SIX SIX SIX!
One shrewd bettor went home with $25,000 plus yesterday after sweeping the PICK 6 over everyone else who played. Certainly the carryover that had accumulated for several weeks helped generate a solid Friday handle of over $2.5 million. The winning Pick 6 was not that easy to get even if the highest payoff was just $12.
Race 5 to kick things off went to the old-time BUG’S BOY who benefitted from a very fast pace set by Trouble Today to win his maiden in his 13th race for trainer JOhn LeBlanc Jr. He was the longest shot of the Pick 6 series.
Race 6 – PHOR PHILLPE won his season debut for $16K against maidens and was nicely spotted yesterday for $12,500 versus 3yos and he was up in the late stages to outduel Forever Gleaming and win again for Robert Tiller and Howard Fishman. The Ontario bred is by Where’s the Ring and he’s 2 for 6 in his career now.
Race 7 featured a big class dropper in BOLD BANDIT with Patrick Husbands on board. The Wray Lawrence trainee pushed the fast Exchange Note to the limit in an allowance race in his previous start (44 3/5 to that half that day). He had things easier this time for $25,000 claiming and won for the 2nd time in his 6 races.
On the grass for race 8 and LEMON TWIRL had a nice trip to win the non-winners of 2 ‘other than’ allowance in her 2nd race of thr season for George Robertson and trainer John Mattine (his 2nd win of the season). The Lemon Drop Kid mare is 2 for 15 in her career.
Race 9 was a maiden allowance for Ontario sired guys and LADY’S FIRST CAT was making his 2nd race of the season, and 2nd since 2007 , and he was one of 3 nice wins for jockey Emma-Jaybe Wilson yesterday. The D’Wildcat 4yo colt, owned by John and Jessica Pastork was stakes placed as a 2yo. He appears to be back to his old self despite the long layoff.
And in the finale, nailbiting time for the one bettor who was looking to take the Pick 6, HURRY MURRAY won so easily the bettor didn’t have to sweat it out. The flashy chestnut gelding did the winning move yesterday – wide rally out in the 6 path and drew off to be yet another winner for trainer Sam DiPasquale.
Other winners yesterday:
Shale Wagman’s $1,000 purchase THUNDERCOVER won her 2nd race as a 2yo in the first race for $50,000 claiming. Trained by Red Johnson, the Lightnin N Thunder Florida-bred was ridden by Constant Montpellier.
Jockey WILSON’S three-bagger kicked off in race 2 when LIBIAMO, trainedand co-owned by Steve Attard rolled to a big win for $16K claiming for his 2nd win in 11 races. In that race, TUSCAN MIST from the Steve Asmussen barn, ran into a jackpot on the rail and checked hard, losing all chance.
Reade Baker picked up win number 10 in the 3rd with Jim and Susan Hill’s CUVECIOUS, a Kentucky bred by Cuvee who won her maiden for $50K claiming in her 5th career start.
And Brian Lynch sent out Stronach Stables’ speedy MADAM INSPECTOR to win her season debut in race 4, an allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. The Deputy Commander filly is 2 for 3 in her career.
SIZZLE SIZZLE
Woodbine Thursday Times Very Fast
The first race of yesterday’s card said a lot about the way things were headed for the day – YOU DON’T PASS, a first time starter with fast workout times for trainer Robert Tiller and owner 3 Sons Racing, sped to a big debut win in 1:08.82 good for a 92 Beyer Figure.
We’ve seen this before, Tiller sent out debut runner EXCANGE NOTE to run a 100 Beyer Figure first time out earlier in the meeting only to come back with a poor effort. But anyway, You Don’t Pass (Pikepass – Silver and Bronze) won quite handily at 6 furlongs and the Hope Stock Farm-bred seemed to defeat a decent field.
Two-year-olds took over in races 2 and 3 (see race 3 summary below in the MOBIL BLURB) and ALWAYS WILDCATTIN’ ran to his expectations finally in his 2nd start, winning off in 51 3/5 – just missing the track record. He’s a Florida bred by the red-hot freshman sire WILDCAT HEIR, who now has 6 winning babies. Steve Asmussen trains the 2yo.
SAM-SON FARMS’ unleashed a nice filly when FOREST UPROAR, a full sister to graded stakes placed turfer Quiet Jungle, won her debut close to the pace at 1 mile on the grass. The Forest Wildcat – Split the Arrow gal came home in 22 4/5 for the last 2 furlongs under Rob Landry. She was a fat 5 to 1 in her debut.
Trainer JOHN MATTINE won his first race as a trainer when U GOT DAT RITE won the battle of the big class droppers in race 5 for $12,500. The D’Wildcat gelding was dropping from allowances (!) for his 4th career start. Mattine took over the stable of his late father Tony last month. He would win another race on Friday (see Friday wrap above).
DONNA LEE PIZARRO won her first race with her 3rd starter of the meeting when 14 to 1 HEIDI’S BAY, a well related Megas Vukefalos filly, won her 3rd race of the season with the drop from $19K to $12,500. The filly had not hit the top three in her 8 previous races. Pizarro’s son Tyler rode the filly to a neck win and kicked off a PIZARRO PICK 3 that completed the card.
