Woodbine entries tomorrow, Canadian horses and people at Keeneland, Oaklawn for big 3yo races this weekend, WISE DAN on Friday at Keeneland, big party at Woodbine Friday night at the Sovereign Awards..Get your tickets, everyone is welcome!
**BREAKING NEWS!…WOODBINE SELECTIONS, ENTRIES and HANDICAPPING NOTES are the content on the new site – WWW.JMBETS.CA
WOODBINE READY TO ROLL
DELEGATION tops field for JACQUES CARTIER at Woodbine on Sunday. He is up for a Sovereign Award on Friday night too. WEG/MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO
It may be a wet and white winterland in Brampton this morning but the first day of entries for the 2014 season is tomorrow and nothing beats that for those of us involved in the industry.
The jockeys are ready: LUIS CONTRERAS is arriving sharp, EMMA-JAYNE WILSON too (she will miss opening day), EURICO DA SILVA stayed fit at Oaklawn and don’t forget JUSTIN STEIN, JESSE CAMPBELL, GARY BOULANGER, PATRICK HUSBANDS and young riders TOMMY WONG and SKYE CHERNETZ.
Some trainers have been roughing it up here in the tough, tough winter, others have been in the south. Some horses will be clipped and shiny while others will be furry and frisky.
If you are a racing fan who wants to enjoy the day and see the horses up close, you must get out to the track. Get a membership to the WOODBINE CLUB, all-new, affordable and offering the best seats and food in the house. Go here to get your club card.
This weekend’s Saturday and Sunday dates should include horses from all over the continent, those seeking out short dashes or simply a race to get fit.
Sunday is the first stakes event, the JACQUES CARTIER, featuring graded stakes winner DELEGATION, who worked 4 furlongs in 48 4/5 at Woodbine on Monday morning. His rivals could be ESSENCE HIT MAN and SOMETHING EXTRA.
Talk about your fast workouts – top sprint mare YOUCAN’TCATCHME worked 4 furlongs in 46 flat on Sunday on the dirt training surface.
Let’s first take a look at the BLUE GRASS STAKES on Saturday at Keeneland – it is a big race for some local horses:
ASSERTING BEAR WORKS FOR TOYOTA BLUE GRASS
Comes off tough trip in the Spiral at Turfway
With jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson aboard, Bear Stables’ Asserting Bear worked a half-mile in :48 in company after the Monday morning renovation break.
“I was very happy with that,” Wilson said of the work that culminated in a three-length advantage over Pageantry, a 3-year-old maiden filly. “I think he enjoys the change of scenery up here.”
Wilson will have the mount in Saturday’s Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and it will be the first time for her to ride Asserting Bear in a race.
“I worked him a few times in Florida at Palm Beach Downs for Mr. (Reade) Baker,” Wilson said. “That was on dirt. He loved it out there today (on the Polytrack) and traveled well over it.”
Wilson plans to remain at Keeneland this week and hopes to pick up a few rides prior to the Toyota Blue Grass.
“I called an audible and canceled my plane reservation last night,” said Wilson, who has ridden here sparingly.
Also pleased with the work was Martine Pare, assistant to Baker.
“I liked it very much,” Pare said. “He galloped a mile before he worked, which is something Mr. Baker normally does.”
Asserting Bear has been at Keeneland since shipping here March 24 after a fourth-place finish in the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral (G3) at Turfway Park.
Baker is scheduled to arrive at Keeneland Saturday to saddle Asserting Bear in the Toyota Blue Grass.
ON THE TOYOTA BLUE GRASS BUBBLE, COLTIMUS PRIME WORKS
Trainer Justin Nixon never has started a horse at Keeneland, a stat he hopes to change Saturday with Cabernet Racing Stables’ Coltimus Prime in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1).
However, Coltimus Prime has to get in the gate first, which could be problematic.
“You can’t worry about that,” Nixon said. “If he does not get in the Blue Grass, he’ll go in the (Coolmore) Lexington (G3 on April 19).”
