Sit back, curl up on the couch and watch racing this Saturday, March 21, as there is a lot to enjoy.
Gulfstream, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Tampa Bay among a few others are still in action under strict measures and thankfully, a weekend of racing can lift our spirits. Spring is coming, as is the warm weather (well, not yet in Ontario, but soon!).
Canadians are still busy in the US and on a big Fair Grounds card today that begins at 12 noon, a stakes-laden card includes some young Canadian-breds and some older, recognizable names.
Trainer JOSIE CARROLL starts the well-bred first time starter SANSA’S VOW in race 2, a 3-year-old full sister to the 2019 Prince of Wales and Breeders’ Stakes winner Tone Broke. Owned by NK Stable, Sansa’s Vow begins her carer in a race scheduled for 1 mile on the grass from post 3 at 12 to 1. From post 1 is Sam-Son Farms’ SATURDAY SUN, a half-sister to 2019 Woodbine Oaks winner DESERT RIDE. Saturday Sun makes her second career start for trainer Neil Howard.
Fair Grounds, Race 4 and Josie Carroll starts Larry Cordes’ homebred MIGHTY HEART (Dramedy) in a one mile turf race, a maiden allowance. The Ontario-bred is making his second career start and turf debut.
Speaking of DESERT RIDE, Sam-Son Farms’ filly makes her 4-year-old debut in race 8 at Fair Grounds, the $100,000 Tom Benson Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Desert Ride, by Candy Ride (Arg) not only won the Oaks last year but also the Wonder Where Stakes on turf.
The Grade 2 Mervin Munoz, a $300,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on the grass is race 10 and one of Canada’s favourite sons CHANNEL MAKER is in the field. Bred by Ivan Dalos, ‘ole Channel Maker has earned $2 million and is a Grade 1 winner by English Channel and he shortens up for trainer Bill Mott in this stakes event.
The LOUISIANA DERBY (G2) is worth a whopping $1 million and offers lots of Kentucky Derby points for the top finishers. The Kentucky Derby is not until September 5 now, but this is a big field of exciting 3-year-olds.
The picks from CT are all TAPIT oriented as sons of the great sire should do well in the 1 3/16 mile race – – PORTOS (#9) by Tapit, 8 to 1; #10 ENFORCEABLE and #4 CHESTERTOWN.
At GULFSTREAM – Race 7 – FLAWLESS BOURBON returns from a 10 month layoff for Charles Fipke and Roger Attfield. The very impressive maiden winner last spring at Woodbine tries a turf race off the layoff.
Race 9 is the MELODY OF COLORS Stakes at 5 furlongs on turf and Mike Ambler’s Ontario-bred filly TAKE CHARGE EH, trained by Nick Gonzalez, makes her 3-year-old debut and she has been working in quick times. The Will Take Charge filly was bred by Anderson Farms, John Fielding and partners.
Race 10 – CATHERINE DAY PHILLIPS sends out All My Hart Racing’s MUSN’T GRUMBLE in a 6 furlong allowance race on the dirt.
Race 11 – The TEXAS GLITTER STAKES has some good Canadian content. AYE AYE SIR, bred by Minshall Farms in Hillsburgh, ON, is 4 to 1 for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, while the Old Forester colt ROCKCREST is making his 3-year-old debut for owner Paul Mouttett and trainer Nigel Burke.
In race 12, MIKE DEPAULO will start DIFFERENTIAL in a $14,000 claiming race, seeking the barn’s second win of the season.
Other Canadians in action include trainer JULIE BELHUMEUR at Tampa Bay Downs and Norm McKnight in races 1 and 2 at Oaklawn.
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Here are some things you may have missed –
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