TODAY’S NEWS – Wind plays havoc with key races, Ajax Downs starts, Queen’s Plate nominees and supplements.
Lawn chairs blowing around neighborhoods, power lines down, traffic lights out and tumbleweed flying through the air.
Just a spring day in southern Ontario that made things awfully interesting for Saturday racing at Woodbine – at least for the first 7 races until the card was finally canned.
Judging some of the races will be a bit tricky – was the wind stronger for some races? were the gusts having an affect? did the track actually get faster as the day went on because of the wind?
It appears the folks who construct the BEYER SPEED FIGURES believe the track got faster as there appears to be a split variant for the day.
Lucky for Sam-Son Farms and Rod Ferguson that both owners got a chance to see a couple of wow performances from their colts before the card was cancelled.
HOTEP, the full brother to last year`s Queen`s Plate winner Eye of the Leopard, forged his way into a strong headwind through the stretch to win the Wando overnight stake and put himself into a prominent spot for this year`s Plate. His Beyer was 85.
The colt (A.P. Indy – Eye of the Sphynx) who is more agile and speedy than the lumbering `Leopard, didn`t have a great winter in New Orleans when he tried the Risen Star Stakes and La. Derby but he was at home on his Polytrack yesterday.
“He’s a very hyper horse. I always have to try to keep him as calm as possible,” said Husbands. “I got him to the outside and he relaxed from there. When I asked him, he really didn’t give me the kick. He was a bit flat, a bit lost. But when we straightened out he gave me a nice little kick. It got the job done. He ran a good race.”
Husbands rode Hotep for the first time in the March 27 Louisiana Derby, in which he was 11th. While in Louisiana he said he did get a chance to spend time getting acquainted with the bay.
“I was in New Orleans working with him. I got aware of what type of horse he is. I walk him in post parade. From the time he leaves the gates, he wants the lead. I said ‘You’re getting no lead.’ The main object is trying to get him to the Plate and (that means) trying to get him to relax.”
Hotep is now 3-for-7 lifetime with earnings of $151,740.
Sam-Son`s other Plate hopeful, Giant`s Tomb, was put in an allowance race yesterday against older horses and he`s somewhat one-paced and landed 3rd in a so-so effort. The pacce fractions, made slow by the incredible wind was still on the slow side, 26 2-5 and 51 2-5 and he could not gain.
Tierra del Tigre, who got very good at the end of last year and was very well prepared for this season debut by trainer »Gail Cox, led all the way while the rest of his challengers were rated or went wide behind him.
Giant`s Tomb was 3 wide the entire trip. He earned a 78 Beyer Figure.
In other Plate happenings, Roger Attfield trainee MOBILIZER, by Motivator, eked out his maiden score in his 2nd career start and earned a 78 Beyer Figure. The colt was passed by C. Scott Abbott’s SMART SKY off the turn for home but he battled back.
Fourth place finisher VICAR STREET had a good rally to also get Plate consideration.
Meanwhile, everyone appears to be second string behind HOLLINGER, the undefeated 2yo of last year and champion who is training like a bear for Attfield.
The Black Minnaloushe colt worked in 1:11 and change for 6 furlongs on Friday and will race Saturday in the Queenston Stakes.
Working in company with a stablemate, Hollinger was caught in fractions of 23.20 seconds, 34.80, 46.40, and 59.40 by clocker Mike Lym.
“I couldn’t be happier with him than I am right now,” said trainer Roger Attfield to Daily Racing Form`s Bill Tallon.
9PHOTO BELOW) HRH QUEEN ELIZABETH owns MOTIVATOR, the Epsom Derby winner AND SIRE OF PLATE HOPEFUL MOBILIZER, owned by Stronach Stables. How neat would it be for Stronach folks to meet the Queen at the Plate with a son of her own horse?