The Toyota Blue Grass is limited to 14 starters with preference given to graded stakes winners and then highest earnings. Coltimus Prime stands 16th in earnings among horses being considered for the race.
Monday morning after the break, Coltimus Prime worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on his own with Melanie Pinto, a jockey at Fort Erie, in the saddle. (Click here to watch a video of the work.)
“I was happy with it and he seemed comfortable on it,” Nixon said. “I caught him galloping out in 1:14 and 2 and ‘Mel’ was happy with it. He had a good work at Palm Beach Downs last week (:58.40 on March 30) and didn’t have to do much today.”
“I thought he went super,” Pinto said as she gave the move a thumbs up. “I have been getting on him this winter in Florida.”
Nixon said Pinto has worked with him for the past four or five years in the winter before Fort Erie opens.
Coltimus Prime finished ninth in his 2014 debut in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) after making his three starts in 2013 over the Polytrack at Woodbine.
“We decided to stay away from the dirt after Tampa,” Nixon said. “He never really looked comfortable on it during the race.”
The Toyota Blue Grass offers 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby (100-40-20-10), but Nixon said the Derby is not a consideration now.
“That could change if he gets 10 points in the Lexington and be 22nd on the points (list) to get in the (20-horse) Derby,” Nixon said. “But the Queen’s Plate (July 6 at Woodbine) is the ultimate goal. I’d like to win this. Staying on the synthetics down the road has been the plan.”
Alan Garcia, who won the 2010 Toyota Blue Grass on Stately Victor, will have the mount Saturday.
Post positions for the Toyota Blue Grass will be drawn on Wednesday. TVG will carry live coverage of the draw from 11:30 a.m.-noon. The draw will be hosted by Tom Leach and Todd Schrupp.
BLUE GRASS PROBABLES/POSSIBILITIES
Horse Jockey Trainer (Barn) Last Race Last Work (@ KEE unless indicated)
Bobby’s Kitten Javier Castellano Chad Brown (12) Won 3/8 allowance @TAM 5f in 1:00.20 on 4/5
Casiguapo Mario Morales (22) 5th 2/2 AOC @GP 3f in :34.80 on 4/7 Asserting Bear Emma-Jayne Wilson Reade Baker (6) 4th Spiral (G3) @TP on 3/22 4f in :48 on 4/7
Dance With Fate Corey Nakatani Peter Eurton (22) 2nd El Camino Real Derby (G3) @GG on 2/15
5f in 1:01.40 @ SA on 4/5
Vinceremos (K) Todd Pletcher (6) 2nd Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on 3/8 4f in :49.25 @Palm Meadows on 4/6
Harry’s Holiday (K) Rosie Napravnik Mike Maker (30) 2nd Spiral (G3) @TP on 3/22
5f in 1:01.60 @Trackside on 4/5
Extrasexyhippzster Julian Pimentel Michael Trombetta (19) 8th Gotham (G3) @AQU on 3/1
4f in :46 on 4/6
Coastline (K) Stewart Elliott Mark Casse (1) 3rd Spiral (G3) @TP on 3/22
5f in 1:00.40 on 4/4
Mr Speaker* Shug McGaughey (33) 2nd Palm Beach (G3) @GP on 3/2 4f in :46.20 on 4/6
So Lonesome Joe Rocco Jr. Tom Bush (35) 9th Palm Beach (G3) @GP on 3/2
5f in :59.50 @Palm Meadows on 4/2
Gala Award (K) Todd Pletcher (6) Won Palm Beach (G3) @GP on 3/2 4f in :49.25 @Palm Meadows on 4/6
Big Bazinga (K) Brian Hernandez Jr. Katerina Vallieseva (22)5th Spiral (G3) @TP on 3/22
4f in :47.60 on 4/6
Scotland (K) Anthony Dutrow Won maiden @PARX on 3/22 5f in 1:01 @Fair Hill on 4/5
Pablo Del Monte Wesley Ward (47) 3rd Hutcheson (G3) @GP on 2/1 6f in 1:13 on 4/4
Danza (K) Todd Pletcher (6) 3rd AOC @GP on 3/1 4f in :49.05 @Palm Meadows on 4/6
Coltimus Prime Alan Garcia Justin Nixon (23) 9th Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on 3/8
5f in 1:01.20 on 4/7
Divine Oath (K) Todd Pletcher (6) Won AOC @GP on 2/22 4f in :50.60 @Palm Meadows on 4/6
Video below – Coltimus Prime works at Keeneland:
COLTIMUS PRIME’S little half brother by Silent Name (JPn) just arrived for Jayson Horner. Photo from @Coltimus Prime
CONQUEST TITAN IN ARKANSAS DERBY
Calvin Borel takes over on Mark Casse trainee
On the strength of his outstanding breeze March 29, Conquest Stables’ Conquest Titan remains on target for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn April 12. The colt is currently one of seven horses leaning towards the 1 1/8-mile race. The other likely starters are Tapiture, Strong Mandate, Ride On Curlin, Bayern, Commissioner and Danza.
