Woodbine get ready – DENNIS RODMAN is on his way! The Hall of Fame basketball player and, well, all ’round interesting guy, will be the guest drawmaster for the CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL on Thursday out in the Woodbine tent.
Rodman, who has attended the Kentucky Derby and recently celebrated his 50th birthday in Montreal, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this summer.
COSMOS IS COMING!
Canadian Internional EP Taylor in flux
Less than a week before the post position draw for the $2 million CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL and everything is up in the air as far as news on who will be coming for the big race.
The list of major contenders, should they run, gathered by Thoroughblog, look like such:
ARCTIC COSMOS»
b.c.4 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Fifth Avenue Doll(Marquetry)
Hood, Rachel and Geffen, Robin John H. M. Gosden
CELTIC CONVICTION»
ch.g.3 by Strut the Stage(Theatrical (IRE)) – All My Lovin'(Cat’s Career)
Dura Racing & M.J.Doyle Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
CENTER DIVIDER (also nominated to 1 1/8 mile Knickerbocker)
ch.c.4 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Meridiana (GER)(Lomitas (GB))
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Amerman Chad C. Brown
CITRUS KID (also nominated to 1 1/8 mile Knickerbocker)
dk b/.c.4 by Lemon Drop Kid(Kingmambo) – Orange Ice(Ginistrelli)
Golden Goose Enterprises LLC, James Covello, Michael Imperio and Kacy Noble John P. Terranova, II
JOSHUA TREE (IRE)
b.c.4 by Montjeu (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Madeira Mist (IRE)(Grand Lodge)
Mr. K. K. al Nabooda and Mr. R.A. Albahou Marco Botti
KARA’S ORIENTATION»
dk b/.c.4 by Orientate(Mt. Livermore) – Crissy Aya(Saros (GB))
Max Berketa & Pinnacle Racing Steven Chircop
LAUREATE CONDUCTOR»
b.h.5 by Bernstein(Storm Cat) – Lavender Baby(Rubiano)
Bear Stables Ltd. Michael P. De Paulo
MEEZNAH»
b.f.4 by Dynaformer(Roberto) – String Quartet (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells)
Saif Ali and Saeed H. Altayer David Lanigan
MORES WELLS (GB)»
b.h.7 by Sadler’s Wells(Northern Dancer) – Endorsement (GB)(Warning (GB))
Mrs. C. O’Flynn Mikel Delzangles
MUSKETIER (GER)
gr/ro.h.9 by Acatenango (GER)(Surumu (GER)) – Myth and Reality (GB)(Linamix (FR))
Stella Perdomo Roger L. Attfield
QUEST FOR PEACE (IRE)»
b.c.3 by Galileo (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Play Misty For Me (IRE)(Danehill Dancer (IRE))
OTI Racing Luca M. Cumani
RAHYSTRADA»
ch.g.7 by Rahy(Blushing Groom (FR)) – Ministrada(Deputy Minister)
Robert E. Courtney, Jr. Byron G. Hughes
REDWOOD (GB)»
dk b/.h.5 by High Chaparral (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Arum Lily(Woodman)
Juddmonte Farms Charles Hills
SARAH LYNX (IRE)
b.f.4 by Montjeu (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Steel Princess (IRE)(Danehill)
Mrs. Robert G. Ehrnrooth John E. Hammond
SIMMARD»
ch.h.6 by Dixieland Band(Northern Dancer) – Dibs(Spectacular Bid)
Roger Attfield and William Werner Roger L. Attfield
from Racing Post….
Last year’s St Leger winner Arctic Cosmos made his return from injury in Ascot’s Group 3 Cumberland Lodge and finished a more-than-respectable second to Quest for Peace. Conditions were quick enough for the John Gosden-trained four year-old, who made the majority of the running and was briefly lit up when Yaseer carted Tadhg O’Shea into the lead.
Gosden has said that the Canadian International is the next target for Arctic Cosmos after this pleasing return, where he could reoppose his Ascot conqueror, Quest for Peace, who was making his debut for Luca Cumani after being bought out of the Aidan O’Brien yard.
Quest For Peace stepped up on the form os his listed success in Ireland and looks one to keep on progressing, with either the Canadian International or the St Simon Stakes at Newbury next on the agenda.
