COME ON DOWN!
Today is an important day for horse racing in Ontario as pressure mounts against the OLG and the government for the casino/ gaming modernization plans.
Queen’s Park will be busy today as a motion will be presented by the NDP and PC to put a hold on the cancellation of the very successful slots at racetracks program, set to stop on Mar. 31 (that would be Easter Sunday).
Meanwhile, OLG slots employees at Woodbine are set to strike and will be represented at Queen’s Park today.
And down at Fort Erie, an 11 a.m. press conference will outline details of the track’s meeting that has been rescued – it is set to start on MAY 26.
THOROUGHBLOG will be downtown, but at the showing of PRICE IS RIGHT!
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB:
Standardbred Canada – MARCH 28, 2013 – 3 DAYS UNTIL END OF SLOT REVENUE
Horse Racing on the schedule at Queen’s Park
“Mr. Natyshak’s motion is a big step in the right direction. PSAC represents 480 workers in the gaming sector in Ontario, including 80 at Georgian Downs Racetrack in Innisfil whose livelihoods are in jeopardy, along with those of thousands of others in communities across Ontario.”
The above quote is from Public Service Alliance of Canada Regional Executive Vice President for Ontario, Sharon DeSousa, in regard to how her organization will be supporting the pro-racing motion which is to be brought forth Thursday, March 28 in the Ontario Legislature by New Democratic Party MPP Taras Natyshak.
On Tuesday, March 26, the PSAC announced that the Woodbine Racetrack slots-area workers that it represents have voted in support of strike action.
“Many people have already been laid off, and many more are living in fear of the same,” DeSousa said. “The government needs to stand up for good jobs by developing a responsible gaming strategy that includes the protection of quality employment. This motion will help pressure the government to re-think its decision to abruptly end SARP and in doing so; threaten an industry so many people depend on.”
more from:
Fort Erie Race Track gets one-year reprieve
Ontario to provide funding while new revenue is sought
BY: Deidre Williams / News Staff Reporter
The horses at the Fort Erie Race Track will run again this season, at least.
The Ontario government announced it will provide transitional funding that will allow the venue to operate a 2013 season, which begins in May, said Fort Erie Mayor Douglas Martin.
Provincial officials reached a deal with Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, which has been running the track for two years, Martin said.
The exact amount of funding, specifics of the agreement and other details will be provided during an 11 a.m. news conference today at the race track, Martin added.
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130327/CITYANDREGION/130329183/1010
SATURDAY, THE CANADIANS ARE OUT ON FLORIDA DERBY DAY!
From IRISH MISSION, to Mark Frostad, Roger Attfield, CHIEFSWOOD STABLE and others, the Canadians are out in full force on FLORIDA DERBY day at Gulfstream on Saturday.
Canadian-bred ORIGINAL SCRIPT goes for the Gulf Oaks – Norm Files photo
Full handicapping coming up in tomorrow’s post but here are some entries:
Race 12 – 6:19 PM
Besilu Stables Florida Derby (Grade I)
Purse $1,000,000. (Plus $40,000 – FTBOA – FL TB Owner Brdr Assoc Fund). For Three Year Olds. One And One Eighth Miles.
PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Shanghai Bobby (KY) 3/C L R Napravnik 122 T A Pletcher
