BEAR’SWAY worked hard to win the Wando Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine in his first race of the year – WOODBINE PHOTO
BEAR FINDS RIGHT WAY TO WIN WANDO
The great Wando was honoured at Woodbine on Sunday with a little overnight stakes race that was thrilling and had plenty of intrigue from start to finish.
AMIS GIZMO was hammered down to even money by the fans based on his unbeaten record, albeit against Ontario sired/bred rivals last year. The field was not an easy group, however, and since Gizmo had to get in a race to start his Queen’s Plate preparations, there were reasons to look elsewhere if you were a bettor.
There were a pair of Conquest dudes, Plate contender Conquest Daddyo and $800,000 purchase Conquest Windycity who was visiting his 6th different racetrack in his 6th start and in Ontario after racing in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby only 29 days early.
It was the fast working BEAR’SWAY who drew attention as well, making his season debut for Bear Stables and trainer Reade Baker. Eurico da Silva getting the ride also made things interesting for bettors.
The $50,000 ‘short’ yearling purchase from a January sale at Keeneland in 2014, Bear’sway was eager out of the gate and him and Ais Gizmo threw it down through a quick 2nd quarter.
Galloping along on what was the better part of the track, Bears’way was then joined by Dragon Bay, an improving gelding from the Stuart Simon barn and it looked as if he might be be beaten.
But the colt battled battled and lunged to win by a head in 1:45.04, good for an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
A Kentucky bred by Tizway for the Repriced mare Grand Traverse Bay, Bear’sway had wintered briefly in Florida before coming to Woodbine in March. He had been 4th in the Display Stakes in his final outing as a juvenile.
There was plenty of action behind Bear’sway during the race with some of the other 6 rivals getting in each other’s way.
THATLOOKONYERFACE, a pretty chestnut gelding, raced erratically early in the 1 1/16 race as a 90 to 1 longshot and then checked out and off the rail down the backstretch when things got crowded with Conquest Windycity who moved inside of 2 rivals to pick up the pace. Later, Conquest Daddyo was checked out on the turn when Dragon Bay seemed to drift in. It was ‘Windycity’ who was the only horse to be disqualified after a lengthy inquiry.
More from Sunday
It sure looked as if the rail path was the best place to be on Sunday and there was virtually no horse closing ground through the stretch in most of the races.
Race 1- TOUCH THE CLOUDS won her career debut in this $10,000 maiden claiming dash at 5 furlongs for Colebrook Farms. The Marcavelly 3yo filly is trained by Ashlee Brnjas and was ridden by Luis Contreras.
Race 2- a maiden allowance, open, was won by inside speedster CONQUEST PERFECTLU, a beginner by Majesticperfection. The Maryland bred was a $145,000 purchase and he shrugged off a wide move by his entrymate Conquest Cyclone and then held on from an impressive PAPA ZULU, who rallied 4 wide.
The time of 59.59 was good for a 76 Beyer Figure, the 2nd highest number of the day.
Race 3- LARRY CAPPUCCITTI and the A & G Racing Stable had the first winner of the season with the Scat Daddy filly AUDRE’S ACES wore down the speed while well off the rail to win her maiden for $8,000 claiming.
Juan Crawford rode the filly who was making her first start since last November.
Race 4 – Pick 4 tickets tumbled to the ground when 22 to 1 LASSIE’S VICTOR overcame a bit of a slow start from the rail post, rushed to the lead and then kept on going to win this maiden allowance for Ontario sired rivals. This Victor’s Cry colt out of J D’s Lassie by Highland Ruckus raced just once in 2015 for owner/breeder craig Cameron – he was always last and beaten 23 lengths in an August maiden race.
Gail Cox sent out a vastly different horse for this race off Payson Park and Keeneland workouts.
