HAPPY TUESDAY – From Woodbine, to France, to British Columbia, Fort Erie and Manitoba, THOROUGHBLOG has got all the news bits to keep you up to date! BIOFUEL will pass on Breeders’ Cup, Alberta rider coming to Woodbine…get in the game with THOROUGHBLOG – advertise today!!
(PHOTO FROM A PREVIOUS WIN, WWW.HORSE-RACES.NET)
WHOOSH, BIOFUEL WINS AGAIN
but likely retired for season
BIOFUEL went out of 2010 on a high note with another breathtaking rally to win the Grade 3 Selene Stakes sunday at Woodbine. She never lost at Woodbine this year and placed twice in Grade 1’s in the U.S. She seems the front ruNner by a good margin fOR HORSE OF THE YEAR honours in canada and certainly has wrapped up champion 3yo filly honours.
What followed after the race in interviews with the press was surprising, however:
“That’s it, she’s done (for this year), said trainer Reade Baker.
Of course it will ultimately be up to owner Brereton Jones whther the filly races again this year but the competition for the Ladie’s Classic is sure to be out of the reach of Biofuel, who ran a 93 Beyer Figure in her win yesterday.Blind Luck, Zenyatta, Rachel A. and others….figure to be too much for this gal at this point.
Baker wants to unwind the filly and then gear her up for next season.
The Canadians elsewhere on the weekend were not disgraced – GOLDEN MOKA was 5th beaten just over 3 lengths in the Super Derby and gosh, if he ran once more in Canada, and ran well, hne could be champion 3yo colt in a weak division.
We saw Hotep and Big Red Mike hit the skids in the Ontario Derby while STORMY LORD, a grasser, was a decent 3rd in the Grade 3 Kent with a career best 93 Beyer Figure. The chestnut fellow for Kinghaven Farms and partners made all the running and was
only beaten a length.
BREEDERS’ CUP NOV. 5 AND 6
Canadians that could be there:
ROXY GAP
FATAL BULLET
ROCKIN HEAT
BEAR’S FUTURE
NEW NORMAL (Canadian trained)
EL BRUJO (Canadian-bred)
2010 Hot Canadian-bred Runners
1. EL Brujo (106)
2. Sterwins (103)
3. Rahy’s Attorney (95)
4. Miss Blakely (98)
5. Almost Time (95)
6 Essence Hit Man (100)
7. Grand Adventure (105)
8. Smokey Fire (103)
9. Society’s Chairman (95)
10. Impossible Time (92)
11. Roxy Gap (89)
CANADIAN-BRED MISS BLAKELY BEATS HOOH WHY
Adena Springs’ bred MISS BLAKELY ran a 98 Beyer Figure in a stakes win on Saturday at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa. The Smart Strike gal put herself right up the list for top the Canadian-breds this year.
H.B.P.A. S., $100,200, PID, 9-25, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m70y
(AWT), 1:40 4/5, ft.
1–MISS BLAKELY, 115, f, 4, Smart Strike–A Bit
Special (GB), by Rahy. ($25,000 2yo >08 ADNMAR).
O-Capitol Hill Thoroughbreds & Team Five Star
Stable; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-Joseph F Orseno;
J-Daniel Centeno; $60,000. Lifetime Record:
17-6-1-4, $260,500.
2–Hooh Why, 115, f, 4, Cloud Hopping–Magic Merger,
by Corporate Report. O-Derby Daze Farm Inc,
Mark Hoffman & Earl Trostrud. $20,000.
3–Unforgotten, 117, m, 6, Northern Afleet–Forgotten
Secret, by Secret Slew. O-Robert A Adams. $10,000.
Margins: HF, 5 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 6.00, 1.80, 7.30.
GOLDEN MOKA, in Super Derby, Steve Queen photo
ARC PREVIEW
Sunday’s big race
from Press Association:
Connections of Youmzain are more than hopeful the veteran can better his second place in each of the last three runnings of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he returns to Longchamp on Sunday.
The string of near-misses by Mick Channon’s stable stalwart began in 2007 when he only found Dylan Thomas too good by a head, while Zarkava got the better of him in 2008 and Sea The Stars proved himself a real champion last year.
