HAPPY SATURDAY, OCT 2 – ALL STAKES PICK 4 AT BELMONT, old timer wins claimer at Woodbine, noms for Can. international… ZENYATTA goes for 19 straight at 7:15!
SUPER SATURDAY FOR BREEDERS’ CUP PREVIEW RACES
Don’t Blame me if I have a Zen for sitting in front of TV all day
The best in the world ar egearing up for the Nov 5 and 6 BREEDERS’ CUP with races around the globe this weekend. Today is heavy action at Belmont, whic has been closed for 2 days because of rain and the mighty ZENYATTA ia going for 19 later tonight at Hollywood in the Lady’s Secret.
Here’s THOROUGHBLOG’S ALL STAKES PIC 4 TICKET FOR BELMONT TODAY:
Flower Bowl – RED DESIRE, AVE, SHARED ACCOUNT KEERTANA
Beldame – UNRIVALED BELLE, PERSISTENTLY
Turf Classix – WINCHESTER, AL KHALI, PADDY O PRADO BEARPATH
Jockey Club BC – BLAME HAYNESFIELD
Saturday, Belmont Park, post time: 5:48 p.m. EDT
JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP INVITATIONAL S.-GI,
$750,000, 3yo/up, 1 1/4m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Fly Down K Mineshaft Lezcano Zito 9-2
2 Blame Arch Gomez Stall Jr 8-5
3 Mythical Power Congaree Velazquez Baffert 10-1
4 Tranquil Manner A.P. Indy A Garcia McLaughlin 15-1
5 Dry Martini Slew Gin Fizz Prado Tagg 15-1
6 Haynesfield K Speightstown Dominguez Asmussen 8-1
7 Hold Me Back K Giant’s Causeway Maragh Mott 15-1
8 Rail Trip Jump Start Velasquez Dutrow Jr 5-2
Saturday, Oak Tree/Hollywood, post time: 7:15 p.m. EDT
LADY’S SECRET S.-GI, $250,000, 3yo/up, f/m,
1 1/16m (AWT)
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Switch K Quiet American Quinonez Sadler 6-1
2 Moon de French K Malibu Moon Talamo Baffert 10-1
3 Rinterval (Ire)K Desert Prince (Ire) Bejarano Reed 10-1
4 Satans Quick Chick K Sky Mesa Alvarado Reed 15-1
5 Zenyatta K Street Cry (Ire) Smith Shirreffs 1-5
6 Emmy Darling Graeme Hall Valenzuela O’Neill 20-1
Saturday, Parx Racing, post time: 4:58 p.m. EDT
FITZ DIXON COTILLION S.-GII, $750,000, 3yo,
1 1/16m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Blind Luck Pollard’s Vision Rosario Hollendorfer 7-5
2 Awesome Maria Maria’s Mon Coa Pletcher 9-2
3 Absinthe Minded Quiet American Elliott Lukas 15-1
4 Bonnie Blue Flag Mineshaft Carmouche Baffert 7-2
5 Havre de Grace K Saint Liam Rose A Dutrow 9-5
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL NOMS
The first 3 finishers in the ENGLISH ST LEGER last month are among those 27 nominated to the CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL at Woodbine coming up 2 Saturdays from today.
ARCTIC COSMOS won the St. Leger for trainer John Gosden, defeating MIDAS TOUCH and CORSICA. However Arctic Cosmos is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Turf as would most of the top 12 furlong grass horses. MIDAS TOUCH is in tomorrow’s ARC as is CAVALRYMAN.
