of yearlings and Grade 1 Milers ..oh my!
WOODBINE MILE POSSIBLE FIELD
Grand Arch / Jim and Susan Hill / Brian Lynch / Luis Saez
Kaigun / G. Barber, Quintessential, Horse’n Around / M. Casse / P. Husbands
Lea / Adele B. Dilschneider & Claiborne Farm / Bill Mott / Joel Rosario
Mondialiste (IRE) / Geoff and Sandra Turnbull / David O’Meara / TBA
Mr. Owen / Qatar Racing Limited / Francois Rohaut / TBA
Mshawish / Al Shaqab Racing / Todd Pletcher / Javier Castellano
Obviously / Anthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino / Phil D’Amato / Joe Talamo
Platinum Glory / John Di Scola / Mike DePaulo / Jesse Campbell
Reporting Star / Copper Water Thoroughbred Comp./ Pat Parente / Luis Contreras
Tower of Texas / T. F. Van Meter II & S. Dilworth / Roger Attfield / E. da Silva
Turncoat / Irish Wisky Racing LLC / Laurie Silvera / Omar Moreno
Wise Dan / Morton Fink / Charles LoPresti / John Velazquez
Za Approval / Live Oak Plantation / Mark Casse / TBA
CASSE UNDECIDED ABOUT HIS MILE HOPEFULS
from Woodbine media
Trainer Mark Casse, a seven-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s top conditioner, has two possible runners for next Sunday’s Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile in Kaigun and Za Approval, two of seven millionaires tentatively listed for the race.
However, come entry time on Thursday, he may still have two, or just one and possibly even none. Decisions, decisions.
Kaigun, a five-year-old gelded son of Northern Afleet co-owned by Gary Barber, Quintessential Racing Florida and Horse’n Around Racing, ran huge in last year’s Mile, finishing second, just a half-length behind winner Trade Storm as one of the race choices. Remarkably, it was also the first time Casse had saddled a horse in the Woodbine classic.
“Obviously, it’s an entirely different ballgame this year versus last year. Last year, he was at the top of his game and he’d been running consistently,” said Casse. “This year he’s coming off a long layoff. He’s getting better and better. My concern with him a little bit is that I don’t know if he has the speed he used to have. There’s an outside chance, but I have also been contemplating running him in the Northern Dancer (at one and one-half miles on Sunday as well, a prep for the Pattison Canadian International on October 18).
“If you look (at his pp’s), the last time I ran him long, which was a mile and three-eighths in the United Nations (July 6, 2014 at Monmouth Park), he got beat only a length and a half by the Eclipse Award winner (Main Sequence).
“Our thought and our goal is to get him back going longer (than a mile). I just haven’t decided whether I want it to come yet. I’m going to wait until the very last minute (to make a decision).
“He had a few little minor issues (after a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 one mile Arcadia in January at Santa Anita). We gave him some time. Got him home. The problem was he loves to eat. He ate a little too much. When we brought him back and sent him to Woodbine, they said he looked like ‘a butterball turkey.’
Since the Arcadia, Kaigun finished third in both an allowance sprint (a stakes prep) and the seven furlong Play The King at Woodbine on August 23. Should he be entered, Patrick Husbands, who won the 2001 Mile aboard Numerous Times, will ride.
Regarding Live Oak Plantation’s veteran Za Approval, the weather is paramount.
“I would say Za Approval likes the turf very hard. Right now, there’s a lot of question marks,” continued Casse. “I would say that I would run Za Approval in the Mile if everything was perfect. It sure doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case (given the possibility of rain later in the week).”
The seven-year-old grey gelded son of Ghostzapper, who Casse took over training this year, has been remarkably consistent in his 31 career starts, although winning just eight of them. However, his two worst performances on grass came at Belmont Park over good (in his debut) and yielding turf courses.
He’s also run some bang-up races, finishing second to champion Wise Dan in both the 2013 Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile, and second to Obviously in the Grade 1 Shoemaker earlier that year, when the turf courses were very firm.
