Jen's Woodbine Wrap Sept. 18-22, 2019; Two-Year-Olds shine

TOP WINNING BEYER SPEED FIGURES SEPT 18-22 CANADA

85 JEAN ELIZABETH – Sweet Briar Too Stakes

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84 CORDUROY ROAD

84 RED GIVEAWAY – Bull Page Stakes

84 AMALFI COAST – Ontario Damsel

84 PIONEER MAN

84 KAIGUN – Fort Erie

80 OWLETTE – Victorian Queen Stakes

Two-year-olds did a lot of fancy footwork at Woodbine last week with two stakes winners posting Beyer Figures at the top of the weekly list. RED GIVEAWAY, a son of Signature Red (Bernstein) romped in the Bull Page for Ontario sired colts and and gelding while the filly OWLETTE (Frac Daddy) won her second stakes race in the Victorian Queen.

*There were also some other interesting outings by youngsters last week including the debut win by FRANCO’S HONOUR on Sunday in a seven furlong turf race for $25,000 claiming. Starting from the widest post for owner and trainer Sandra Dominguez. this chestnut gelding was always close to the pace under Sahin Civaci and strolled to victory with a 56 Beyer Figure.

A $5,000 (US) purchase by Dominguez in June at the Ocala Two-Year-Old Open sale, the gelding is by Canadian stakes winner, sprint champ Field Commission and from the Thunder Gulch mare Haleyclaire.

Those who did a little digging into the pedigree of Franco’s Honour before his debut may have chased a little ticket on the juvenile who was 23 to 1. His dam is a full sister to millionaire Mystic Lady while second dam Diane Suzanne is a sister to major turf stars Fourstardave and Fourstars Allstar. Carole Hershe bred the gelding in Florida.

RIDEFORTHECAUSE, a 3-year-old filly from Sam-So farms who had not raced since her debut in July 2018, returned with a big race on Saturday, winning a maiden allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs on inner turf with a stirring stretch bid. Gail Cox trains the Candy Ride (Arg) homebred.

*Turf and pedigree handicappers will note that the 2-year-old SHOTNABEER became the first turf debut winner for Ontario sire Giant Gizmo after more than 90 starters. The filly, owned and bred by Mary Biamonte, was making her second career start and first on turf and Eurico da Silva rode her to win the $25,00 maiden claiming dash.

*New owners CRIMSON FIELDS STABLE, managed by David Dare, won its first race last week with the filly VICKIES RANSOME, trained by Andrew Smith. Crimson Fields is offering affordable racing partnerships and details will be available soon at Ontarioracing.com.

*Wednesday night, the Tucci family of Carlo and Lou, re-claimed their homebred DILLY DALLY DARBY following a win and reported on Twitter that the daughter of Old Forester was to be retired.

DA SILVA STILL LEADS JOCKEY RACE, CASSE leads Trainers

Eurico Rosa Da Silva is on top 103 to 99 in the jockey’s race at Woodbine over Rafael Hernandez. Kazushi Kimura has 87 wins as an apprentice and certainly is a strong contender for Eclipse Awards for top apprentice as well as the Sovereign Award.

Da Silva has announced his retirement at the completion of the season and he figures to go out with a bang given his determination. Also, he is the rider of El Tormenta who won the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile and is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 2.

MARK CASSE has a five-win lead in the trainer’s standings over Norm McKnight, who upset Casse last year in the standings.

Casse’s team has 62 wins this year at Woodbine over McKnight with 57 and Martin Drexler has 37.

CHIEFSWOOD STABLE leads owners with $1.49 in purse earnings. The farm has 25 wins and has a short lead in purses over Sam-Son Farms which has $1.40 in earnings.