2 Pick of the Litter (KY) 3/C L J L Castanon 122 D L Romans
3 Itsmyluckyday (KY) 3/C L E Trujillo 122 E Plesa, Jr.
4 Pontiff (KY) 3/C L A Garcia 122 D L Romans
5 Frac Daddy (KY) 3/C L C J Lanerie 122 K G McPeek
6 Orb (KY) 3/C L J R Velazquez 122 C R McGaughey III
7 Indy’s Illusion (KY) 3/C L R Maragh 122 B Tagg
8 Merit Man (FL) 3/C L K J Desormeaux 122 R B Hess, Jr.
9 Are You Kidding Me (KY) 3/C L J Lezcano 122 R L Attfield
10 Narvaez (KY) 3/C L P Lopez 122 A C Bezara
Owners: 1 – Starlight Racing, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith ; 2 – Carolyn Vogel ; 3 – Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa ; 4 – Donegal Racing ; 5 – Magic City Thoroughbred Partners ; 6 – Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stable ; 7 – Charles E. Fipke ; 8 – Bruce Chandler, Robert H. McKee, and James Glavin ; 9 – Ronald K. Kirk, Michael Riordan, John C. Bates, Anthony Shaw, Aaron Sones ; 10 – Stipa Racing Stable, Inc.
Gulfstream Oaks (Grade II)
Purse $300,000. (Plus $40,000 – FTBOA – FL TB Owner Brdr Assoc Fund). For Fillies, Three Year Olds. Free nomination by Saturday, March 16, 2013 , $3,000 to pass the entry box and $1,500 additional to start, with $300,000 Guaranteed. Plus and additional $40,000 to the owner of the winner if the winning horse is a registeredFlorida Bred by a registered Florida Stallion. All fees shall be paid prior to the start of the race. The owner of the winner to receive $180,000, $60,000 to second, $30,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth, $9,000 to fifth and $6,000 to sixth. Supplementalnominations may be made at time of entry at a fee of $15,000, which includes entry and starting fees. Weight: 122 Lbs. Non-winners of a grade I or II stakes at a mile or over allowed, 2 Lbs.; of a grade III once or $60,000 twice at a mile or over, 4 Lbs.; of two races other than maiden or claiming at a mile or over, 6 Lbs.; The field will be limited to 14 Starters, with Also Eligibles. Starters to be named through the entry box by the usual time of closing. If more than fourteen (14) entries pass the entrybox preference will be given to graded stakes winners, then highest career earnings. Trophy to the winning owner. Nominations Closed Saturday, March 16, 2013 with 24 Nominations. One And One Eighth Miles.
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Cue the Moon (KY) 3/F L R Napravnik 116 H J Bond
2 Original Script (ON) 3/F E Trujillo 116 P Attard
3 Live Lively (KY) 3/F L R Maragh 122 M A Hennig
4 Kimberly Jean (KY) 3/F L C J Lanerie 116 K G McPeek
5 Dreaming of Julia (KY) 3/F L J R Velazquez 122 T A Pletcher
6 Emollient (KY) 3/F L J Lezcano 117 W I Mott
Owners: 1 – Spendthrift Farm, LLC ; 2 – Chiefswood Stable ; 3 – Lee Lewis ; 4 – Delfiner, Krall, Catalyst Stable, G2 Associates LLC et al. ; 5 – Stonestreet Stables LLC ; 6 – Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Race 9 – 4:29 PM
Orchid S. (Grade III)
Purse $150,000. For Fillies And Mares, Four Year Olds And Upward. One And One Half Miles. (Turf)
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Regalo Mia (FL) 4/F L L Contreras 119 M Nihei
2 Closing Range (KY) 4/F L E Trujillo 121 P J Oliver
3 Anjaz (KY) 4/F L1 I Ortiz, Jr. 117 T Albertrani
4 Seanchai (KY) 4/F L R Napravnik 117 T A Pletcher
5 Starformer (KY) 5/M L R Maragh 123 W I Mott
6 Irish Mission (ON) 4/F L J R Velazquez 117 M R Frostad
7 Aigue Marine (GB) 4/F L J Lezcano 117 C Clement
8 Angegreen (ITY) 4/F L J Rocco, Jr. 117 H G Motion
9 Tree Hugger (KY) 4/F L J Sanchez 117 K Chudzik
10 Game Fair (KY) 4/F L A Garcia 117 H G Motion
Also on Saturday, some Canadian-bred 3yo’s are in a maide race (including MIGHTY QUINN, was he named after the Ontario bred multiple stakes winner who raced not too long ago??)