The top 3 from the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Belmont are also nominated however today’s TURF CLASSIC has lured away some of the New York runners. The race has also lured Northern Dancer Stakes winner REDWOOD, who may just go off as favourite:
AL KHALI
b.r.4 by Medaglia d’Oro(El Prado (IRE)) – Maya(Capote)
Brous Stable and Wachtel Stable William I. Mott
ARCTIC COSMOS»
b.c.3 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Fifth Avenue Doll(Marquetry)
Hood, Rachel and Geffen, Robin John H. M. Gosden
BOURBON BAY»
b.g.4 by Sligo Bay (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Coral Necklace(Conquistador Cielo)
David and Jill Heerensperger Neil D. Drysdale
CAVALRYMAN (GB)»
b.c.4 by Halling(Diesis (GB)) – Silversword (FR)(Highest Honor (FR))
Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
CHINCHON (IRE)»
b.h.5 by Marju (IRE)(Last Tycoon (IRE)) – Jarama (IRE)(Hector Protector)
Depart France SARL Carlos Laffon-Parias
CLOUDY’S KNIGHT»
ch.g.10 by Lord Avie(Lord Gaylord) – Cloudy Spot(Solar City)
S J Stables LLC Jonathan E. Sheppard
CORSICA (IRE)
b.c.3 by Cape Cross (IRE)(Green Desert) – Cedar Sea (IRE)(Persian Bold (IRE))
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Mark S. Johnston
DANGEROUS MIDGE»
b.c.4 by Lion Heart(Tale of the Cat) – Adored Slew(Seattle Slew)
Iraj Parvizi Brian Meehan
EXPANSION»
b.h.5 by Maria’s Mon(Wavering Monarch) – La Sylphide (SWI)(Barathea (IRE))
Millennium Farms and Mike McCarty Steven M. Asmussen
FIFTY PROOF
ch.g.4 by Whiskey Wisdom(Wild Again) – Phi Beta(Horatius)
Kinghaven Farms, J. Fielding and B. Hutzel Ian Black
FLYING CROSS (IRE)»
b.c.3 by Sadler’s Wells(Northern Dancer) – Ramruma(Diesis (GB))
Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor Aidan P. O’Brien
GRAND RAPPORT»
ch.g.3 by Grand Reward(Storm Cat) – Dance Moccasin(Native Uproar)
Earle I. Mack Gary C. Contessa
HALICARNASSUS (IRE)
b.h.6 by Cape Cross (IRE)(Green Desert) – Launch Time(Relaunch)
Doric Racing Mick R. Channon
JOSHUA TREE (IRE)
b.c.3 by Montjeu (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Madeira Mist (IRE)(Grand Lodge)
Smith, Derrick, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael Aidan P. O’Brien
KITE WOOD (IRE)
b.c.4 by Galileo (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Kite Mark (GB)(Mark of Esteem (IRE))
Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
MARLANG»
b.h.5 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – Marienburg(Conquistador Cielo)
Gustav Schickedanz Neil D. Drysdale
MARSH SIDE»
dk b/.h.7 by Gone West(Mr. Prospector) – Colonial Play(Pleasant Colony)
Robert S. Evans Neil D. Drysdale
MEMORIAL MANIAC»
b.g.5 by Lear Fan(Roberto) – Enlightening(Cozzene)
Butterfly Stable Larry W. Demeritte
MIDAS TOUCH (GB)»
b.c.3 by Galileo (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Approach (GB)(Darshaan (GB))
Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, M., Smith, D. and Denford Stud Aidan P. O’Brien
MORES WELLS (GB)»
b.h.6 by Sadler’s Wells(Northern Dancer) – Endorsement (GB)(Warning (GB))
Mrs. C. O’Flynn Richard D. Gibson
NEVER ON SUNDAY (FR)
gr/ro.h.5 by Sunday Break (JPN)(Forty Niner) – Hexane (FR)(Kendor (FR))
Bernard Weill Patrick L. Biancone
PROFOUND BEAUTY (IRE)»
b.m.6 by Danehill(Danzig) – Diamond Trim (IRE)(Highest Honor (FR))
Moyglare Stud Farm, Ltd. Dermot K. Weld
REDWOOD (GB)»
b.c.4 by High Chaparral (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Arum Lily(Woodman)
Juddmonte Farms Barry W. Hills
SIMMARD»
ch.h.5 by Dixieland Band(Northern Dancer) – Dibs(Spectacular Bid)
Haras Santa Maria de Araras R. L. Attfield
SPICE ROUTE (GB)
ch.g.6 by King’s Best(Kingmambo) – Zanzibar (IRE)(In the Wings (GB))
Harlequin Ranches, R. Johnson & R. Attfield R. L. Attfield
WHISPERING GALLERY (GB)»
b.g.4 by Daylami (IRE)(Doyoun (IRE)) – Echoes In Eternity (IRE)(Spinning World)
Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
WINCHESTER»
b.h.5 by Theatrical (IRE)(Nureyev) – Rum Charger (IRE)(Spectrum (IRE))
Firestone, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Christophe Clement
The E.P. Taylor drew 34 noms http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/Woodbine/SupplementaryRaceInfo/TB-Stakes%20Nominations%20and%20PPs/2010%20E.P.%20Taylor%20Stakes%20%28Gr.I%29.pdf
and the Nearctic drew 35.
