PLETCHER: “EVERYTHING ON SCHEDULE”
EMBUR’S SONG BULLETS 4 FURLONGS FOR OAKS
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who sent out SUPER SAVER to win this year’s KENTUCKY DERBY – told THOROUGHBLOG yesterday that likely WOODBINE OAKS favourite EMBUR’S SONG’S “worked well and is on shcedule” for a trip back to Woodbine for Sunday’s $500,000 race.
The Ontario bred gal with just 2 races under her belt (both big wins) figures to be 8 to 5 in the Oaks, perhaps lower as she tackles seven others who are scheduled to go post for the 9 furlong race for Canadian-bred sophomore fillies.
Pletcher said the Unbridled’s Song filly was shipped to Saratoga from Woodbine to work as it was a short enough trip for the filly to be with his team at that New York track.
The filly, bred by Ted Burnett’s Josham Farms, worked in 47 flat yesterday at Saratoga, the fastest of 25 workouts at the distance.
“She’s a free-running filly,” said Pletcher. “But we have worked her in company before and she has been very competitive. If it was necessary that she would lay just off the pace, she would be okay, she has dug in in her works.”
Embur’s Song, from the sprinting mare Embur Sunshine, did not race as a 2yo as she had the “typical baby stuff”, said Pletcher.
“We had her for a little bit in the summer but didn’t get her back until the fall and she’s been working and training since then.”
GARRETT GOMEZ has been hired to ride the filly, replacing Chantal Sutherland who won on her last time at Woodbine. The filly’s Beyer Figures are 99 and 98, making her a double advantage filly for the Oaks.
Pletcher, incidentally, said he had kicked around some ideas of getting stalls at Woodbine during the last couple of years but ultimately decided that it would also work just to ship in for races.
Pletcher has to be at Churchill Downs for the Stephen Foster Stakes on Saturday but said he is trying to make travel plans to come to Woodbine on Sunday for the Oaks.
EMBUR’S SONG is owned by ISSAM FARES, owner of Fares Farm in Kentucky.
TODD PLETCHER, with his Derby winner SUPER SAVER, will have the WOODBINE OAKS favourite.
Cindy Pierson Dulay photo
WOODBINE OAKS COUNTDOWN
Post draw on Thursday
EMBUR’S SONG (Unbridled’s Song) 98, 99 Beyer Figures in 2 races – trained by Todd Pletcher, bred by Ted Burnett, owned by Fares Farm
ERNFOLD (Stormy Atlantic) 80, 81, trained by Roger Attfield, bred by Winsong, owned by Jim and Susan Hill
ISABEAU’S ELEGANCE (Dixie Union), 74, 82, : trained by Mark Casse, bred by Denny Andrews/Blackwater, owned by Classic Oaks
MOMENT OF MAJESTY (Saint Liam), 77,81 trained by Sue Leslie, bred by Curtis and Nancy Joseph, owned by Curtis Joseph
OIL PAINTING (Distorted Humor) 74, 75, 71, trained by Josie Carroll. Bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and NETP, owned by Glenn Sikura and HIll ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings
RESENTLESS (Trajectory) 87, 82, trained by Ian Howard, bred by Ian Jamieson, owned by Don Ross
ROAN INISH (Elusive Quality) 75, 74 trained by Carlyn Costigan, owned/bred by Robert Costigan
TEE GAME (El Corredor) 72, 75, trained by Mike Doyle, owned by Hendrie Farm, bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equines Holdings
OAKS NOTES – RESENTLESS is trying to get back to business after she was very ill since her latest race. She is the front runner in the race unless EMBUR’S SONG insists on gunning to the front. ERNFOLD is a popular pick as she was a good second to champion BIOFUEL (American bred, not eligible for Oaks) in the La Lorgnette Stakes.
TRAINER MARK CASSE does not sound overconfident – “We’re behind the eight-ball a little bit,” said Casse. “She doesn’thave the experience, but she’s coming along and I think she has a lot of
ability. But this is going to be a very tough race.” His starter is Isabeau’s Elegance.
Jockey Corey Fraser, seeking his first Oaks win, will be aboard.
JOANNIE ROCHETTE will assist in the post position draw on Thursday at Wegz Stadium Bar.
LAST 15 WINNERS OF THE OAKS
2009 Milwaukee Appeal Stewart Elliott Scott H. Fairlie C.E.C. Farms
2008 Ginger Brew Javier Castellano Brian A. Lynch Stronach Stables 1:51.40
2007 Sealy Hill Patrick Husbands Mark E. Casse Eugene Melnyk 1:50.68
2006 Kimchi Patrick Husbands Mark E. Casse Seasoft Stable 1:52.23
2005 Gold Strike Jim McAleney Reade Baker Dick Bonnycastle 1:51.63
2004 Eye of the Sphynx Todd Kabel Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:53.11
2003 Too Late Now Robert Landry James E. Day Edna Arrow 1:53.05
2002 Ginger Gold Richard Dos Ramos Sid C. Attard Jim Dandy Stable 1:51.56
2001 Dancethruthedawn Gary Boulanger Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:51.74
2000 Catch The Ring Robert Landry Mark Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1:53.16
1999 Touch Dial Mickey Walls Tino Attard Stronach Stables 1:51.13
1998 Kirby’s Song Todd Kabel Tino Attard Kirby Canada Farm 1:50.80
1997 Capdiva Robert Landry Roger Attfield Legacy Thoroughbred 1:50.80
1996 Silent Fleet Steven Bahen Bernard Girault Peter Chiodo 1:50.20
1995 Gal In A Ruckus Herb McCauley John T. Ward, Jr. John C. Oxley 1:51.20
Coincidentally, Stewart Elliott, who won last year’s Oaks, will be awarded the Avelino Gomez trophy on Sunday.
