PEPPER

AROD came in with fellow Euro’s last night (Monday) and Karl Lagerborg snapped his photo this morning

WOODBINE MILE DRAW TOMORROW 12 Noon – live on www.woodbineentertainment.com

DON’T MISS all the cool promos that Woodbine will offer for a great day of racing on Saturday – bet $100 on the Woodbine Mile card and be entered in a draw for $1,000.

There is a Hockey and Hops party for $40 in Champions with food and the big game between Canada and Czech republic…

TEPIN leaves Saratoga tomorrow after training to head north to Woodbine and her date with the E P Taylor turf course for the $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1).

A winner of 7 straight races and dubbed the Queen of the Turf, she is trained by Woodbine’s leading conditioner but she has never been in Canada.

Her final workout was yesterday, an easy breeze at 4 furlongs of 49 1/5. The video, supplied by Dave Norton, is below.

Tepin is a daughter of Bernstein and she cost $140,000 at the Saratoga yearling sale 3 years ago. A video of her as a yearling is also below.

NTRA THOROUGHBRED POLL  Sept. 12

Week twenty eight of the 2016 NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), covering racing performances through September 11. Current Horse of the Year ranking of the Top Thoroughbred on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 basis with first place votes in parentheses, 2016 record and total points. Poll Concludes Monday, Nov. 7. A-S: Age-Sex, Sex: C-colt, G-gelding, H-horse, F-filly, M-mare, R-ridgling.

HORSE         A-S    STATS    POINTS  PVS

1 CALIFORNIA CHROME (40) 5-H 5-5-0-0 400 1
2 TEPIN 5-M 5-5-0-0 323 2
3 FLINTSHIRE 6-H 3-3-0-0 307 3
4 SONGBIRD 3-F 6-6-0-0 275 4
5 FROSTED 4-C 5-3-0-1 211 5
6 ARROGATE 3-C 5-4-0-1 186 6
7 BEHOLDER 6-M 4-2-2-0 164 7
8 MELATONIN 5-G 4-3-1-0 57 8
9 CAVORTING 4-F 4-3-1-0 50 9
10 NYQUIST 3-C 5-3-0-1 38 10

FORECAST – Early projections from The Weather Network says 70% chance of rain from Saturday morning through to evening, light rain and up to 4 mm.

TEPIN WORKOUT YESTERDAY:

LAST YEAR’S WOODBINE MILE – on giving ground
Tower of Texas, Mr. Owen among the starters in last year’s race

BEST RECENT BEYER FIGUREs Horse Owner Trainer  Jockey

n/a     Arod / Qatar Racing Limited / Peter Chapple-Hyam / Oisin Murphy
103     Full Mast / Juddmonte Farms / William Mott / Joel Rosario
98       Glenville Gardens / Janice Attard / Sid Attard / Gary Boulanger
n/a     Mr. Owen / Qatar Racing Limited / Francois Rohaut / Jamie Spencer
n/a     Mutakayyef / Shadwell Stable / William J. Haggas / Dane O’Neill
101-103 Passion for Action / Benjamin Hutzel / Mike DePaulo / Luis Contreras
102-107 Tepin / Robert E. Masterson / Mark Casse / Julien Leparoux
97       Tower of Texas / Thomas F. Van Meter II and Scott Dilworth / Roger Attfield / Eurico Rosa da Silva

The big question of the Mile this year is how will this race shape up out of the gate?

There appears to be little in the way of big speed with only GLENVILLE GARDENS (he stalked 46 1/5 in the Play the King Stakes last time out) appearing to be the main pace runner.

Yes Tepin is always close to the pace so she will be right there and Arod, from overseas, led for most of the Celebration Mile on firm turf last month at Goodwood.

It is hard to imagine that the pace could be faster than 46 seconds to the half mile and that would make Tepin very tough to beat. However, after a long trip to England to race on soft grass against the boys (and note that the 3rd place finisher from the Queen Anne, LIGHTNING SPEAR, just came just came win the Group 2 Celebration Mile over Arod), this may be the time to take it to her and try to wear her out through the long Woodbine stretch run.

MUTAKAYYEF is going to be the wise-guy horse as he is already being touted by many of us as the possible upsetter. In 13 races, this chestnut gelding by Sea the Stars has never been worse that 3rd. He was steadied in the late stages of the Group 1 Juddmonte Intaernational last time and last summer pushed Mondialiste to a neck in the Strensall Stakes. This is a big, galloping fellow who will have to hurry.

FULL MAST, the Juddmonte Farms, Bill Mott colt, is a mystery. He came to Woodbine for the King Edward (Grade 2), was even-money, and did not do much, finishing 2 lengths behind Dimension, Solemn Tribute and Tower of Texas. However, the son of Mizzen Mast had just won his first race in a year, with 1st time Lasix and a 102 Beyer Figure and a regression iwas not surprising.