With no Sea The Stars in the field this time, there is an air of confidence in the Youmzain camp – added to the fact that Richard Hughes, who was in the plate three years ago, has been booked for the ride.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Youmzain’s owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “Richard is very much looking forward to riding Youmzain and if he were to run as well as he has in any of the last three Arcs we think we can win.”
Youmzain is a 16-1 chance to be only the second seven-year-old in history, after Motrico in 1932, to win the Paris showpiece.
CAPE BLANCO GOES FOR BALLYDOYLE..
from www.telegraph.co.uk, by Hotspur
Aidan O’Brien books Christophe Soumillion for Cape Blanco in Arc
The growing confidence behind the Ballydoyle ‘second string’ Cape Blanco can be gauged by a move from the Irish stable to secure Christophe Soumillon for the colt in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamp.
ODDS FROM SKYBET.COM
* Behkabad
3/1 SP
* Horse: Workforce
5/1 SP
* Horse: Fame And Glory
5/1 SP
* Horse: Planteur
5/1 SP
* Horse: Cape Blanco
7/1 SP
* Horse: Sarafina
8/1 SP
* Horse: Youmzain
14/1 SP
* Horse: Duncan
20/1 SP
* Horse: Nakayama Festa
25/1 SP
* Horse: Plumania
25/1 SP
* Horse: Goldwaki
33/1 SP
* Horse: Cavalryman
33/1 SP
* Horse: Byword
33/1 SP
* Horse: Victoire Pisa
40/1 SP
* Horse: Jan Vermeer
66/1 SP
* Horse: Lope De Vega
16/1 SP
MEANWHILE, FRANKEL THE COLT GETS HUGE TIMEFORM NUMBER..
Timeform rate Frankel’s win in the Royal Lodge Stakes as “one of the best performances from any juvenile in recent years”.
They now have Henry Cecil’s unbeaten colt on 129p, making him their highest-rated 2yo in Europe since Xaar in 1997 (132).
To further put this into recent historical context, New Approach was rated 127 after his juvenile campaign, while St Nicholas Abbey and Shamardal were awarded 126p.
Frankel still has some way to go to match the astonishing Timeform rating of 138 put up by Celtic Swing in winning the Racing Post Trophy by 12 lengths in 1994, but the world-renowned ratings organisation are in no doubt that they saw something “very special” on Saturday.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/10/09/27/manual_141252.html
ESPN POLL, 13,000 vote on favourite sports…
Rank ‘Em: Favorite sports
* (#1 Votes)Points
1 NFL (3,753) 228,305
2 College football (2,415) 208,470
3 MLB (1,277) 188,264
4 College basketball (539) 185,539
5 NBA (764) 172,621
6 NHL (393) 139,088
7 Horse racing (3,138) 116,321
* 8 Tennis (59) 112,625
* 9 MMA (195) 107,603
* 10 European soccer (414) 100,036
* 11 Boxing (57) 99,251
* 12 Track and field (32) 93,848
* 13 Extreme sports (14) 89,795
* 14 MLS (47) 83,191
* 15 NASCAR (57) 82,487
* 16 Swimming (25) 80,746
* 17 Beach volleyball (151) 78,263
* 18 Cycling (14) 58,853
* 19 IRL (13) 55,650
* 20 WNBA (7) 45,281
REGAL WIN IN B.C. DERBY – AT 40 TO 1!
LEADING JOCKEY RICHARD HAMEL PULLS MAJOR UPSET WITH 40-to-1 LONGSHOT MAJESTICALITY
Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 26/10) – When Hastings Racecourse leading jockey Richard Hamel asked Majesticality to switch gears and go to the outside, the 65th running of the BC Derby switched gears as well Sunday afternoon.
The 40-to-1 longshot provided trainer Barb Heads with her second career Derby title when Majesticality rallied from four wide, gained the lead at mid stretch and won by half a length over another long shot, Crew Leader.
“I was trying to find a way to get outside down the backstretch,” Hamel told a media scrum in the winner’s circle. “He slipped into the gear we needed … it was a great trip.”
