TWISTS

PETER REDEKOP  – WILL FATE BRING A KENTUCKY DERBY START?

His 3-year-old Anothertwistafate wins El Camino Real Derby

It is the most famous prize in horse racing. The Kentucky Derby is still 75 days away but anyone with a good 3-year-old is already having Derby dreams.

British Columbia businessman PETER REDEKOP (featured in the March issue of Canadian Thoroughbred magazine) surely must be starting to get some Derby butterflies after his colt ANOTHERTWISTAFATE scored a big win at Golden Gate on Saturday in the El Camino Real Derby.

The handsome bay son of Scat Daddy led all the way for his 3rd straight win on the Golden Gate all-weather surface. He won the El Camino Real Derby by 7 lengths in 1:50 1/5 for 1 1/8 miles, good for a hefty 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

The colt, trained by Blaine Wright, will no doubt be moved to a dirt surface for his next start to see how well he handles the surface switch.

Anothertwistafate was hip number 742 at the Ocala June 2-year-old and Horses of Racing Age sale last year. Bred by Bryant Prentice’s Pursuit of Success LLC, the Kentucky bred worked one furlong in :10 1/5 and brought a bid of $360,000 from Alistair Roden, agent buying for Redekop. The colt topped the 3rd session of that sale.

His dam, Imprecation, is by First Defence and she is from an all European, turf family.

THIS MEANS WAR – MORE DERBY

Two days after celebrating his birthday, trainer Mark Casse, who has a stable of horses at Woodbine, has the points leader of all Kentucky Derby eligibles.

WAR OF WILL, who raced briefly at Woodbine last year, put up a 92 Beyer Figure in his strong win in the Risen Star Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Owned by Gary Barber (whose silks are pink like those of Canadian Peter Redekop)  War of Will was forced to be wide early in the 1 1/16 miles race but his speed took him into a good stalking position under jockey Tyler Gafflione. He surged clear on the last turn and won in 1:44.59 for his 3rd straight win.

The Risen Star Stakes victory gave War of Will 50 qualifying points on Churchill Downs’ Road To The Kentucky Derby. He is now atop the Leaderboard with 60 total points. He earned 10 when he won the Lecomte last month.

Casse has had half a dozen Kentucky Derby starters in recent years. From Classic Empire to Canadian-bred Flameaway, his horses have shown talent heading to the big dance. The trick for all Derby horsepeople is not going over the top of the horse’s form before the Derby.

“For a big horse, he has tremendous speed,” Casse said. “He had to hit the gas a little to get over so that got him a little riled up. It’s like hitting the gas and trying to hit stop. They’re not as easy to stop as a car. He got him rolling and probably made the lead a little earlier than we would have liked. He’s done this a few times early on. When he gets the lead, he starts wandering. If he keeps winning there will be some big targets for him to chase.”

Casse stated that the Grade II $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on March 23 would likely be War of Will’s next target.

Now unbeaten in three starts over the main track, War of Will has earned a total of $491,569 in lifetime earnings having collected $260,000 from winning the Risen Star.

Purchased by Casse’s brother Justin from the Arqana Two-Year-Olds In Training Breeze Up Sale in France last May for $298,550, War of Will is out of the Sadler’s Wells broodmare Visions of Clarity (Ire.) who is a half-sister to 1997 Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spinning World.

KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS

Rank Horse Points Owner(s) Trainer Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. War of Will 60 Gary Barber Mark Casse $440,840
2. Game Winner 30 Gary & Mary West Bob Baffert $1,460,000
3. Country House 20 Mrs. J.V. Shields, E.J.M. McFadden Jr. & LNJ Foxwoods (Larry, Nanci & Jaime Roth) Bill Mott $80,000
4. Knicks Go 18 KRA Stud Farm (Jin Woo Lee) Ben Colebrook $662,085
5. Signalman 18 Tommie M. Lewis & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) Kenny McPeek $392,840
6. Gunmetal Gray 18 Hollendorfer LLC, Pearl Racing & West Point Thoroughbreds (Terry Finley) Jerry Hollendorfer $210,000
7. Long Range Toddy 16 Willis Horton Racing LLC Steve Asmussen $380,000
8. Mucho Gusto 14 Michael Lund Petersen Bob Baffert $210,000
9. Maximus Mischief 12 Cash is King LLC (Charles J. Zacney et al) & L C Racing LLC (Glenn Bennett) “Butch” Reid Jr. $171,100
10. Tax 12 R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch & Corms Racing Stable Danny Gargan $167,500
11. Super Steed 10 Michael Pressley & Steed Jackson Larry Jones $304,000
12. Mind Control 10 Red Oak Stable (Stephen Brunetti) & Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin) Gregg Sacco $295,000
13. Improbable 10 WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt), China Horse Club International Ltd. (Ah Khing Teo) &     Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf et al)B ob Baffert $239,520
14. Harvey Wallbanger 10 Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, Scott K. Akman & Paul Braverman Kenny McPeek $208,320
15. Well Defined 10 Stonehedge LLC Kathy O’Connell $172,970
16. Gray Attempt 10 Dwight Pruett Jinks Fires $136,666
17. Anothertwistafate 10 Peter Redekop B. C. Ltd. Blaine Wright $60,000
18. Roiland 10 James & Mary Durlacher Tom Amoss $47,460
19. Hog Creek Hustle 9 Something Special Racing LLC (Patty Tipton) Vickie Foley $65,000
20. Sueno 8 Silverton Hill LLC (Bonnie & Tommy Hamilton) Keith Desormeaux $165,000

