BIG, BIG SATURDAY OF RACING ACTION as we close in on the SOVEREIGN AWARDS and OPENING DAY AT WOODBINE!  Should be enough to get us out of the funk that is the Ontario winter, which hit hard again yesterday!

INGLORIOUS has a huge test in the FAIR GROUNDS OAKS in New Orleans. She is not only the Queen’s Plate favourite, but there are high hopes for this Hennesy gal as a good run puts her in the picture for the KENTUCKY OAKS for Donna and Verne Dubinsky, who had the fleet filly CARELESS JEWEL a couple of years ago.

The media-shy owners bought INGLORIOUS for $90,000 at the 2009 Canadian yearling sale from Jurgen Schemmer’s Arosa Farms, which bred the filly.

 Also on that New Orleans card, Queen’s Plate hopeful ELITE ALEX may be a Kentucky Derby starter should he run well in the Louisiana Derby.

At Gulfstream, RAHY’S ATTORNEY (see below) is in the Pan-Am with POOL PLAY, should be a good one…

 

Strong_and_Steady_and_2011_Arden_Belle_colt.jpg 

 

 One of Glenn Sikura’s most favourite horses of all-time – 21-year-old STRONG AND STEADY greets a bouncing baby boy, born to Arden Belle at Hill ‘n’ Dale recently. Strong and Steady won the 1993 Wonder Where Stakes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN AWARD NOMINEES

Thanks to the latest entries for our Sovereign award contest! One week left in the contest, try and guess the winners of the horse awards (see list of nominees below) and win MURIEL LENNOX’S new book, THE HORSE AND THE TIGER!

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly:

Delightful Mary

Roxy Gap

Wyomia

Champion Two-Year-Old Male:

Blue Laser

Madman Diaries

Rockin Heat

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly:

Biofuel

Free Fee Lady

Roan Inish

Champion Three-Year-Old Male:

Big Red Mike

Hotep

No Hesitation

Champion Older Female:

Hooh Why

Impossible Time

Simply Splendid

Champion Older Male:

Sand Cove

Southdale

Stunning Stag

Champion Turf Female:

Mekong Melody (IRE)

Miss Keller (IRE)

Perfect Shirl

Champion Turf Male:

Grand Adventure

Rahy’s Attorney

Windward Islands

Champion Female Sprinter:

Hooh Why

Indian Apple Is

Sugar Again

Champion Male Sprinter:

Essence Hit Man

Hollywood Hit

Smokey Fire

 

WAKE UP EARLY AND WATCH DUBAI SATURDAY!

A stellar card worth $26 million (!) takes placed Saturday in Dubai and it is a great way to spend your morning with a cup of coffee, a Racing Form, and, some betting bucks.

The action gets going around 9 a.m. The big race goes off at 1:35.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai, post time: 1:35 p.m. EDT

DUBAI WORLD CUP-G1, $10,000,000, 3yo/up, 2000m

(AWT)

PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER

1 Fly Down K Mineshaft Leparoux Zito

2 Monterosso (GB) Dubawi (Ire) Barzalona Al Zarooni

3 Prince Bishop (Ire) Dubawi (Ire) Ajtebi bin Suroor

4 Cape Blanco (Ire) Galileo (Ire) Spencer A O’Brien

5 Gio Ponti K Tale of the Cat Dominguez Clement

6 Victoire Pisa (Jpn) Neo Universe (Jpn) Demuro Sumii

7 Musir (Aus) Redoute’s Choice (Aus) Soumillon de Kock

8 Gitano Hernando (GB) Hernando (Fr) Murtagh Botti

9 Transcend (Jpn) Wild Rush Fujita Yasuda

10 Poet’s Voice (GB) Dubawi (Ire) Dettori bin Suroor

11 Richard’s Kid Lemon Drop Kid Mullen Seemar

12 Twice Over (GB) Observatory Queally Cecil

13 Buena Vista (Jpn) Special Week (Jpn) Moore Matsuda

14 Golden Sword (GB) High Chaparral (Ire) Shea de Kock

All carry 126 pounds, bar Buena Vista, 121.

NOTES ON SOME ENTRANTS: Euroears (Golden Shaheen) worked 3/8 in 35.26 under exercise rider Janell Gruss on Tuesday, and then schooled in the starting gate. Trainer Bob Baffert said, “He just cruised around there. He looked good. I just wanted to give him a little spin out there. He’s one dimensional; he goes to the lead and stays there.” Gruss added, “He finished awesome and I had to get a good hold of him to pull him up.”

mar24bourbon.jpg

   

(at left) I WANT REVENGE, once a superstar but has been a shell of his former self

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the turf event, Bourbon Bay (Sheema Classic) went out for a jog on both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at Meydan. The son of ONTARIO SIRE Sligo Bay breezed 1000m on the Meydan turf course on Monday. “He’s doing very well. I am happy with him,” commented Drysdale.

