ELEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING NEWS – SUCCESSFUL U.S. TRAINER MIKE MAKER brings stable to WOODBINE

 

 

MIKE MAKER, who recently sent out his 2000th winner and has won Breeders’ Cup races, not to mention the 2016 Queen’s Plate, is set to have his first string of runners at Woodbine.

Maker, who trains for the giant stable of  Ken and Sarah Ramsey, will have “”about 20-25” stalls at Woodbine when the backstretch opens next week.

“With all the turf racing and the [synthetic] it fits a lot of our horses,” Maker told Thoroughblog. Maker said the plan to open a stable at Woodbine also came about because of the number of Canadian-breds he has in his barn.

“That was the plan. I have three Canadian bred colts [eligible to the Queen’s Plate] and [the filly] Queen’s Fate.”

Certainly the fact that Maker co-owns the Woodbine Oaks candidate QUEEN’S FATE (Artie Schiller-Shukriya, by Grand Reward) came into play for the decision to try a stint at Woodbine.

Queen’s Fate, bred by Josham Farms and Yvonne Schwabe, loved the Woodbine Tapeta last fall when she was 2nd in the Ontario Lassie Stakes, inches behind one of the year’s top gals, Dixie Moon.

Queen’s Fate flopped on the grass in her 2018 opener, the Sweetest Chant Stakes which was run on a squishy turf

Maker, ranked #6 in North America by race wins and by purse earnings in 2017 and 2017, sent out the Ramsey’s SIR DUDLEY DIGGES to win the 2016 Queen’s Plate and has had a great deal of success with his trips to Woodbine.

The colts who are Plate eligible are all owned by the Ramseys:  Boyhood Dream (Dialed In, bred by Bill Graham, unplaced in 3 races); Marriage Counsellor (Overanalyze, bred by Ramseys, unplaced in 1 start) and Pawnbroker (unraced by Gio Ponti, bred by Lionel Pereira and Tim Mountain).

Maker, who has a big stable in Florida currently, is also preparing Canadian-bred SIR DUDLEY DIGGES in Barbados along with stablemate SHINING COPPER.

“I heard [front runner] Chip Leader is not coming, so I hope Shining Copper gets loose on the lead,” said Maker about the Ramsey  gelding. “And Sir Dudley Digges is training well.”

Nolan Ramsey, grandson of the Ramseys and assistant to Maker, will manage the Maker string at Woodbine.

read more about SIR DUDLEY DIGGES below as he prepares for the Barbados Gold Cup)

 

FOAL FRIDAY

It’s that time of year when the foals arrive all over the country, the new faces, perhaps the next stakes winner or Champion.

What is interesting this winter is that some breeders are doing a little more waiting on their mares than usual and that has been because of the wild sway in temperatures experienced, at least in southern Ontario. From the bitterly cold stretch to major warm-ups and back down to sub-zeroes, the mommas are taking their time.

One of the newest owners to dip his feet into the breeding aspect of Thoroughbred racing is MITCHELL KURSNER, who raced 2016 Woodbine Oaks winner NESHAMA in partnership with Anderson Farms, John Fielding and Kingfield Farms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kursner purchased his first mares in 2016. DUCHESS DANCER, a half sister to Horse of the Year FATAL BULLET, was bought for $95,000 in 2016 in foal to Carpe Diem and that foal is a strapping yearling colt.

On Wednesday night, the mare produced a flashy colt by BODEMEISTER at Mike Carroll’s Grandview Farm.

Last month, Kurner’s mare NO DRESS REHEARSAL, by Grand Slam, produced a Super Saver colt. That mare was bought last fall at Keeneland for $145,000.

Look for Kurnser’s CARPE DIEM yearling colt at an upcoming sale this fall.

Among his stable stars for 2018 include the promising sophomore Sandy Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIR DUDLEY DIGGES Draws Post 2 for Barbados Gold Cup

Queen’s Plate winner SIR DUDLEY DIGGES, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, drew post position 2 for the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup coming up on March 3 at the Garrison Savannah. The son of Gio Ponti – My Pala Lana by Kris S, is one of 2 entrants in the 9 furlong Gold Cup for the Ramseys, who have won the race twice.

Shining Copper, the front runner, is also in the field. Sir Dudley Digges is expected to be ridden by Jalon Samuel.

A field of 9 was drawn for the turf race on Thursday however the Todd Pletcher trainee CHIP LEADER, the mount of Patrick Husbands, is reportedly not going to ship for the race.

SIR DUDLEY DIGGES has won 4 races since his Plate score, 3 allowance races and the restricted Old Friends Stakes. He has earned $820,000 and was bred by Karen and Bernard McCormack in Ontario. His barnmate, Shining Copper, is a graded stakes winner who is tough on the pace and the king of Barbados, DORSETT, has won the Gold Cup twice. Kent Layne has a preview of the race in Barbados Today.

 

Woodbine Releases Stakes Schedule, Queen’s Plate ‘Winterbook’

There is $67.6 million available in the Woodbine stakes program for 2018, similar to 2017, and very few changes to the schedule which begins with the Jacques Cartier Stakes on opening day, April 21.