ARCTIC COSMOS, St. Leger winner, photo from Press Association
WEEEEEEEEE, Canadian=trained and ridden gal at Keeneland today!
LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL STORY
by Jennie Rees
In naming his unbeaten 2-year-old filly Tu Endie Wei — one of the favorites in today’s wide-open $400,000 Darley Alcibiades on opening day at Keeneland — former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones reached back to a history lesson from his youth in West Virginia.
Tu Endie Wei (pronounced Too WEND-a Wee) is out of Jones’ Airdrie Stud broodmare Ms. Cornstalk, who is a daughter of his stallion Indian Charlie.
Her name is Wyandotte Indian for the confluence of two rivers, in this case where the Kanawha River runs into the Ohio at Point Pleasant, W.Va. Chief Cornstalk was chief of the Shawnee tribe defeated by Virginia militiamen in a bloody battle in 1774, the site of which is commemorated by Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
Tu Endie Wei this week at Keeneland with owner/breeder Brereton Jones
Janis Maine photo
The English had … bribed him to attack the settlers in that area,” Jones said of Chief Cornstalk. “That is why you will find very, very few history books that center around that part of what is now West Virginia saying that was the first battle of the American Revolution. … When I started thinking about Indians, I started thinking about my history lessons when I was in public schools in West Virginia and the role Chief Cornstalk played.”
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111006/SPORTS08/310060093/Brereton-Jones-has-historical-feeling-about-his-filly?odyssey=nav|head
Friday, Keeneland, post time: 5:45 p.m. EDT
DARLEY ALCIBIADES S.-GI, $400,000, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m
(AWT)
PP Horse Sire Jockey Trainer Wt
1 Putthebabiesdown K Closing Argument Garcia McPeek 118
2 Flashy Lassie Flashy Bull Desormeaux Simms 118
3 Venetian Sonata Bernardini Castanon Helmbrecht 118
4 Tu Endie Wei Johar McAleney Baker 118
5 Sweet Cat K Kitten’s Joy Velazquez Pletcher 118
6 Egg Drop Alphabet Soup Talamo Mitchell 118
7 Stephanie’s Kitten K Kitten’s Joy Lanerie Catalano 118
8 New Wave K Tale of the Cat Leparoux Arnold II 118
9 And Why Not Street Cry (Ire) Gomez Matz 118
10 Frolic’s Revenge Vindication Leyva Wolfson 118
11 Heart of Destiny Lion Heart Prado Baker 118
12 Cheerleader Flashy Bull Theriot Calhoun 118
13 Tavern On the Bay Offlee Wild Mello Turner 118
14 Ann of the Dance English Channel Maragh DiVito 118
Also Eligible:
15 On Fire Baby Smoke Glacken Johnson Hartlage 118
EMBUR’S SONG in Spinster, NEVER RETREAT in First Lady
Sovereign Award possibilities for both gals as they compete at Keeneland this weekend
NEVER RETREAT has been the best older mare on turf at Woodbine and this multiple graded stakes winner could be Canadian Horse of the Year should she come through with another good run tomorrow at Keeneland. TEAM BLOCK’S mare just won the Canadian Stakes- Grade 2 on Woodbine Mile day.
Canadian-bred EMBUR’S SONG goes for a Canadian championship with a good run at Keeneland on Sunday. The fleet Fares Farm filly is a leading contender for championolder mare, female sprinter and who knows, even Horse of the Year should she run well in the 9 furlong Grade 1:
Sunday, Keeneland, post time: 5:45 p.m. EDT
JUDDMONTE SPINSTER S.-GI, $500,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m (AWT)
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT
1 Super Espresso K Medaglia d’Oro Leparoux Pletcher 124
2 Aruna Mr. Greeley Dominguez Motion 124
3 Tapitsfly Tapit Albarado Romans 124
4 Sugar Again Syncline Solis Sheppard 124
5 Stars to Shine K Tale of the Cat Buick Frostad 124
6 La Gran Bailadora K Afleet Alex Lanerie Maker 124
7 Embur’s Song K Unbridled’s Song Castanon Pletcher 124
8 Tesoro de Amor Medaglia d’Oro Leyva Kaplan 124
9 Dynazaper K Ghostzapper Prado Mott 124
10 Theyskens’ Theory Bernardini Dsrmeaux McGghey 121
11 Protesting A.P. Indy Velazquez McGghey 124
12 Pachattack K Pulpit Maragh Butler 124
13 Well Monied K Maria’s Mon Gomez Zucker 124
BEAR IT’S TIME IS CLASSY ‘N SMART
Bear Stables’ BEAR IT’S TIME (Philanthropy) powered wide and from off the pace to win Wednesday night’s CLASSY’ N SMART Stakes as the big favoruite. The sizy liver-chestnut was ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson for trainer Reade Baker.
