JOHN ROSS AND HIS HILL ‘N’ DALE-BREDS WIN AGAIN
ULTRAFLAME, 2nd stakes winner owned by John Ross, bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in 2 racing cards – MICHAEL BURNS pHOTO
LOKINFORPURSEMONEE (‘Blinky) was paraded as a yearling at the 2015 Hill ‘n’ Dale yearling show last August
Following LOKINFORPURSEMONEE’s win in the Victoria Stakes, an open 2-year-old stakes race, last Sunday, owner and trainer John Ross remarked on how he is keen on buying yearlings from the Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms consignment at the local yearling sale. The Silent Name (Jpn) colt who had just won for him, was making only his 2nd start and is the first foal from the mare Anne’s Purse, a stakes winner by Porto Foricos.
Ross bought the colt for $32,00 at the sale from Glenn Sikura’s consignment.
“I eyeballed him at the sales here and he was a beautiful looking animal. He’s bred by Hill ‘N’ Dale and they produce a beautiful horse,” said Ross. “He came to hand as a two-year-old fairly early. He’s a very smart horse, but what I really like about him is he’s so willing.
The Ross train rolled again on Wednesday night as another Hill ‘n’ Dale bred, ULTRAFLAME, purchased 2 years ago for $30,000 from the CTHS sale, won his first stakes race in the Deputy Minister.
The colt is 3 for 9 in his career now with earnings of $190,000.
The Deputy Minister, a seven furlong tilt for Ontario-sired sophomores, was the sixth attempt at winning an added-money event for the Old Forester bay after trying his luck in the Clarendon (5th), Simcoe (3rd), Frost King (2nd), Queenston (3rd) and Bold Ruckus (3rd.)
Sent to post as the 5-2 second choice in the Deputy Minister, Ultraflame secured position from his inside post in a field of five but was shuffled back after pacesetter Ruth Less Blue ducked in slightly coming out of the chute. Ruth Less Blue set splits of :23.28 and :46.05 under pressure from race favourite Songs and Laughter, with Wilson content to wait for racing room along the rail.
Aye Aye Captain and Conquest Cavalry launched menacing runs through the turn but when Ruth Less Blue faded off the rail in the turn for home, Ultraflame surged through and drew off to a 1 3/4-length score. Aye Aye Captain held second by a neck over Conquest Cavalry. Ultraflame covered seven furlongs in 1:23.71.
Wilson, aboard Ultraflame for the first time, was able to work out a good trip for the talented bay.
“The first eighth of a mile was a little tricky. We got settled into position and Michelle Rainford’s horse (Ruth Less Blue) ducked at the gap. It took a second to get reorganized and recalculated, but it was the trip I was looking to get,” said Wilson.
*Hill ‘n’ Dale offers a Stormy Atlantic bay filly from Anne’s Purse in the sale on Sept. 1. She is Hip no., 166.
More from Wednesday night –
Keeping with the Hill ‘n’ Dale theme, farm manager ERICKA RUSNAK celebrated her first win as an owner when SEIZE THE BAY (‘Spencer’) won a maiden race at 9 furlongs for $12,500 claiming under jockey Gerry Olguin. The son of Sligo Bay – Stormin Wife is a homebred for Rusnak and a full brother to graded stakes winner Paladin Bay, also bred by Rusnak. Seize the Bay is trained by Ian Howard.
DANIEL BIRTCH won his first race of the season with FORTIS, who rallied in time to win the $20,000 claiming race, the 8th event of the evning. Ridden by Fanny Crausaz, the 7-year-old is 2 for 20 in his career and he was dropping in class but was 14 to 1.
CANADIAN HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME TICKETS SELLING QUICKLY
The 40th Anniversary Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala Fundraising Dinner on August 3rd promises to be an evening of celebration as ten new members join the CHRHF, including Mark Casse, Dr. Michael Colterjohn, Daryl Wells, Dahlia, Wise Dan representing thoroughbreds. Standardbred inductees include John Ferguson, Yves, Filion, Bruce Johnston, San Pail and Odies Fame.
Held at the Mississauga Convention Centre, co-hosting duties for the evening will be shared by Jim Bannon, CHRHF member and Woodbine Entertainment Group Thoroughbred Racing Analyst, along with Greg Blanchard, Raceway Manager at the Raceway at Western Fair and former racing television commentator and will feature a cocktail reception, a fantastic auction lineup, a four course gourmet dinner and the Induction Ceremony.
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame acknowledges the generous sponsorship support of this year’s event: Event Sponsor – Ontario Horse Racing & OLG; Reception and Wine Sponsor – COSA; Guest Photography Sponsor – Ontario Standardbred Alliance Tracks and Woodbine Entertainment Group for producing the video tributes to each of the 2016 inductees. In addition we welcome Brooks Performance Horse Feeds for their sponsorship of a special award of honour to Norm Picov of Ajax Downs.
The evening’s agenda will also pay tribute to the history of the CHRHF and the first class of inductees in 1976, as well as 2016 Legend honourees Exterminator and Woodlawn Drummond . We will look back at two significant anniversaries – the 25th Anniversary of Precious Bunny’s amazing 3 year old racing season and the 50th Anniversary of Victorian Era being named Canada’s Horse of the Year.
The CHRHF Auction Chair and Planning Committee are putting the final touches on an impressive list of unique live and silent auction items provided by many generous donors and supporters. All proceeds from the auction will go directly toward helping the Hall of Fame recognize the achievements of those who have built and established the roots of horse racing in Canada.