“He worked really well the other day at Palm Meadows,” trainer Mark Casse said while referring to the colt’s 5f move in 1:00.70, which was the second fastest of 20 horses working the same distance. “We moved him to Churchill Downs with the rest of the gang and the plan is to breeze him a little there this weekend, and if all goes well, we’re going to Hot Springs.”
The Arkansas Derby, which highlight Oaklawn’s Racing Festival of the South on closing day of the meet, is one of the final prep races for the Kentucky Derby. The Arkansas Derby is part of the Championship Series on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 170 qualifying points up for the taking, with 100-40-20-10 point awarded for finishing first through fourth.
Conquest Titan currently stands in 35th place for one of the 20 spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with nine points, so he needs a breakthrough race in the Arkansas Derby to be in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
“You not only have to get the points, you need to run well enough to show that you belong, said Casse. “He’s got to step up his game. If he’s good enough he will, and if not, we’ll have to go to a Plan B.”
Conquest Titan, a $475,000 purchase out of the 2013 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auction of 2-year-olds-in-training, has won two of his seven starts and finished second once for $208,995 in earnings. He flashed his potential in the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream on Jan. 25, running second to eventual Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Intense Holiday, but then disappointed with a fourth place effort in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) Mar. 8.
“He ran well in the Holy Bull,” said Casse. “I’m not really sure why he didn’t run better in Tampa, but I don’t think it’s because of a lack of ability. It was possibly due to a few different circumstances, but all that being said there is no more time for excuses. He’s got to step up.”
MICKEY ROONEY AND JUDY GARLAND – NATIONAL VELVET TRAINER 1944
MICKEY ROONEY, at the track right up to the end
Mickey Rooney was 93 when he passed away this weekend at his home in California.
Just the week before his photo was taken with Dick Van Patten and Mel Brooks at Santa Anita.
(see photo here: http://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/hollywood-legend-longtime-racing-fan-mickey-rooney-dies-at-93/)
Mickey Rooney was not only a great fan of racing, but he made several racing movies such as National Velvet and The Black Stallion.
The latter film was done at Woodbine, where Rooney was in 2008 for the Canadian INternational post position draw:
By The Windsor StarAugust 21, 2008
He strides into the place, wheels about, almost in panic, demanding a racing sheet. And when it’s handed to him, he plumps himself down, and pores over it like someone examining the fine print on their divorce papers.
This 75-year-old man, wearing a rumpled old tweed sports jacket with a clashing polo shirt, all at once feels at home as he scans the glorious Woodbine track.
This is Mickey Rooney, the round-faced, pot-bellied actor, who loves to gamble. Better than reading racing sheets is just being at the track, among sleek thoroughbreds.
“I love it, being around these beautiful creatures — being here. I’ve been around racetracks since I was six years old when I was making my first movies.”