Wise Dan and Obviously are slated to make their much-anticipated seasonal bows in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Sunday.
PROBABLE FIELDS FOR BREEDERS’ CUP WIN & YOU’RE IN RACES
In addition to the Ricoh Woodbine Mile, there are three additional Breeders’ Cup Win & You’re In Races to be held over the September 12/13 weekend, including the $200,000 Grade 2 Natalma, a grassy one-turn mile for juvenile fillies; the Grade 2 $200,000 Summer Stakes, going a mile on the turf for juveniles, both on Saturday. Sunday’s undercard features the $300,000 Grade 2 Canadian Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile grass test for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up.
GRADE 2 NATALMA (10)
HORSE / TRAINER
Amira J / Michael Stidham
Caren / Mike DePaulo
Catch A Glimpse / Mark Casse
Chinchilla Dust / Michael Wilson
Gamble’s Ghost / Josie Carroll
Know Clouds / H. Graham Motion
Most Inspiring / Dan Vella
Paddy Point / Brnjas
Pulled the Goalie / Dan Vella
She’ll Do It / Reade Baker
GRADE 2 SUMMER (12)
HORSE / TRAINER
Bear’sway / Reade Baker
Conquest Enforcer / Mark Casse
Dragon Bay / Stuart Simon
Gigantic Breeze / Mike DePaulo
Hammers Vision / Brian Lynch
Holding Gold / Mark Casse
Hollywood Hideaway / Barb Minshall
Hunter O’Riley / Joe Sharp
Manhattan Dan / Contessa
Sky Marshal / Barb Minshall
The Zip Zip Man / Michael Stidham
Tizzarunner / Mark Casse
GRADE 2 CANADIAN (11)
HORSE / TRAINER
Bear’s Pride / Reade Baker
Button Down / Josie Carroll
Copper Kitten / David Bell
Habibi / Mark Frostad
Hoop of Colour / H. Graham Motion
Overheard / Malcolm Pierce
Personal Diary / Victoria Oliver
Serene Melody / Charles LoPresti
Strut the Course / Barb Minshall
Ticking Katie / Brian Lynch
Uchenna / Roger Attfield
JUSTIN STEIN. Newest member of 1000 wins club
from Woodbine media
Justin Stein picked up his 1000th career win when he guided Battle Castle to a 1 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s opening race at Woodbine.
Battle Castle , a two-year-old daughter of Marcavelly trained and part-owned by Denyse McClachrie in a partnership that includes Shale Wagman and Gayle Bosscher, made her first career start a special one as Stein sent the feisty bay to the lead in the six furlong ‘Poly’ sprint and stayed on strong down the lane to fend off the onrushing Marsala .
“The horse was so game,” said Stein. “When that horse ( Marsala ) came to her and she wouldn’t let her go by, I knew we were going to win.”
Stein, who resides in Caledon with his wife Renee and their four sons Owen, 10, Jeremy 8, Elias 4, and Gavin, 2, was pleased to reach the milestone score in his 11th year of riding.
“I’m very thankful to all of the trainers and owners that have supported me over the years. Winning a thousand races has always been a goal of mine and it’s nice to reach that landmark. Hopefully I can keep on riding for another 10 years and reach 2000 wins,” he said.
It was the 32nd win of the meet for Stein who is currently eighth in the jockey standings.
Born in New Westminster , B.C., the 35-year-old Stein began his riding career at Hastings Park in 2004 notching his first win on August 28 aboard claimer Mayne Stating.
In 2005, his first full season of riding, Stein became an instant hit with west coast fans and bettors posting a meet-leading 148 wins, a Hastings Park record for an apprentice. The breakthrough campaign included victories in the Grade 3 British Columbia Breeders’ Cup Oaks and the Grade 3 Ballerina Breeders’ Cup Stakes with Monashee.
At the completion of the 2005 Hastings meet, Stein moved his tack to Woodbine where he made a strong impression on horsemen during the final weeks of the Toronto oval’s meet, winning 13 of his 97 tries.