PLATE TRIAL ON SUNDAY
Gomez in to ride Captain
If the WOODBINE OAKS was not enough, The PLATE TRIAL could have 6 to 8 runners are scrambling to get things on order for the July 4 Plate.
With HOTEP and ARTIC FERN among the leading contenders awaiting the Plate, the Trial will be the big test for last year’s champion 2yo HOLLINGER, who had a stunning 1 mile workout recently when he crushed stablemate/Plate hopeful MOBILIZER.
HOLLINGER, trained by Roger Attfield (who is going for a record 9th Plate win) was 4th in the Queenston Stakes in his seasonal debut, his first career loss.
The Contenders for the TRIAL
BIG RED MIKE
ch.g.3 by Tenpins(Smart Strike) – Regent n’Flashy(Vice Regent)
Terra Racing Stable Nicholas Gonzalez
CAPTAIN CANUCK
dk b/.g.3 by Pulpit(A.P. Indy) – Magna Cum Laude(Pleasant Tap)
Earle I. Mack Josie Carroll
D’S WANDO
b.c.3 by Wando(Langfuhr) – Silver Taler(Bold Ruckus)
D’s Stable, Riviera Racing Stable and Yorktech Racing Stable Ian Black
GHOST FLEET
dk b/.c.3 by Arch(Kris S.) – Destroy(Housebuster)
Jim Dandy Stable Sid C. Attard
GIANT’S TOMB
ch.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Song of the Wild(Gone West)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
HOLLINGER
gr/ro.g.3 by Black Minnaloushe(Storm Cat) – Dynamite Cocktail(Dynaformer)
Robert Harvey and A. Wortzman R. L. Attfield
MOBILIZER
dk b/.c.3 by Motivator (GB)(Montjeu (IRE)) – Kris Is It(Kris S.)
Stronach Stables R. L. Attfield
MOBTHEWARRIOR
dk b/.g.3 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Little Warrior(Woodman)
Andrew V. Fredericks Gregory de Gannes
SMART SKY
b.c.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Flashy n Smart(Smarten)
C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
WHO WE GUNNA CALL
dk b/.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Touch Dial(Phone Trick)
Castle Peak Farm, Ltd. Tino Attard
OAKS DOINGS ON SUNDAY
If you check the WOODBINE WEB SITE, you will discover there is a HANDICAPPING CONTEST on that day – SEE AD BELOW.
There is also a trackside party.
“Play the Extreme Betting Contest at Woodbine on Woodbine Oaks Day to test your betting skills against other players for your chance to win from $1250.
* Play with real cash bets of any type and amount on the Woodbine Race Card.
* Guaranteed Prize Pool of $2500.
* $25 Entry Fee + $50 Bankroll = $75 Buy-In
* Sunday, June 13
* Register NOW at the Woodbine Racetrack Player’s Services Desk”
It appears that the only information about this contest to win cash is on the website so go there so see the updates.
BAKER FOUR
Four wins for trainer on Sunday
READE BAKER does not think he has ever won four races in one day so Sunday was a super day for the conditioner who had 3 scores at Woodbine, including the BOLD RUCKUS STAKES with Bear Stables’ IT’S TIME BEAR and a win at Fort Erie.
More incredibly, owner ROGER FORTIER (Jus Luk Stable) was the owner of 3 of the horses, the boiggest day for the relative newcomer into horse ownership.
IT’S TIME BEAR is the latest stakes winner for Gardiner Farms stallion PEAKS AND VALLEYS.
“The turf course was a little soft, but we went pretty relaxed and
they just left me alone,” said It’s Time Bear’s rider Ramsammy. “I think he was much more
comfortable today (on the turf). He’s a young, maturing horse. He’s
got a few quirks in him.”
Added Baker, “I’m not smart enough to guess who can turf and who
can’t turf. I just bring them over and run them once. He’s a big,
strong horse, with big feet on him. Looked like the right kind (for the
grass).”
It’s Time Bear paid $25.60, $9.40 and $6.40, combining with Race for
Gold ($4.40, $3.10) for a $120.60 (6-11) exactor. A 6-11-7 (Arepeatee,
$5.40 to show) triactor fashioned a $1,369.80 payoff, while a $1
Superfecta [6-11-7-1 (Bold Canadian)] came back $7,113.70.
C.T.H.S BREEDERS’ AWARDS SATURDAY NIGHT
Get in the festive mood with an evening with horsefolks
TORONTO STAR SAYS WOODBINE LIVE! shovels start in fall
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/819821–rexdale-braces-for-a-boom
