Trainer BEV CHUBB tests out Tapeta on one of her horses – Woodbine photo
TAPETA ERA BEGINS at Woodbine
3rd track in North America to have surface
A light and bright main track greeted Woodbine horses and humans on Friday morning when the track opened for training for the first time in 2016.
A brand new, fluffy, silent surface was underfoot and after one day, so far, so good.
Woodbine joins Golden Gate and Presque Isle as the track with Tapeta in North America. Meydan in Dubai had the surface until 2 years ago.
Below is a video from Woodbine about the first day of the surface:
MICHAEL DICKINSON – the Mad Genius
Will Dickinson race his horses at Woodbine where his Tapeta has no been installed? He has returned to training after 8 years (remember his iron horse DA HOSS?) so let’s see where he will race his horses in 2016.
Profile on Dickinson in Thoroughbred Daily News from August 2015
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/dickinson-announces-return-to-training/
Woodbine press release – Training on Woodbine’s brand new Tapeta main track commenced on Friday morning with 17 horses recording timed workouts over the cushion installed following the 2015 meet.
“We’ve had great feedback this morning from horsepeople after our first full training session over the Tapeta,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “It’s important for us to have a surface that will endure through hot and cold climates. We’re very much looking forward to opening day and unveiling the next generation of horse racing surfaces.”
Irwin Driedger, Woodbine’s Director of Thoroughbred Surfaces, oversaw the installation of the new synthetic main track, replacing the Polytrack surface which had been in place since August of 2006.
The installation started in November, at the conclusion of the 2015 meet, with the scraping of the former Polytrack cushion, before loading in more than 10,000 tonnes of Tapeta.
“It took about 600 truckloads of Tapeta. We had to level it off and make it nice and smooth and make sure we have the right amount of Tapeta in all the areas of the track,” said Driedger. “We’ve been working on it for the past two weeks to ensure that it is consistent. We’ve measured every ten feet with a prod, so we know we have the amount of material we’re supposed to have.”
Trainer John LeBlanc Jr., who gallops most of his own stock each morning, sent 12 horses out to train over the main track, on a crisp, but dry, morning.
“They’ve all taken to it really well. I’m very pleased with that,” said LeBlanc Jr. “There hasn’t been any kickback. Today was a good day for us to take our first time out over it. The temperature is just perfect. It’s not below freezing, the moisture is there and it’s tight. It was a great first day.”
Josie DePaulo, assistant and wife of trainer Mike DePaulo, took most of her barn to the new Woodbine main track to train.
“They’ve been training fantastic over it so far. There’s no kickback and they’re not sinking into it, they just seem to be floating over it,” said DePaulo.
DePaulo will be on a plane later this evening headed for Florida to watch [Robert Marzilli’s] multiple stakes winner Caren make her seasonal debut in Saturday’s Any Limit Stakes, at Gulfstream Park.
Caren won five of six starts last season including added-money scores in the Shady Well, Nandi, Victorian Queen and Princess Elizabeth Stakes. DePaulo is looking forward to trying Caren on the Tapeta as she preps towards the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser.
“So far, I’m thrilled with the Tapeta. It’s perfect for the horses and I think it’ll really help with keeping them sound,” said DePaulo.
Sheena Ryan, who picked up a win, a second and three third-place finishes in an offseason excursion to Portland Meadows, is back at Woodbine and preparing for a 2016 meet that she hopes will see her land in the top 10 of the jockey standings.
“I took three horses over the Tapeta this morning. It’s great. The horses liked it and they travelled over it well,” said Ryan. “The colour is different. It looks really nice and it doesn’t seem as sticky and deep as the ‘Poly’ was towards the end of last year. This surface is lighter and a little more bouncy. Everyone I’ve talked to out there so far really likes it.”
REBEL STAKES AT OAKLAWN
“Are there big expectations for this horse? Absolutely,” said Barnes, who supervised Rebel winners American Pharoah, Hoppertunity (2014), Secret Circle (2012), The Factor (2011) and Lookin At Lucky (2010)” – Jimmy Barnes on the grey colt CUPID
http://www.hotsr.com/news/2016/mar/19/rebel-saturday-bigger-than-ever-2016031/
Cupid
THOROUGHBLOG REBEL SELECTIONS – 1 – DISCREETNESS 2- WHITMORE 3- CREATOR 4- SUDDENBREAKINGNEWS
Also at Oaklawn – Canadian-owned THEOGONY takes part in the Azeri Stakes.
Owned by Conrad Farms..
Although Theogony has been installed at 10-1 in the early line, trainer Mark Casse thinks it may be unwise to overlook the 6-year-ol daughter of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin in the Azeri field.
Theogony finished a badly beaten fourth last time out in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston, but he thinks her second by a neck finish in the $100,000 Pippin Stakes here in the race before is more indicative of her ability.
“She should have won that race,” said Casse, who did not get her until she was a 4-year-old and termed her a “project.”
