How about Dixie Strike returning to Woodbine and scoring big! Now to the Oaks…Eugene Melnyk has Plate contender, colt won yesterday and goes straight to Plate now….Contreras gets re-hired for Preakness
Dixie Strike romps in the Selene, onto the Oaks!
Norm Files photo
HOMER
Dixie strikes back at home
With a quick turn of foot and wide open spaces on the rail, Canadian bred DIXIE STRIKE roared to a stunning win in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes on Sunday, ran fast and earned a lifetime best 89 Beyer Figure. It was a super homecoming for John Oxley’s filly who had not been in good form in the winter, other than a modest win in the Florida Oaks. The half sister to last year’s Oaks/Plate winner Inglorious now is a serious factor for the Oaks herself.
In yesterday’s race, the daughter of Dixie Union rated in last while champion TU ENDIE WEI, rank early, tried to be settled by jockey Jim McAleney. She went :49 to the half mile but just could not keep going and Dixie Strike cut the corner off the turn and took off to the win. Patrick Husbands rode the filly for trainer Mark Casse.
She now goes into the Oaks as one of the favourites.
The Oaks, June 3, could be the next race for HARD NOT TO LIKE also, the filly who was recently 6th in the Ky. Oaks and 2nd in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes, but there is some talk that the filly may go right into the Queen’s Plate instead.
She is not a robust filly so doing bother races in 3 weeks would likely be tough on the Gail Cox trainee.
The Oaks is starting to look like a Dixie Strike/Hard Not to Like match race but there are some other interesting gals including
HORSESHOE HILL, a maiden winner on Saturday, NORTHERN PASSION, IRISH MISSION, BLACK BIRD ROCK and GRACE PHIL.
The nominees are below:
AWESOME FIRE
ch.f.3 by Strong Contender(Maria’s Mon) – Awesome Lass(Awesome Again)
Urban Fire Corp. Nicholas Gonzalez
AWFULLY SINFUL
ch.f.3 by El Corredor(Mr. Greeley) – Sinful(Touch Gold)
Dura Racing & M.J.Doyle Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
BADON
dk b/.f.3 by Mizzen Mast(Cozzene) – Ada Dancer(Dance Brightly)
Eaton Hall Farm & M.J. Doyle Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
BAGATELLE PARK
b.f.3 by Speightstown(Gone West) – Moonshine Gal(Forest Wildcat)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
BANTEE
dk b/.f.3 by Dixieland Band(Northern Dancer) – Steph’s Tee(Lil E. Tee)
Jim and Susan Hill Reade Baker
BAYVILLE
dk b/.f.3 by Paynes Bay(Mr. Prospector) – Bayley Alley(High Yield)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
BEWITCHING LADY
dk b/.f.3 by Scat Daddy(Johannesburg) – Reflects Ridge(Snow Ridge)
No. 1 Stable, Hidden Brook Farm & D.J. Vella Daniel J. Vella
BLACK BIRD ROCK
dk b/.f.3 by Flower Alley(Distorted Humor) – Black Rock Road(Bertrando)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
BLUE GERANIUM
gr/ro.f.3 by Giacomo(Holy Bull) – Damask Rose(Touch Gold)
Stronach Stables
BLUE HEART
gr/ro.f.3 by Exchange Rate(Danzig) – Flawless Diamond(Saint Ballado)
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Amerman Brian A. Lynch
CASA LOMA
dk b/.f.3 by Cape Town(Seeking the Gold) – Scarlet’s Castle(Sea Wall)
Rolph A. Davis Robert P. Tiller
DANCING FEATHER
gr/ro.f.3 by Giacomo(Holy Bull) – Dancing Cherokee(Yonaguska)
Stronach Stables
DENE COURT
ch.f.3 by City Zip(Carson City) – Operetta(Ascot Knight)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
DIXIE STRIKE
b.f.3 by Dixie Union(Dixieland Band) – Noble Strike(Smart Strike)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
GRACE PHIL
ch.f.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Loupe de Grace(Explosive Red)
Hoof Hearted Stable Robert P. Tiller
HALLNOR
gr/ro.f.3 by Horse Chestnut (SAF)(Fort Wood) – Dynamite Cocktail(Dynaformer)