Stein elected to ride full time at Woodbine in 2006, finishing fourth in the rider standings with 109 wins, and has been a fixture near the top of the table ever since.
In 2012, Stein won his first Canadian Classic, racing gate-to-wire with Canyon Farms’ homebred Strait of Dover to take the $1-million Queen’s Plate for trainer Dan Vella. He added a second classic score earlier this meet when filly Academic, trained by Reade Baker for Bear Stables Ltd., won the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, in track record time. Stein and Academic have since traveled to Northlands Park in Edmonton where they stormed home victorious in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby.
Stein will forever be associated with Stormy Lord as the jockey adopted the fan favourite last year and built a barn for the millionaire chestnut in the front yard of his Caledon home. Stein and Stormy Lord teamed up to win four races, including a pair of stakes wins in 2011 taking the $250,000 PTHA President’s Cup at Parx Racetrack in Philadelphia and the Labeeb Stakes at Woodbine
SATURDAY WRAP
RIKER STRIKES AGAIN
The Include 2yo colt RIKER is 3 for 3 in his career with a measured win in the 61st Swynford Stakes at 7 furlongs. The Kentucky bred was a $60,000 2yo purchase and he is owned by Tucci Stables and trained by Nick Gonzalez. Jesse Campbell rode the speedster who had a bit of a miscue when he veered towards the gap early but he led all the way and defeated Tizzarunner, by Tiznow.
Race 1- a maiden 2-year-old filly race caused the most attention of the day as Justin Stein achieved his 1,000th winner.
It also caught a lot of attention for the very sad breakdown of a first time starter, the filly BLACK MESA, who was put down on the track. The Proud Citizen filly, owned by Tom O’Keefe, was far behind the field and unable to keep up when she broke a leg late on the turn for home, hitting the railing and losing rider Erika Smilovsky. Smilovsky walked away from the tragic incident.
The winning filly, another beginner, was BATTLE CASTLE, a Marcavelly miss out of the Dance to Destiny mare Ameena, owned by Shale Wagman. The filly was co-bred by trainer Denyse McClachrie as well as Mary Farley and Gayle Bosscher.
race 2- OBEAH WOMAN, owned and bred by Minshall farms and trained by Barb Minshall, won this 1 1/8 mile first-level allowance race by 4 lengths in 1:52.54 for her 3rd win of the year. She is by Mobil out of Heart Beat by Apalachee and with the Ontario bred bonus, she earned $56,000 for the win. Luis Contreras rode.
race 3- MARCIAN rallied to catch the speed and win this $20,00 claiming race ar 6 furlongs,1:10.11 for Don MacRae. The 6yo mare is by Roman Ruler out of Nessarose by Deputy Commander and she has won 8 races from 34 starts and over $200,000. Eurico Rosa de Silva rode.
race 4- maiden fillies and mares at 6 furlongs on the grass and COZSHECAN, owned by Woodbine prez Jim Lawson won the race but she came in badly in the stretch and interfered with a rival and was disqualified and placed 4th. Moved up was R MURIELS HALL, an Arch Hall filly bred by Bill Bristow and owned and trained by Cleveland Gordon. She is a 5yo and Jeff Alerderson rode.
race 5 – DALE DESRUISSEAUX claimed CHIEFROLL’NTHUNDER from his latest for $20,00 and watched him win his maiden for $30,000 at 7 furlongs. The 4yp gelding had 14 previous tries but he finally got it done with blinkers on and the turn-back. Jesse Campbell rode.
race 6- The Chiefswood Stable and trainer Paul Attard celebrated a win with GRENFELL, his 2nd win this year, 3rd in 5 career races. He had one start in 2013,one start in 2014 and was 1st time Lasix in this 3rd start of 2015. He is a 5yo gelding by Giant’s Causeway out of Rose of tara and Justin Stein picked up the win in 1:50.87.
race 7 – QUIDI VIDI made it 2 for 2 this year with another turf sprint win – this time at the non-winners of 3 level or claiming $40,000. This Marcavelly filly out of El Tara, bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm won in 1:09.89 for 6 furlongs with Aliaction finished 2nd and Virreina third. Lorna Perkins owns and trains.
race 9 – Big day for Barbara Minshall as her own guy SNIPER rallied inside to win this $62,500 allowance/optional claiming race by 1 length in 1:16.07 with champion Alpha Bettor back in 5th.
