SEND IN YOUR YEARLING PICTURES – STARTING TOMORROW WE WILL FEATURE YEARLINGS COMING UP IN THE SALE NEXT MONTH!
NOTACLOUDINTHESKY won the Nandi Stakes under wraps for leading owners Donver Stable. The Weather Warning filly is from the first crop of an Ontario sired who was shipped off to New Mexico earlier this year. Norm Files photo
HARBOURING THOUGHTS
The Poly, dirt and turf particles have all settled on another Canadian Triple Crown and the series proved that PENDER HARBOUR is the leading 3-year-old male horse in the country right now. It is quite a story that this large gelding, strong and powerful, has risen so fast to the top after udergoing knee chip surgery last winter. He was not thought to make the Plate earlier this year and was in fact not made eligible for the race at the May 1 payment.
But a good run int he Victoria Park led to a strong run in the Plate and then two ‘rich noses’ that collected purses in excess of $1 ,000,000 fo rthe Alberta clippers – Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Bob and Robert Giffin. What a story.
Mike DePaulo and his team got the son of Philanthropist – Uproar, by Hail the Ruckus to over $850,000 in earnings. He cost just $17,000.
He is a half brother to Muskoka Stakes winner Silent Course and his 2nd dam produced the dam of Hippolytus, who was 2nd in the Plate.
The Upraor family is that of MOON MIST, MISS HYPERION and others from the famed Gardiner Farms bloodlines.
PENDER HARBOUR is one of the few recent Triple Crown race-winners to go on and do something big (in the last few years) and let’s hope he gets a nice rest now before a fall campaign.
Congrats to GAIL WOOD and her Woodlands Farm team for the care of the double Classic winner.
The gelding’s last 2 Beyer Figues were 93 for the Wales and 89 for the Breeders’.
Pender Harbour on the outside of CELTIC CONVICTION, who ran the race of his life to just miss for Duar Racing and Mike Doyle. That gelding was later dq’d for wiping out Crown’s Path in late stretch. Norm Files photo
TORONTO STAR HORSE RACING PAGE…with recent stories
http://www.thestar.com/sports/horseracing
IT’S YEARLING TIME!
Saratoga’s select gets off to rousing start
The yearlings were popular last night at Saratoga and the average was up nicely for the first session.
The first Curlin sold for $450,000 and offspring of Bernardini and Medaglia d’Oro are hot.
Canadian buyers were…
103 C BROKEN VOW COPELAN’S ANGEL GAINESWAY AGENT MARK CASSE, AGENT $440,000
104 C TAPIT CUTE COGNAC EATON SALES AGENT DONVER STABLE $357,000
109 F HARD SPUN DIAPHANOUS MILL RIDGE SALES AGENT ADENA SPRINGS $260,000
118 C RAVEN’S PASS FAIRY PRINCESS WARRENDALE ls, ag FOR WHITECHURCH BLK LLC DONVER STABLE $210,000
146 C INDIAN CHARLIE KOKADRIE WOODFORD THDS/CLOVERLEAF FARMS II MARK CASSE, AGENT $550,000
Three Canadian-breds offered were:
$110,000 105 (Bernardini filly) – sold to Team Valor
NOT SOLD 119 (Awesome Again filly)
NOT SOLD 144 (Candy Ride filly)
BOB GIFFIN’S VIEW OF WINNING BREEDERS’
from National Post:
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/08/07/contreras-makes-history-aboard-pender-harbour/
PHIL JONES
A friend of the racing media for many years. Phil will be missed:
After a courageous battle with cancer, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phil Jones in his 80th year on Saturday, August 6th, 2011.
Phil leaves behind his beloved wife Inger, his loving children Stephen (Lynn), Linda, Jennifer (Andy) and their three boys, his grandchildren Philip and Amanda, and his brother Ralph (Jan) and their three children.
A quiet memorial service will take place at 5:00pm August 14, 2011 at Nashville Community Church in Kleinburg.
If desired, donations can be made to Bethel House Hospice Caledon at http://www.hospicecaledon.ca/ 905-951-3534 for the loving care and support they were so gracious to provide.
