TODAY IS SATURDAY JULY 9…8 DAYS UNTIL THE PRINCE OF WALES….SEE LIST OF PROBABLES IN THIS POST..STEAMY HOT TURF RACING AT WOODBINE THIS WEEKEND!
FRIDAY WRAP
A July lull and shades of the ‘ugly season’ (a term coined by members of the local media years ago when racing was on the pages of the papers several times a week) has taken place at Woodbine this week and that is never unexpected.
The spring runners are on the bench and the summer/fall runners are just getting into gear. Or many horses don’t like the heat.
So, the fields are a bit small right now. And weird stuff happens during the ‘ugly season’.
Yesterday was an example of that.
The day started off sadly when the lovely 6-year-old mare LAKEAWAY died after flipping in the paddock before race 3, a $16,000 claiming event. The daughter of Greenwood Lake, claimed last time for $20,000 by trainer Mike Pino and owner Daniel Ryan, had won 11 of 28 races and over $242,000 but something went wrong yesterday.
The 3rd race was delayed some 20 plus minutes.
Just one race later KIAMA, the big favourite in race 4 for 2yo fillies, lunged and broke through the gate before the start of the $62,500 maiden event but it was right at the start of the race. The filly went on to battle hard and win the 6 furlong dash but she was later deemed a non-starter and all bets were refunded. The 2nd horse, PROMISE MORE, a debuting Songandaprayer filly for Cloverlead Farm, was put up for the win.
Last Monday, the 12-year-old warrior SANDSPIT (Sandpit) was retired from racing and a celebration took place at Fort Erie racetrack. More than $350 was raised for the local Humane Society too.
Norm Files photo
NINE SET FOR 2ND JEWEL OF TRIPLE CROWN… Post draw next Wednesday, race July 17 at FORT ERIE
BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY
ch.c.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Victory Encounter(Victory Speech)
Martin S. Schwartz Chad C. Brown
FOURTH IN THE PLATE
(S)CHARLIE’S THE MAN
B.c Indian Charlie – Social Woman, by Woodman.
Jim and Susan HIll Brian Lynch
* would need to be supplemented
WINNER
CHECK YOUR SOUL
dk b/.c.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Unchecked(Unbridled)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
PLATE TRIAL
CURGONE
b.g.3 by Niigon(Unbridled) – Curiosity(Tale of the Cat)
J. M. Stritzl Stable Gregory de Gannes
HIPPOLYTUS
dk b/.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Danzatara(Ascot Knight)
Horse’n Around Racing Stable and Lederman, R. Mark E. Casse
2ND PLATE
OBAN
b.g.3 by Pleasant Tap(Pleasant Colony) – Oliva(Danzig)
Schickedanz, G., Howard, D. Kenny, G. and Partner Michael Keogh
MAIDEN
OH CANADA
b.g.3 by Proud Citizen(Gone West) – Oh Livia D.(Ascot Knight)
Frank D. Di Giulio, Jr. Robert P. Tiller
PENDER HARBOUR
ch.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Uproar(Hail the Ruckus)
Andrews, Dennis, Lazaruk, Sandra and Giffin, Rob and Roberta Michael P. De Paulo
3RD PLATE
WELLOILEDMACHINE
dk b/.g.3 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Sleek and Powerful(Sir Cat)
Christine and Dennis Windsor Michael Keogh
WINNER
ONTARIO DAMSEL, ROXY LOOKS TO GET BACK ON TRACK
Grass is the thing this weekend at Woodbine with the Ontario Damsel Stakes, worth $150,000, today and the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes, worth $300,000 tomorrow.
The Damsel, at one mile, features one overhwelming choice – even-money fave ROXY GAP (Indian Charlie) who was 4th in the Woodbine Oaks behind Inglorious, the recent Queen’s Plate winner.
Roxy ran okay that day but is probably better around one turn. She won on the 1 mile Natalma prep last season on the grass for Eugene Melnyk. Trainer Mark Casse has 2 others in the field, the maiden BINGO (Bernstein) and recent claiming winner IDRATHERBEATTHESPA.