Race 5 – First time starter KINKORA HEAT zoomed to the lead on the rail and won handily under Emile Ramsammy. This grey gelding by Latent Heat – Kinkora by Macho Uno, bred by 3480 Equine Ltd. was a $7,000 purchase as a yearling and he is owned by Maureen Hewitt-Topp and trainer Alan Desruisseaux. ‘Dougie’, as he is affectionately know, was prepped and trained since he was a yearling by Global Equine’s Saul McHugh and his team at Kelynack Stable in Milton, ON.
Race 6 – CONSORTTS RING, another beginner and another #1 horse, had a bad start but moved up the rail to duel for the lead in this maiden $20,000 event. She took back and went around into the stretch, winning off the rail for A Global Stable and trainer Darren Glennon. Dr. Ron House bred the grey 4yo by Where’s the Ring – Bold Consort by Bold Executive.
Luis Contreras rode.
Race 7 – a maiden allowance for Ontario sired guys went to NEIL’S DIAMOND under Justin Stein. This Where’s the Ring – Cherry Grove by Archers Bay gelding posted the day’s 2nd fastest Beyer Figure of 78 for his handy win after a dream trip. Owned, bred and trained by Franz Crean, Neil’s Diamond raced 3 times as a juvenile and was 3rd in the Clarendon Stakes.
Race 9 – You could tell by watching SUPER SARAH in her local return 2 weeks ago that 5 furlongs was simply not her thing. She stretched out to 6 1/2 furlongs for this allowance race and powered away in the 3 path from just off the pace to win for RCC Racing and trainer John Mattine. She is a Giant Gizmo filly bred by Kurt and Kathi Gsell in Ontario.
Race 10 – Big numbers in this race for $10,00 claimers as WAR FAN from the rail post, came from far back in the 3 path, 2 wide late on the turn and 3 wide into the stretch to win at 73 to 1. The son of War Cry, a 5 yo horse owned by Judith Smith and trained by Lorenzo Robinson, was a route horse last year but he was full of vim and vinegar to win this race under Jeff Alderson.
Wagering was a very solid $3.6 million for the day
KENTUCKY DERBY STUFF
MOHAYMEN -April 20 – Churchill Downs photo
This is a great site with THORO GRAPH SHEETS ON EACH DERBY CONTENDER…
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/derby-top-20/
KENTUCKY DERBY NOTES -FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS
GUN RUNNER, CREATOR ‘IDEAL’ IN MONDAY MORNING BREEZE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, April 25, 2016) – Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) contenders Creator and Gun Runner’s Monday morning breezes were “ideal” according to trainer Steve Asmussen, who sent both horses out for serious workouts during Churchill Downs’ special 8:30-8:45 a.m. training window, which is exclusive to possible starters in the Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks.
Gun Runner, a 4 ½-length winner of the March 26 Louisiana Derby (GII) at Fair Grounds last time out, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 with regular rider Florent Geroux in the irons. Working in company with stablemate Gold Hawk, the son of Candy Ride produced fractions of :12.40, :24.60, :36.40, :48.20, and :59.80 before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25 and one mile in 1:39.
Creator, who put in his first serious workout since a 1 ¼-length triumph in the April 16 Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn Park, went five furlongs in 1:02.40 with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. up. Churchill Downs clockers caught the son of Tapit in eighth-mile splits of :12.60, :25, :37.60 and :49.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.20 and seven furlongs in 1:28.80.
“Their works were ideal for what we think that they need,” Asmussen said. “I’m extremely proud of the shape that both of these horses are in going into the Derby. I think that our team has done wonderful with them; I’m very proud of the guys to get them in this position.”
Asmussen was looking for “more of a blow” with Gun Runner’s work Monday morning, which was his fourth breeze since his Louisiana Derby victory.
“We worked Gun Runner last Monday and me, [assistant trainer] Scott [Blasi] and Florent [Geroux] thought that he needed a little bit more,” Asmussen said. “Saturday they started the Derby break training; I think that the racetrack is not as tight, just freshly harrowed. We thought that we would get a blow out of him today and that’s exactly what we got out of the work.”
Three starts ago, Creator broke his maiden on the sixth attempt. Asmussen believes that the horse is beginning to develop nicely.