Majesticality, a B.C. bred by Finality, for owners Mr. and Mrs. Russell J. Bennett, finished the 1 1/8 miles trip in a final time of 1:50.80 and paid $82.60, $40.30, $13.10. A $2 exactor ticket (8-4) paid $1,894.30 while a $2.00 triactor wager (8-4-1) returned $7,838.30.
Barb Heads was the winning trainer when Halo Steven won the 2006 BC Derby. “We never wanted to say Majesticality was our Derby horse because that’s the kiss of death,” Heads said in the aftermath of Sunday’s stunning victory.
Favourite Cherokee Notion with world leading jockey Russell Baze making a special guest appearance finished third. Baze had four mounts on the day and won the $50,000 Ascot Graduation aboard Too Much Dirt for trainer Craig MacPherson.
Baze, 52, had ridden five winners at Golden Gate Friday and Saturday prior to arriving in Vancouver early Sunday morning. Born in Vancouver, he has more career victories (more than 11,000) than any other rider in the world. He signed autographs for more than an hour before taking his first mount in the fourth, finishing third on Trick of the North.
ZENOVIT WINS B.C. OAKS
Vancouver, B.C. (Sept. 25/10) – Hastings Racecourse was a new challenge to Zenovit but the Emerald Downs regular looked right at home in winning the $75,000 BC Oaks at Hastings Racecourse Saturday.
With veteran Seattle jockey Kevin Krigger well in control, Zenovit gained the lead on the final turn and finished the 1 1/8 miles journey in a final time of 1:49.88. Zenovit, winner of the Washington Oaks at Emerald on Aug. 14, returned $7.10, $3.90 and $2.90f or owner Gerald Schneider and trainer Larry Ross.
The last horse to win both the Washington and BC Oaks was Ever Lasting, also trained by Ross.
“I saw a little opening on the stretch turn and took my shot,” Krigger said. “When I said ‘let’s go’, she responded.” Zenovit increased her career earnings to over $118,000. Schneider said he would be giving her the rest of the year off.
There were three other stakes races on the BC Oaks Day card. The upset of the afternoon was Dino Condilenios-trained Pigtails winning the Fantasy Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. With Isaias Cardenas aboard, Pigtails paid $39.70, $24.40, $7.10.
Favoured Summer Song ($2.60) won the Delta Colleen for fillies and mares with Mario Gutierrez in the irons while leading jockey Richard Hamel scored a win in the Derby Bar and Grill Ladies Express with Wind Storm, her fourth consecutive victory.
SHANNON BEAUREGARD HEADING TO WOODBINE
2nd in Northlands standings
The website www.thehorses.com reports that one of the track’s top riders, Shannon Beauregard, is heading to Woodbine after Thanksgiving to ride the last couple of months of the meeting. It will be her first trip to Woodbine.
STEVEN CRIST, DRF, AND HIS UNFORTUNATE WOODBINE – TORONTO JOURNEY
We should send his story to the city of T.O., enough with the traffic already!
http://www.drf.com/blogs/jammed-toronto
ASSINIBOIA WRAPS UP WITH INCREASES
Live racing ends with historic jockey race, increased wagering
Assiniboia Downs ended its 52nd season of live racing Sunday with the most exciting jockey race in its history and with increased wagering that bucked industry-wide trends.
Vicky Baze emerged as the leading jockey, the first time a woman has won the title at the Downs and racing history was almost made when another women jockey, Janine Stianson missed finishing second by only one win. Two female riders have never finished one two at any race track.
On the wagering side, on-track wagering went up by 6% compared on a race-to-race basis with last year. And, combined with bets from fans in other parts of North America, wagering declined slightly by .04 per cent. The total amount wagered was $8.9 million.
“It’s obvious that local patrons like our Wednesday, Friday, Saturday schedule that was implemented last year,” said Darren Dunn, director of operations and track announcer. Those who enjoy afternoon racing were able to do so, too, on holidays and on select Sundays.
Many other race tracks are not even reporting their on-track handle because it has been in freefall. Overall, there was a 7.8 per cent decline in wagering in the U.S. over the past year.
The reasons Assinbioia Downs is bucking industry trends? “Highly competitive racing thanks to good quality horses and a trainer and jockey colony with exceptional depth,” said Dunn. At one point during the season, there were 15 races in a row won by horses with different trainers. This is rare in the racing world.
