie Graham.
Now, the Kentucky-bred five-year-old gelding will be looking to take his game to a new level when he makes his first Grade 1 appearance in the Pattison Canadian International.
“He seems to be doing really well,” said Graham, who trains 10 horses at his farm in Pennsylvania and another half-dozen at owners Gregory and Caroline Bentley’s Runnymede Racing LLC on their property in that state.
“I’m just hoping all the shipping doesn’t get to him.”
Postulation, who began his career in Ireland before being purchased by the Bentleys, had recorded his first Stateside stakes win in the 1 1/2 mile Cape Henlopen at Delaware Park on July 8.
Since then, he has traveled back and forth from his home base to Arlington Park, where he won the Grade 3 American St. Leger at 1 11/16 miles, and to Kentucky Downs, where he was beaten a head by fellow Canadian International contestant Oscar Nominate in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles.
“It was a good race,” said Graham, of Postulation’s latest effort “When you get to this level, I think the playing field is pretty even. It can be the horse with the best trip.”
Graham, who has been training since 1999, was going about his business in relative obscurity when Hardest Core upset the Grade 1 Arlington Million in 2014. Hardest Core raced in the name of Andrew Bentley, son of Postulation’s owners.
EARLY LOOK AT E.P. TAYLOR FIELD
The field for the $500,000 E.P. Taylor (Grade 1) Stakes is taking shape with the following fillies and mares expected to contest the 1-1/4 mile supporting turf feature on October 15:
Horse – Owner – Trainer – Jockey
Apple Betty (IRE) – Allen Stable, Inc. – Claude R. McGaughey III – Joe Bravo Blond Me (IRE) – Mrs. Barbara M. Keller – Andrew Balding – Oisin Murphy Fourstar Crook – Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Gary Aisquith – Chad C. Brown – Javier Castellano Kitten’s Roar – Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey – Michael J. Maker – Jose Ortiz Nezwaah (GB) – Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum (Lessee) and Godolphin – Roger Varian – Andrea Atzeni Puca – Donegal Racing – William I. Mott – Joel Rosario Quidura – Gestuet Faehrhof – H. Graham Motion – Junior Alvarado Rainha Da Bateria – Lael Stables – Chad C. Brown – Julien Leparoux Via Firenze (IRE) – Haras d’Etreham – Mrs. Pia Brandt – Florent Geroux
RIVERS OF GOLD: BOOK SIGNING SLATED FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame will host the launch of “Rivers of Gold,” the most recent work of Muriel Lennox, author of international best-seller, “Northern Dancer: the legend and his legacy” on Sunday, October 15, 2017 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame at Woodbine Racetrack.
“Rivers of Gold” takes readers on a remarkable journey back in time to the headwaters of the most powerful genetic streams fuelling today’s great Thoroughbred champions. Along the way they will not only encounter extraordinary events and horses, but an often colourful cast of human characters.
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, located inside the west entrance of Woodbine Racetrack, honours the best in Canadian horse racing and celebrates the history of the sport in Canada. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the books at the event will benefit the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AVAILABLE LIVE ON TSN AND DIRECTV
The 80th edition of the Pattison Canadian International will be broadcast live in Canada on TSN5 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m ET with hosts Brian Williams and Jim Bannon being joined by Laura Diakun and Jason Portuondo.
In addition, U.S.-based racing fans can watch the broadcast in 4K on DirecTV channel 106.
The broadcast will include a feature honouring the late Penny Chenery annd highlighting why she decided to bring the great Secretariat to Woodbine in 1973 for his final race.
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