Luis Contreras rode the son of Trajectory who was bred by Minshall and is co-owned by Avelino Gomez Jr.
Sniper is 6 for 31 in his career and his winner’s share, becaise of Ontario bred bonuses..was $59,000 bringing his career earnings to$330,000.
race 10 GRAN BID, claimed for $6,000 last November, rallied to win this $32,00 claiming race on the grass at 45-1 for Curt and Trevon Gonsalves and Enza Armata and trainer Willie Armata. The gelding is 3 for 3 on the grass and Tommy Wong rode.
SUNDAY’S ENTRIES with siblings in catalogue:
RACE 2 CLM 8K
#3 Duppy Conqueror Hip 4 1/2 sister by Silent Name
RACE 3 CLM 16K
#1 Mattangel Hip 94 1/2 brother by North Light
RACE 4 MSW OSS
#3 Awesome Moi Hip 69 1/2 sister by Bold N Flashy
#4 Philthetank Hip 296 1/2 brother by Milwaukee Brew
RACE 5 MDN CLM 10K
#2 Seedavalley Hip 12 1/2 sister by Saffir
#5 Coltnamedsue Hip 110 1/2 brother by Bullet Train
#9 Sunset Command Hip 218 1/2 sister by Gemologist
#10 Egbert’s Best Hip 2 1/2 sister by Silent Name
RACE 6 MDN CLM 20K
#5 Asian Cowgirl Hip 202 1/2 brother by US Ranger
RACE 7 MSW
#1 San Nicola Breeze Hip 191 1/2 sister by Silent Name
RACE 9 ALW NW1
#9 Leave Er B Hip 13 1/2 sister by Court Vision
RACE 10 CLM 10K
#4 Silent Admirer Hip 116 1/2 sister by Spaniard
SATURDAY’S RESULTS for Catalogue updates!
RACE 1 MDN CLM 25K
#1 Marsala FINISHED 2ND Hip 16 1/2 brother by Court Vision
RACE 2 ALW
#3 Obeah Woman SHE WON! Hip 73 1/2 brother by Exhi
#6 Pretty Two Faced FINISHED 3RD Hip 198 1/2 brother by Leonnatus Antaeus
RACE 4 MSW OSS
#1 Forest Love FINISHED 2ND Hip 254 full brother
RACE 7 OC 40K
#8 Virreina FINISHED 3RD Hip 167 1/2 brother by Old Forester
LEADING FIRST-CROP SIRES IN CANADA
COURTESY BLOOD-HORSE
sire – sire’s sire – YOB – fee – Farm – Total 2yos – Starters – Winners -Repeat winners – SW – GrSW – StakesHorses – Yearling Average – Ldng Earner – Earnings
1 Court Vision Gulch, 2005 $7,500 (CAN) Park Stud, Canada 53 16 2 – – – 3 $36,525 Hammers Vision ($65,000) $256,314
2 Society’s Chairman Not Impossible, 2003 N/A Canada 19 4 3 1 1 – 1 $15,112 Caren
($150,096) $188,389
3 Exhi Maria’s Mon, 2007 $3,500 (CAN) Park Stud, Canada 24 6 2 – – – – $25,722 That’s a Stretch ($28,161) $53,592
4 Schramsberg Storm Cat, 2006 N/A Canada 27 9 3 – – – 1 $17,783 Right Swiftly Mike
($14,181) $44,672
5 Spaniard Candy Ride, 2006 $2,500 (CAN) Mapleville Farms Ltd., Canada 20 3 1 – – – 1 $15,320 Moon Doggie ($21,628) $40,816
6 Victor’s Cry Street Cry, 2005 $3,500 (CAN) Park Stud, Canada 31 5 1 – – – – $27,525 Keeplaffinleslie
($30,105) $31,367
