Monday morning -awesome Woodbine stakes on sunny day, NATALMA STAKES under appeal..seeking Todd Kabel and more!
Wise Dan is a ‘freak horse’ (far right). He beat Canadian based HUNTERS BAY in the Woodbine Mile. Cindy Pierson Dulay photo
Well, WISE DAN was everything he was supposed to be – a 107 Beyer as he romped in the Woodbine Mile (GI) when only shown the whip. This Morton Fink homebred was the popular winner on a sparkling, warm day packed with lots of stakes action.
Betting was down to $5.7 million, compared to last year’s $6.1 million but there was still a good buzz from a sizy outdoor crowd.
WISE DAN is on to the Breeders’ Cup, but what race? Likely the Mile, Thoroughblog chatted with Mr. and Mrs Morton Fink in a post race celebration and while the Classic is not ruled out, the Mile distance is a proven trip for Dan.
The Finks have just one mare, Dan’s mother Lisa Danielle, named for their granddaughter. The mare is in foal to Afleet Alex.
HUNTERS BAY was making his grass debut and charged hard for 2nd place and is likely headed to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
The turf and Poly were in excellent shape and there was no shortage of compliments from visiting horsepeople about the facilities at Woodbine.
Let’s hope we can hang on and still be celebrating big horses and big races next year.
The NORTHERN DANCER Stakes was another crowning win for WIGMORE HALL (Wiggy) as he beat the consistent Al Khali. The 3yo Canadian filly IRISH MISSION ran decently to be 5th. Champion MUSKETIER did not look comfortable crossing the finish line.
The CANADIAN STAKES went to a sharp BAREFOOT LADY who had Davy Moran on board as Jamie Spencer was too heavy to rider her at post time. Barefoot Lady is going to race next in the EP Taylor.
The ONTARIO DERBY, a 95 Beyer, went to Stealcase who was making his Woodbine debut. He stalked a very slow pace and won by 1 1/2 lengths.
All in all, a super day of racing and Woodbine showcased itself very well as usual.
NATALMA RESULT APPEALED
CAROLYN COSTIGAN has lodged an appeal to the ORC stewards into the result of the Natlama Stakes-Grade 2 on Saturday, The owner claims that his filly, Nancy O., who finished a fast closing third, was interfered with at the start by the winner SPRING VENTURE.
“We took a long time to think about this, it’s not the way you want to decide races. But I did not see the head on until I got home,” said Costigan, whose daughter Carolyn trains the daughter of champion ARRAVALE.
“We want to know if there was an infraction, did it affect the outcome of the race. I think our filly lost her position out of the gate when she was interfered with. I don’t think Patrick (Husbands) tried to straight his filly out.”
Costigan said that once his filly was interfered with, she lost too much ground and had a tough trip. Nancy O did close fast and was in front past the wire.
The stewards did not put up an inquiry (Husbands did look behind him) and jockey David Moran did no claim foul.
1000 for EJW
D’WILDCAT GOLD had a deeelightful win for EMMA-JAYNE WILSON as she became the rider’s 1,000th career winner in the 1st race on Sunday. The filly is trained by TOM O’KEEFE, who Wilson has ridden for during the years of her beginning her career.
POSITIVE TESTS
For the second time, champion sprinter HOLLYWOO HIT is suspended for 90 days after a positive test for acepromazine. The gelding is trained by Terry Jordan.
Another horse, YOU WOOD, at Fort Erie, has also been suspended 90 days. He is trained by R. Raghunath.
TODD KABEL
Calls by Thoroughblog to Todd Kabel have not been returned. Kabel was to ride Riding the River in the Woodbine Mile but according to trainer Dave Cotey, after the rider worked the horse, eventually the rider did not come back to the barn.
Kabel is not listed on any mounts for Wednesday and was not on any horses for the last 2 weeks.
