SUMMER STAKES ARE SIZZLIN – 108th VICTORIA STAKES, 106th KING EDWARD STAKES
Woodbine has 2 full cards of racing on the weekend packed with turf, 2-year-olds and ton of horses. The stakes races, 4 of them, did not do as well as they have small fields and perhaps the Victoria Park Stakes has hit the end of the line being on the Woodbine stakes schedule: it drew a very modest field of 4 horses, two which were supplemented.
The highlight of the weekend stakes action is the Grade 2 KING EDWARD STAKES, a wonderful, old race that was inaugurated in 1903.
Named for Edward VII of the United Kingdom who had been crowned king in 1901, the race was created the following year with its first running taking place in 1903 as the King Edward Gold Cup. It was raced on dirt at the Old Woodbine Park until 1958 when it was moved to Woodbine Racetrack and changed to a turf race. Renamed the King Edward Breeders’ Handicap, in 2007 it became a Stakes (not a Gold Cup) event.
Since inception, the King Edward Stakes has been raced at a variety of distances: 1 1⁄4 miles : 1903-1917 (Old Woodbine Racetrack) 1 1⁄16 miles : 1920-1957 on dirt at Old Woodbine Park, 1958-1993 on turf at Woodbine Racetrack, and on turf in 1994 at Fort Erie Racetrack 1 1⁄8 miles : 1995-2009 on turf at Woodbine Racetrack 1 mile : beginning 2010 Due to the large number of entries, the King Edward was raced in two divisions in 1978, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. There was no race held in 1918, 1919, 1943, 1945, and 1956.
The King Edward this year has drawn George Strawbridge’s UTLEY, a 6-year-old horse who won the Grade 2 Dixie in his last race at Pimlico on Preakness day. Among his rivals is the gritty speedster EXCAPER who is at the top of his game for the Kaster family and trainer Ian Black. Another old, famous race is Saturday’s VICTORIA STAKES for 2-year-olds at 5 furlongs. It was first run in 1903 as well and named for Queen Victoria. For picks and more, don’t forget to visit http://jmbets.ca
FRIDAY/ WEDNESDAY at Woodbine
MACHITO started the Friday afternoon card with his 2nd straight win. This was a 3-year-old allowance/optional claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs with just 5 horses in the field. Owned by Windways Farm, trained by Malcolm Pierce and bred by David Strucke, this Tethra gelding is out os Ms Petula (Trajectory) was a $24,000 yearling purchase. Eurico da Silva rode.
Race 2- Third time was the charm for AMATHEA, who burned plenty of cash in her first 2 starts when favoured and 2nd each time. In this grass debut, she led all the way through 6 furlongs in 1:09.37 (73 Beyer) to win for owner/breeders Conrad Farms/ Mark Casse trains and Patrick Husbands rode the daughter of Henny Hughes.
race 3- WICKSTEAD, an Olmodavor 3-year-old gelding, is 2 for 3 in his career thanks to this allowance win for Ontario sired guys at 6 1/2 furlongs. He won his maiden on May 24 and then scored in this race against just 5 rivals. He was bred by Kingview Farms and is owned by Gus Vlahos, trained by Bill Tharrenos. Omar Moreno rode.
Race 4- A maiden allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the grass was won by big favrouite AND I DID, by hot, young sire Lennatus Anteas. Owned and bred by Colebrook Farms, this 3-year-old was making only her 2nd career start. She is the 2nd foal of winning mare I Can, by Colony Light. Luis Contreras rode.
race 5- VICTORIANA ROSE was bet well in this return from the October – June layoff and she led all the way to win her maiden for Robert and Patricia Weber. The 4-year-old by Northern Afleet – Whistling Maid by Bold ‘n Flashy is trained by Don MacRae and Chris Griffith rode.
Race 6 – MIKE THE HAB wore down AISH TAMID to win this maiden race for $20,000 claiming at 1 1/16 miles. the winner is owned by Debmar Stables and trained by Ricky Griffith. He is a Curlin colt and this was his 6th career race, his 2nd of this season. Chantal Sutherland Kruse was the winning rider. Blinkers were on.
Race 7- CAJUN KISS won off the claim for Alexander Patykewich, who took the 3-year-old for $12,500 from a 10 length maiden score just a week earlier. He won for $19,000 with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.
Race 8 – Wild finish to this grass sprint and it was BURNUM, for owner James Redekop who won over Canadian Navy and D’s Perfect Soul in a tight finish. The winner was coming out of the Jacques Cartier Stakes where he was 5th and making his 4th start on the grass. Justin Stein rode.
The last race of the day was won by Big Daddy Bill but he was disqualified from first place for bumping Eye of the World in early stretch. The two ralliers reeled in Wales End, who was looking to give apprentice Jenna Bray her first career win but after opening up a 12 length lead, he could not hold on. Eye of the World is 2 for 4 this year for Gabe Grossberg and trainer Mark Casse. Luis Contreras rode.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
SUNDOWNER camped on the lead in his first race since his debut in Florida and kept that spot to win this maiden allowance at 5 furlongs for Brent and Russ McLellan and trainer Stuart Simon. Luis Contreras rode the son of Speightstown who was bre din Kentucky by WinStar LLC.
