UNCLE MO (inside) and STAY THIRSTY work at Churchill for Saturday’s Ky. Derby. Matt Wooley/EquiSport photos
Happy Monday, but not if you are a computer over here…THOROUGHBLOG’S WEEK LONG TROUBLES of computer woes and delays hit the heights this a.m.- so please be patient..
An abbreviated set of notes on this, the first day of DERBY WEEK!
ROXY GAP hit in her local return when she won the FURY STAKES on Saturday at Woodbine with an 82 Beyer Figure. She is expected to go straight into the WOODBINE OAKS, a 7 furlong to 9 furlong move for the daughter of Indian Charlie.
Eugene Melnyk’s homebred 3yo has never lost at Woodbine but it was hard not to be a bit more impressed with the run of Glen Hill Farm’s MARKETING MIX, who was making her Canadian debut off her maiden win at Keeneland. The Medaglia d’oro gal, bred by Sean Fitzhenry, rallied from behind the slow pace and finished well.
In the QUEEN’S PLATE PICTURE now is CHECK YOUR SOUL, a Perfect Soul (Ire) colt who raced greenly but won the Wando Stakes over a weak field with a 74 Beyer Figure. Owned and bred by Charles Fipke, the colt was only making his 3rd career start – he had a chip taken out of his ankle last year as a 2yo. Roger Attfield trains the leggy boy.
Other Plate horses that did stuff in the last few days include ELITE ALEX, who had a 59 workout at Delaware on Friday, STRIKE AHEAD, for trainer Mark Casse, also worked a quick 5 furlongs in 59 and change but has only raced once, and QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN worked at Keeneland, a soft half in 51 and change.
PENDER HARBOUR worked 5 furlongs this morning in 1:01 and change as he hurries to get his first race of the year – he had surgery at the end of 2010 so his Plate plans are dicey at this time.