QUEEN’S PLATE NOMINEES
after May 1 payment
BOGADO
dk b/.r.3 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Play Book(Fast Play)
Fieldstone Farms, Inc. Analisa M. Delmas
ARROW’S CONQUEST
b.c.3 by War Chant(Danzig) – Split the Arrow(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
ARTIC FERN
dk b/.g.3 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – Wood Fern(Woodman)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
ATLANTIC CLIPPER
ch.c.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – Affirmooloo(Affirmed)
R.F. and J.E. Shaw David R. Bell
BADINOFF
ch.c.3 by A.P. Indy(Seattle Slew) – Nashinda(Silver Deputy)
Augustin Stable MacDonald Benson
BARCLAY’S PARK
ch.c.3 by Silver Deputy(Deputy Minister) – Ruby Park(Bold Ruckus)
Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Mark E. Casse
BIG RED MIKE
ch.g.3 by Tenpins(Smart Strike) – Regent n’Flashy(Vice Regent)
Terra Racing Stable Nicholas Gonzalez
BORN TO ACT
dk b/.c.3 by Theatrical (IRE)(Nureyev) – Brave Destiny(Quiet American)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
BRISTOL INDIAN
b.g.3 by Indian Charlie(In Excess (IRE)) – Bristol Pistol(Regal Classic)
Augustin Stable MacDonald Benson
CAPTAIN CANUCK
dk b/.g.3 by Pulpit(A.P. Indy) – Magna Cum Laude(Pleasant Tap)
Earle I. Mack Josie Carroll
CASHININ ONA DREAM
b.g.3 by Woke Up Dreamin(Holy Bull) – Casha Rainbow(Lite the Fuse)
Pat Parente Pat Parente
COGNASHENE
dk b/.g.3 by Dynaformer(Roberto) – Catch the Ring(Seeking the Gold)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
D’S WANDO
b.c.3 by Wando(Langfuhr) – Silver Taler(Bold Ruckus)
D’s Stable, Riviera Racing Stable and Yorktech Racing Stable Ian Black
DARK CLOUD DANCER
dk b/.c.3 by Storm Cat(Storm Bird) – Dancethruthedawn(Mr. Prospector)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
DECADENT
b.g.3 by Wando(Langfuhr) – Dake(Gulch)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
DOCTOR JACK
dk b/.c.3 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Hippicritical(Hail the Ruckus)
R.M.C. Stable Daniel J. Vella
DYNAMIC ROYAL
dk b/.c.3 by Chapel Royal(Montbrook) – Dynaco(Dynaformer)
Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
EL SOMBRE
gr/ro.c.3 by El Prado (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Misty Mission(Miswaki)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
**EMBUR’S SONG
b.f.3 by Unbridled’s Song(Unbridled) – Embur Sunshine(Bold Ruckus)
Fares Farm, Inc. Todd A. Pletcher
EMPIRE RISING
b.c.3 by Empire Maker(Unbridled) – Seeking the Ring(Seeking the Gold)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
FLIM FLAM
ch.c.3 by Tejano Run(Tejano) – Shahra(Shahrastani)
Quintessential Racing and Horse’n Around Racing Stable Mark E. Casse
FOREST RUN
ch.g.3 by Forest Wildcat(Storm Cat) – Quiet Reward(Seeking the Gold)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
FOREVER AWESOME
b.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Caprice Miss(Golden Missile)
Stronach Stables Todd A. Pletcher
GHOST FLEET
dk b/.c.3 by Arch(Kris S.) – Destroy(Housebuster)
Jim Dandy Stable Sid C. Attard
GIANT’S TOMB
ch.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Song of the Wild(Gone West)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
GIBSON LAND
b.c.3 by Forest Wildcat(Storm Cat) – Checker Hall(Seeking the Gold)
Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Mark E. Casse
**GOLDEN MOKA
ch.c.3 by Golden Missile(A.P. Indy) – Sunset Seeker(Seeking the Gold)
Good Friends Stable Brian A. Lynch
HEY BATTER BATTER
gr/ro.c.3 by Najran(Runaway Groom) – Nursery Song(Beau Genius)
Sam DiPasquale and Mike Kowalski Sam Di Pasquale
HOLLINGER
gr/ro.g.3 by Black Minnaloushe(Storm Cat) – Dynamite Cocktail(Dynaformer)
Robert Harvey and A. Wortzman R. L. Attfield
HOTEP
b.c.3 by A.P. Indy(Seattle Slew) – Eye of the Sphynx(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farms Mark R. Frostad
**INDY LEAGUE
ch.c.3 by Mingun(A.P. Indy) – Ayanka(Jade Hunter)
Woodford Racing LLC Mark E. Casse
MAJOR BRAVO
ch.c.3 by Shamardal(Giant’s Causeway) – Saintliness(Holy Bull)
Stronach Stables R. L. Attfield
MIPOTE
gr/ro.g.3 by Kinshasa(Mr. Prospector) – Grandaughter(Maria’s Mon)
Quicksilver Racing Stable Gregory de Gannes
MOBIL UNIT
b.g.3 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Stop Looking(Dr. Adagio)
G. Schickedanz and D. Howard Michael Keogh
MOBILIZER
dk b/.c.3 by Motivator (GB)(Montjeu (IRE)) – Kris Is It(Kris S.)