HEADING INTO DAY 82 AT WOODBINE
JOCKEYS
1 Luis Contreras 540 119 97 75 $7,027,444 22% 291 54%
2 Patrick Husbands 399 92 52 63 $4,759,331 23% 207 52%
3 Eurico Rosa Da Silva 463 84 77 65 $3,955,941 18% 226 49%
4 Emma-Jayne Wilson 405 57 64 47 $3,013,012 14% 168 41%
5 Tyler Pizarro 299 44 35 36 $2,515,437 15% 115 38%
6 Justin Stein 304 42 51 34 $2,078,620 14% 127 42%
7 Omar Moreno 311 31 42 41 $1,551,702 10% 114 37%
8 James McAleney 213 29 18 25 $1,621,735 14% 72 34%
8 Emile Ramsammy 290 29 27 30 $1,598,497 10% 86 30%
10 David Clark 196 28 29 23 $1,557,468 14% 80 41%
TRAINERS
1 Mark E. Casse 278 63 39 38 $3,669,856 23% 140 50%
2 Reade Baker 147 30 22 14 $1,663,114 20% 66 45%
3 Sid C. Attard 134 24 25 23 $1,674,639 18% 72 54%
4 Steven M. Asmussen 106 23 21 14 $710,104 22% 58 55%
5 Robert P. Tiller 137 20 22 19 $1,075,280 15% 61 45%
6 Josie Carroll 82 19 6 8 $1,928,512 23% 33 40%
7 Laurie Silvera 106 16 14 14 $703,757 15% 44 42%
7 Scott H. Fairlie 119 16 15 23 $594,885 13% 54 45%
9 Michael J. Doyle 142 15 15 13 $924,083 11% 43 30%
10 Roger L. Attfield 86 14 14 19 $1,212,448 16% 47 55%
10 Ralph J. Biamonte 63 14 12 9 $874,918 22% 35 56%
10 Sam Di Pasquale 89 14 18 10 $614,028 16% 42 47%
10 Terry Jordan 48 14 6 6 $582,212 29% 26 54%
10 Michael V. Pino 51 14 12 7 $351,947 27% 33 65%
OWNERS
1 Donver Stable 31 9 0 2 $1,323,406 29% 11 35%
2 Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. 43 19 5 2 $1,106,592 44% 26 60%
3 Bear Stables, Ltd. 95 21 8 7 $1,028,216 22% 36 38%
4 Stronach Stables 62 11 14 9 $746,286 18% 34 55%
5 Sam-Son Farms 41 6 1 5 $508,301 15% 12 29%
6 Norseman Racing Stable 29 5 7 6 $484,081 17% 18 62%
7 Andrews, D., Lazaruk, S. and Giffin, Rob and Roberta 4 1 0 1 $426,602 25% 2 50%
8 Robert Smithen 8 2 3 2 $404,381 25% 7 88%
9 Tucci Stables 54 7 12 14 $354,980 13% 33 61%
10 Windhaven 30 3 5 2 $322,200 10% 10 33%
ONE WILD STORY ABOUT A MYSTERY AD IN THE DRF
and TVG hosts get report wrong on who placed it…
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/07/advertisement-daily-racing-form-promotes-valenzuel/
FIJI BOY Takes the Andy Passero Memorial Cup
The second running of the Andy Passero Memorial Cup took place Tuesday evening at Fort Erie Race Track. A field of ten colts and geldings travelled a mile and a sixteenth for a purse of $30,000 over a track listed sloppy.
The sentimental choice was Worth a Punt, a four year old gelding trained by Nick Gonzalez and owned by M.A.D. Racing Stable, a partnership in which Andy Passero had belonged to. Fresh off of his own Triple Crown victory, jockey Luis Contreras came in from Woodbine to ride.
After an even break, Working Man Blues, under Mike McMullen took the early lead while Worth a Punt sat in a tracking position but quickly moved up to take control of the field at the half mile mark. As the runners approached the top of the stretch a game and determined Working Man Blues kicked back into gear and once again was in control as the field turned for home but the others were starting to gain ground. Moving to an outside path was the eventual winner Fiji Boy ridden by Garry Cruise. “My horse broke keen and I was able to get him to relax,” explained the jock. “We swung out and I knew I had it. It was a perfect trip and he ran huge.”
The five year old son of Devil His Due won the race by a neck over a stubborn Working Man Blues. There was a dead heat for third between the closers Pure Rey and Parabola.
Owned by Charles Surgenor, Fiji Boy had been sprinting for most of the season and was stretching out of the first time this year. He handled the distance with ease and the off going was a non issue. “We were hoping for rain and we got it,” said trainer Mel Widenmaier.
