Back-to-back 6 winners on THOROUGHBLOG for Woodbine..
today Thorughblog will be attending opening day at AJAX DOWNS, for a card of Quarter Horse racing. Woodbine rider David Garcia is named to ride and Thoroughbred owner Dr. Ruth Barbour is in action with her horse Lolomo.
A preview of what is in store for fans at Ajax this summer can be found here:
http://ontariohorseracing.ca/Industry-News-Notices/News.aspx
Ontario Horse racing’s new website is packed with stories and profiles and news from all three breeds of racehorses. Please check it out!
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR THIS GIRL
Skylander Girl turns tables on Unspurned
Alex Patykewich’s SKYLANDER GIRL went over $500,000 in career earnings with her first graded stakes win, yesterday at Woodbine in the Grade 3 Hendrie.
The Stroll – Heliotrope, by Northern Score filly, a $3,500 purchase, was reunited with Emile Ramsammy and thanks to the lack of early pace in the small field, brushed off rival Unspurned early and powered to victory in the 6 1/2 furlong dash in 1:15.12, good for a career best 91 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
Unspurned was sent out of the gate to press Skylander Girl, but then after a brief duel, dropped back and landed 3rd as Miss Mischief rallied for 2nd.
Skylander Girl has won 4 of 22 races and she was bred by Auchamore Stud in Ontario.
PHOTO BELOW FROM WOODBINE/MICHAEL BURNS is of Jane Hendrie presenting to Emile Ramsammy and the lovely Skylander Girl being led to the winner’s circle by Alex Patykewich.
More Sunday
It was a very hot and humid day in southern Ontario and the Polytrack got faster as the day went on it seems.
Race 1- Favoured ACADEMYPERFROMANCE was the 8th winner for trainer Norm McKnight for the season as she led all the way to take her synthetic track debut under Alan Garcia. The filly was brought in from New York to win this $20,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles, a non-winners of 2 lifetime event.
race 2- an allowance/optional claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares marked the return to stakes winner and unbeaten gal POHDI POHDI, owned by 3 Sons Racing and trainer by Bob Tiller. The filly had been away since October when she won the Victorian Queen Stakes.
Under Patrick Husbands, the flashy chestnut by Old Forester had to work a bit to get clear of her rivals but she finally took off and won in 1:03.88, a 74 Beyer Figure.
race 3- a maiden allowance for fillies and mares, Ontario sired and SHE’S EXPLOSIVE jumped out to a clear lead and coasted home to win in her 4th career race and 2nd start of the season. She did not have much stamina in her opener this year but was much better in this 5 1/2 furlong race, running a touch faster than Pohdi Pohdi and earning a 77 Beyer.
Luis Contreras rode for Sid Attard and Norseman racing.
Race 4- Boys ran 5 1/2 furlongs in this maiden allowance and JIMMIES TRUCK motored to the win for Buttigieg Training Centre and jockey David Moran. This is a son of Mobil out of Lit de Jimmy by Lit de Justice who was 4th in his opener this year.
He held off a charging Virtadero, who broke slowly and came from far back with a big rush and he galloped out well. The time of 1:04.24 was good for a 68 Beyer Figure.
Race 5 – yet another 5 1/2 furlong maiden allowance for fillies and the Buttigieg team was in the winner’s circle again, this time with FOREST PIKE, a beginner by Old Forester out of Golden Pike by Pikepass. This gal got loose in the chute before the race but was apprehended and rallied from well back under Moran to win with a 63 Beyer Figure.
Race 6 – at 7 furlongs, a maiden claiming race for fillies and mares went to Bear Stables’ BETRAY THE DARK, an Invasor filly who was in for $9,500 claiming in this 2nd race of the season. She had been a $50,000 claim last year. Eurico da Silva rode for Mike DePaulo.
race 7 – CONQUEST TOP GUN, winner of the Victoria Park Stakes last year and 3rd at Santa Anita in his lone start since then, was very sweaty on this hot day but he won as the class anyway, posting an 89 Beyer Figure for 1:22.22. He held off a hard charging Sniper to win for Conquest Stables and trainer Mark Casse.
First of 3 winners for jockey Patrick Husbands.
Ultimate Destiny, earner of $669,000, was entered for the $62,500 claiming price but was scratched on post parade by the vet.
Race 9 ENHANCED won as expected at 4-5 in this allowance race. Owned by Mike Rutherford and trained by Mark Casse, the Malibu Moon fily led all the way under Husbands for her 2nd win in her 6th race.
Race 10 – Very promising colt BORN IN A BREEZE posted an 81 Beyer Figure for this strong maiden score in his 2nd race this year. Owned and bred by Walnut Ridge Farm, the Leonnatus Anteas – trufflesfromheaven, You and I colt is trained by Laurie Silvera. Omar Moreno rode. His time of 1:03.12 came close to the track record of 1:02.80.
Wagering on Saturday was $3.2 million
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QUEEN’S PLATE NEWS
A good 2nd place finish in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont on Saturday could mean Ontario-bred CONQUEST CURLINATE may be on his way to the Belmont Stakes for Conquest Stables and trainer Mark Casse. The grey son of Curlin is a relentless closer and certainly a major player for the July 5 Queen’s Plate, but could a start in the June 6 Belmont be in his sights?
He earned a 92 Beyer Figure for his 2nd place in the Peter Pan behind MADEFROMLUCKY, co-owned by Canadian Mac Nichol.
DANZIG MOON is now conformed for the Preakness Stakes next weekend following his 5th place run in the Derby. The Moon is also a Plate contender.
Next weekend’s Marine Stakes will have a lot of Plate contenders.
Today, UNBRIDLED JUAN and BREAKING LUCKY (Emma-Jayne Wilson is his new rider) will square off in an allowance race at Woodbine. It is the first Polytrack start for Unbridled Juan who is coming off a big maiden win at Gulfstream.
