TODAY’S NEWS (MONDAY THE 25TH) – Former Woodbine claimer LAUGHING MOON breaks down , LESS SLOTS FOR EORT ERIE…AND MORE
LET’S START THINKING DERBY – GET THE FEVER!
Okay, it’s a tad early but there were a couple of one-mile, 3-year-old races in the U.S. on the weekend that
were interesting enough to start scribbling down notes on Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
WINSLOW HOMER, an interestingly coloured grey colt by Unbridled’s Song, is a close realitve of Stronach
Stable’s stakes winner Wild Rush. The latter is out of Rose Park, the 3rd dam of Winslow Homer.
‘Homer’ won the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday with a 91 BEYER SPEED FIGURE, defeating the
topquality Florida 3yo JACKSON BEND.
This grey colt is owned by Fox Hill Farm (Rick Porter), which has had top grey horses such as EIGHT BELLES and ROCKPORT HARBOR.
By the way, Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art. (from Wikipedia)
Over at FAIR GROUNDS in New Orleans (yay Saints!), RON THE GREEK from far back to win the Lecomte Stakes for owner/breeder JACK HAMMER. The Full Mandate – Flambe, Frotunate Prospect) colt was 16 lengthes behind the leader heading itnot he far turn before he kicked into gear.
He earned a 90 BEYER FIGURE.
LONGTIME WOODBINE HORSE LAUGHING MOON BREAKS DOWN
Jockeys are refusing to ride against Gill-owned horses at Penn National
It is a hard story to hear – another break down in racing – doesn’t matter what kind of horse it is – and when
it is a horse that you know, it’s always that much harder.
Former Woodbine runner LAUGHING MOON (Migrating Moon), recently claimed from his longtime owner Carol Walls for $6,250 on Dec 9 at Penn National, broke down after finishing 3rd in a race at that track on Saturday.
The 8-year-old was racing for Michael Gill, the Eclipse Award nominated owner who has had a number of horses break down in the last few weeks.
Canadian trainer ANTHONY ADAMO, who trains for Gill, had one break down recently – MELODEEMAN.
He was a 10-year-old claimed by Gill and Adamo for $16,000 recently. He broke down in a $5,00 claiming race.
Melodeeman won 9 of 57 races and over $258,000.
LAUGHING MOON won 5 of 37 races and $182,00 in his career.
PAULICK REPORT has the SCOOP on the outrage going on at Penn National:
GILL CENTER OF CONTROVERSY AGAIN
By Ray Paulick
If only Michael Gill had kept his word in 2006 when he said he was getting out of horse racing after being
leading owner in North America by money and races won for three consecutive years. A lot of people would be happier and a number of horses might still be alive.
Gill did get out of racing in 2006, the year after he was inexplicably voted an Eclipse Award as outstanding
owner. Unfortunately, he got back in the game late in 2008, and he was back on top again as leading owner by both races and money won in 2009.
But wait, doesn’t horse racing need more owners, not fewer of them? Not if they’re like Mike Gill.
READ MORE:
http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/gill-center-of-controversy-again/
ELSEWHERE
Canadian-owned DANCING IN SILKS, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last year, made his season debut in the Palos Verdes Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita and was 3rd beaten 1 1/2 lengths.
Ken Kinakin’s gelding is expected to head to Dubai for the World Cup card and the big sprint race that evening.
WRITTEN IN STONE (Smart Strike – Wilderness Hush) was a winner for Sam-Son Farms on Saturday in an
allowance/optional claiming race at 6 furlongs on the dirt. The 6yo gelding lost the race by a nose but was
bumped late and was awarded the win by the stewards.
The consistently good gelding earned a 98 BEYER SPEED FIGURE. He is 4 for 24 in his career with $265,000 in earnings.
The news was not as good for Sam-Son on Friday when their promising 3yo GIANT’S TOMB (Awesome Again) was a flat fifth in a turf allowance race with little excuse during the running of the race.
DAVE COTEY’s horses continue to roll at PENN NATIONAL. TETON PASS, at 60 cents on the dollar, won on Saturday for $25,000 claiming by 4 1/2 lengths. He’s by Teton Forest.
Cotey is 3 for 9 at Penn National this winter.
He’s not Canadian but one of several impressive maiden winners on the weekend was SAVEMYSPOTIMBETING, by Vindication, who ran a 91 Beyer Figure to win his debut at Gulfstream:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnp1xK42SLY
CUTTING OUT SLOTS AT FORT ERIE
from the Buffalo News
Fort Erie Slots to eliminate 679 machines
Downsizing move reflects lower consumer demand
By David Robinson
News Business Reporter
Updated: January 23, 2010, 8:58 am / 1 comment
The number of slot machines at the Slots at Fort Erie gaming facility will be cut by more than half in mid-year
to bring the size of the center more in line with demand, an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. spokesman said Friday.
The move will reduce the number of slot machines at the Fort Erie Racetrack and Slots horse racing and gaming facility to 400 from the current 1,079, said Don Pister, a Lottery and Gaming spokesman.
“We’re responding to the market conditions and the demand from our customers,” Pister said.
The planned cutbacks in the gaming operations come a month after a three-year deal was reached to keep the more than century-old horse racing track open.
Read more:
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/932278.html