Fiji Boy stopped the clock in 1:45.1 and returned $43.10 to win, $17.10 to place and $9.80 to show.
BREAKFAST CLUB, SANS EMILIO, MOLLY
Horse lovers and racing fans alike were treated to a wonderful event on Sunday at Fort Erie Race Track. The popular promotion known as “The Breakfast Club” was brought back after a 25 year absence.
The event began at 8:30 in the morning and offered fans a chance to enjoy a breakfast buffet at the trackside Tiki Bar while watching and learning about morning training for the Thoroughbreds.
“We truly loved it,” said Theresa Walker of Fort Erie. “Watching the horses train is a beautiful sight.”
Many horse people stopped by the Tiki Bar to visit with fans and some even stopped by on horseback to give fans a chance to get up close and personal with the equine athletes. Jockey Francine Villeneuve and trainer Claudia Rabstein took time out of their busy morning to speak with racing analyst Elissa Blowe. They discussed the process of training and talked about their lives and careers in the racing industry.
The seminar was informative and fan friendly covering topics such as equipment, gate training, workouts and the origin of the Thoroughbred.
The Breakfast Club will continue every Sunday throughout the month of August. The $6.00 breakfast buffet includes a free program. The event begins at 8:30 am and runs until 10 am.
Live racing continues at Fort Erie until November 1st. August will be the final month of Twilight Racing. Post time on Sunday is 12:45 with Monday’s and Tuesday’s beginning at 4pm.
Parking and admission are always free.
MILLION REASONS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT SATURDAY RACING!
Saturday, Arlington Park, post time: 6:15 p.m. EDT
ARLINGTON MILLION XXIX-GI, $1,000,000, 3yo/up,
1 1/4m T
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Rahystrada Rahy Russell Hughes 12-1
2 Tajaaweed K Dynaformer Graham Peitz 12-1
3 Dean’s Kitten Kitten’s Joy Leparoux Maker 30-1
4 Zack Hall (Fr) Muhtathir Soumillon Delzangles 10-1
5 Gio Ponti K Tale of the Cat Dominguez Clement 2-1
6 Proceed Bee K Bernstein Emigh Becker 50-1
7 Cape Blanco (Ire) Galileo (Ire) Spencer O’Brien 9-5
8 Mission Approved With Approval Espinoza Chatterpaul 6-1
9 Wigmore Hall (Ire) High Chaparral (Ire) Turner Bell 8-1
10 General Perfect Perfect Gomez Thompson 50-1
Saturday, Arlington Park, post time: 5:33 p.m. EDT
BEVERLY D. S.-GI, $750,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Stacelita (Fr) Monsun (Ger) Dominguez Brown 3-1
2 Check the Label Stormin Fever Leparoux Motion 20-1
3 Fantasia (GB) Sadler’s Wells Maragh Sheppard 6-1
4 Upperline Maria’s Mon Graham Stidham 20-1
5 Dubawi Heights (GB) Dubawi (Ire) Rosario Callaghan 10-1
6 River Jetez (SAf) Jet Master (SAf) Soumillon de Kock 4-1
7 Cheetah (GB) Tiger Hill (Ire) Gomez Clement 9-2
8 Pachattack K Pulpit Geroux Butler 10-1
9 Eclair de Lune (Ger) Marchand de Sable Alvarado McAnally 12-1
10 Romin Robin Pure Precision Santana Kassen 30-1
11 Never Retreat Smart Strike Bridghmohan Block 10-1
LETTER – GROOMS
Why doesn’t the TB & SB have a program like the QH? The Groom One Certificate promotes educated, dedicated, and skilled employable grooms in the Racing Industry.
I just Completed my Phases and have my Groom Certificate. I did not go thru “Pathway”, (which is QH-read below about program) because I want to work with “Thoroughbreds.
I wish TB & SB owners/trainers would look into hiring Grooms thru the University of Guelph- Equine Groom One Program. Gayle Ecker is in charge of the program.
To get a Groom Certificate, you must complete the 4 Phases, thru U of G. Currently, ONLY the Quarter Horse industry have a program which has benefits for the Employer & the Groom One student. Called: Pathway to Employment and Education Program.
http://www.facebook.com/l/0AQD0hjpzAQDKFO62hZhPxehgrWbWN984kIOd78DyIxUu7g/www.equineguelph.ca (then type in Groom One).
B. McDonald