Tampa Bay photo
EXPLOSIVE – Dynamic Sky wins Pasco Stakes with 88 Beyer Figure
It was deja vu all over again for John Oxley, Mark Casse and Luis Contreras on the 2nd Saturday in January as they combined to win the 14th Pasco Stakes at Tammpa Bay Downs. They won the race last year with PROSPECTIVE and this year with Canadian bred DYNAMIC SKY (Sky Mesa – Murani by Distorted Humor. The 3yo colt had a dream trip behind a speed battle, laid in off the turn and was on heels but he was angled hard off horses into the stretch and he got out of the jackpot to get past stablemate Sky Commander (also by Sky Mesa) under Patrick Husbands.
The winner took the Simcoe Stakes last year and has good beyer Figures in his sprint races. His mum won the Flaming Page Stakes at 1 1/2 mile on the grass, one of 3 wins in her 11 races.
He is the first foal of Murani, who is owned by Yvonne Schwabe.
http://www.tampabaydowns.com/daily-replays.aspx
click Jan. 12, Race 10
Oxley, Casse and Contreras teamed to win last year’s Pasco Stakes with Prospective, who went on to win the Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby. Dynamic Sky, a son of Sky Mesa-Murani, out of Distorted Humor, ran the seven furlongs in 1:22.79, .24 seconds off the stakes record. He paid $3.20 to win.
Dynamic Sky, who ran second in the Grade I Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last fall and was sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, didn’t get in the clear until the field hit the stretch of the Pasco, but he pulled away impressively from Sky Commander for a convincing victory.
He earned $30,000 for his second lifetime triumph, raising his career earnings to $248,115.
Dynamic Sky wore blinkers for the first time.
“I don’t know how much they helped,” Casse said. “He started his little thing turning for home where he wanted to lay in, but Luis was able to correct him. It was a big race. I was a little disappointed he got a little hot today, which he has to overcome if he is going to be a Derby horse. But it was hot today, so we’ll give him a pass.
“Sky Commander is a pretty decent horse, too. The time was definitely respectable, because Luis had nowhere to go and had to take him back and go around horses nearing the stretch. That cost him a little momentum, but he was able to overcome it,” Casse said.
The conditioner has no doubt Dynamic Sky can stretch out to two turns, making him a likely candidate for the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes here on Feb. 2 and the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9.
“I hope to see you guys a bunch,” Casse said, accompanied by wife Tina and 9-year-old son Colby.
Contreras rode the winner confidently from the No. 2 post and said he had few worries throughout.
“He broke well and I was able to wait behind the lead group getting to the turn,” he said. “When I swung out entering the stretch, he showed me a real run and he just kept on showing how good he is down the stretch. The blinkers helped, too; he has had a tendency to drift in, but not today.”
MONEY IN THE BANKS
Canadian bred wins Ruthless!
LADY BANKS, born here in Ontario at Sue Foreman’s farm near King, Ontario, won the $75,000 Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct at six furlongs. The 3yo dark bay is by Succcessful Appeal from House fo Soviet’s by Housebuster. She was a $130,000 2yo purchase at the 2012 OBS March sale.
She was originally a $110,000 yearling at Fasig Tipton July and bought/pinhooked by Donver Stables and Cory Wagner.
The mare, House of Soviet’s , is a half sister to Indian Charlie.
Lady Banks is 2 for 3 in her career for owners George and Stephanie Audrey and trainer James Lawrence.
She won by 2 lengths yearday with a 77 Beyer Figure.
“We’re going to try and space her races out a little bit now,” said Lawrence of Lady Banks, who was purchased for $130,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sales last March. “I come from a steeplechase background so I’m always thinking about stretching them out. We’ll definitely give her a try at that. When we picked her out, the long-term plan was the Oaks. [Leading into that] the Gazelle [Grade 2, 1 1/8 miles, April 6, Aqueduct] is a very good option.”
FIFTY PROOF/HOLLINGER in the back
CANADIAN-BREDS Fifty Proof and Hollinger were last and 2nd last in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes yesterday at GUlfstream. The former, a 7yo on the comeback trail, was going along smoothly on the pace inthe 1 1/16 mile turf test but going quickly. He went in less than 47 seconds for the half mile at a distance that is probably a bit too sharp for him.