Simon would win another race later on the card…
Race 2 – The Norm McKnight train continues to roll. The stable won 2 more races on Wednesday and in this maiden claiming event for $16,000 IT’S A GIZMO dropped from MSW and won by almost 5 lengths under apprentice Katy Morrison. Polo Management Services own the Giant Gizmo – Tobie Ascot by Alydeed filly who was bred b y Wendy Rose. Her time of 57.90 (68 beyer) was nearly identical to that of Sundowner inrace 1.
Race 3 – Off the turf so this 6 furlong race for $40,000 for fillies and mares shrunk in size. the winner was LIL SASHA, who was claimed from her previous race for just $12,500. Martha Gonzalez put the claim slip in for this Whywhywhy mare, who was winning for the first time since September 2012. Patrick Husbands got the mare home in 1:11.06, a 57 Beyer Figure. The mare was 13 to 1 in the 6-horse field – the 3rd place finisher Sweet Starlet had just won with a 73 Beyer while 2nd place finisher Laughing Falcon is a stakes winner.
Race 4- a maiden allowance at 9 furlongs for Ontario sired guys and it was originally scheduled for the grass. Up in the last jump was NIIGON’S TURN, the second winner for trainer Stuart Simon on the night. This is a Chiefswood Stable gelding by Niigon out of Winning Turn by Tiznow. Luis Contreras gave this guy a good steer to win his maiden in his 2nd race of this year and second start since September. The 1:52.22 for the distance translated into a 64 Beyer Figure.
race 5 – Norm Knight sent our beginner SCOTTY’S MODEL to win her debut as a 4-year-old. She is by Mr Scotty and she led all the way under Eurico da Silva.
Race 6 – UNCATCHABLE FIRE – 0 for 24 on the Polytrack in his career (2 for9 on grass) won this $11,500 claiming race for Stacey Van Camp and trainer Mike Mattine. Sheena Ryan brought this son of Niigon from just off the pace to win his 2nd start of 2014.
Race 7 – Maiden fillies at 7 furlongs and trainer Alison Crook scored her first win of the meeting with SUDDEN BID, an Alphabet Soup filly bred by Margaret Spencer. Clive Ramnauth owner’s this chestnut 3-year-old who was making her 3rd start off the layoff. David Garcia was the winning rider.
Race 8 – Favoured TARTY TO THE PARTY had a Beyer Figure advantage and easily won the last race for trainer Sam Dipasquale and John Terdick. Luis Contreras completed the hat trick.
NOT BOURBON FILLY SELLS FOR $100,000
JUNE OBS 2-YEAR-OLDS UNDERWAY Ontario-breds in the sale –
NOT BOURBON filly brings $100,000
price Buyer Hip Name Workout time Breeding Consignor
$20,000 JAMES PEARSON 4 Bourbon’s Rahfee 10.2 F Not Bourbon Rahfee Ontario McKathan Bros., Agent I $10,000 JOHN ROSS 69 In Front I Am – C Strut the Stage Sangoma Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II
OUT 71 24.3 C Eskendereya Sanibel Star Ontario Don R. Graham, Agent 4
$27,000 RAUT LLC 95 Seekingtheperfect 10.3 C Perfect Soul (IRE) Seeking the Title Ontario McKathan Bros., Agent I
OUT 111 More Than Shirl out C More Than Ready Shirl’s Soul Ontario McKathan Bros., Agent I 6 NOT SOLD 18,000 217 10.2 F Bernstein Sweet Tart Ontario Thoroughbred Champions Training Center LLC 18
$100,000 M RECIO FOR MIKE ANDERSON 231 Bourbon Music 10.1 F Not Bourbon Tap to Music Ontario McKathan Bros., Agent I 6
NOT SOLD 307 10.3 F War Cry Very Much So Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I 19
OUT 317 F Smart Strike Waltzing Around (IRE) Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent V
OUT 359 Old Forester Woodland City (SAF) Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I 19
NOT SOLD 448 11.1 F Mast Track Beach Trick Ontario All Dreams Equine, Agent I 20
$8,000 S SCRENCI 488 Seymour Boy 22.1 C Heatseeker (IRE) Broadway Lights Ontario Cashel Stud, Agent forAl Falk 7 $25,000 KOID 560 10.2 C Marchfield Collymore Hall Ontario Inside Move, Inc., Agent III H
NOT SOLD ($37,000 569 10.3 C Harlan’s Holiday Countervail Ontario King’s Equine, Agent XX 1
$22,000 NICK GONZALEZ 573 Skimming Milk 10.2 F Tiago Court Skimming Ontario Jose Munoz 20
$57,000 CONQUEST STABLES 605 10.1 F Not Bourbon Deputy Ontario Scanlon Training Center, Agent I