 

 

 

   

 mar24beuna.jpg

 JAPANESE MONSTER FILLY, BUENA VISTA gets ready for the DUBAI WORLD CUP

Vanessa Ng photos

 

 

 

GET INFO ON SOME ENTRANTS AND MORE PHOTOS HERE:

http://www.horse-races.net/library/dwc11-weworks.htm

REDWOOD IN THE SHEEMA CLASSIC

He won Northern Dancer at Woodbine last year

Hills eyes Dubai double

Barry Hills is not dismissing the possibility of Redwood and Red Jazz providing him with a lucrative big-race double in Dubai on Saturday.

The well-travelled Redwood contests the Sheema Classic, while Red Jazz goes for the Godolphin Mile.

Redwood rounded off a busy 2010 with a slightly unlucky second to Mastery in the Hong Kong Vase. He had earlier won the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine and returned to the same track to finish a close third to Joshua Tree in the Canadian International.

“Redwood has worked very well. He travelled a long way last year, from Newmarket to Canada to Hong Kong and everything else so he’s used to it,” said Hills.

“He’s had a very good preparation. He has run pretty well every time, he stays and gallops but I don’t think he has yet produced what he is capable of as sometimes he has missed having a strong pace. He’s up to a rating of 115 and if he gets a strong gallop you’ll see that go up a bit.”

http://www.berwickshire-news.co.uk/news/hills_eyes_dubai_double_1_1535460

BULLET MOVE!

HORSE OF THE YEAR FATAL BULLET, now a 6yo, sizzled 5 furlongs at Palm Meadows yesterday and, according to trainer Reade Baker, is ‘ready’ for the Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine, April 17.

The Bullet will be on a van with BIOFUEL, HUNTERS BAY and other notables next week from Florida. Sheena Ryan rode Fatal Bullet in the workout yesterday:

Fatal Bullet (FL)     Gelding     6     58.60     b     1/9    

LOUISIANA DERBY FIELD WITH BREEDING, CONNECTIONS

Courtesy of Blood-Horse

1     Nacho Business     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Rahy – Palaestra

    * Jockey: Joe Bravo

    * Trainer: Kelly J. Breen

    * Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm LLC & Trust B U/T Albert G. Clay Restated Rev. Trust

    * Owner: George & Lori Hall

1A     Pants On Fire     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Jump Start   – Cabo de Noche

    * Jockey: A. R. Napravnik

    * Trainer: Kelly J. Breen

    * Breeder: K & G Stables

    * Owner: George & Lori Hall

2     Nehro     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Mineshaft   – The Administrator

    * Jockey: Michael C. Baze

    * Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

    * Breeder: Mt. Brilliant Farm LLC

    * Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC (Ahmed Zayat)

3     Mavericking     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Empire Maker   – Ioya Two

    * Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

    * Trainer: Neil L. Pessin

    * Breeder: Team Block

    * Owner: Team Block (David & Patricia Block)

4     Mucho Macho Man     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Macho Uno   – Ponche de Leona

    * Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

    * Trainer: Katherine Ritvo

    * Breeder: John D Rio & Carole A Rio

    * Owner: Reeves Thbd.Rac. & Dream Team 1 Rac. (Dean Reeves)(Jim Culver)

5     Liondrive     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Lion Tamer   – Outta the Park

    * Jockey: James Graham

    * Trainer: Tim A. Ice

    * Breeder: Rebecca Farms, Inc.

    * Owner: Thomas Amenta & Tom Amenta, II

6     Machen     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Distorted Humor   – Ready’s Gal

    * Jockey: Edgar S. Prado

    * Trainer: Neil J. Howard

    * Breeder: Courtlandt Farm

    * Owner: Courtlandt Farms (Donald A. Adam)

7     Majestic Harbor     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Rockport Harbor   – Champagne Royale

    * Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie

    * Trainer: Paul J. McGee

    * Breeder: Liberation Farm & Brandywine Farm

    * Owner: Gallant Stable (Ron Beegle, et al)

8     Le Mans     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

War Front   – Call Your Beau

    * Jockey: Robby Albarado

    * Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen

    * Breeder: Bradley Purcell & Charles Parker

    * Owner: Padua Stables (Satish Sanan)

9     Wilkinson

    Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Lemon Drop Kid   – Tasha’s Delight

    * Jockey: Garrett K. Gomez

    * Trainer: Neil J. Howard

    * Breeder: Gaillardia LLC

    * Owner: Gaillardia Racing, LLC (Ed Gaylord)

10     Left     Age: 3     Sex: Gelding     WT: 122

Arch   – Leave

    * Jockey: Jesse M. Campbell

    * Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.