“She was extremely wide. I thought she was the best horse in the race. Then I took her down to Houston and that was probably a mistake. It was back a little quick for her. We had trouble with the trip and nothing went right. I’m just throwing that one out. I brought her back to Oaklawn to regroup but this is a much tougher group.”
Theogony will be piloted by Oaklawn’s three-time and current leading rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. as they break from post No. 3 from a gate that will also hold graded stakes winners Untapable, Sarah Sis, Call Pat, and High Dollar Woman.
“This is a tough field. We’re just hoping for the best,” said Casse. “I don’t know what to think about it. I guess she’ll let us know Saturday afternoon.”
AIKEN TRIALS TODAY!
This is an awesome horse racing tradition at the Aiken Training Centre in South Carolina.
Gus Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh have several entries in the races including 2 in the featured CITY OF AIKEN TROPHY
AIKEN TRIALS ENTRIES
First Trial
The Gaver Trophy, ¼ mile, for 2-year-old maiden fillies
(Post position, horse, owner, trainer, jockey)
1. Coolhandtrix, Doris Tummillo, Kenny Huffman, Marcus Ryan
2. Enchanted Evening, James Wojczynski, Justin Wojczynski, Jose Luis
3. Mygirlfriday, George Sikora, Kenny Huffman, Kayla Phillips
4. Unnamed filly by Hansen, John Behrendt, Arch Kingsley, Rebecca Lavarre
5. Clever Serve, Barry Doss and Jerry and Cheryl Smith, Brad Stauffer, Sarah Hansel
6. Unnamed filly by Dominus, Allen Poindexter, Cary Frommer, Rigoberto Robles
Also eligible – Unnamed filly by The Factor, Mark Grier, Ron Stevens, Gene Tucker.
Second Trial
The Coward Trophy, ¼ mile, for 2-year-old maidens
1. Unnamed colt by Macho Uno, Mark Grier, Brad Stauffer, Gene Tucker
2. Country Dash, Travis Durr and Dale Martin, Travis Durr, Alfredo Roman
3. Unnamed colt by Stroll, Stone Farm, Brad Stauffer, Whitney Lassiter
4. Unnamed gelding by Not For Love, Dubarton Stable, Cary Frommer, Jose Luis
5. Aikenetta, Dogwood Stable, Ron Stevens, Kylie Cahoon
6. Brassy Rose, Barry Doss and Jerry and Cheryl Smith, Brad Stauffer, Sarah Hansel
Third Trial
The Post Trophy, ¼ mile, for 2-year-old maidens
1. Playful Sunrise, Doris Tummillo and Tom Taylor, Kenny Huffman, Kayla Phillips.
2. Unnamed colt by Street Hero, Webb Carroll, Travis Durr, Alfredo Roman
3. Unnamed filly by Aikenite, The Club, Cary Frommer, Rigoberto Robles
4. Tresso, Wendy Hendricks, Cary Frommer, Jose Luis
5. Ty’s Song, Doris Tummillo and Tom Taylor, Kenny Huffman, Marcus Ryan
6. Artillery Ridge, Halsey Minor, Arch Kingsley, Rebecca Lavarre
Also eligible – Midnight Moonlight, John Adger, Brad Stauffer, Gene Tucker
Fourth Trial
The von Stade Trophy, 4 ½ furlongs, for maiden fillies, 3-year-olds and up
1. Galway Glitter, Curtis Dean, William Allyn, Marcus Ryan
2. Dancin Street, Eileen K. Gilbert, Brad Stauffer, Kylie Cahoon
3. Sweet Crimson, Gustav Schickendanz, Mike Keogh, Tim McKinsey
4. Royal Cashmere, Quiet Winter Farm, Glenn Thompson, Rigoberto Robles
5. Miss Stetson, Mr. and Mrs. Ismael Gomez, Ismael Gomez, Ismael Gomez
Fifth Trial
The Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy, 4 1/2 furlongs, maidens, 3-year-olds and up
1. Wildcat Dance, Curtis Dean, William Allyn, Marcus Ryan
2. Bordagaray, Dogwood Stable, Brad Stauffer, Sarah Hansel
3. Donaghy, Dunbarton Stable, Cary Frommer, Jose Luis
4. Daggers Tail, Doris Tummillo, Kenny Huffman, Kayla Phillips
Sixth Trial
The City of Aiken Trophy, 4 ½ furlongs, winners, 3-year-olds and up
1. Enoree, Gustav Schickendanz, Mike Keogh, Tim McKinsey
2. Money Changer, Dogwood Stable, Ron Stevens, Kylie Cahoon
3. Glowing Ember, Dogwood Stable, Brad Stauffer, Sarah Hansel
4. Sweet Grass Creek, Gustav Schickendanz, Mike Keogh, Jose Ramos
5. Jersey Jet, Quiet Winter Farm, Glenn Thompson, Rigoberto Robles
6. Aiken’s Dream, Henry Sanchez, Kenny Huffman, Kayla Phillips