“Innovative promotions have been a big part, too,” Dunn said. That has included various contests, money-machine madness and freeroll poker after live racing, leading to a trip to the World Series of Poker. A big event will happen this Wednesday when Downs patrons are treated to the world premiere of the Secretariat movie followed by a reception. The Downs also appears to be the only race track anywhere that emails a weekly “racing and fun stuff” column called The Insider to thousands of its fans.
Three jockeys were locked in a furious battle right down to the wire: Vicky Baze, 45., Janine Stianson, 27, and last year’s leading rider, Larren Delorme, 25.
Going into Sunday afternoon’s final card, Baze had 69 wins, Stianson 67 and Delorme 66. When the dust had cleared Vicky had increased her lead to 71, Delorme charged into second with 68 and Stianson remained at 67.
Baze, had previously won four riding titles in Washington state. Delorme made a predictable last minute rush, getting two wins Sunday. However, he could not recover from the ground he had lost in the standings when he had been suspended for six days.
FORT ERIE LEADBOARD
Trainers
Nicholas Gonzalez 190 38 32 34 $469,723
John Simms 189 25 17 22 $244,553
Lyle Morden 109 14 16 12 $178,347
Marilyn G. McMullen 97 14 8 14 $143,418
Michael Newell 142 13 18 16 $160,697
Justin J. Nixon 42 13 8 7 $131,218
Layne S. Giliforte 53 12 3 4 $101,455
Daryl G. Ezra 82 11 14 13 $131,288
Howard Keen 130 10 11 10 $141,451
Jockeys
Krista Carignan 429 73 75 62 $826,136
Real E. Simard 354 50 33 52 $545,583
Christopher Griffith 319 43 44 41 $491,176
Francine Villeneuve 217 34 33 28 $384,510
Brian A. Cheyne 242 31 32 32 $345,922
Melanie Pinto 210 29 25 31 $328,621
Anthony Stephen 163 28 18 26 $593,630
Rui M. Pimentel 153 22 22 22 $287,194
Mike Mehak 259 21 32 26 $275,771
ALBERTA PURCHASES AT KEENELAND
from www.thehorses.com
2010 September Yearling Sale – Keeneland
Riversedge Racing Stable – 5 purchases – $182,000
More Than Ready-Luna Felina – colt, $45,000
Tale of the Cat-Merry Mary – filly, $32,000
Broken Vow-Smokey Diplomacy – colt, $75,000
Broken Vow-Weekend Kaper – filly, $20,000
Proud Citizen-Deputy Princess – colt, $10,000
Don Dimma – 5 purchases – $128,000
Lawyer Ron-Picnic Theme – colt, $35,000
Bluegrass Cat-Racetothealtar – colt, $32,000
Half Ours-Ermelinda – filly, $25,000
Latent Heat-Relaxing Green – filly, $25,000
Discreet Cat-Picco Bello – filly, $11,000
Mike Vanin, agent – 2 purchases – $110,000
Gone West-Duet – filly, $40,000
Roman Ruler-Kick’em Jenny – colt, $70,000
Cory Wagner/Affirmed Investment – 1 purchase, $50,000
Successful Appeal-Affairs of State – colt
Terry Hamilton – 4 purchases, $190,000
Roman Ruler-Baby Jinx – colt, $75,000
Corinthian-Flirtatious Miss – colt, $40,000
Artie Schiller-Heaven’s Gate – colt, $35,000
Artie Schiller-Sister Baby – colt, $40,000
Dr. Simon Hudy – 1 purchase, $50,000
Grand Slam-Blue Sky Baby – colt
Bear Stables – 1 purchase, $35,000
Sky Mesa-All the Stars – colt
Rick Wiest – 1 purchase, $8,000
More Than Ready-Queen’s Court – filly
Bill Dory – 1 purchase, $17,000
Bob and John-Misty Halo – filly
Don Mazepa – 1 purchase, $10,000
Songandaprayer-Golden Roses – colt
John Hansen – 2 purchases, $29,500
Milwaukee Brew-Everything Good – filly, $22,000
Macho Uno-Madame Pietra – colt, $7,500