Norseman Stable – owners of U Got Dat Rite, struck again (as did Tyler Pizarro) when HATE YOUR MONEY won her maiden in race 6 for $12,500 claiming. Starting from post 11, the widest spot, the old Executive gal was making her 2nd career start and was adding blinkers for trainer Scott Fairlie. The 3yo is out of the multiple winning mare COME HOME CATHY.
PIZARRO wrapped things up with the easy-to-like MIGHT FENIAN, who won the $40,000 claiming race on the grass for trainer Sam DiPasquale, who is winning at an astonishing rate this season. The Sky Classic gelding was claimed from his finale in 2008 for $20,000 and was making his 2nd start of the season.
TALLON EARNS MERIT AWARD
RACING CLUB AWARDS SUNDAY!
report from Daily Racing Form
Bill Tallon, the Canadian editor of Daily Racing Form, will receive the merit award, in recognition of his contributions to Thoroughbred racing in Ontario. Tallon, 57, joined DRF in 1979.
“I’m flattered to have been chosen for this honor,” said Tallon. “I believe the Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club serves an important function, as it gives its members the opportunity to experience the facets of the racing world which would not necessarily be available to all regular racegoers.”
The Toronto Thoroughbred Racing Club, consisting of people from all segments of the racing industry, conducts farm and backstretch tours, as well as an annual field trip to an out-of-town racetrack, which will be a second trip to Presque Isle Downs this August.
GOIN MOBIL
First winner for stallion
Andrew Fredericks’ MOBTHEWARRIOR came from fourth place to romp home by more than 6 lengths in his debut yesterday to become the first winner for the Langfuhr stallion MOBIL.
Mobil, who began his stud career at Windfields Farm, now lives at his birthplace, Gus Schickedanz’s Schomberg Farm.
Mobthewarrior was bought for $23,000 at the local 2yo sale from Schickedanz. Greg de Gannes trains and Emma-Jayne Wilson rode. The time of 51.76 was just off the track record.
QUEEN’S PLATE FESTIVITIES
THE PLATE…EYE OF THE LEOPARD could be a big, big favourite on June 21 in the Queen’s Plate. Terence Dulay photo.
Things heat up Monday with the Plate media barbeque, a golf tournament on Wednesday and the post position draw on Thursday morning and a Plate seminar on Saturday morning at 8:30.
Also, the sequel of THE PLATE, A ROYAL TRADITION, by Lou Cauz, will be out and for sale at $150.00 celebrating the 150th Plate.
While we await official word on if the fillies MILWAUKEE APPEAL and TASTY TEMPTATION will join EYE OF THE LEOPARD and others, the field figures to be:
Horse, last race and Beyer Figure
*MILWAUKEE APPEAL filly – Woodbine Oaks 99
*TASTY TEMPTATION filly – 2ND woodbine oaks, 93
EYE OF THE LEOPARD – Plate Trial winner 85
SHUT IT DOWN 3rd allowance 86
MR FORICOS TWO U allowance winner 84
*RESERVOIR – allowance on turf – 82
RAPID RELEASE – 3rd Plate Trial 81
STARDUST ZIGGY 2nd maiden race 78
ACTIVE DUTY – 4th Trial 77
KEINO WEST – 5th Trial 75
COSTALIVIN – Unplaced Trial 74
FLIP FOR THE COIN – 3rd allowance 74 Beyer
CARCILLO – maiden 74
EL BRUJO – Unplaced Trial 72
(*would have to be supplemented)
PICKING IT UP – EL BRUJO is still going to the Plate despite a lethargic Plate trial run when he was given tactics that did not seem to work. Jockey Pat Husbands, who refused to talk after that race, may not be riding if Tasty Temptation competes. Cindy Pierson Dulay photo.
Fundraiser for injured exercise rider
A benefit dinner and poker tournament will be held Monday for exercise rider Nikki Umiker, who sustained fractures and internal injuries in a recent training accident at a nearby farm.
The location is The Brickyard, 120 North Queen Street, Etobicoke. The $60 entry fee, which is due on Sunday, includes dinner. Part of each entry fee will go toward Umiker’s expenses during her recovery, which is expected to take about three months.
To register contact Shawn Kennedy, Woodbine’s racetrack chaplain, or jockey agents Tom Patton or Kerri Beauclaire.
TAKE THIS
Effective Wednesday, June 17, Woodbine Entertainment Group will reduce the takeout on its live thoroughbred and standardbred triactors to a total takeout of 27%, from 28.3%, when all of the mandatory regulatory deductions are included.
Unlike U.S. racetracks where taxes are primarily applied to winnings, Canada has its taxes applied as a percentage of wagering. More specifically, mandated regulatory deductions account for 6.8% of wagering or about 24% of Woodbine Entertainment Group’s (WEG) total triactor takeouts, the majority of which is represented by the province’s 4% Horse Improvement Program.
WEG’s efforts to make its live race triactors more competitive by replacing this excessive pari-mutuel levy with a slots-based levy have been rejected by horsepeople’s associations.