Despite putting up a fuss at the gate before the Aug. 6 Lure Stakes, the 4yo colt finished 2 noses back at the end of the 1 1/16 mile turf race, posted a 103 Beyer Figure and he did not have much pace to run at.

MR OWEN was in the race last year and this high striding fellow was 6th, not liking the soft going. He has been only so-so this year in 4 races and, like Arod, is owned by Qatar Racing.

And what of the locals? GLENVILLE GARDENS CYCLED UP HIS BEYER FIGURES to post a 98 career best last time after a great trip.

TOWER OF TEXAS has a wild late rally, would post a 100 Beyer Figure, but has to hurry.

PASSION FOR ACTION is the best local hope. The Ben Hutzel homebred should enjoy stretching out to 1 mile around one-turn and he cam post a 101-103 Beyer Figure.

Of course, if Tepin comes off her 3 month layoff and runs a 103 – 107, it may be lights out.

ALSO ON SATURDAY…

EARLY LOOK AT THE GRADE 1 NORTHERN DANCER, PRESENTED BY HPIBET.COM (11)
Horse/Owner/Trainer/

Big Blue Kitten / Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey / Chad Brown
Button Down / Greenwood Lodge Farm Inc. / Josie Carroll
Camp Creek / Hillsbrook Farms / Rachel Halden
Danish Dynaformer / Charles E. Fipke / Roger Attfield
Goodyearforroses / Lincoln Collins & Roger Attfield / Roger Attfield
Majeed / Khalifa Dasmal / David Simcock
Messi / Gestut Brummerhof / Graham Motion
The Pizza Man / Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc. / Roger Brueggemann
Up With the Birds / Sam-Son Farm / Malcolm Pierce
Wake Forest / Michael Dubb, Sheep Pond Partners and Bethlehem Stables LLC
World Approval / Live Oak Plantation / Mark Casse

EARLY LOOK AT THE GRADE 2 CANADIAN, BREEDERS’ CUP WIN & YOU’RE IN (12)
Horse / Owner / Trainer

Button Down / Greenwood Lodge Farm Inc. / Josie Carroll
Dacita / Sheep Pond Partners and Bradley Thoroughbreds / Chad Brown
Faufiler / Flaxman Holdings, Ltd. / Graham Motion
Goodyearforroses / Lincoln Collins and Roger Attfield / Roger Attfield
Midnight Miley / Little Red Feather Racing / Julia Carey
Muffri’ha / Sheikh Juma Dalmook al Maktoum / William J. Haggas
Rainha Da Bateria / Three Chimneys Farm / Chad Brown
Real Smart / B. E. Nielsen / Graham Motion
Steip Amach / Haras d’Etreham / David Smaga
Strut the Course / John Unger / Barb Minshall
Wekeela / Martin S. Schwartz / Chad Brown
Zipessa / Empyrean Stables / Michael Stidham

DON’T FORGET that Sunday is a Win and You’re In day for the 2-year-olds

Dreaming of the Breeders’ Cup

EARLY LOOK AT THE $250,000 GRADE 1 NATALMA (15)
ONE MILE ON THE TURF FOR JUVENILE FILLIES
BREEDERS’ CUP WIN & YOU’RE IN

Horse/Owner/Trainer

Beat The Benchmark / Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence / Chad Brown
Black Canary / Gary Barber / Mark Casse
Caroline Test / Edward Seltzer & Beverly Anderson / Ben Colebrook
Enstone / East West Stables / Mark Casse
Erin Commodity / Hillsbrook Farms / Rachel Halden
I’ll Take The Cake / Nick Nosowenko / Nick Nosowenko
Kodiac Gal / Gary Barber / Mark Casse
Lapinski / Godolphin Racing LLC / Michael Stidham
Olive Branch / Ralph M. Evans / Richard A. Violette, Jr.
Red Lodge / Head of Plains Partners LLC & Hat Creek Racing / Wes Ward
Stormy Perfection / Charles E. Fipke / Michael J. Doyle
Tapa Tapa Tapa / Beau Ravine LLC / Timothy Hamm
The Craic / Dura Racing & M.J. Doyle Racing Stables LLC. / Michael J. Doyle
Thora Barber / Team Valor International / Mark Casse
Victory to Victory / Live Oak Plantation / Mark Casse

EARLY LOOK AT THE $200,000 GRADE 2 SUMMER STAKES (8)
ONE MILE ON THE TURF FOR JUVENILES
BREEDERS’ CUP WIN & YOU’RE IN

Horse/Owner/Trainer/

Berks County / Matthew Schera / Carlos Martin
Channel Maker / Joey Gee Thoroughbreds / Dan Vella
Conquest Farenheit / Conquest Stables LLC. / Mark Casse
Conquest Sure Shot / Conquest Stables LLC. / Mark Casse
Good Samaritan / China Horse Club & WinStar Farm LLC / Bill Mott
Harlan’s Harmony / Curragh Stables / John P. Terranova, II
Tiz a Slam / Chiefswood Stable / Roger Attfield
Woodbridge / G. Schickedanz & D. Howard / Mike Keogh