“Creator is coming around at the right time,” Asmussen said. “I really like his focus and how professional he’s been the last two to three weeks. We’re just trying to keep him in the rhythm that he was in between the Rebel and the Arkansas Derby. I was extremely pleased for him to maintain his focus as well as he did today with as much as there is to look at here the couple of weeks leading up to the Derby. I definitely think that he is turning into an excellent racehorse.
“I think pedigree wise he is getting good at the right time. He’s always been talented. He did lack some focus and Mr. [Kenny] Trout and Elliott [Walden] had all the patience in the world of letting him come around. Elliott always had the vision of him getting good when it mattered. The first couple of turf starts were his lack of speed early. I felt that talking with Elliott, we thought that it would not deter him from future racing, to just leave there and get covered up with dirt and not really know what happened. He said that they went the same path with Drosselmeyer. His first couple of races were on turf, hopefully it works out as well.
Asmussen discussed how different his Derby duo is in terms on training and running styles.
“They are definitely a compliment to each other,” Asmussen said. “Just speaking with Elliott after [Creator’s] work. As handy as Creator is in the morning and the way he goes to the pole and breaks out, it’s kind of surprising with his lack of speed coming from the gate, but it is very effective for him. We’re comfortable with that. That being said Gun Runner is a quick horse, extremely athletic and capable of being very close to any pace. The key with him is how he gets under the wire the first time. I think over half of the field is eliminated in the first quarter of a mile in the Derby.”
Also on the work tab for Asmussen were his five Kentucky Oaks (GI) hopefuls, all of which breezed five furlongs; Terra Promessa (1:02.80), Taxable (1:02.80), Royal Obsession (1:00), Nickname (1:00) and Adore (1:01.40).
“They are five very different fillies,” Asmussen said. “Terra Promessa and Taxable are very good company for each other as they had proved so in the [April 9] Fantasy [(GII) at Oaklawn Park]. I thought that they both ran very hard in their last race and did not want much from them. I thought that they handled really well, they were both very relaxed and traveled good, galloped out nice. Nickname and Royal Obsession both needed a little more this morning; they’re both bigger fillies and they’re both very talented. Adore is a very willing workhorse, a very good traveler and always on the bridle in the morning. I think with Songbird (being out) it opens the race to a new favorite so you’re just trying to imagine where everyone will be and that’s a bit of a guess.”
On the outside looking in, Adore sits at No. 20 on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 20 points.
NYQUIST bath image – he was captured at Keeneland by trainer READE BAKER who was stabled across from the Derby hope with Breaking Lucky – READE BAKER PHOTO
OTHER KENTUCKY DERBY NOTES
BRODY’S CAUSE/CHERRY WINE – The Albaugh Family Stable’s Brody’s Cause, winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) in his most recent start, jogged two miles after the morning renovation break under exercise rider Miguel Garcia for trainer Dale Romans.
Fifth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Brody’s Cause returned to the track for the first time since working five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Saturday.
Also jogging the same distance for Romans was William Pacella, Frank Jones Jr. and Frank Shoop’s Cherry Wine. Faustino Aguilar was aboard Cherry Wine, 25th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
DAZZLING GEM – Steve Landers Racing’s Dazzling Gem, 24th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, galloped after the renovation break under exercise rider Fernando Espinoza for trainer Brad Cox.
DESTIN/OUTWORK – Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Destin, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (GII) in his most recent start, was expected to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon from Palm Beach Downs, according to Jack Heissenbuttel, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Destin is eighth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Another Pletcher Derby hopeful, Repole Stable’s Outwork, arrived at Churchill Downs early Monday morning from Belmont Park. Outwork is fourth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
FELLOWSHIP – Jacks or Better Farm’s Fellowship, 21st on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, jogged in trainer Mark Casse’s first set Monday morning under exercise rider Brian O’Leary.
“He’ll gallop tomorrow and work Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather,” said Norman Casse, assistant to his father.
Fellowship had worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday.
