SWEET GRASS CREEK – not only Jesse Campbell’s 200th winner but perhaps a Queen’s Plate prospect? MIKE BURNS/WOODBINE PHOTO
KITTYHAWK SWOOPS DOWN ON RIVALS IN BALLADE
81 Beyer Speed Figure tops Monday at Woodbine
One day, I’m A Kittyhawk will be having her own babies and who knows, maybe she will be as good as ballade, for whom Monday’s stakes race was named.
I’M A KITTYHAWK and KAY’S GRACE charged down the stretch 1-2 after a predicted rapid pace battle materialized between Tahnee and Executive Allure with the Kittyhawk and David Moran grabbing the win. The 5-year-old mare was making her season debut for Martina and Victoria Earle and family.
Trained by Franz Crean, the daughter of Tomahawk – I’m a Cheetah by Kiridashi was 3rd in the race last year but a surprising 25 – 1 in this race.
Tahnee, with Justin Stein up, sprinted through swift splits of :22.11 and :44.39 with the mutuel favourite, Executive Allure, tracking her early foot. I’m a Kittyhawk, under a patient ride from Moran, settled into sixth position in the early running and was urged into motion through the turn as Tahnee continued to lead.
Executive Allure and Kay’s Grace closed in on Tahnee down the lane, with Kay’s Grace briefly assuming the lead, but none could hold off the soaring I’m a Kittyhawk who got up for a 1/2-length win. Kay’s Grace, at odds of 25-1, earned place money by a ½-length over Executive Allure. I’m a Kittyhawk covered six furlongs in 1:09.32.
Crean was quietly confident in I’m a Kittyhawk despite the lack of support on the toteboard.
“She wintered great and she’s trained wonderful this spring,” said Crean. “Davy rides her like he owns her. I never have to give him any instructions.”
The mare has 5 wins in 15 races and earnings over$325,000.
More Monday
MAVIS ROAD crushed $62,50 claimers in race 1, winning by 8 lengths under David Garcia. The hot Mark Fournier barn had this mare by Old Forester ready to go in this first race of the season. She is owned by C S Dowson Farms.
race 2- a maiden claiming race went to class dropping SUPERSIZER for John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse. The Dixie Union gelding was making his first start since July and his 3rd career start. He cost $260,000 at auction and was winning for $32,000.
race 3 – GET A GRIP had a short stint at Penn National for Joshua and Kevin Attard but ended a long winless streak in his teturn to Polytrack. He won this $8,000 claiming race under Eurico Rosa da Silva for his 3rd win in his 50th race (he has 14 second-place finishes).
race 4 – a maiden allowance, Ontario sired was a popular race when jockey JESSE CAMPBELL guided the pretty Wando colt SWEET GRASS CREEK to victory, the 2000th career win for the American rider. The winning Beyer was 77.
Sweet Grass Creek was making his 2nd start of the season and he was 2nd time Lasix. Mike Keogh trains for owner and breeder Gus Schickedanz.
race 5 – Speaking of Wando, the great racehorse is the sire of the winner of this race, WANDOBOYSLEW, also ridden by Campbell. This gelding is owned by Joe Smith and he was making his first start since last year. He was 0 for 9 last season at tougher levels. Abraham Katryan trains.
race 6 – CAMP SONG was 1st time Lasix and dropping in class for her first race of the year in this maiden $10,000 claiming dash. She won handily for Equilease Racing and trainer John Charlambous, who was getting his first win of the year. Emma-Jayne Wilson rode.
race 7 – The havily favoured Stronach Stables entry came through as CHARMING DELILAH, the 4yo, won with 1st time Lasix. This was the 3rd winner for Jesse Campbell. The winner is an Ontario bred by Stephen Got Even and Sid Attard trains.
race 9 DARK AND INTENSE, by Mr Scotty, won her 2nd career race in tis maiden $10,000 claiming under Eurico Rosa da Silva for trainer Abraham Katryan.
FASIG TIPTON TIMONIUM SALE (continues today in Maryland)
CANADIAN BUYER:
filly STORMY ATLANTIC CARSON’S STAR SAB SALES (SCOTT A. BERGSRUD) AGENT V DENNY ANDREWS $65,000
QUEEN’S PLATE NEWS
DANZIG MOON HEADED TO QUEEN’S PLATE NEXT, but Curlinate will go to Belmont
DANZIG MOON appears to be leaving the big boys alone now and should arrive at Woodbine soon for trainer Mark Casse. The colt was beaten 18 lengths in the Preakness following a 5th place finish in the Derby.
“He seems fine,” said trainer Mark Casse as he prepared for a flight back to Canada. “There were a lot of horses coughing in the stakes barn after the race. We scoped him and the vet said he had half the race track in his throat.”
Owner John Oxley’s son of Malibu Moon will be off the American Triple Crown trail and ultimately head to Canada with a different Triple Crown in his sights. Casse said Danzig Moon’s next start would likely come in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine on July 5 if all goes well.
“We’ll regroup,” Casse said. “We’re going to fire another one at him (American Pharoah). We’ll try a new bullet next time (in the Belmont Stakes). We’re hoping to run Conquest Curlinate in the Belmont. He was just second in the Peter Pan and second in the Illinois Derby. He’s a tough horse. We may take a run at him there.”