Wilson found an equipment change made all the difference in allowing her to control the bountiful energy of the Bear Stables Ltd. charge.
“In the past races I’ve rode her, the Oaks and the previous start to this one (Eternal Search), she was a little sharp,” said Wilson. “We breezed her with a ring bit on and she seemed to manage quite well for me. Today going into the turn, she settled back for me, listened to me and I was in a great spot all the way throughout. It was just a matter of when I pulled the trigger.”
It was the fourth lifetime win for the Reade Baker trainee, three coming in added-money events, who earlier this year captured the Lady Angela and Bison City Stakes.
Bear It’s Time paid $5, $3.50 and $2.80, combining with Moonlit Beauty ($7.10, $4.70) for a $29.50 exactor. Megavella ($4.90) rounded out a triactor worth $163.70.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT WOODBINE
Much was made about favourites leading all the way early on Woodbine’s Wednesday night card – the WOODBINE LOVE show on The Score seevral times announced a strong inside speed bias and that horses trying to rally wide ‘had no chance’.
Of course the horses that won on the lead on the rail were mostly big favourites and if you fell into the trap of thinking there was a bias, you would have had trouble handicapping later in the card. From CONESTRELLAS to LOPILATO, the winners came from far back and off the pace and made for a good night for players of horses in good form and logical winners.
COMMENT SECTION
submitted this week to Thoroughblog – (not the opinion of this site necessarily)
www.about.com: Does this guy have a legitimate complaint?
http://forums.about.com/ab-horseracing/messages/?lgnf=y&msg=23613.1
He is suggesting the fix was in, Race 5 on Sunday.
THOROUGHBLOG – As written here on many other occasions, form reversals have been startling in recent weeks and there does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason to them. Meanwhile, the ORC is not helping us understand why horses go from last and double-digit drubbings to wins at big odds.
Fans can get easily tired of these dramatic form reversals, since they are plentiful…..THOROUGHBLOG invites the ORC to comment on these results, there have been so many (e.g. horses as favourites finishing last, or being pulled up and then galloped around, etc.).
US FANS GET 20 CENTS BETS FROM WOODBINE
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) today announced that beginning this Friday, October 7, it will now offer 20-cent minimum bets for the Pick-4 and Superfecta to its loyal and expanding fan base
in the United States.
Canadians have had access to fractional wagers on racing from Woodbine and Mohawk since 2005.
“One of the reasons we’ve seen increased pool size in the Pick-4 and Superfecta is the introduction of the 20-cent minimum bet,” said Greg Martin, WEG*s Director of Wagering Operations. “We’re pleased to now
be able to offer this to our customers in the United States. The American racing fan has shown interest in fractional bet offerings, so we worked hard to accommodate them.”
The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency and AmTote International were key partners with WEG in the development of the standards and software of the innovative foreign fractional wagering concept.
“The 20-cent base bet allows U.S. horse players another strategy option previously offered to only Canadian bettors,” said Martin.
The change is offered across all tote systems in the U.S., therefore available to Americans playing Woodbine-hosted pools, which include the current live Standardbred and Thoroughbred meets at Woodbine, the Mohawk
summer meet and the simulcasts of racing from Australia.
KEENELAND NOVEMBER
Ontario stallion DANCE TO DESTINY, champion COPININA and other local faces such as FREE FEE LADY, NICKI KNEW and NOBLE STRIKE ( dam of INGLORIOUS) are among the hundreds of entries in next month’s Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale.
Catalogue entries can be read at www. keeneland.com