KEENELAND SEPTEMBER UNDERWAY

If you want to know where many of the Woodbine horsepeople are this week and next they will be shopping at the massive Keeneland September yearling sale, armed with a box of the catalogues and plenty of notes.
4, 479 yearlings are catalogued with 83 Ontario-breds in the 6 Books (13 sessions)

BOOK ONE LINK
http://apps.keeneland.com/sales/Sep16/pdfs/book1.pdf
ONTARIO -BREDS IN BOOK 1

RNA – 120,000 33 c. by Bernardini – Smart Believer by Smart Strike – Anderson Farms, agent
OUT 96 c. Redoute’s Choice – Thislillighotofmine by Kingmambo Four Star Sales, agent

selling today – 311 c. More Than ready – Down, by Mr. Greeley Taylor Made Sales
327 f. Ghostzapper – Emanating by Cox’s Rdige – Eaton sales for William Graham
328 f. Distorted Humpr – England Swings by Kitten’s Joy – Eaton Sales for William Graham
348 c. City Zip – Forest Gamble by Forest Wildcat – Warendale Sales for Tall Oaks
355 c. Scat Daddy – Gauze by Saint Ballado Anderson Farms, agent
526 c. Tale of the Cat – My Sister Sandy by Montbrook Taylor Made Sales
531 f. Malibu Moon – Nadishiko by Honour and GLory Anderson Farms, agent

RECAP FROM SESSION 1 OF 13 –

A colt by leading sire Medaglia d’Oro sold for $1 million to Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier to lead the first day of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale, which saw strong participation from a diverse contingent of domestic and foreign buyers.
On Monday, Keeneland sold 108 yearlings for a gross of $34,531,000, down 22.65 percent from the opening session in 2015 when 150 horses sold for $44,642,000. The session average increased 7.43 percent from $297,613 to $319,731, while the median price of $267,500 was up slightly over last year’s $265,000.
The number of yearlings sold for $500,000 or more rose from 19 in 2015 to 25 this year.
“We knew the gross would be down because we were offering significantly fewer horses in this session (202 cataloged this year versus 241 in 2015),” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “The word ‘stable’ feels appropriate here because the average was up and the median was just a tick up over last year. So with fewer offerings, an increase in the number of horses purchased in the $500,000 to $999,000 range and a comparable median to last year, we are pretty pleased.”
The top 25 yearlings were purchased by 16 different entities, representing major domestic and international buyers.
“We are very happy with the crowd that is on the grounds at the moment,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said. “There is diversity of buyers and they were spirited in their bidding, so that is positive.”
The seven-figure Medaglia d’Oro colt is out of stakes winner Spring Party, by Smart Strike. He is from the family of Grade 1 winners Emcee and Constitution and recent Bet365 Superlative (G2) winner Boynton.
“He’s a very nice horse,” Magnier said. “He reminded me a lot of (Medaglia d’Oro’s Australian champion son) Vancouver. He was an exceptional horse. He was an unusually good 2-year-old. If (this yearling) runs like him, we will be in good shape. That’s a lot of money to give for a horse, but he’s very good looking and a great mover. Most likely he will stay in America.”
The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised.
“We said in our estimates that he would bring between six and eight (hundred thousand dollars), but we knew he could (sell for $1 million),” Taylor Made President and CEO Duncan Taylor said. “You hardly ever get a horse that is that well-bred that walks like that. He walks like he was gliding on air. He had all the muscle in the world to go with it. We knew he was a special horse. (The owners) paid a lot for the mare so it is nice to see them get rewarded. That is a colt that might be standing in Kentucky for a lot of money one day. He sure looks the part.”
Taylor Made was the day’s leading consignor, selling 15 yearlings for $5,552,000.
John Ferguson, on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, paid $900,000, the session’s second-highest price, for a daughter of leading sire War Front who is the first foal out of Group 3 winner Aloof (IRE), by Galileo (IRE). Timber Town, agent, consigned the filly, whose family includes the Galileo colt Churchill, winner of Sunday’s Goffs Vincent O’Brien National (G1) at The Curragh in Ireland.
“She’s a beautiful filly, very athletic,” Ferguson said. “The War Fronts have done very well and are still progressing. She is out of a Galileo mare. It’s a great family. We are delighted to have her not only as a racehorse but also as a future broodmare. She was one of the better European pedigrees in the book.
“People underestimate how difficult it is to breed yearlings to look like that. So they deserve to get well paid for them when they come along,” Ferguson added. “She has a turf pedigree so she will probably go to Europe.”