Meanwhile Hollinger was in a jackpot turning for home and understandably lost interest it seems after getting shuffled back.
LOTS OF CANADIAN INTEREST IN HAL’S HOPE:
Sunday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:05 p.m. EDT
HAL’S HOPE S.-GIII, $100,000, 4yo/up, 1m
PP HORSE OWNER BREEDER TRAINER/JOCKEY ML
1 Swagger Jack K Silverton Hill LLC Edward P Evans (VA) Wolfson 15-1
(h, 5, Smart Strike–Lyrical Prayer, by The Minstrel) Lanerie
2 Associate Sullivan Lane Stable & Dennis Narlinger Dixie Farm (KY) R Dutrow 6-1
(h, 5, Wando–Free as Tristan, by Crafty Friend) Rosario
3 Good Morning Diva George J Kerr Iadora Farm (KY) Braddy 20-1
(c, 4, Lion Heart–Missy’s Advantage, by Tactical Advantage) Cruz
4 Soldat K Harvey Clarke & W Craig Robertson III Brookfield Stud LLC (KY) McLaughlin 6-1
(h, 5, War Front–Le Relais, by Coronado’s Quest) Castellano
5 Delegation K Gary Barber Tom & Elizabeth Baxter (KY) Casse 4-1
(g, 4, Speightstown–Cindy’s Hero, by Sea Hero) Velazquez
6 Csaba Bruce Hollander & Cary Shapoff Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey (KY) Gleaves 5-2
(c, 4, Kitten’s Joy–High Chant, by War Chant) Saez
7 Scatman K JEOG Racing LLC JEOG Racing LLC (KY) Mott 6-1
(c, 4, Scat Daddy–Hit it Here Café, by Grand Slam) Lezcano
8 Cool Blue Red Hot Jim Bakke & Gerry Isbister Ted O’Neill (KY) Penna 20-1
(h, 5, Harlan’s Holiday–Paris Rose, by Accelerator) Bravo
9 Pants on Fire Lori & George Hall K & G Stables (KY) Breen 5-1
(h, 5, Jump Start–Cabo de Noche, by Cape Town) Lopez
10 Pool Play K WS Farish Jr Windfields Farm (ON) Casse 15-1
(h, 8, Silver Deputy–Zuri Ridge, by Cox’s Ridge) Mena
random thought….GO SEAHAWKS!!
MORE CANADIANS
Ontario breds HAVING SAID THAT (Domasca Dan) and SIMON’S GIRL (Heny HUghes) won low level claiming races at Penn National yesterday while THUNDER ROCK, trained by Steven Chircop for Willie Armata finished last of 8 in a $4,000 claiming race. ADDENDUM: The same connections had WIDMO finished third in a $7,500 maiden race later on the card.
LITTLE RED CHRIS was vanned off from a race at Charles Town last night.for $5,00 claiming. He had been claimed from his previous race in November for $10,000 by Scott Fairlie and had not raced since.
He was even-money in the race last night when he was vanned off.
BAKU won at Charles Town last night for $7,500. She is a Survivalist – Always Loving 3yo bred by Brian Cullen.
BARBADOS GOLD CUP 2013
The following horses have been nominated at the 1st subscription stage for the XXXII SANDY LANE BARBADOS GOLD CUP (GR.1. – INT. – BAR) scheduled to be held on Saturday 2nd March, 2013.
APOSTLE (Sir Charles Williams)
ARISTODEMUS (Sir David Seale)
BAD ACTION (Mrs. Daislyn Sharpe) (St. Kitts & Nevis)
DAGA (Blue Diamond Racing)
DANCIN DAVID (Sir David Seale)
DISCREETWON (Messrs. Dan & Martin Raizman)
ERADOS (Mrs. Gay Smith)
GIOVEDI (Bill & Hayley Blevins)
GRAEME HILL (Bill & Hayley Blevins)
JUST CALL ME ROGER (Mr. Paul Mouttet) (Trinidad)
KENDAL MOON (Sir Charles Williams)
LITTLE MAN ARRAN (Bill & Hayley Blevins)
MODIMO (Mr. Lewin Godding)
SHARED ADVENTURE (H & M)
SHOW ME THE MONEY (Blue Diamond Racing)
ZOOM (Mrs. Gay Smith)
HEAD SCRATCHERS
STEWARD HILL is a 9yo Canadian-bred gelding by Mr Greeley. He has raced just 10 times in his career. He left owner/breeder Eugene Melnyk in 2011 and was in the care of Jennifer Hayford for a Jan. 2012 race at Tampa for $16,000 claiming.
he was pulled up.