The Queen’s Plate is SATURDAY June 30.

Ontario-sired stakes purses have been decreased from $125,000 to $100,000. The two yearling sales stakes for 2-year-olds, the Simcoe and Muskoka, are down $25,000 to $175,000.

Two restricted stakes were discontinued, the Jammed Lovely and Nandi. There are two new open stakes for 2-year-olds in late August, the $100,000 Soaring Free and the $100,000 Catch a Glimpse. Both are six-furlong turf sprints.

The Queen’s Plate/Canadian Triple Crown nominations are out (horses can be supplemented to any race) and Woodbine assigned 4 to 1 favoritism for the 159th Plate to Stonestreet Stables’ TELEKINESIS, who recently won his career debut at 6 furlongs at Fair Grounds.

The full list of nominations for the Canadian Triple Crown is here.

 

JUSTIFY – stunning career debut for colt bred by BC’s John and Tanya Gunther

includes some files from Glen Todd, Derby Bar & Grill

Remember this name – JUSTIFY.

Bred by longtime Langley, BC owner and breeder John Gunther and daughter Tanya, Justify romped in his debut Sunday at Santa Anita and he gained national recognition almost immediately

The flashy son of Scat Daddy has been hailed as potentially the next big star of American racing after winning his first race by nine and half lengths. Trained by Hall of Fame inductee Bob Baffert, Justify was sent around a 1-2 ($1.50) favourite and ran up to the quote by bolting-in in an ultra-quick 1:21.86 for the 1400m at the famous California track.

His Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form was a whopping 104.

The track record at Santa Anita for the 7 furlongs on dirt is 1:19.70.

The colt, by Scat Daddy out of Stage Magic, is being aimed at America’s most famous race, the Kentucky Derby on Saturday May 5, which is on the first Saturday in May.

More on John and Tanya Gunther from Thoroughbred Daily News

 

MY BOY JACK jumps into Kentucky Derby picture

Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC’s My Boy Jack came up a narrow opening on the rail and drew off to win Monday’s $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) by 4 ½ lengths over Combatant before a Presidents’ Day crowd of 20,500. In the process, he earned 10 points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, My Boy Jack was unhurried early and content to race in eighth-place as Smarty Jones winner Mourinho set the early fractions of :23.46 and :47.70 for the first half mile. The winner saved all the ground by coming up the rail, avoided the jostling that took place between Combatant and third-place finisher Sporting Chance and drew off to complete the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:46 over a muddy track.

Jockey Luis Saez, on Sporting Chance, lodged an objection against Combatant’s rider Ricardo Santana Jr., but it was disallowed by the stewards. Mourhino finished a neck behind Sporting Chance in fourth and was followed by Zing Zang, Kentucky Club, Seven Trumpets, Retirement Fund, Road to Damascus and Ezmosh.

My Boy Jack, a son of Creative Cause who was a stakes winner on turf as a juvenile, has now picked up 12 points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility in this first two starts at three, both on the main track. In addition to his Southwest win, he earned two points for finishing third in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Jan. 6.

“The best part about the race is he’s going to a Derby,” said Desormeaux, the brother of trainer Keith Desormeaux. “It may be the Arkansas Derby, but he’s Derby bound.”

 

THREE WINNERS FOR CANADIANS ON THURSDAY FEB 22

NIIGON’S GLORY has won two straight races at Oaklawn Park in the slop for Racer’s Edge Inc. and trainer Norm McKnight. The 8-year-old won a 9 furlong allowance race on Thursday at 30 cents on the dollar. Luis Contreras, one of Woodbine’s leading riders, rode the son of Niigon – Piper’s Honour.

Gina Wright’s SPUNSATIONAL at 3 to 5, won an $8,000 claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs on Thursday. The Hard Spun filly is trained by Mike Wright.

At Penn National, SCOTT FAIRLIE’s AWESOME FIVE was an easy winner of a $10,00 claiming race at 2 to 5. Michelle Rainford rode the Florida bred to the front running score at 6 furlongs.

 

COMING UP THIS WEEKEND – TOWER OF TEXAS DABBLES IN DIRT

Ontario bred war horse TOWER OF TEXAS, coming off a hard-earned stakes victory on the grass at Fair Grounds, is back in Florida this weekend and will try the dirt for the first time in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope.

The field is a tough group with the returning IRISH WAR CRY, one of the top 3yos of 2017, and MALAGACY, a brilliant runner from the Todd Pletcher stable.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:35 p.m. EST
HAL’S HOPE S.-GIII, $100,000, 4yo/up, 1m
PP HORSE SIRE OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 Irish War Cry Curlin Isabelle de Tomaso Motion Ortiz 119
2 Economic Model K Flatter Klaravich Stables, Inc. and Lawrence, William H. Brown Ortiz, Jr. 119
3 Conquest Big E K Tapit Daniel C. Hurtak Hurtak Saez 119
4 Tower of Texas K Street Sense Van Meter II, Thomas F. and Dilworth, Scott Attfield Gaffalione 121
5 Quijote Pomeroy Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc. De la cerda Jaramillo 119
6 Malagacy K Shackleford Sumaya U.S. Stable Pletcher Castellano 117
7 Giuseppe the Great Lookin At Lucky Mossarosa Zito Juarez 117
8 Send It In Big Brown Paul P. Pompa, Jr. Pletcher Velazquez 119

 

WOODBINE RELEASES STAKES SCHEDULE, QUEEN’S PLATE ‘WINTERBOOK’

 

There is $67.6 million available in the Woodbine stakes program for 2018, similar to 2017, and very few changes to the schedule which begins with the Jacques Cartier Stakes on opening day, April 21.