LANI – Koji Maeda’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Lani jogged a half-mile and then galloped two miles under exercise rider Eishu Maruuchi after the renovation break.
Keita Tanaka, agent for the owner, said that Lani would work Wednesday morning and that jockey Yutaka Take would be in for the work.
Take rode in the 1995 Derby, finishing 14th on Ski Captain.
MAJESTO – Grupo 7C Racing Stable’s Majesto galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider J.J. Delgado aboard.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado (no relation), Majesto arrived at Churchill Downs on Friday after working a mile in 1:44.40 at Gulfstream Park West on Thursday.
Gustavo Delgado said Majesto would work Friday. No rider has been confirmed for the Derby on Majesto, who is 18th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
MOHAYMEN – Shadwell Stable’s Mohaymen galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider Miguel Jaime aboard.
Ninth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Mohaymen worked a half-mile in :46.80 last Wednesday with his next work slated for Friday, weather permitting, according to Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
MOR SPIRIT – Michael Petersen’s Mor Spirit, never worse than second in seven career starts, galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider George Alvarez aboard.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Mor Spirit arrived at Churchill Downs last Friday, a day after working five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Santa Anita. Mor Spirit, eighth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, jogged here Saturday and galloped Sunday.
Assistant Jimmy Barnes is overseeing the Baffert string that numbers 10 and will grow by five in the days ahead.
Jockey Gary Stevens stopped by the barn to look in on his Derby mount. Stevens has won the Derby three times, first with Winning Colors in 1988, then Thunder Gulch in 1995 and Silver Charm in 1997.
MO TOM – G M B Racing’s Mo Tom galloped after the renovation break under exercise rider Mario Garcia for trainer Tom Amoss.
Mo Tom, 20th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, is scheduled to work Wednesday or Thursday, depending on weather, according to Amoss. Amoss said the Uncle Mo colt would work at 7 o’clock on the chosen day.
Corey Lanerie has the Derby mount.
MY MAN SAM/SHAGAF – Trainer Chad Brown’s two Kentucky Derby hopefuls, My Man Sam and Shagaf, walked the shedrow Monday morning, a day after posting half-mile works.
Shadwell Stable’s Shagaf, 14th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, covered his half-mile in :48.40 and will be ridden in the Derby by Joel Rosario.
Sheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables and Jay Bligh’s My Man Sam, 17th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, worked his half-mile in :50.60 and will be ridden in the Derby by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Brown plans to remain in Louisville through the Derby.
“I will probably stay,” said Brown, whose main string has shipped north to Belmont Park. “I have 10 horses here now and more coming in.”
OSCAR NOMINATED – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Oscar Nominated, 13th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, jogged 1 ½ miles at the nearby Trackside Training Center under exercise rider Joel Cano.
Trainer Mike Maker plans to bring the son of Kitten’s Joy to Churchill Downs Friday and work Saturday. Oscar Nominated worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 at Trackside this past Saturday.
SUDDENBREAKINGNEWS – Samuel Henderson’s Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Suddenbreakingnews galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider Ramiro Gorostieta aboard.
Trainer Donnie Von Hemel said Suddenbreakingnews, 12th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, would work this coming weekend with weather holding the key to the day.
Luis Quinonez, who has been aboard Suddenbreakingnews in all eight of his starts, has the Derby mount.
TOM’S READY – G M B Racing’s Tom’s Ready jogged shortly after the track opened under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.
Trained by Dallas Stewart, Tom’s Ready had worked five furlongs in 1:01 on Saturday and Monday’s exercise was his first on the track since the breeze.
WHITMORE – Robert LaPenta, Harry Rosenblum and Southern Springs Stable’s Whitmore had a regularly scheduled walk day at trainer Ron Moquett’s barn.
Whitmore will be ridden in Derby 142 by Victor Espinoza. Espinoza will be attempting to become the first jockey to win three consecutive runnings of the race. Espinoza won in 2014 on California Chrome and last year with American Pharoah.
HISTORICAL STUDY OF ONTARIO SIRED/BRED RACING