Race 7 – 3:24 PM
MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT
Purse $62,500. (Includes $10,500 – FOA – Florida Owners Awards). For Maidens, Three Years Old. Weight, 120 Lbs. (Preference To Horses That Have Not Started For Less Than $30,000 In Their Last 5 Starts). (If deemed inadvisable to run this race over the turf course, it will be run on the main track at One Mile and One Sixteenth) . One And One Sixteenth Miles. (Turf) (Rail at 60 Feet)
PP Horse Virtual
Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Downtown (ON) 3/C E Wilson 120 R Baker
2 Forever Thing (KY) 3/C L J R Velazquez 120 T A Pletcher
3 Sexyandiknowit (FL) 3/C L1 J J Gonzales 1155 A M Medina
4 It’s a Bad Rapit (FL) 3/C L J Lezcano 120 T F Proctor
5 Make It Gold (KY) 3/C L J Rocco, Jr. 120 J Servis
6 Conversationalist (KY) 3/C L J L Castanon 120 D L Romans
7 Urban Talk (KY) 3/C I Ortiz, Jr. 120 K P McLaughlin
8 Balthazar (KY) 3/C L R Maragh 120 D L Romans
9 Luck Seeker (ON) 3/C L L Contreras 120 K Vassilieva
10 My d’Oro (KY) 3/G L P Lopez 120 M A Estevez
11 Red Supreme (KY) 3/C L1 A O Solis 120 T M Bush
12 Mighty Quinn (ON) 3/G L1 M R Ramirez 120 N Gonzalez
13 El Jefe Grande (KY) (AE) 3/G L H Sanchez 1155 D Fawkes
14 North Tip (ON) (AE) 3/C I Ortiz, Jr. 120 M Nihei
Owners: 1 – Perfect Sting Limited Racing Partnership ; 2 – Black Rock Stables, LLC ; 3 – Just For Fun Stable, LLC ; 4 – Terra Di Sienna Stables ; 5 – Mr. Amore Stable ; 6 – Bobby Flay ; 7 – Darley Stable ; 8 – Peachtree Stable ; 9 – Derby Dreamers Racing Stable ; 10 – Peter J. Mirabelli ; 11 – Robert Terrill, Sr. and Richard Coburn ; 12 – Victoria Meadows and Ann Margetts ; 13 – William D. McCarty ; 14 – Robert Harvey
Breeders: 1 – Anderson Farms (Ontario) Inc. &Rod Ferguson; 2 – Caldara Farm; 3 – BryLynn Farm, Inc.; 4 – Sienna Farms, LLC; 5 – Brereton C. Jones; 6 – B. Flay Thoroughbreds; 7 – Darley; 8 – Gulf States Racing Stable III; 9 – Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms; 10 – Peter J. Mirabelli; 11 – C. E. Adkins & David E. Hager II; 12 – Dennis Mills; 13 – Richard O’ Neil trust; 14 – R. Harvey & A. Wortzman
PATRICK HUSBANDS/EMILE RAMSAMMY SQUARE OFF IN TRINIDAD
Easter Monday card
Canadian jockeys Patrick Husbands and Emile Ramsammy are riding the Easter Monday card at Santa Rosa Park in Trinidad:
FIVE races are down for Hi5 betting when Arima Race Club stage their National Lotteries Control Board-sponsored Easter racing cavalcade at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Monday.
According to the programme released yesterday, the Hi5 races will be the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and 10th and final.
Seven-time Sovereign Award winning jockey, Barbadian Patrick Husbands will be coming in from Canada to join Canadian-based colleague, Trinidadian Emile Ramsammy to ride on the day.
Feature race will be the first jewel in the local Triple Crown, the NLCB Easter Guineas over 1800 metres for three-year-olds.
This race with a total purse of $315,000 has eight entrants with the pre-race favourite being Pot Of Gold (by Gold Market) from the John O’Brien barn to be ridden by Ramsammy, while Husbands will be astride another O’Brien entrant War Of Words, a Jamaican bred colt.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,175454.html
Vanessa Ng captured ANIMAL KINGDOM prepping at Meydan for his Dubai World Cup run on Saturday. The Kentucky Derby winner has been a handful down there but appears to be settling in.