The untimely thunderstorm that arrived moments before the Preakness was Danzig Moon’s first experience with wet weather in his seventh career start.
“Somebody asked me just before the race if there was anybody in the field that had any slop form,” he said. “I said, ‘Yeah, American Pharoah.’ He’s run on it at Oaklawn and he just skipped across it. You know what, he’s a great horse. Maybe we’re going to have a Triple Crown winner.”
In other Plate news – Chiefswood Stable has an unbeaten 3yo named PORTREE who is late on the scene and with Beyer Figures in the 60s but since we have not seen NIPIGON on the work tab for some time, he may the stable’s top runner.
SWEET GRASS CREEK looks a bit neat after his maiden win on Monday, but he lacks seasoning.
UNBRIDLED JUAN, according to some in the Stronach Stables camp, may remain at Woodbine for one more try in an allowance race but with SHAMAN GHOST being super in the marine Stakes, it is unlikely ‘Juan’ will be pointed for the Plate.
The big filly LONDON TOWER had a wild workout on Sunday – half a mile in 45 4/5 for trainer Steve Owens. She is already looking like a heavy favourite for the Woodbine Oaks.
Trainer MARK CASSE could have as many as 5 Plate entrants, all boys, as CONQUEST TYPHOON is now getting geared up again, CONQUEST BOOGALOO had a terrible trip in the Marine, CONQUEST CURLINATE…well, he goes to New York first and FIELD OF COURAGE and DANZIG MOON complete his team.
Roger Attfield has 2 – BILLY’S STAR and DANISH DYNAFORMER, and Reade Baker has 2 BREAKING LUCKY and BEAR AT LAST.
Gary and Mary West’s WEST VILLAGE, by Lemon Drop Kid, is at Churchill Downs and appearing a bit interesting for trainer Wayne Catalano.
AMERICAN PHAROAH – short tail, cotton in ears and warm and cuddly.
NEW YORK TIMES
So here we go again: Days after another Preakness Stakes, and horse-racing aficionados once more have a bounce in their step. For the fourteenth time in the last 36 years, a horse will pull into Belmont Park with an opportunity to become the 12th Triple Crown champion, and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
I’ve written that phrase countless times, referring to eight other horses, including California Chrome just last year. Now there’s a ninth, American Pharoah, the colt that looked like a cigarette boat skimming atop a sloppy track here Saturday on his way to an emphatic seven-length victory.
BELMONT POSSIBLE FIELD (with Dosage)
American Pharoah Bob Baffert 4.33 Victor Espinoza
Carpe Diem Todd Pletcher 1.83 John Velazquez
Frammento Nick Zito 3.50 Corey Nakatani
Frosted Kiaran McLaughlin 2.75 Joel Rosario
Keen Ice Dale Romans 2.73 Kent Desormeaux
Materiality Todd Pletcher 2.33 Javier Castellano
Mubtaahij Mike de Kock 1.00 Christophe Soumillon
Tale of Verve Dallas Stewart 2.25 Joel Rosario
War Story Tom Amoss 2.73 Joe Talamo
MR. BOWLING STRIKES IN JOHN LONGDEN 6000
Jockey Mario Gutierrez returned to his roots for one ride Monday afternoon and made the trip from Santa Anita well worthwhile. In the understatement of the day at Hastings Racecourse, a smiling Mario said: Mr. Bowling and I get along well.”
In typical Gutierrez fashion, Mr. Bowling closed with a dramatic rush to win the $50,000 John Longden 6000 as a huge holiday Monday crowd cheered him home to a half-length victory over favoured Title Contender.
Gutierrez said he was cheering, too. Screaming, in fact. “I just had to let him know we had to take advantage of the early fast pace.”
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Mario+goes+Bowling+Hastings+Racecourse/11063913/story.html
HASTINGS RACING CLUB!
READ MORE at THE PROVINCE
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Hastings+Racecourse+offers+punters+chance+share+racehorses/11063976/story.html
An exciting new concept is being introduced at Hastings Racecourse that will provide fans with the opportunity to share ownership of two racehorses in a low-cost, low-risk and fun-filled venture.
To be known as ‘The Hastings Racing Club’, a limited number of memberships (200) are being offered for $250 with the shared ownership participants being provided with ‘an up close & personal’ experience of owning a race horse.
Funds raised from selling The Hastings Racing Club memberships will be used to pay for the purchase of the horses, training fees and other expenses. Richard Yates, Secretary-Treasurer of the HBPA (Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association) will represent the Club’s interest as manager of the project.
Club memberships will include shared ownership in the two horses with plans to race at Hastings; reserved grandstand seating on Hastings Racing Club race days; accompanied paddock access; accompanied backstretch access to watch the designated Club horses in training; complimentary live racing programs; weekly updates and ownership information, plus monthly financial updates.
The Hastings Racing Club will operate until the conclusion of the Hasting Racecourse 2015 season (unless it becomes prudent to cease operations at an earlier date) at which time the horses will be sold. Any monies remaining in the account, after the purchase price of the horses and all financial obligations are met, will be divided equally and returned to Club members (without interest).
Membership fees can be paid by cheque or cash by contacting Richard Yates of the HBPA of BC at rayates@shaw.ca