A year later, off just 2 slow, half mile workouts, Steward HIll is in action for Hayford for $8,000. He was vanned off after a last place finish.
Canadian-bred IWILLGOTOTHEMOON (Perigee Moon – Passionate Blonde) broke down Thursday evening at Charles Town racetrack in a $5,000 claiming race and has been put down.
The chestnut gelding, described as classy by his current owner and trainer Rob Johnston, was making his first start since late in the Woodbine season when he was off form for $8,000 claiming.
Bred by Stubbs Investment, Iwillgotothemoon was a $1,500 weanling purchase in 2008 and a $10,000 yearling purchase.
He debuted on July 90 2009 for Sheldon Pettle and Steve Attard in a maiden allowance race at Woodbine. He won 2nd time out by 6 lengths for $40,000 claiming and earned over $21,000.
Through the last few years, IWILLGOTOTHEMOON was a solid high claiming sprinter. He did win a couple of times at the allowance level in 2010 and 2011. Last year, IWILLGOTOTHEMOON won for $50,000 claiming in May under Patrick Husbands. Then, through the year, he tumbled and tumbled all the way to $8,000 claiming, He did win once at Fort Erie but then was well beaten in his last 2 races of the season for low claiming.
He was transferred from Pettle and Attard to Johnston for the trip to Charles Town.
IWILLGOTOTHEMOON was claimed from the race he broke down in.
Race Record – 30 starts
6 wins
3 seconds
5 thirds $281,929 – Best Beyer 84
HASTINGS FOR 2013, LOW TAKEOUTS
With the goal to increase handle and field size for a third consecutive year, Raj Mutti – Regional General Manager, BC Racing – proudly announced today the 2013 thoroughbred racing schedule for Hastings Racecourse.
“We have several exciting things planned on our 2013 calendar,” Mutti said. “Opening day is Saturday, April 13 with the schedule continuing through to Thanksgiving Monday, October 14, covering a total of 69 race days. Again our industry-leading low takeouts will be at 15% Win, Place and Show as well as the Pick 3, 4, 5 and Daily Double features all season long.”
Mutti was pleased to add that there will be consistent post times throughout the season with weekends and holiday cards beginning at 1:50 p.m. and 12 Friday Night Live cards at 7 p.m. Two Marquee Days – BC Cup (Aug. 5) and BC Derby (Sept. 8) – will start at 12:50 p.m. because of added races on those two special cards.
Seven racing days are scheduled during the 2013 Fair at the PNE (Aug 17 – Sept. 2) with five going at 1:50 p.m. and two Friday nights retaining the regular 7 p.m. start time.
While the 2013 Stakes Schedule has not yet been finalized, Mutti indicated that total purse money for the proposed 40 stake races will be approximately $2.5 million. BC Cup Day on the Aug. 5 Holiday Monday will feature the six traditional BC Cup races for horses bred in British Columbia: the Debutante, Nursery, Dogwood, Stellar’s Jay and Distaff – all worth $50,000 – as well as the $75,000 Redekop BC Cup Classic
BC Derby/Oaks Day on Sunday, Sept. 8 will offer $700,000 in purse money for six stakes, including the Grade 3 BC Derby, BC Oaks, the Sadie and Jack Diamond Futurities, as well as the SW Randall Plate and Delta Colleen.
“That’s why we refer to them as our Marquee Days,” Mutti said. “They are our two richest single-day events of the season. The BC Derby attracts top horses from Pacific Northwest, Alberta, California and Ontario. It creates overwhelming interest and generally draws upwards of 12,000 patrons.”
