(VIDEO ABOVE) VIEW FROM THE TOP, of CALIFORNIA CHROME
Kentucky Derby favourite at Los Alamitos last week. More workout videos below.
WOODBINE FRIDAY – riders shine on windy, cloudy day
Bookended by two front running winners in short dashes, Friday’s card at Woodbine had some exciting finishes and a lot of super rides from the jockey’s colony.
Multiple winners on the day were Luis Contreras, Justin Stein, Norm McKnight, Dave Moran and Sam DiPasquale.
Race 1- LAST MINUTE LUCY was sharp and ready to go as she burst from the gate in the Ontario sired maiden allowance event and won by 5 3/4 lengths for the parternship of Stavropoloulus and Muha. Trainer Danny O’Callaghan is 2 for 2 on the season. Justin STein was the rider for this giant Gizmo – Executive Decision, by Bold Executive filly.
Race 2- Stein picked up the mount on BOLD BIRDIE for Sam DiPasquale and Teddy Louie when Jim McAleney booked off and this 4yo filly was up to win a 3 horse photo. The winner is an Ontario bred by Birdstone who was making her first start since December in this allowance-optional claiming race. She started for the $20,000 claiming price. It was the first win of the season for Dipasquale.
Race 3- Another close finish: Paul Buttigeg and Gus Vlahos’s RING WITH BLING was favoured in this maiden allowance at 5 furlongs and she came from just off the pace to win by a nlose over I SCREAM SUNDAY. David Moran rode the winner, a daughter of Where’s the Ring – Haliburton highland by Highland Ruckus. Buttigieg bred the 3yo filly.
Race 4 – an allowance race for 3yo fillies went to NEESA, making her first start since November for owner/breeder Paul O’Brien. This Sligo Bay (Ire) filly is out of Red Skimmer by Gulch and looks to have some stakes races in her future. She won by 7 1 /4 lengths in 1:26 for 7 furlongs, a 60 Beyer Figure but she was under wraps late. Steve Attard trains Neesa, who blew past opening weekend winner cristina’s Halo for the win.
Race 5 – NORTHERN BLUEBIRD literally flew past the field to win this $10,000 claiming race. The winter raced fellow was 5 to 2 and he is owned by Bill Sorkolit, trained by Darwin Banach. First of 3 wins for jockey Contreras who is on a roll.
Race 6 – Two super rides in this race as one rallied wide and the other stalked inside and both had a chance to win at the top of the strtech. It was Contreras getting the nod over Patrick Husbands on BIG SHOOTER as LAYOVER IN TOKYO, a Florida raced guy, won this maiden claiming race for $16,000. The winner is trained by Norm McKnight and is a Floirda bred by U So Bad.
Race 7 – Talk about jockeys riding well – JUAN CRAWFORD had a lovely steer on SYNERGIST, who rallied to win her maiden in her 20th attempt and her first since December. The Fieldstone Farms homebred is trained by Carlos Grant and she is by Smooth Bid from Sweet and Silent by Bold Ruckus.
Race 8 – the highest Beyer Figure of the day, an 87 went to TH ORIGINAL SCOTTY, who won this allowance/optional claiming race for Contreras and McKnight. The bay 6yo horse by Mr Scotty is an Ontario bred and he came from 11 lengths behind to win at 12 to 1. The 3-year-old MAN CAVE had a good return race, altough he was a bit too eager, and he lqnded 3rd beaten 3 1/4 lengths.
Race 9 – the last race went to speed GUITAR SOLO who lasted by a head over Red Shot in the $8,000 claiming event. The winner was owned and trained by Sam DiPasquale but he was claimed by Ace Racin Stable, Inc and trainer Scott Fairlie.
Wagering on Friday was $1.7 million.
MARK CASSE WINS KEENELAND TRAINING TITLE
Two wins on the final day of racing at the Keeneland spring meeting gave Woodbine’s leading trainer Mark Casse his first Keeneland title. The stable had 11 wins. Also, Woodbine’s leading owner, John Oxley, won the owner’s title.
An impressive CONQUEST TSUNAMI got things rolling for Casse on Friday. This is a flashy 2yo colt bred in Ontario by Josham Farms and Yvonne Schwabe and owned by Conquest Stables. The colt’s fast workouts lured plenty of attention and he won big at 7 to 5 in 51 flat for 4 1/2 furlongs.
Conquest Tsunami is by Stormy Atlantic out of Classic Neel by El Corredor. Classic Neel is a granddaughter of Canadian star REGAL CLASSIC.
This is the second foal for Classic Neel, who was a $125,000 purchase at Keeneland November in 2008.
KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS
Horse (Sire) Points
1. California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) 150
2. Vicar’s in Trouble (Into Mischief) 120
3. Dance With Fate (Two Step Salsa) 108
4. Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) 102
5. Samraat (Noble Causeway) 100
6. Danza (Street Boss) 100
7. Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) 95
8. Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) 93
9. Wildcat Red (D’wildcat) 90
10. We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller) 60
11. Ride On Curlin (Curlin) 55
12. Chitu (Henny Hughes) 54
13. Tapiture (Tapit) 52
14. Ring Weekend (Tapit) 50
15. General a Rod (Roman Ruler) 40
16. Medal Count (Dynaformer) 40
17. Candy Boy (Candy Ride {Arg}) 30
18. Uncle Sigh (Indian Charlie) 24
19. Vinceremos (Pioneerof the Nile) 20
20. Harry’s Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) 20
21. Commanding Curve (Master Command) 20
22. Pablo Del Monte (Giant’s Causeway) 20
23. Bayern (Offlee Wild) 20
24. Social Inclusion (Harlan’s Holiday) 20
25. Big Bazinga (Bluegrass Cat) 14
WICKED STRONG WORKS AT AQUEDUCT
UNCLE SIGH (blinkers on) WORKS AT AQUEDUCT, SQUEEZES THROUGH RAIL AND WORKMATE
HASTINGS PARK OPENS 125TH SEASON SUNDAY
from Tommy Wolksi, The Province
On Sunday at 1:50 p.m., one of B.C.’s most historic landmarks and heritage sites — Hastings Racecourse — kicks off its 125th season of live thoroughbred racing.
And when you consider the dismal weather local horsemen have had to deal with these past few months, getting to the starting gate on schedule is rather incredible.
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Hoss+Talk+Loads+talent+Hastings+opening+Sunday/9772767/story.html