TRUE TO HIS WORD
Met wins for $32,000
Maybe the old millionaire still has some zip to his step. It looked that way yesterday when 8yo multiple champion TRUE METROPOLITAN won on the class drop to just $32,000 for Trinity West Stable and Bud Malette. The gelding has seen better days for sure but still managed to collect some $24,000 for his owners who don’t want to say goodbye to their star just yet.
The gelding was not claimed.
Other notes from yesterday’s 9 race card include another winner for the combo of owner Murray Stroud and trainer Sam DiPasquale as the Silver Train 2yo WHERE DID SHE GOT won her maiden in the first race for $62,500 claiming.
J and J Stables’ J J FOR DAVE won an allowance race for Ontario sired guys with a steady rally once he got out from being covered up for quite a while around the turn. The Whiskey Wisdom fellow was winning for the 2nd time.
Good claims in recent weeks include multiple winers SKY HALO (Frank and Clare Russo) and ACTIVE DUTY, who won the 12 furlong starter allowance for his 2nd such win off the claim by Alpine Stable and trainer Francesca Armata.
And completing the day was AEOLUS, a Valid N Bold gelding owned by Shale Wagman who paid $23 to win the finale for maiden allowance guys at 9 furlongs (another off the turf race). He edged longshot BISU (trained by Alsion Crook) and VINNY’S VALLEY was 3rd (Audre Cappuccitti) to complete an all-woman trained triactor. Denyse McClachrie trained the winner.
The winner was bred by Barry and Helen Irving.
with BELMONT PARK being closed due to weather for the last 2 days, WOODBINE has certainly enjoyed it – both Thursday and Friday cards rakes in over $2.6 million in betting dollars.
ARC FIELD AND COMMENTS FROM SPORTINGLIFE
read all of it here:
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/10/10/01/manual_183652.html
YOUMZAIN: Popular globetrotter who seems to save his best for this race having finished second three years in succession; running as well as ever this term so has to be taken seriously but the holy grail may remain just out of reach.
MARINOUS: Gained his first Group race success when landing a surprise victory from the improved Redwood at Deauville in testing ground but an awful lot more is required at this level although the ground looks likely to be in his favour.
FAME AND GLORY: Could only finish in midfield last year and has been well placed to win his last four starts at odds-on. He has rarely been asked to race on testing ground since winning on heavy at Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and connections have stated their concerns but he shouldn’t be far away and arrives as a relatively fresh horse.
POUVOIR ABSOLU: Only beaten a length and a half behind Plumania and Youmzain on his penultimate start but looks to have a mountain to climb on all known form.
WIENER WALZER: German challenger who was far from disgraced over an inadequate ten furlongs in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes but has proved a shade disappointing over a mile and a half twice since and has something to prove as a result even allowing for the fact that he may have needed the run last time.