Simultaneously, in order to partially offset $1 million of new simulcast costs demanded by some Churchill and Magna controlled tracks, triactor takeout rates on these simulcast signals will increase to the same 27% total takeout including all mandatory deductions.
The tracks affected are Arlington Park, California thoroughbred tracks, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park and Pimlico Racecourse. California regulations also mandate an additional 0.5% on their tri pools.
WEG understands the sensitivity of price increases but believes that limiting the increase to only tri pools on a small number of tracks is better than the alternative of Churchill and Magna pulling their simulcast signals from the Canadian market.
As a net result of all these changes, WEG will still absorb approximately 90% of these increased costs or $900,000 per year, in an effort to minimize the impact to its customers. The recent simulcast agreement with Churchill and Magna will ensure their signals remain in Canada at least until the spring of 2011.
SATURDAY FEATURES
-The calm before the storm at Woodbine this weekend.
The Ballade, Victoria and Zadracarta Stakes are little events on tap this weekend.
The Ballade is for older mares, sprinting on Polytrack, and a large field was assembled but then many may scratch to go in Sunday’s Zadracarta Stakes, fillies and mare sprinting on the grass. Five gals could leave the Ballade at 8 if they go Sunday instead (one, Jovial Jill, is re-entered for $25K claiming).
Certainly the presence of AUTHENICAT in the Ballade will scare off many as she drops from graded stakes into the confines of an Ontario sired event.
Ballade S.
6 Furlongs (All Weather Track) | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $125,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Executive Flight Ramsammy E Banach Darwin D 115 L 4-1
2 2 Mia d’Cougar Sutherland C Attard Tino 115 L 20-1
3 3 You Will Love Me Da Silva E R Barnett Robert E 119 L 12-1
4 4 Authenicat Landry R C Carroll Josie 122 L 5-2
5 5 Impossible Time Jones J Attfield Roger L 115 L 15-1
6 6 Only If Split Stein J Richards Lorne 115 L 12-1
7 7 Bent Attorney Wilson E MacRae Donald C 117 L 6-1
8 8 Nicki Knew Pizarro T Attard Kevin 119 L 15-1
9 9 London Snow Bahen S R Charalambous John 119 L 15-1
10 10 Kaleidoscope Kerry Husbands P Ross John A 115 Blk-On L 10-1
11 11 Jovial Jill Callaghan S Drexler Martin 115 Blk-On L 20-1
12 12 Krz Exec Baird J DePaulo Michael P 119 L 15-1
SOME RACES ELSEWHERE…
Saturday, Churchill Downs
STEPHEN FOSTER H.-GI, $600,000, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT
1 Alphabet Magic Alphabet Soup Farina 113
2 Macho Again Macho Uno Albarado 117
3 Einstein (Brz) Spend a Buck Leparoux 124
4 Arson Squad Brahms Gomez 118
5 Researcher Two Smart Borel 118
6 Bullsbay Tiznow Rose 117
7 Asiatic Boy (Arg) Not for Sale (Arg) Garcia 122
8 Finallymadeit Concerto Nunez 118
Saturday, Hollywood Park
CALIFORNIAN S.-GII, $250,000, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m
(AWT)
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY WT
1 Mr Napper Tandy (GB) Bahamian Bounty (GB) J Garcia 120
2 Mast Track Mizzen Mast Flores 116
3 Rail Trip Jump Start Valdivia Jr 116
4 Aitcho Stormy Atlantic Smith 116
5 Ukiah Unbridled=s Song Nakatani 116
6 Song of Navarone Sultry Song Espinoza 118
7 Informed Tiznow T Baze 116
8 Ball Four Grand Slam Talamo 120
9 Limestone Edge Cat Thief Rosario 116
10 Unusual Smoke Unusual Heat M Garcia 118
11 Dakota Phone Zavata Bejarano 116
12 Awesome Gem Awesome Again Solis 116
7 YEARS??
– At Thistledown on Monday in a maiden allowance, PREMIER ACCOUNT, a 10-year-old mare, came off a SEVEN YEAR LAYOFF to race. She finished last for trainer Debra Divitto. The Mt. Livermore mare is 0 for 14 in her career.
ICE ICE BABY
SHREVEPORT TIMES FEATURE – TIME ICE
Tim Ice, Summer Bird dynamic duo
Pair have captured racing world
By Roy Lang III • rflang@gannett.com • June 12, 2009
A week ago, no one knew Tim Ice from Vanilla Ice. These days, everyone is anticipating his next move.
The non-rapping Ice believes race horses don’t have to be based in Kentucky, California or New York to reach the elite level.
Saturday, the fledgling trainer from Benton and his playful chestnut colt that sleeps in stable A-7 at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs gave hope to anonymous horsemen around the country.
With a rousing come-from-behind triumph at the Belmont Stakes, Summer Bird followed half-brother and New Mexico-based Mine That Bird’s hoof prints to become the second unusual winner of a 2009 Triple Crown event.
www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090612/SPORTS/906120345/1001/SPORTS