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARD – SATURDAY MORNING!
Canadian bred PRIVATE ZONE goes for the Golden Shaeen, 6 furlongs, against TRINNIBERG and others while Canadian-owned HE’S HAD ENOUGH, ridden by Hastings Park jock Mario Gutierrez, will be in the UAE DERBY.
The former is a strong contender and is 9 to 2 on the Equibase pp’s. The latter, a son of Tapit, still appears to be better in sprint races up to 1 mile. He comes off a 5th place finish in the Fountain of Youth behind ORB.
Post Time Race Purse Race Name
9:10 a.m. ET 2 $1 Million Godolphin Mile
9:45 a.m. ET 3 $1 Million Dubai Gold Cup (T)
10:25 a.m. ET 4 $2 Million UAE Derby
11:05 a.m. ET 5 $1 Million Al Quoz Sprint (T)
11:45 a.m. ET 6 $2 Million Dubai Golden Shaheen
12:40 p.m. ET 7 $5 Million Dubai Duty Free (T)
1:20 p.m. ET 8 $5 Million Dubai Sheema Classic (T)
2:05 p.m. ET 9 $10 Million Dubai World Cup
EQUIBASE PAST PERFORMANCES FOR THE RACES:
CANADIANS ELSEWHERE
STUCK IN TRAFFIC, A STAKES WINNER OF OVER $600,000 was 5th of 6th beaten 10 lengths in a $4,500 claiming race last night at Charles Town.
WESTDALE WARRIOR won a $5,000 claiming race at Penn National last night. the son of Stut the Stage out of Bunny Lake by Defrere was bred by Kirk Bradden Stables.
*The story about WILD WILD POSSE from yesterday’s post, the $210,000 yearling purchase who won his debut 5 years ago and had been away for almost that long, was incredibly the 2 to 1 favourite for an $8,000 claiming race yesterday at Tampa Bay Downs.
The 7yo horse, owned by Beau Chapman and Duane Goodwin, was 6th beaten 10 lengths.
IN THE BLACK
Black Onyx first Derby contender to arrive under Twin Spires
from brisnet.com
Grade 3 Spiral winner Black Onyx arrived at Churchill Downs on Wednesday and became this year’s first major Kentucky Derby contender to be stabled at the historic Louisville, Kentucky, racetrack.
Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx, ranked No. 4 on the new Road to the Kentucky Derby points system, passed through the Churchill Downs stable gate at 9:30 a.m. (EDT) after vanning from Turfway Park, where he won the Spiral by 1 1/2 lengths at odds of more than 15-1.
The Kelly Breen-trained colt earned 50 points, which likely assures him a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate based on Churchill Downs’ new point-based eligibility system.
The dark bay son of Rock Hard Ten arrived in good order and was bedded down in Stall 12 of Barn 41. Breen’s assistant Phil Threewitt, nephew of the late legendary trainer Noble Threewitt, traveled with the colt along with groom Jose Orantes and an exercise rider.
“He shipped well and he’s doing well,” Threewitt said. “We love him. He’s a neat horse. We’ve only had him for his last two starts and he’s won both times.”
Black Onyx, who originally was trained by Carl Domino, was transferred to Breen’s barn following his third start. Breen, who was not in attendance Wednesday, said via text that he was unsure when he would join Black Onyx in Louisville.
Serious training plans have not been finalized, but Threewitt said he expects Black Onyx to visit the Churchill Downs oval for the first time Thursday morning for light training.
The Kentucky Derby will be staged for the 139th consecutive year on May 4.
Photo of BLACK ONYX from Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer
SECRETARIAT AMONG CANADIAN HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME
http://www.drf.com/news/secretariat-tops-nominees-canadian-horse-racing-hall-fame
