AMI’S HOLIDAY (second from right) charges to the Breeders’ Stakes win over INTERPOL (second from left) and SQUEEZE THE KING (far right) TERENCE DULAY PHOTO
GOT ONE!
Ami’s Holiday was here and there in the Triple Crown before taking the Breeders’
“I think it speaks a lot for this horse. We talk a lot about horses not having the constitution that they used to, but this is the culmination of a breeding program by Mr. Dalos interjecting stamina into a race horse. He was a little tired after the Prince of Wales, shipping down (to Fort Erie), shipping home. He just lit it up (in his turf work). He just came to life.” – Josie Carroll
And this is the kind of horse Ontario horsepeople breed. Honest, sturdy and consistent. AMI’S HOLIDAY had some bad luck, some of his own making as he began his 3yo season at Keeneland for the Grade 3 Lexington. After a second, two thirds and a fourth in his four starts this year, the bay colt finally got one – he burst late and won the Breeders’ Stakes in his grass debut. It was a solid run for Ivan Dalos’s homebred by Harlan’s Holiday – Victorious Ami by Victory Gallop and his 3rd win in his 9th race. His earnings are now just over $740,000.
It was a good training decision by Carroll who tossed around the Ontario Derby for the colt after his 3rd place showing in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. The colt was 2nd to Lexie Lou in the Plate and then 3rd in the Marine, a neck behind after he tried to go for a hole that was not there. He caught a softer field in the Breeders’, and needed just an 80 Beyer Figure to win the race after a good trip.
INTERPOL a maiden, had a super trip and was 2nd for JMJ Racing Stables LLC and trainer Sid Attard. The English Channel colt was bred by Richard Lister. Joe Stritzl’s SQUEEZE THE KING held 3rd place over Gail Wood and Dr Ruth Barbour’s BANGKOK, who came from far back and raced wide.
- LUIS CONTRERAS finally got AMI’S HOLIDAY and a trip sorted out and won the Breeders’ Stakes. SANTINO DI PAOLA PHOTO
Other stuff from SUNDAY..
Sadly, DEREK’S DARLING was put down after she suffered a leg injury in a grass allowance race on Sunday. The Goldmart Farms filly was one of the favourites and she was making her 3rd start of the year. The was by Tomahawk and had won $41,000 in 8 races.
On Saturday, IN DISPUTE, a War Front gelding, broke down in a $12,500 claiming race and was vanned off.
Sunday was a picture-perfect racing day with a very large and energetic crowd that was very loud for each and every race. Unfortunately, betting for this year’s Breeders’ day was $3.1 million, down from $3.9 million last year.
Race 1- CARELESS COUSIN was everyone’s pick in race 1, a maiden allowance for Ontario sired 2yos since he had a troubled trip in his July 20 outing. He was the predictable winner at odds-on in this 6 furlong dash for Overheath Stables, longtime owners and supporters of the local yearling sale. This Where’s the Ring gelding was a $30,000 purchase last year from breeder Steve and Kathleen Kemp’s Ballycroy Training Centre. He is by Where’s the Ring out of Cam’s Cousin by Silver Deputy. Mike DePaulo trains.
Hip no 213 from this year’s yearling sale is a Giant Gizmo half sibling to Careless Cousin.
Race 2- CHIEF CHATO has come to life with blinkers on: he won Aug 3 at 55 to 1 for $20,000 claiming/optional claiming and then won for $30,000 on Sunday, posting a career best 83 Beyer Figure, the co-fastest Beyer of the day. Lisa McCallum Smith and Grey Cox bred the Tomhawk gelding and Cindy Cox is a co-owner. Gerry Olguin rode the 4yo.
race 3- MILWAUKEE WOMAN won her 2nd straight race for Stronach Stable’s and trainer Dan Vella. The 4yo by Milwaukee Brew won this allowance race over a tough Lynnessa (Old Forester) 5 weeks after her maiden score. Justin Stein rode the filly.
race 4 – holy moley, a what a training job by IAN BLACK and his team to have MAHOGANY ROAD ready to win this grass allowance race in her first outing since Dec. 2012. The 5yo mare by Old Forester – Flying Tabriz is a homebred for Janet Jeanpierre and she was making her first grass start too. She had won a 1 1/16 mile, $25,00 claiming race on Polytrack in 2012. She was ridden by Sheena Ryan and was 25 to 1.
Race 5- a $50,000 claiming race for 3yo fillies went to FLEET TALK’N MISS, a Kentucky bred for Gabe Grossberg and K. Wentzien. Trained by Mark Casse, this white faced Northern Afleet gal came from off the pace and out of the rail post to win for the 2nd straight time. Patrick Husbands rode.
Race 6 – a maiden allowance for 2yos on the grass and 24 to 1 bomber SAMUEL DECHAMPLAIN led all the way in his 2nd career start to win for Eaton Hall Farm and trainer Mike Doyle. The gelding was 7th in his debut at 6 furlong son turf. He is by Henrythenavigoator out of Forestry’s Magic by Forestry.
Race 7 – a $20,00 claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Polytrack and WISDOM LISTENS won for Frank Cirillo and Stephen Chircop. The 4yo by Survivalist has won twice in 3 races for his current interests.
Race 8 A thrilling stretch duel was won by JACK PINE, a 4yo by Philanthropist – northern Sorceress, bred and owned by Cudney Stables., It was the 3rd win of the day for Patrick Husbands and 4th win from 6 races for trainer Liz Charalambous.
Race 10 – MAR TO THE MAX won her 2nd race in her last 3 races for Teddy Louie and Sam DiPasquale. The Circular Quay grey gal outdueled Peggy’sanexecutive to win by a short head under apprentice Nick Webb. The race was for $12,500 claiming.
2 WEEKS TO YEARLING SALE TIME!
The best of the local crop of yearlings will be up for auction on Sept. 2 and 3 at Woodbine for the Canadian Premier Yearling sale. There is about 100 less yearlings in this year’s book, not surprising based on the hit the Ontario industry took from the provincial government but perhaps less up for sale means higher demand, bigger prices? Mark Casse has already told Thoroughblog he is in town Aug. 31 to look at the yearlings and then shop during the sale, no doubt his clients from all over are intrigued by the rich Ontario sired program.
The list of graduates who have had some serious success is a long one; Lexie Lou, Paladin Bay, Eff Bee Eye, Still Single, Qudi Vidi, etc. Catalogues are out now or available online at cthsont.com
A filly from the first crop of VICTOR’S CRY (Grade 1 winner by Street Cry) is hip[ no. 58 on sept. 2, to be offered by Cara Bloodstock. The dam, Druidess, by Malibu Moon, has had 2 starters – a 2yo winner last year and this year’s impressive debut runner Weekend in Malibu, who ran well in her opener last weekend. photo from Cara Bloodstock
EFF BEE EYE as a yearling before the Canadian Premier Yearling sale 2013. By Philanthropist out of Victoria’s Destiny, sold by Paradox Farms Dave Landry photo