CAVALRYMAN: Third for Andre Fabre last year but has generally been disappointing since although he did make some late headway to finish in front of Wiener Walzer in Germany last time; now tried in blinkers and questions to answer.
NAKAYAMA FESTA: Representing a trainer who sent out El Condor Pasa to finish second in the 1999 Arc and this Grade 1 winner proved his credentials for the big race when running a pleasing trial in the Prix Foy when chasing home Duncan. That form wouldn’t be good enough but his trainer is sure to have left plenty to work on and it did prove that he can act on soft ground.
TIMOS: Dual Listed winner who has come up short on each start in Group company and could only finish third in the Prix Foy last time.
DUNCAN: Gained his first success since landing a Listed race at Ascot in May 2009 when taking the Prix Foy and he had become frustrating to follow having failed to take advantage of some decent opportunities. He appeared to benefit from a change of tactics at Deauville and has an outside chance if back to his best.
LIANG KAY: Regular Group winner in Germany but none of his wins have come at this level and it’s difficult to envisage him finding the necessary improvement although he is consistent and does act well on soft.
TULLAMORE: Challenger from the Czech Republic who was beaten 20 lengths twelve months ago and could suffer a similar fate.
PLUMANIA: Has rediscovered the winning touch of late and followed a Group 2 success with victory from Youmzain in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June. She ran Midday close last month to confirm herself as a progressive filly and is entitled to her place in the line-up especially as she’s entitled to progress for that run.
WORKFORCE: Too early to call him an enigma but there has to be some doubt as to whether he can reproduce his Epsom brilliance following that lacklustre run at Ascot. He’s never run on ground worse than good but connections have decided to let the Derby winner take his chance after working at Sandown and he, accordingly, merits respect.
BEHKABAD: Suffered interference when beaten in the Prix du Jockey-Club but has made no mistake in defeating Planteur narrowly in both subsequent starts and has proven form on testing ground. Chosen mount of Christophe Lemaire who hopes he’s still progressing but a big field raises the possibility of trouble in running for the likely favourite.
CAPE BLANCO: Relished setting a strong gallop when beating better-fancied stablemate Rip Van Winkle over ten furlongs in the Irish Champion to prove himself far better than he showed when finishing down the field in the Prix du Jockey Club in May. Connections are concerned about the possibility of testing ground but have secured the services of a top class jockey and the step back up in trip holds no fears.
read the rest http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/10/10/01/manual_183652.html
DAILY RACING FORM REPORT:
FIFTY PROOF KEEPS WIN
Commission denies LeBlanc’s appeal
Trainer John LeBlanc’s appeal of a stewards’ ruling which had upheld Fifty Proof’s allowance win here July 22 was dismissed by the Ontario Racing Commission at a hearing on Wednesday.
LeBlanc, who sent out runner-up Peter’s Charisma in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, had claimed that the door on Fifty Proof’s starting gate had opened prior to the others and that the horse should have been declared a non-starter.
The stewards ruled that Fifty Proof’s door had opened slightly ahead of the others but that no advantage was gained.
Dan McMahon represented LeBlanc, whose testimony was supported by Nick Nosowenko, trainer of fourth-place finisher Full of Wisdom.
Gunnar Lindberg acted as counsel for the stewards and the key testimony came from starter Ian Ross, who stated that the starting gate mechanism had functioned properly and that all horses received a fair start.
Steward Bill McMahon, Fifty Proof’s jockey Justin Stein, and owner David Willmot also spoke against the appeal.
Willmot, chairman of the board of the Woodbine Entertainment Group, owns Fifty Proof in partnership with John Fielding and Ben Hutzel.
ORC rule 11.16 states that a horse is a starter “when the stall doors of the starting gate open in front of it at the time the starter dispatches the horses in a valid start.”
Rule 17.01.03 states that the stewards’ “decision as to the validity of a start shall be final.”
