A strong card of racing at Woodbine for its sixth racing day had two track record-setting performances (maybe).
Races
The first European classic races were held April 30 and May 1 with exciting results in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The April 30 card of racing at Woodbine was an all-fillies day and the long-striding Beautiful Empire took the Star Shoot.
Fillies getting ready for the 148th Kentucky Oaks were busy at Churchill on April 29 while Derby contender Zandon wowed the crowd.
The 125th running of the six-furlong stakes race has lured half a dozen American shippers in the May 1 feature.
A field of 15 has been assembled for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, including the undefeated Native Trail.
The top 3-year-olds in America are going through their paces at Churchill Downs as they prepare for the Derby (G1) May 7 and Oaks, May 6.
The six-furlong Saturday feature at Woodbine marks the return of Sovereign Award finalist filly from Mark Casse barn.
One track from each province will be featured in the racing picks section of Canadian Thoroughbred, providing selections and some comments.
The 54-day meeting in Nisku, Alberta, features the $200,000 Canadian Derby (G3), part of a 'Derby double' with Woodbine.
The Irish connection had a big day on Sunday, April 24 over a Tapeta surface that was much quicker than the meet's first three days.
Saturday was a thrilling one for longshot players and almost every race on the day resulted in a double-digit payoff for a $2 wager.
A full field of 20 sophomores will be running for the roses in the $3 million Derby on May 7 and Milton, ON-born Messier is a contender.
Also at Keeneland, two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart runs out of gas and finishes sixth in the Grade 3 Ben Ali.
The $50,000 Welcome Back Handicap welcomes back 10-year-old Reconfigure to Ontario and field size improves.