$8,000 ANTONIA DURAN 658 Back in the Fold 10.3 F Awesome Again Ernfold Ontario Kenneth Lejeune, Agent
2 $11,000 L GIBBS 684 Now in Front 10.3 C Utopia (JPN) Fighten Firgie Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II 19 OUT 703 Follow Bourbon out F Not Bourbon Follow Ontario McKathan Bros., Agent I 6
OUT 724 10.3 C Quality Road Gentle Words Ontario Don R. Graham, Agent 4
$57,000 HARLEQUIN RANCHES 729 10.2 F Macho Uno Girl Can Rock Ontario Potrero Stables
14 $45,000 BRANDON RICE, AG 754 10.2 C Milwaukee Brew Green Jewel Ontario RiceHorse Stables, Agent IX 17 NOT SOLD $5,500 761 10.3 C Saffir Half a Dozen Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent I 19
$15,000 COPPER WATER THBRDS. 765 10.3 F Discreetly Mine Hannah Sue Ontario Northwest Stud, Agent I 13 OUT 784 out C Curlin Higher World Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent IX C
$11,000 MANUEL ESTEVEZ 812 10.4 C Bluegrass Cat Imaginary Gold Ontario King’s Equine, Agent IX 1 $4,000 FNDCC INC. 865 Not in Front 11.0 F Sligo Bay (IRE) Kiamika Ontario Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II 19
$75,000 ADENA SPRINGS 883 10.1 F Medaglia d’Oro Lady Charade Ontario Classic Bloodstock (Danzel Brendemuehl), Agent
FRIDAY
not sold $24,000 924 Old Fashioned Cash 10.3 C Old Fashioned Lochrea Ontario SAB Sales (Scott A. Bergsrud), Agent IV
not sold $37,000 948 21.2 F Kentucky Bear Madame Toumanova Ontario Jesse Hoppel A
OUT 995 out F Alumni Hall Mine Alone Ontario H. B. Stable 15
$25,000 JUSTIN NIXON, FOR STEPHEN CHESNEY 1006 11.0 F Sligo Bay (IRE) Miss Dragonfly Ontario RiceHorse Stables, Agent IX 17
NOT SOLD $32,000 1015 Fine Details 21.2 f Bluegrass Cat Miss Olive Oil Ontario JourneymanServices, Inc. (Brent & Crystal Fernung), Agent
1117 OUT C Midshipman Pinafore Lady Ontario Tom McCrocklin, Agent III 13
1118 OUT C Street Cry (IRE) Pinafores Pride Ontario Niall Brennan Stables, Agent XVIII 8 1143 10.3 C Discreetly Mine Princessofballet Ontario Jesse Hoppel A *
Horses of Racing Age 1
$27,000 NICK GONAZALEZ 1182 Clapham Heights G Langfuhr Checker Hall Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I $3,000 R FIGUERO 1189 Fairway Gardens F Flower Alley Green Pond Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I
$6,000 G PATRICK 1198 Rafeen C Harlington Mosaic Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I
NOT SOLD 19,000 1209 Conquest Dancer C English Channel Castelli’s Dance Ontario Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent XV
I Canadian Buyers
10.4 F Sligo Bay (IRE) Retsina Code Spring Dreams Thoroughbreds, Agent John Ross 11,000
10.1 F Scat Daddy Roc Roe Inside Move, Inc., Agent II Josham Farms Limited, Agent 60,000 G
C Warrior’s Reward Rosie Dooley Niall Brennan Stables, Agent III John Ross 13,000
11.0 C Strut the Stage Sangoma Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, Agent II John Ross 10,000
10.2 F Midnight Lute She’s Funomenal Eisaman Equine, Agent Carlo Tucci 37,000
21.2 C Into Mischief Star Citizen Blue River Bloodstock, Agent VII Blair Miller 30,000
10.3 C Forty Grams Stormy Eyes M. Perez Campbell Wilson 3,500
21.3 F Two Step Salsa Survicat de Meric Sales, Agent XXIII Mike Doyle, Agent 10,000 22.0 G Strut the Stage Sutherland Martin Rivera, Agent Mike Doyle, Agent 3,000
10.2 C More Than Ready Authenicat Sequel Bloodstock, Inc. (Becky Thomas), Agent Richard Hogan, Agent 110,000
10.3 F Discreet Cat Certain Harmony Grandpa’s Dream Mike Doyle, Agent 20,000
1010 11.0 F Sligo Bay (IRE) Miss Irresistible RiceHorse Stables Christina Jelm, Agent for Nick Nosowenko 9,000
10.0 C Half Ours Ms Lucille Bobby Dodd, Agent IV Copper Water Thoroughbred Company 30,000
1182 34.2 G Langfuhr Checker Hall Casse Sales LLC (Justin Casse), Agent I Nick Gonzalez 27,000
1196 33.4 C Thewayyouare Little Truffle Julie Davies, Agent J.A. Everatt-Meeuse, Agent for K-5 Stables 20,000
IT’S A KICK! – This Philanthropist – Arden belle yearling filly (Gracie_ is lovin life at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms
ERICKA RUSNAK PHOTOS