LAWN

 

 

Saturday’s Top Woodbine Beyer Speed Figures

98 – UP WITH THE BIRDS – Nijinsky S.

87 BIGSTORMBREWIN (turf) Clmng

84 RUNAWAY PEPPER  starter allowanc

82 FEW WHITE HAIRS MSW

 

NIJINSKY STAKES – GRADE 2

UP WITH THE BIRDS was happy to be on his home turf and even happier to have a wild pace duel set up for his late charge. The Horse of the Year from 2013 had been flat in his first 2 races of the year in the US and was coming off a 2 month break. Working well for trainer Malcolm Pierce (according to Pierce), the 4yo son of Stormy Atlantic was on his game as he mowed down the field in the late stages of the 1 1/8 mile race and won for the 7th time in his career.  It was his 12th race. His career earnings are in the 1.27 million range for owner/breeder Sam-Son Farms.
It was a big day for Eurico da Silva as he won both stakes races, both on the grass – Regal Conqueror posted an upset in the Ontario Damsel at 1 mile earlier in the day.

The Nijinsky drew a very good field of 7 and the two pace runners in the race, FIVE IRON and REALLY SHARP did do what many predicted: they went tooth and nail on the pace, the second quarter was sped in a sizzling  22/25, and tired each other out.
Up With the Birds, at 7 to 2, barged his way past favoured ZA APPROVAL and blew by under a hand ride, winning in 1:45.74, good for a career best 98 Beyer Figure.
Dynamic Sky was a good 2nd for John Oxley and River Seven was third.

The Damsel, for 3yo fillies, was supposed to be Lanarmon’s race, the filly who was 3rd in the Woodbine Oaks to Lexie Lou and winner of the Grade 2 Natalma last year, However Dick Bonnycastle’s Sky Mesa gal did not fire at all over a grass course that appeared to have some cut to it. Instead it was REGAL CONQUEROR, a daughter of 2 turf stars, who came out of a slump to win for Bill Sorokolit and trainer Darwin banach. Eurico da Silva rode the filly who stalked a pace battle between Fancy Ribbons and Skylander Girl. The latter stayed on well for 2nd.
Regal Conqueror is by Sky Conqueror, a Grade 1 winner on the grass, out of turf champion Classic Stamp by Regal Classic. She won the Victorian Queen Stakes last year on Polytrack but had been unplaced in 2 allowance races this season. She earned an 80 Beyer Figure.

Race 1- Exciting prospect alert!  FEW WHITE HAIRS did not give anyone who bet him grey hairs as he led all the way in his debut to win at 12 to 1 for Cecil Peacock. Closely related to Peacock’s good runner BROTHER DEREK, Few White Hairs, by Benchmark, was well prepared  by trainer Stuart Simon . Gerry Olguin rode. The time of 1:09.78 was good for an 82 Beyer Figure.

Race 2 – a maiden allowance for fillies and mares, Ontario sired and CRAFTY GIZMO did the classic bounce-back and won as the favourite for Mike and Nick Nosowenko. This  chestnut is by Giant Gizmo out of Crafty Madness by Crafty Prospect and she was bred by Steven and Michell Smith.
The filly was 2nd beaten 3/4 of a length in her debut in a sprint on June 18, was flat as the big fave 2nd time out and then bounced back in her first 2 turn test. Luisi Contreras rode.

Race 3 – no bouncing here as MEL’S RING who just missed a month agi in her debut, led all the way for CEC Farms and won this maiden allowance at 5 furlongs. The Ontario sired gal is by Where’s the Ring out of Princess Chelsea by Bold Executive and she was bred by Goldmart Farms. First win of a big day for Da Silva. Ralph Biamonte trains.

Race 4- PATRICK HUSBANDS also had a big day with 4 winners and this was his first win – BEAR’S PEARL, for the Bear Stables and trainer Mike DePaulo, which won 2 races on the card. Bear’s Pearl track the speed in this 5 furlong dash for $6,250 claiming and sauntered away to a handy win in 57.29.

Race 6- maidens for $12,500 and DIVINE DANCE, recently sold by Robert Evans to Sandi Mclean, won easily on the big drop down in class. He posted a career best 66 Beyer Figure. Bruce Smither trains the Dance to Destiny gelding. Patrick Husbands rode.

Race 7 – a starter allowance with an even-money shot in the race, CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD, but  this 6yo gelding broke down on the turn and was pulled up by Luis Contreras. The High Five racing gelding, coming off a 2 month break, was 2nd this spring to champion Pender Harbour. sending good thoughts out to the Chief.
The winner was RUNAWAY PEPPER, who ran away from the field and won big with an 84 Beyer Figure. This Petionville gelding was in from Indiana Downs but he was sent north to martin Drexler, no doubt in pursuit of Polytrack, a surface on which he was 1 for 1. The 6yo, well traveled over the years, is 8 for 34 in his career now and Larry Carter is his current owner.

Race 9 – a wild pace battle between HUMORUS DILEMMA and CRYTPIC MESSAGE set things up for a closer (Casablanca Kiss had a nice trip close to the speed but may have moved too soon) – BLACK BIRD ROCK, off the claim by Bear Stables and trainer Mike DePaulo, won wrapped up for $62,500, sporting a lot of bandages for the first time. Another skillful ride by Husbands.

Race 10 – BIGSTORMBREWIN led all the way in this grass sprint  for Winston Penny and Don MacRae, who has 10 wins in 26 races at the meeting, a huge 37% win rate. This guy was returning to grass and winning for the 2nd time since he was claimed from Sam Son Farms. Chris Griffith rode.

 

 

DIANA – Somali Lemonade wins thriller, Solid Appeal a troubled 5th

 

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The Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga lived up to its billing as a great race with a charging finish with many top grass mares and the Lemon Drop Kid gal SOMALI LEMONADE and the best kick to win it with a 98 Beyer Figure. She stalked the slow pace from third and had a nice trip under Luis Saez.

The same could not be said for a few others in the field, in particular Canadian champion SOLID APPEAL)starts from post 1)  who had a horrendous journey and was beaten 2 lengths at the finish after a tentative stretch run that followed much trouble. Tab her for her next race as she continues to improve.

And, try watching the SANFORD STAKES at Saratoga from yesterday – lightly raced 2yo’s some of who are being trained to only know one way to run – mad sending to the lead.

Take note of Mr Z also, he ran into horses on the turn and then was pushed out of the way in the stretch and he could be a nice one.

 

 

Ar Del Mar, trainer Mark Casse sent out TEPIN and MY CONQUESTADORY to be 2nd and 3rd in the San Clemente as both tried to run tough tough speedster ISTANFORD.