Rooney recalls those years — some three decades ago — when he used to exercise the horses, taking them around the track, riding and pretending he was in the heat of a race. This was the real acting — the one of the imagination.
“And I loved it,” he says, slowly enunciating the words, and with each syllable, his blue eyes seem to sparkle and widen.
READ MORE..
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=1cb139d2-9ced-40b9-8d66-7e07fbcb993a&sponsor=
WOODSTOCK STAKES NOMINEES (April 20)
AMI’S HOLIDAY
b.c.3 by Harlan’s Holiday(Harlan) – Victorious Ami(Victory Gallop)
Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
CALLMEOLDFASHION
ch.g.3 by Old Fashioned(Unbridled’s Song) – Star Operator(Quaker Ridge)
Debmar Stables Ricky Griffith
DO NOT ENTER
dk b/.c.3 by Keyed Entry(Honour and Glory) – My Favorite Rose(Favorite Trick)
Meadow Lane Stables, LLC Tammy Domenosky
FRENCH QUARTER
dk b/.g.3 by Shakespeare(Theatrical (IRE)) – Cent Nouvelles(Storm Bird)
Norseman Racing Stable John Mattine
GO GREELEY
dk b/.c.3 by Horse Greeley(Mr. Greeley) – Orchids Halo(Smoke Glacken)
J. R. Racing Stable John A. Ross
JESSICA’S STAR
dk b/.g.3 by Magna Graduate(Honor Grades) – Bimini Knot(Dynaformer)
Mark D Breen Michael Stidham
JOSE SEA VIEW
b.g.3 by Badge of Silver(Silver Deputy) – Stirling Bridge(Prized)
Brereton C. Jones Reade Baker
LEIF ERIKSON
b.c.3 by Henrythenavigator(Kingmambo) – Gumboots(Storm Boot)
Eaton Hall Farm Michael J. Doyle
LONG ON VALUE
b.c.3 by Value Plus(Unbridled’s Song) – Long Message(Orientate)
Wachtel Stable and Kerr, George J. William I. Mott
MANGUSTA
ch.c.3 by Street Boss(Street Cry (IRE)) – Ethan’s Car(Cat Thief)
Theodore F. Burnett Michael Mattine
NO NAY NEVER
dk b/.c.3 by Scat Daddy(Johannesburg) – Cat’s Eye Witness(Elusive Quality)
Ice Wine Stable, Magnier, Susan, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick Wesley A. Ward
ONLY I KNOW
b.g.3 by Flower Alley(Distorted Humor) – Cuz You Never Know(Dehere)
Flying G Racing LLC and Rombis, Debra E. Debra E. Rombis
PUNTROOSKIE
dk b/.g.3 by In Summation(Put It Back) – Siren Cove(Montbrook)
Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
RICHIES PARTY GIRL
dk b/.f.3 by Any Given Saturday(Distorted Humor) – Very Special Lite(Majestic Light)
Wesley Ward and Richard Raven Wesley A. Ward
RUSLANA
ch.f.3 by City Zip(Carson City) – Big Cat Walks Late(Stormy Atlantic)
Mark Dodson Wesley A. Ward
SPADINA ROAD
dk b/.g.3 by Where’s the Ring(Seeking the Gold) – Scarlet’s Castle(Sea Wall)
Rolph A. Davis Robert P. Tiller
SPEIGHTSONG
dk b/.c.3 by Speightstown(Gone West) – Song of the Lark(Seeking the Gold)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
SPRING AGAIN
ch.f.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Glitter Star(Glitterman)
Ravin, Richard and Ward, Wesley A. Wesley A. Ward
SWEET EMMA ROSE
b.f.3 by City Zip(Carson City) – Miss Moneypenny(Deputy Minister)
Hat Creek Racing Wesley A. Ward
SWEETMARYS SUCCESS
ch.f.3 by Teuflesberg(Johannesburg) – Sky’s Honor(Double Honor)