Stronach Stables R. L. Attfield
**MOBTHEWARRIOR
dk b/.g.3 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Little Warrior(Woodman)
Andrew V. Fredericks Gregory de Gannes
MR FULLER
dk b/.c.3 by Dixie Union(Dixieland Band) – Sago(Valid Expectations)
Donver Stable Josie Carroll
**OPHIUCHUS
dk b/.f.3 by Afleet Alex(Northern Afleet) – Nymphenburg(San Romano)
Knob Hill Stable Kevin Attard
PINDERS GAP
dk b/.g.3 by Deputy Commander(Deputy Minister) – Harts Gap(Saint Ballado)
Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Mark E. Casse
POWERMOUSE
dk b/.c.3 by Kitten’s Joy(El Prado (IRE)) – Spent Gold(Unaccounted For)
Charles Laloggia Mark E. Casse
RACE FOR GOLD
dk b/.c.3 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Rivermaid Dancing(Riverman)
The Very Dry Stable Robert P. Tiller
RAVEN STONE
b.c.3 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Debt(Mr. Prospector)
Stronach Stables R. L. Attfield
RESENTLESS
dk b/.f.3 by Trajectory(Gone West) – Wistla(Ascot Knight)
Donald Ross Ian Howard
RHETORIC
ch.g.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Western Princess(Gone West)
Earle I. Mack Mark R. Frostad
ROAN INISH
dk b/.f.3 by Elusive Quality(Gone West) – Inish Glora(Regal Classic)
Robert J. Costigan Carolyn Costigan
SILENT RUNNING
b.c.3 by Trajectory(Gone West) – San Nicola Flyer(Alydeed)
J., D., A., C., and F. Pirone Robert Earl Barnett
SKY OF GREY
gr/ro.c.3 by Parisianprospector(Geiger Counter) – Keep the Queen(Prospectors Gamble)
Fieldstone Farms, Inc. Analisa M. Delmas
**SMART SKY
b.c.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Flashy n Smart(Smarten)
C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
SPIRIT FLYING
b.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Adorned(Val de l’Orne (FR))
Augustin Stable MacDonald Benson
STORMY LORD
ch.g.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – Lady Auchamore(Meadowlake)
Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farms Ian Black
TIPPERARY DAVOR
b.c.3 by Olmodavor(A.P. Indy) – Tipperary Melody(Rahy)
Castle Peak Farm, Ltd. William Phipps
VICAR STREET
ch.g.3 by Vicar(Wild Again) – Sudden Profit(At the Threshold)
Annecchini&D’Alimonte Hldgs, Inc. Catherine Day Phillips
WHO WE GUNNA CALL
dk b/.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Touch Dial(Phone Trick)
Castle Peak Farm, Ltd. Tino Attard
WIDMO
dk b/.c.3 by Trajectory(Gone West) – Ordwillow(Ordway)
Fieldstone Farms, Inc. Analisa M. Delmas
** supplemented to Triple Crown on May 1
MORE WOODBINE STUFF
SOUTHDALE won his return from a year-long layoff and just missed the track record for 6 furlongs – he ran in 1:08.54 and earned a 92 Beyer Figure. The Street Cry colt, owned by Ferguson and trainer by Ian Black, was ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson.
New starter IAN ROSS began his job at Woodbine on Wednesday after the sudden firing of DREW BROWN. Ross was the starter at Ajax Downs, which begins its season today (see below).