Robert Harvey and A. Wortzman Roger L. Attfield
HARD NOT TO LIKE
gr/ro.f.3 by Hard Spun(Danzig) – Like a Gem(Tactical Cat)
Hillsbrook Farms Gail Cox
HAVILAH
b.f.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Herzblatt(Cozzene)
Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
HIP HOP GIRL
b.f.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Adams Theatre(Honour and Glory)
Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
HORSESHOE HILL
b.f.3 by Street Sense(Street Cry (IRE)) – Leaveminthedust(Danzig)
Windhaven Michael J. Doyle
I MAD AT YOU
ch.f.3 by Bold n’ Flashy(Bold Ruckus) – Shawl Dance(Our Native)
Whizway Farms LLC Mark R. Frostad
I’VEATIGERINMYTANK
dk b/.f.3 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Lions Raw(War Deputy)
M., V., J. & N. Earle & Singing Springs Racing Michael V. Cohen
IRISH MISSION
ch.f.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Misty Mission(Miswaki)
Robert S. Evans Mark R. Frostad
KITTY’S GOT CLASS
b.f.3 by Old Forester(Forestry) – Dancing Courtesan(Doneraile Court)
Denny Andrews & Michael Colterjohn Michael P. De Paulo
LATEEGRA
b.f.3 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Nakaba (BRZ)(Know Heights (IRE))
Eaton Hall Farm Michael J. Doyle
LOGAN’S PEAK
dk b/.f.3 by Teuflesberg(Johannesburg) – Yukon Lady(Saint Ballado)
M. E. Kennedy & D. G. Menzies (Lessee) Nicholas Gonzalez
MAY ISLAND
dk b/.f.3 by Hard Spun(Danzig) – Brandy Lake(Meadowlake)
Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farms Ian Black
MAY’S PEGASUS
b.f.3 by Fusaichi Pegasus(Mr. Prospector) – Pandora’s Secret(Wolf Power (SAF))
Benjamin Hutzel Michael P. De Paulo
MEKONG DELTA
ch.f.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – South Sea Blues(Cure the Blues)
Theodore F. Burnett Michael Mattine
MEMORIES LAST LOVE
b.f.3 by One Way Love(Regal Classic) – Canyon Memories(Canyon Creek (IRE))
Paul M. Buttigieg Paul M. Buttigieg
NASHINDY
dk b/.f.3 by A.P. Indy(Seattle Slew) – Nashinda(Silver Deputy)
Augustin Stable Carolyn Costigan
NIKKIS BOLD GELATO
ch.f.3 by Bold Executive(Bold Ruckus) – Gelato(Dance Brightly)
Benjamin Hutzel Robert P. Tiller
NORTHERN DELIGHT
ch.f.3 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Sundown Delight(Wild Rush)
Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
NORTHERN PASSION
ch.f.3 by First Samurai(Giant’s Causeway) – A Touch of Glory(Golden Gear)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
PART THE SEAS
b.f.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – Go Marching Thru(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
READYFORTHEQUEEN
ch.f.3 by More Than Ready(Southern Halo) – Kalookan Queen(Lost Code)
Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
ROSE AND SHINE
dk b/.f.3 by Mr. Sekiguchi(Storm Cat) – Yellowenglishrose(Colonial Affair)
James Sabiston Ralph J. Biamonte
S S PINAFORE
b.f.3 by Street Sense(Street Cry (IRE)) – Pinafores Pride(Saint Ballado)
Jim and Susan Hill Brian A. Lynch
SIBONET
dk b/.f.3 by Congrats(A.P. Indy) – Sweet Queens Cat(Tale of the Cat)
Beclawat Stable Scott H. Fairlie
SOUL OF BOURBON
ch.f.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Bourbon Belle(Storm Boot)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
TIMED PERFECTLY
ch.f.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Smart Timing(Miswaki)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
QUEEN’ PLATE LIST
Check the main page of Thoroughblog today and you will see our picks for the leading contenders for the June 24 classic.
With STRAIT OF DOVER’S powerful Marine win, the rest of the field needs to step up.
It was good to see GOLDEN RIDGE win his maiden with an 84 Beyer Figure in the final race on Sunday. The Eugene Melynk-bred colt scored a professional style win and, according to trainer Mark Casse, will now go straight into the Plate.