The DANCE SMARTLY STAKES, at 1 1/8 miles, has lured a nice mix of decent turf mares including last year’s winner MEKONG MELODY, who may be a a bit of a longshot this year. The favourite could be BAY TO BAY, Rob Smithen’s plucky daughter of SLIGO BAY who won the Nassau Stakes , Grade 2, off the layoff on soft grass.
The turf will be more rattling today, it’s been very dry in southern Ontario lately, but she is a major player again.
A collection of Roger Attfield gals include the rising star NO EXPLAINING, champion MISS KELLER and ‘Melody.
Sunday, Woodbine, post time: 4:35 p.m. EDT
DANCE SMARTLY S.-GII, $300,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 9fT
PP Horse Sire Jockey Trainer Wt
1 Stars to Shine K Tale of the Cat Husbands Frostad 116
2 No Explaining (Ire) Azamour (Ire) Moran Attfield 120
3 War Tigress War Chant Ramsammy Minshall 116
4 Miss Keller (Ire) K Montjeu (Ire) Da Silva Attfield 122
5 Never Retreat Smart Strike Bridgmohan Block 122
6 Bay to Bay K Sligo Bay (Ire) Contreras Lynch 122
7 Valli With a Vow Broken Vow Pizarro Carroll 116
8 Jenny’s So Great Greatness Campbell de Gannes 118
9 Forest Uproar Forest Wildcat Wilson Frostad 116
10 Mekong Melody (Ire) Cape Cross (Ire) Velazquez Attfield 122
HMMM, ALREADY THINKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR’S QUEEN’S PLATE???
He’s a big one….
BEHEMOTH won his maiden at Belmonet in the slop yesterday in his 2nd career start. The oNtario bred is by by Giant’s Causeway–Quiet Reward, by
Seeking the Gold, was bred by Sam-Son Farms and was a $200,000 FTSAUG yearling. He is owned by Dogwood Stable. Todd Pletcher trains.
FASIG TIPTON JULY SALE STARTS TUESDAY
CANADIAN BREDS…
5c. Ghostzapper – Just Breezing Adena Springs
6c. Ghostzapper – Karakorum Starlet Adena Springs
112 MR. JAWBREAKER – Candy Ride – Smiles for Sanna Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency
116 c. Ghostzapper – Somethingaboutlaura Adena Springs
124c. Orientate – Storm Strip Adena Springs
153f. Songandaprayer – Villacora Hickory Tree
193c. Master Command – Bella Rush Bluewater Sales
281c. Awesome Again – Grecian Lover Adena Springs
294 f. Successful Appeal – House of Soviets Mulholland
IF THE SHOE FITS….
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and Shoeless Joe’s has launched the HorsePlayer Interactive Zone, an off-track platform that allows fans to watch and wager on Thoroughbred and harness racing Standardbred racing at the sports-themed restaurant’s new location.
The Shoeless Joe’s HorsePlayer Interactive Zone location is now open, and is located on 276 King Street West, in downtown Toronto, in close proximity to the theatre district.
The ‘Zone’ is aimed at both sports fans that are familiar with horse racing and customers new to the sport. Self-serve betting terminals, banks of televisions and Shoeless Joe’s staff with strong knowledge of horse racing and betting will welcome Shoeless Joe’s patrons.
“In keeping with WEG’s commitment to provide fans the opportunity to wager on premium horse racing action, we’re thrilled to form this new relationship with Shoeless Joe’s, one of Ontario’s leading premier casual dining restaurant chains,” said Jorge Soares, WEG’s Director of Off-Track Operations. “Fans will be impressed with the HorsePlayer Interactive Zone.”
Frank Loprieto, President of Corporate Operations of Shoeless Joe’s, figures the HorsePlayer Interactive Zone brings a unique offering to their new location.
“Shoeless Joe’s is very excited about the integration of the HorsePlayer Interactive Zone at our flagship restaurant,” said Loprieto. “The first HPI zone will launch at our newest and largest first-class destination in downtown Toronto. As a sports concept we truly believe that providing an interactive and entertaining environment will set us apart from the rest of the marketplace.”
HorsePlayer Interactive is the leading account-based wagering service in Canada.