Live Auction
• A four-course dinner for 4 prepared in the winning bidder’s home by John and Stefan Caterers and served by Hall of Famers Bill O’Donnell and Sandy Hawley. This once in a lifetime package also includes a case of wine provided by Penaflor of Argentina.
· Breeding season to Sligo Bay, donated by Adena Springs
· Box seats for 5 people at Saratoga Race Track (August 25 or 26) donated by Woodford Racing. This package also include passes to visit the National Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga, NY
· Breeding season to Old Forester, donated by Dermot Carty Equine Consultants and Bloodstock Agent
Silent Auction
• Play a round of Golf with Canadian and US Hall of Famer John Campbell
• Take In The Amazing Views during a one hour sightseeing helicopter ride for you and two guests, donated and piloted by Marv Chantler
• Starting gate experience packages at Woodbine and Mohawk, including dinner in the dining room.
• A pair of tickets to attend the 2016 Royal Horse Show, complete with an invitation to a pre-horse show VIP reception and the opportunity to walk a jumping course with the riders.
FEATURE IN TIMES UNION – SARATOGA
Nature of horse owners changing
Partnerships expand thoroughbred market beyond the very wealthy
By Mark Singelais Published 9:02 pm, Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Jay Geiger and Mike Repole are both faces of the changing nature of thoroughbred ownership, even though they’re in completely different tax brackets.
Geiger is the head athletic trainer at the University at Albany. He owns a small share of three racehorses as a member of West Point Thoroughbreds, one of the many partnerships that have introduced the little guy to the “sport of kings.”
“It allows the small-market person to get involved in the horse racing game,” said Geiger, a Troy High graduate. “Where you can play with the big boys, you know?”
Geiger jokes that he eats lot of macaroni and cheese to offset the cost of taking care of his horses. He said he and about a dozen partners chip in to own five to 10 percent of each thoroughbred.
Nobody needs to start a food drive for Repole, the former president and co-founder of Glaceau, maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater. He used his fortune to start a stable in 2005. Since then, his thoroughbreds have won more than 700 races, including the Travers and Alabama at Saratoga, and $31 million.
http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-sports/article/Nature-of-horse-owners-changing-8394097.php
40-DAY GULSTREAM WEST MEETING COMING UP IN OCTOBER – BUT DON’T GO!
Grandstand in mist of being torn down, Calder in shambles
By Bill Finley
There will be a 40-day meet at Gulfstream Park West, formerly Calder, beginning in October and concluding in November and, frankly, track management hopes you don’t show up.
In what has to be one of the odder situations in racing history, the old Calder grandstand is in the process of being torn down and the entire facility is in shambles. Yet, in order to keep its casino license, Gulfstream West must run a 40-day meet, one that is now operated by Gulfstream. The track is owned by Churchill Downs, but the racing is managed by Gulfstream owners, the Stronach Group. The Stronach team took over racing at Calder to help stabilize racing in South Florida.
Churchill management has not responded to inquiries concerning the decision to tear down the grandstand.
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/almost-a-war-zone/#.V5CxqrooUyc.facebook
WOODBINE STANDINGS (through Sunday July 17)
COMBOS – Current Meet Leading Trainer/Jockeys
Trainer/Jockey Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Win% $% Purses
M. Casse/P. Husbands 100 19 19 17 19 55 $1,551,857
R. Biamonte/E. Da Silva 23 10 2 2 43 61 $382,890
J. Carroll/L. Contreras 42 9 9 6 21 57 $875,050
K. Attard/E. Da Silva 32 9 6 7 28 69 $479,800
C. Day Phillips/E. Da Silva 21 9 3 2 43 67 $649,994
M. De Paulo/E. Da Silva 24 8 5 0 33 54 $639,914
R. Attfield/A. Garcia 16 8 0 1 50 56 $474,156
N. Gonzalez/E. Wilson 35 7 2 3 20 34 $257,556
N. Gonzalez/J. Campbell 49 6 6 6 12 37 $313,815
M. Casse/G. Boulanger 30 6 3 8 20 57 $404,165
LEADING OWNERS BY EARNINGS
Conquest Stables, LLC 55 12 7 12 $793,333
Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K. 5 1 0 1 $629,000
Dalos Ivan 22 3 4 0 $573,917
Stronach Stables 38 14 7 2 $535,173
Sam-Son Farm 34 7 8 6 $521,553
Barber Gary 27 3 7 5 $520,957
Chesney, Stephen and Hoffman, Cory S. 34 7 10 5 $452,429
LEADING OWNERS BY WINS
Owner Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Win% $% Purses
Stronach Stables 38 14 7 2 37 61 $535,173
Conquest Stables, LLC 55 12 7 12 22 56 $793,333
Bruno Schickedanz 50 10 6 7 20 46 $228,842
Colebrook Farms 83 7 12 6 8 30 $347,462
SChesney,CHoffman 24 7 10 5 21 65 $452,429
Sam-Son Farm 34 7 8 6 21 62 $521,553
Chiefswood Stable 53 7 6 9 13 42 $441,863
Joey Gee Thoroughbreds 43 7 4 4 16 35 $228,341
Charles E. Fipke 21 7 1 2 33 48 $404,122
Gustav Schickedanz 25 6 7 6 24 76 $408,664