PLATE NOMS
ALDOUS SNOW
b.c.3 by Theatrical (IRE)(Nureyev) – Brave Destiny(Quiet American)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
AWESOME OVERTURE
dk b/.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Fifth Overture(Pulpit)
Chiefswood Stable Paul Attard
BEEKER STREET
dk b/.c.3 by Belong to Me(Danzig) – Carah Five(You and I)
Donver Stable Josie Carroll
BIG CREEK
dk b/.c.3 by Indian Charlie(In Excess (IRE)) – Major Idea(Cherokee Run)
Green Hills Farm Inc. Todd A. Pletcher
BIG KICK
b.c.3 by Tiznow(Cee’s Tizzy) – Diamant Lady(Mr. Greeley)
Stronach Stables Jose Corrales
CANADIAN NAVY
ch.g.3 by Pulpit(A.P. Indy) – Mahalo(Gulch)
Earle I. Mack LLC Josie Carroll
CANT CATCH WYNSTON
b.c.3 by Vibank(Silver Deputy) – Wynyard(Mr. Greeley)
Laconian Racing Stable, Steve Organ & J. Carroll Josie Carroll
CASH FOR LIFE
ch.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Executive Affair(Bold Executive)
Mike & Nick Nosowenko Nicholas Nosowenko
CLASSIC BRYCE
dk b/.c.3 by Grand Slam(Gone West) – Classic Stamp(Regal Classic)
William Sorokolit Darwin D. Banach
COLLEEN’S SAILOR
b.c.3 by Northern Afleet(Afleet) – Colleen’s Scorpion(Scorpion)
Terra Di Sienna Stables Roger L. Attfield
DANGER BAY
b.r.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – If Moma Aint Happy(Yes It’s True)
Norseman Racing Stable Sid C. Attard
DEAD ON
b.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Split the Arrow(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farms
DESIGNATOR
b.c.3 by Silver Train(Old Trieste) – Designing Miss(Notebook)
Beclawat Stable Ralph J. Biamonte
DIXIE STRIKE
b.f.3 by Dixie Union(Dixieland Band) – Noble Strike(Smart Strike)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
DRAGO’S BEST
dk b/.c.3 by Seeking the Best (IRE)(Seeking the Gold) – Saint Parker(Saint Ballado)
Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc. & Josie Carroll Josie Carroll
DRAGON TAIL
b.c.3 by North Light (IRE)(Danehill) – Calico Flower(Bertrando)
Delmer Investments LLC Roger L. Attfield
FATHOM’S END
dk b/.c.3 by Vindication(Seattle Slew) – Vauxhall(Theatrical (IRE))
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
GOLDEN RIDGE
ch.c.3 by Distorted Humor(Forty Niner) – Indian Vale(A.P. Indy)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Mark E. Casse
HALLAM
b.c.3 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – My Pal Lana(Kris S.)
Augustin Stable Carolyn Costigan
HARD NOT TO LIKE
gr/ro.f.3 by Hard Spun(Danzig) – Like a Gem(Tactical Cat)
Hillsbrook Farms Gail Cox
INCREDICAT
ch.c.3 by Discreet Cat(Forestry) – Lady Auchamore(Meadowlake)
Kinghaven Farms, Hat Trick Stable, J. Fielding, B. Hutzel & H.B. Horner Ian Black
IRISH MISSION
ch.f.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Misty Mission(Miswaki)
Robert S. Evans Mark R. Frostad
LOGAN STREET
b.c.3 by Shakespeare(Theatrical (IRE)) – Moonlet Masquerade(Woodman)
William C. Schettine Lisa L. Lewis
MAKING AMENDS
b.c.3 by Repent(Louis Quatorze) – Primary Motive(Prime Timber)
Quintessential Racing Florida LLC, Horse’nAround Racing Stable & R. Lederman Mark E. Casse
MARIMBA MAN
b.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Marimba Rhythm(Golden Missile)
Stronach Stables Jose Corrales
MENLO CASTLE
dk b/.g.3 by Forest Danger(Forestry) – Romantic Tryst(Woodman)
Conor M. Healy Ralph J. Biamonte
MOLINARO JEWEL
dk b/.g.3 by Line of Departure(A.P. Indy) – Seaside Jewel(Jules)
Molinaro Stable Vito Armata
NASHINDY
dk b/.f.3 by A.P. Indy(Seattle Slew) – Nashinda(Silver Deputy)
Augustin Stable Carolyn Costigan
NOBLE CHIEF
b.c.3 by El Prado (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Nashwan Rose (GB)(Nashwan)
Chiefswood Stable Daniel J. Vella
NORTHERN PASSION