Wesley A. Ward Wesley A. Ward
THE IMPOSTER
gr/ro.g.3 by Wilko(Awesome Again) – Our Girl Harmony(Concorde’s Tune)
Robert P. Tiller Robert P. Tiller
TULIO’S BREW
ch.g.3 by Milwaukee Brew(Wild Again) – Yolie(Menifee)
Frank D. Di Giulio Jr. Robert P. Tiller
TUSCAN GETAWAY
dk b/.g.3 by Stroll(Pulpit) – Dancing Deborah(Northern Park)
Debmar Stables Ricky Griffith
STAR SHOOT STAKES
TO BE RUN SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014
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APPRECIATING
dk b/.f.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Hello Barbara Sue(Dehere)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
FLIPCUP
b.f.3 by Milwaukee Brew(Wild Again) – Dream Affair(Touch Gold)
Team Penney Racing William I. Mott
KNIT ONE PURR TOO
ch.f.3 by Tale of the Cat(Storm Cat) – Luxuriously(Danzig)
PTK, LLC Dane Kobiskie
LEXIE LOU
b.f.3 by Sligo Bay (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Oneexcessivenite(In Excess (IRE))
J. R. Racing Stable John A. Ross
MADLY TRULY
b.f.3 by Malibu Moon(A.P. Indy) – Beautifulballerina(Nureyev)
John C. Oxley Mark E. Casse
NORQUAY
gr/ro.f.3 by Fairbanks(Giant’s Causeway) – Evening Princess(Monarchos)
Jus Luk Stables, Rick Mah & Reade Baker Racing Stable Inc. Reade Baker
ON RAINBOW BRIDGE
dk b/.f.3 by Bold Executive(Bold Ruckus) – Miss Deputy(War Deputy)
Triple K Stables David Cotey
PALADIN BAY
b.f.3 by Sligo Bay (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Stormin Wife(Stormin Fever)
Jessie L. Ladouceur Harold Ladouceur
REGAL CONQUEROR
ch.f.3 by Sky Conqueror(Sky Classic) – Classic Stamp(Regal Classic)
William Sorokolit Darwin D. Banach
RICHIES PARTY GIRL
dk b/.f.3 by Any Given Saturday(Distorted Humor) – Very Special Lite(Majestic Light)
Wesley Ward and Richard Raven Wesley A. Ward
RUSLANA
ch.f.3 by City Zip(Carson City) – Big Cat Walks Late(Stormy Atlantic)
Mark Dodson Wesley A. Ward
SHANAGARRY
b.f.3 by Greatness(Mr. Prospector) – Alphabet Star(Alphabet Soup)
Cabernet Racing Stables and Ed Seltzer Justin J. Nixon
SKYLANDER GIRL
dk b/.f.3 by Stroll(Pulpit) – Heliotrope(Northern Score)
Alexander P. Patykewich Alexander P. Patykewich
SPRING AGAIN
ch.f.3 by Sky Mesa(Pulpit) – Glitter Star(Glitterman)
Ravin, Richard and Ward, Wesley A. Wesley A. Ward
SWEATER WEATHER
b.f.3 by Milwaukee Brew(Wild Again) – Susur(Cape Canaveral)
Frank D. Di Giulio Jr. Robert P. Tiller
SWEET EMMA ROSE
b.f.3 by City Zip(Carson City) – Miss Moneypenny(Deputy Minister)
Hat Creek Racing Wesley A. Ward
SWEETMARYS SUCCESS
ch.f.3 by Teuflesberg(Johannesburg) – Sky’s Honor(Double Honor)
Wesley A. Ward Wesley A. Ward
WESTLODGE GIRL
dk b/.f.3 by One Nice Cat(Storm Cat) – Miss Broad(Broad Brush)
1793110 Ontario Inc. David Katryan
WILD N CLEVER
b.f.3 by Offlee Wild(Wild Again) – Sweet and Clever(Mr. Greeley)
Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
ZENSATIONAL BUNNY
b.f.3 by Zensational(Unbridled’s Song) – Beach Bunny(Storm Bird)
Gary Barber Mark E. Casse
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