    * Breeder: Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider

    * Owner: Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (Seth Hancock)

11     Elite Alex     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Afleet Alex   – Catch the Moment

    * Jockey: Calvin H. Borel

    * Trainer: Timothy F. Ritchey

    * Breeder: Allison Register (ontario)

    * Owner: Elite Alex, LLC (Charles Zacney, Timothy F. Ritchey, et al)

12     Populist Politics     Age: 3     Sex: Colt     WT: 122

Don’t Get Mad   – Cedar Summer

    * Jockey: Richard E. Eramia

    * Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss

    * Breeder: B. Wayne Hughes

    * Owner: Klaravich Stab.,Inc.& William H.Lawrence (Seth Klarman)

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/FG/2011/3/26/10/louisiana-derby-gr-2#ixzz1HWA1h1FK

 

LOTS OF CANADIAN STUFF IN PAN-AM

Emma-Jayne Wilson gets her first ever ride on champ RAHY’S ATTORNEY on Saturday at Gulfstream in the PAN AMERICAN HANDICAP, a Grade 3 event at 12 furlongs on the grass.

Interestingly, RAHY’ has only tried the 12 furlong distance one other time – he was in the Singspiel Stakes a few years ago. The trip is a big question for the ontario-bred hero but he comes off a brave 2nd in the MacDiarmida Stakes so he’s in great form.POOL PLAY may benefit with the longer distance. The canadian-bred by Silver Deputy was closing to be 4th in the MacDiarmida. Of course the winner of the latter race was PRICE WILL I AM, trained by former Albertan Michele Nihei.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:25 p.m. EDT

PAN AMERICAN S.-GIII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 1 1/2mT

PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT

1 Loup Breton (Ire) Anabaa Lezcano Pletcher 117

2 Musketier (Ger) Acatenango (Ger) Solis Attfield 117

3 Beckham Bend Invisible Ink Rose Alvarado 117

4 Eldaafer A.P. Indy Castanon Alvarado 121

5 Rahy’s Attorney Crown Attorney Wilson Black 117

6 Pool Play K Silver Deputy Husbands Casse 121

7 Prince Will I Am Victory Gallop Velazquez Nihei 123

Saturday, Turfway Park, post time: 5:31 p.m. EDT

VINERY RACING SPIRAL S.-GIII, $500,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m

PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT

1 Preachintothedevil Pulpit Alvarado Contessa 121

2 Positive Response K Pomeroy Couton Morey 121

3 Thirtyfirststreet Good Journey Carmouche O’Neill 121

4 Animal Kingdom K Leroidesanimaux (Brz) Garcia Motion 121

5 Son of Posse Posse Mojica Jr Vitiello 121

6 Rescind the Trade Put It Back Valdivia Jr Violette Jr 121

7 Beachcombing Lemon Drop Kid Goncalves Brown 121

8 King Congie K Badge of Silver Castellano Albertrani 121

9 Taptowne Tapit Prescott Mogge 121

10 Decisive Moment With Distinction Clark Arias 121

11 Twinspired K Harlan’s Holiday Lebron Maker 121

12 Glint K Sharp Humor Saez Gorder 121

MORE CANADIAN STUFF

Ontario bred STRIKE AHEAD makes his career debut at Turfway Park on Saturday. The 3yo by Smart Strike – Sails Unfurled by  Capote was bred by Sam-Son Farms and was a $300,000 yearling purchase by Maverick Racing – WINSTAR owns the colt and R. Budge trains

SUPERBULL, a 3yo Ontario bred owned and bred by Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc., makes his debut on Saturday at GUlfstream. The Lemon Drop Kid colt drew the 1 post in the maiden allowance.

ANOTHER debuting Canadian 3yo is BLACKSTONE BAY -tomorrow at GUlfstream

Gulfstream Park – March 25, 2011

Race 4 – 2:25 PM     Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / Bet 3 (Races 4-5-6)

MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT

Purse $52,400. (Includes $10,000 – FOA – Florida Owners Awards). For Maidens, Three Years Old. Weight, 122 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 Five Furlongs) . Five Furlongs. (Turf) (Rail at 24 Feet)

1     More Than Noble (KY)         3/C      Bocachica     122     J A Booker, Jr.     15/1

2     Mr. Valentine (PA)         3/C     L     J Lezcano     122     J Servis     12/1

3     Home Run Storm (KY)         3/C     L1     P Lopez     122     M J Maker     10/1

4     Blackstone Bay (ON)         3/C     L1     A Garcia     122     M E Casse     12/1

5     Thundering Waters (KY)         3/G     L1     J R Velazquez     122     M E Casse     6/1

6     Big Bentley (KY)         3/C     L     J Castellano     122     D Fawkes     5/1

7     Simmstown (VA)         3/C     L     J L Castanon     122     D Miller     8/1

8     Voyles (KY)         3/C     L     L Saez     122     D Fawkes     8/1

9     Silver Cloud (FL)         3/C     L     J Arce     122     J DaCosta     7/2

10     Irish Frankie (FL)         3/G     L     A O Solis     122     W A Ward     10/1

11     Big Party Man (MD)         3/C         R Maragh     122     M K McDonald     6/1