ch.f.3 by First Samurai(Giant’s Causeway) – A Touch of Glory(Golden Gear)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
PERFECT TAY
ch.c.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Loch Tay(Rahy)
True North Stable Lorne Richards
PERFECT TIMBER
dk b/.c.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Timber Ice(Woodman)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
PEYTON
dk b/.g.3 by Tale of the Cat(Storm Cat) – Emanating(Cox’s Ridge)
Windhaven Michael J. Doyle
PRINCE RAPHAEL
b.c.3 by Shakespeare(Theatrical (IRE)) – Yankee Town(Cape Town)
Christina & Olsen Belle and D. J. Reddington Deborah England
RIVER RUSH
b.c.3 by Orientate(Mt. Livermore) – Sweet Tart(Lemon Drop Kid)
Stronach Stables Reade Baker
RUN IN ARUBA
b.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Boone’s Breeze(Boone’s Mill)
Donna Blake Ralph J. Biamonte
SAN CRISTO
dk b/.c.3 by El Prado (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Powerful Nation(Turkoman)
Stronach Stables Mark R. Frostad
SHAKESPEARE’S BREW
b.c.3 by Shakespeare(Theatrical (IRE)) – Brusque(Canaveral)
Meadow Oak Farm LLC and Frank Justice Kevin Attard
SODA ON THE SIDE
b.g.3 by Whiskey Wisdom(Wild Again) – Matching Sox(Tale of the Cat)
3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd. Robert P. Tiller
SOUL OF LONDON
b.c.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Weekend in London(Belong to Me)
Charles E. Fipke D. Kelly Ackerman
STRAIT OF DOVER
dk b/.c.3 by English Channel(Smart Strike) – Bahrain Star(Danzig)
Canyon Farms Daniel J. Vella
STYRIE
dk b/.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Alpha Angel(Alphabet Soup)
Denny Andrews and Paradox Farms Inc. Michael P. De Paulo
TRIBERIOUS
dk b/.c.3 by Bellamy Road(Concerto) – Dance the Slew(Slew City Slew)
Ballycroy Training Centre Brian A. Lynch
TUXEDO RAY
b.g.3 by Cryptograph(Cryptoclearance) – Bafferta(In Excess (IRE))
Robert P. Tiller & Howard Fishman Robert P. Tiller
TWILIGHT SHADOW
gr/ro.c.3 by Holy Bull(Great Above) – Gandria(Green Dancer)
F. Sansano, T. Gagliese & M. Flammia Pat Parente
ULTIMATE DESTINY
ch.g.3 by Dance to Destiny(Mr. Prospector) – One On Tap(Pleasant Tap)
Brenda K. Selwyn-Waxman Michael Keogh
WASHINGTON DASH
dk b/.c.3 by Smart Strike(Mr. Prospector) – Pretty Dutch(Sky Classic)
Silverton Hill LLC Darrin Miller
WELL PLAYED
ch.g.3 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – Playwild(Woodman)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
WILCOX
b.c.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Checker Hall(Seeking the Gold)
Melnyk Racing Stable Inc. Josie Carroll
WOODY G
b.g.3 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – Guthrie(Lord Avie)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
More from Sunday
Wild stuff in the 2yo race on Sunday, Uncaptured (below) beats Ray’s away is what has to be the closest margin possible!
The John Oxley/Mark Casse train started rolling in race 1 when the 2yo, ontario bred UNCAPTURED won his debut. The Lion Heart fellow is out of Captivating (and this a half brother to Dancing Raven) and he in a photo finish, even though it really didn’t look like he had got up to beat Ray’s away, a 2yo beginner by Limehouse. The winner was bred by Bill Graham.
Race 2 went to Hat Trick, Susan Willmot and Anderson Farms’ ROCKINMEBABY, who was dropping from $20K claiming to $12,500 and he won easily as the 6 to 5 favourite. Ian Black trains the 3yo gelding.
DIXIE CHICKEN ran to her workouts when winning the 3rd, an allowance/optional claiming race. The Rahy mare, owned and bred by Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry in Kentucky, was making her first start of the year and Catherine Day Phillips had the mare well prepared.