Today’s VIGIL STAKES, a Grade 3, features an intriguing showdown between Horse of the Year FATAL BULLET, Hollywood Hit, the monster sprinter and last year’s champon sprinter FIELD COMMISSION.
Should be a humdinger.
BULLET BOY IS BACK! Head out to Woodbine today to see HORSE OF THE YEAR (2008) FATAL BULLET in his 5yo debut. Terence Dulay photo
PRESQUE ISLE WINNER
Harlequin Ranches ADREAMANDAPRAYER won the first race Friday night at Presue Isle, her 2nd career start for trainer Reade Baker. The filly was odds-on to win the 5 1/2 furlong dash and she won by almost 4 lengths. She is an Ontario bred by Songandaprayer out of Itstartswithadream by American Chance.
Later, Baker sent out VELVET MOSS in the Inaugural Stakes and that filly was 6th beaten just over 6 lengths in a tough field.
JESS ROYAL BUCKS HEADS AJAX FEATURE
Ontario-bred Derby winner JESS ROYAL BUCKS is the 3 to 1 morning line favourite for the opening day feature at Ajax Downs today, east of Toronto.
The full card also features Maple Leaf Derby trials.
The track in Ajax, Ontario, will run Sundays and, starting June 15, on Tuesdays. The track’s meet closes October 17.
First post on opening day is at 12:55 p.m., and the card includes six trials for the Ajax Downs Maple Leaf Derby. The $35,000-added race is at 300 yards for 3-year-olds.
Some of the other stakes on the track’s schedule include the $75,000-added All Canadian Derby on August 15, the $100,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity on September 26, $100,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Championship for horses 3 years and older on October 3, and the $150,000-added Ajax Downs Ontario Jackpot Futurity on closing day.
For more information, visit Ajax Downs’ Web site, www.ajaxdowns.com.
Courtesy of www.aqharacing.com
Race 8 – 3:50 PM Exactor / Triactor
(Quarter Horse) ALLOWANCE
Purse $25,500. (Includes $1,000 – Trophy Money) (Includes $3,500 – Other Sources). (includes Up To $10,000 Other Sources) For Ontario Bred Or Foaled Four Year Olds And Upward Open. Weight, 124 Lbs. Two Hundred And Fifty Yards.
P# PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 Royal Evening Dash (ON) 5/G L1* B Bell 124 B Wood 10/1
2 Two Tickets South (ON) 6/G L1* D A Piques 124 L Baker 12/1
3 Rising Up the Charts (ON) 7/G C Willick 124 C Bourgeois 10/14
4 Illegal Dreamer (ON) 4/G E Walton 124 L Walton 4/1
5 Marked Cod (ON) 8/G L1* R Dominguez 124 B Wood 8/1
6 One Kool Shake (ON) 4/G M J Mercieca 124 J McCormick 7/2
7 Add a Shark (ON) 4/G J Daigrepont 124 C Crawford 8/1
8 Dianetobewitcha (ON) 4/G L J Meche 124 T D Dunlap 6/1
9 Jess Royal Bucks (ON) 4/G T Phillips 124 J Tavares 3/1
10 Pretty Jane Perry (ON) 4/F J McInerney 124 D Ballis-Hunderup 15/1
Also Eligibles: 11 Vital Drive (ON) 6/G L1* R Dominguez 124 S Laszlo 2/1
Owners: 1 – Clarence Baynes; 2 – Jeff G. Cole; 3 – Chantelle Bourgeois; 4 – Mel Romain; 5 – Gary Joseph Flanagan; 6 – Spada, Peter or Craig; 7 – Roger Girard; 8 – Ivy Lane Racing; 9 – Picov Cattle Co. and Tavares, Christine; 10 – Heste Sport, Inc.; 11 – Sandra Laszlo
Breeders: 1 – Clarence Baynes; 2 – Les Baker and Howard Walton; 3 – Heste Sport Inc; 4 – Mel Romain; 5 – Lisa Kalvoda; 6 – William ‘Bill’ Taggart; 7 – Gayle Sommer Dvm; 8 – Bill Price; 9 – Gary & Hilary McKillop; 10 – Heste Sport Inc; 11 – Sandra Laszlo