The Queen’s Plate is SATURDAY June 30.

Ontario-sired stakes purses have been decreased from $125,000 to $100,000. The two yearling sales stakes for 2-year-olds, the Simcoe and Muskoka, are down $25,000 to $175,000.

Two restricted stakes were discontinued, the Jammed Lovely and Nandi. There are two new open stakes for 2-year-olds in late August, the $100,000 Soaring Free and the $100,000 Catch a Glimpse. Both are six-furlong turf sprints.

The Queen’s Plate/Canadian Triple Crown nominations are out (horses can be supplemented to any race) and Woodbine assigned 4 to 1 favoritism for the 159th Plate to Stonestreet Stables’ TELEKINESIS (Ghostzapper), who recently won his career debut at 6 furlongs at Fair Grounds.

That Ghostzapper colt leads a parade of 4 Casse-trainees who were pegged as the top four favourites for the 10 furlong Plate on Tapeta.

Coronation Futurity winner AHEADBYACENTURY is the 6th choice for the Plate for jack of Hearts racing and John Ross.

The full list of nominations for the Canadian Triple Crown is here.

The Oaks nominees can be found here.

 

FORMER ONTARIO STALLION PHILANTHROPIST has big winner

Sire’s half brother Reload looking to take his place

Drakenstein Stud’s successful sire Philanthropist enjoyed a big payday when his talented son Singapore Sling won the HK$10 000 000 Hong Kong Classic Cup, over 1800m, at Sha Tin last weekend.

Singapore Sling cemented his candidacy for next month’s BMW Hong Kong Derby with an upset success in the Classic.

Singapore Sling returned at 9/1 in a Hong Kong Classic Cup market dominated by Nothingilikemore, the only horse ahead of the South African import in last month’s Hong Kong Classic Mile. But the 1.8 jolly failed to sparkle this time, running home a disappointing fourth behind the Tony Millard-trained bay.

There was nothing sub-par about Singapore Sling. Millard’s latest stable star looked a picture pre-race and delivered a performance to match.

“When I asked for the supreme effort, he responded nicely and he held that all the way to the line, so it was a very strong win,” Schofield said.

The Golden Age set a solid tempo on the front end under Matthew Chadwick as Schofield settled Singapore Sling one spot back, stalking easily along the inside rail.

Singapore Sling switched three wide off the home turn, quickened past the fading Ruthven and locked onto The Golden Age, passing that rival with 150m to go.

“It really surprised me, the kick The Golden Age gave – he kicked strongly and maintained the momentum he’d built up. My bloke ran a really strong race though. He felt better today than he did at the mile; he was as strong at the line as he was at any other point in the race,” Schofield said after his mount had clocked 1m 46.99s.

That ranks as the second fastest Classic Cup at the current distance, just one hundredth of a second off Rapper Dragon’s 2017 time.

Schofield has no concerns about another step up in distance in the final leg of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series on 18 March, the BMW Hong Kong Derby.

“The 2000 metres in the Derby will be no problem,” Schofield said. “He’s just on the right path, he’s getting better all the time, he’s relaxing, and mentally and physically I’m very happy with him. He’s a lovely horse to have heading into the Derby.”

SINGAPORE SLING’S SIRE sire Philanthropist, Leading All Weather Sire in North America in 2014, is a proven high-class stallion, whose notable runners include international champions Pender Harbour and Phil’s Dream.

The son of Kris S, and ¾ brother to US Triple Crown nominee, brother Bail Out, and half brother to first crop sire RELOAD, has also fared well in South Africa.

Philanthropist’s early local crops have already produced the likes of the above mentioned Singapore Sling, as well as high-class fillies Sail and Tsessebe, G3 Starling Stakes winner She’s A Giver, recent G2 Peninsula Handicap second The Slade and leading 3yo Pack Leader.
Philanthropist, whose progeny have earned in excess of R220 million, has two fillies on offer at this week’s Cape Yearling Sale, to be held at the Mistico Equestrian Centre.

 

EXPLOSIVE TEXT MESSAGES REVEALED in AUSTRALIA RACING SCANDAL

Explosive text messages have revealed some of Australia’s top racing figures may have doped their horses in the lead up to the country’s biggest races – possibly including the Melbourne Cup.

The bombshell revelations expose a group of trainers and stable staff who have allegedly been injecting thoroughbreds with sodium bicarbonate, or ‘top ups’, before races for the past eight years.

Read more here.