SUNDIN (he was number 2, not 13) won his maiden in his 2nd start of the year in race 4 with Todd Kabel riding for Scott Fairlie. The gelding is owned by Ace Racing and Gary Wellwood and he was bred by Ron Clarkson. He won for $23,500 claiming.
Dan Vella, of Strait of Dover fame, won the 5th race with Tucci Stables’ Burning Mandahe, who battled 2 wide all the way and then won the $9,500 claiming race at odds of 5 to 1 under Tyler Pizarro.
In race 7, the big fave GET A GRIP ran a drab race in his Woodbine debut (it was his first Polytrack run, eeks) and the winner was WAR RIDGE, coming off the winter layoff for Frank Huarte.
PLAYS CLUB won her 2nd race of the season with an allowance win for Carol and Mickey Walls. the Kentucky bred by Thunder GUlch was a fat 9 to 1 and her rallied in time to beat Harlan’s Panther.
Those with live tickets in the last Pick 3 or the Pick 4 may have singled JABALI in the 9th race. The Kevin Attard trainee looked like he would romp in his return from a winter in Florida but he was virtually eased. The winner was Macallan, the second win for trainer Alec Fehr and owner Stephen Johnson this week.
It has been tough sledding for public handicappers so far in the meeting, is the 3 I had in the TORONTO STAR yesterday is not too bad, one was DIXIE CHICKEN AT $23 TO WIN.
PREAKNESS PROBABLES
Contreras gets another chance on ‘Clever’
Woodbine’s leading rider of 2011, LUIS CONTRERAS, had an awful time in the Kentucky Derby on Prospective when the colt clipped heels and Contreras lost his irons.
The Mexican born jockey gets another chance at glory when he will ride ISN’T HE CLEVER in the Preakness. He had lost the mount on that colt, who he rode to a 2nd in the Sunland derby after moving too soon. The colt was 9th in the Arkansas derby and has since changed trainers to Steve Asmussen.
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER is a favourite of most people, but his trainer Doug O’Neill has learned that winning the big one means the scrutiny comes.
His checkered past with horses and suspensions, (remember Burn a Dette?) has been front and centre with most publications this weekend.
The colt will have a tough time repeating that Derby win we would think with BODEMEISTER back and all the new shooters.
Bodemeister Bob Baffert 3.00 Mike Smith
Cozzetti Dale Romans 1.55 Jose Lezcano
Creative Cause Mike Harrington 1.43 * Joel Rosario
Hansen Mike Maker 3.50 * Ramon Dominguez
Hierro Steve Asmussen 1.67 Julien Leparoux
I’ll Have Another Doug O’Neill 2.11 Mario Gutierrez
Isn’t He Clever Steve Asmussen 3.00 Luis Contreras
Liaison Bob Baffert 3.00 * Martin Garcia
Optimizer D. Wayne Lukas 3.24 Jon Court
Pretension Christopher Grove 3.00 Javier Santiago
Teeth of the Dog Michael Matz 3.00 Joe Bravo
Tiger Walk Ignacio Correas IV 2.06 TBA
Trinniberg Bisnath Parboo 3.00 Willie Martinez
Went the Day Well Graham Motion 1.91 John Velazquez
Zetterholm Richard Dutrow Jr. 2.11 Junior Alvarado
MARIO RETURNS TO HASTINGS
Track is re-charged with local jock’s derby win
The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER — Reins in hand, sun on his back, Mario Gutierrez’s head was clear and his gut nerve-free as he crouched on his horse waiting for racing’s loudest bell to launch riders out of the starting gate.
With the odds weighing 15-1 against his debut at the Kentucky Derby, the jockey’s focus held fast on but a single target.
“I knew what I have to do and I knew the horse was going to help me. I was just ready, I was just ready for that big moment of my life,” he said Sunday.
“It was one thing on my mind at that point — I didn’t want to disappoint anybody. I just wanted to perform the best I could.”
Before a crowd of 165,000 people, an unflappable Gutierrez sprinted to horse racing’s most coveted title, clinching with it a spotlight for a Vancouver track that its champions hope will lead to a renaissance for the sport in Canada.
http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120513/kentucky-derby-vancouver-120513/20120513/?hub=MontrealSports
more MARIO STORIES
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Super+Mario+gets+hero+welcome/6616230/story.html
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Hastings+fans+show+Gutierrez+love/6616444/story.html