ESCAPE CLAUSE lands fourth of five in Grade 2

Cutting back to 7 furlongs and meeting the toughest field of her career, ESCAPE CLAUSE, the Manitoba monster, finished fourth in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita on Saturday. The rugged 5-year-old mare, owned and trained by Don Schnell, raced off the pace and could not quicken as multiple Grade 1 winner Marley’s Freedom took off for a big win in her season debut.

Escape Clause was beaten 5 1/2 lengths and she posted an 88 Beyer Speed Figure. She had won the Grade 3 La Canada in her most recent start. The daughter of Going Commando has raced at least once a month since May 2018.

 

WOODBINE MILE BACK TO $1 MILLION PURSE, HOST OF NEW STAKES FOR NEW TURF COURSE

Woodbine sends out 2019 stakes schedule with William Graham Stakes, etc.

The season runs from April 20 to Dec. 15 and will feature $16 million in 95 stakes races. The track will also introduce its new 7 furlong grass course inside of the main track. Some notable changes and dates:

• The Woodbine Mile (G1) has also been boosted back to $1 million.
• The 160th edition of the Queen’s Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing starring the finest Canadian-bred three-year-olds, will be contested on Saturday, June 29. Woodbine will also host the final Triple Crown leg, the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes, on Saturday, Aug. 17.
• With an increased purse guaranteed at $1 million for the 2019 running of the Ricoh Woodbine Mile, the Grade 1 stakes event will mark the start of Woodbine’s championship turf season. One of three Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ events on the stakes calendar, the Ricoh Woodbine Mile is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 with a strong under card including the $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Grade 1).
• The $250,000 Natalma Stakes and companion Summer Stakes, both Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races for two-year-olds, will follow a stakes-filled Ricoh Woodbine Mile day on Sunday, Sept. 15. With the highly anticipated opening of the inner turf course this year, Woodbine will offer a pair of new $100,000 stakes for two-year-olds on the September 15 under card called the Ontario Racing Stakes and Woodbine Cares Stakes for fillies, both to be run over the pristine green at five furlongs.
• The $800,000 Pattison Canadian International (Grade 1), another premier race that annually attracts top international turf talent, will be contested at the height of the fall stakes season on Saturday, Oct. 12. The E.P. Taylor Stakes (Grade 1), with a purse increased to $600,000, is among the usual supporting features that day and will serve as the final leg of Woodbine’s new Ladies of the Lawn Series, which offers $75,000 in bonuses to the top performers based on points accumulated in the designated graded turf routes for fillies and mares. The series also includes the $175,000 Nassau Stakes (Grade 2), $175,000 Dance Smartly Stakes (Grade 2) and $250,000 Canadian Stakes (Grade 2).
• The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser will headline the track’s first signature race day of the meet on Saturday, June 8 as Canadian-bred three-year-old fillies begin their bid for the Triple Tiara. The Woodbine Oaks will be accompanied by the Plate Trial Stakes in addition to a 6-1/2-furlong stakes race to be held on the turf for three-year-old fillies, which will be named in 2019 in honour of the late William D. Graham, a long-time Woodbine Entertainment Director and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame breeder who passed away in January.
• Canadian Millions Night is another annual highlight of the season that will showcase the top Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Yearling Sales graduates over six stakes with a total of $750,000 in purses up for grabs on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
• The Charlie Barley Stakes, Grade 3 Ontario Colleen, Eternal Search (formerly called the Victoriana), Vice Regent and Ontario Damsel will shift over from the E.P. Taylor Turf Course to the new inner turf course.
• The Achievement Stakes has been renamed the Greenwood Stakes to celebrate the second annual trackside social affair hosted by The Social Concierge.
• Woodbine’s popular Turf Endurance Series will return this year with $40,000 in bonuses available for the top performers competing in the four legs from July through October. New competitions this year include a Turf Sprint Series on the new inner course with qualifiers and semi-finals before culminating in a $75,000 final under the lights on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Woodbine will also present a $50,000 Early Bird Starter Handicap on Wednesday, May 29.

Woodbine continues to offer its Graded Stakes Bonus Program in 2019 with increased bonuses up to $75,000 for incoming graded stakes winners. Horses that have won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes race in the current year will receive a $50,000 bonus for winning a Grade 2 stakes race at Woodbine and $75,000 for winning a Grade 1 stakes race at Woodbine.

To view the complete stakes lineup for Woodbine’s 2019 Thoroughbred racing season, visit Woodbine.com.

HARD NOT TO LOVE – INDEED

She has some big horseshoes to fill but after many starts and stops on her way to racing career, HARD NOT TO LOVE looks like she is a good one.

The filly won her career debut at Santa Anita on Saturday with a 77 Beyer Figure for trainer John Shirreffs and a partnership that includes Scott Dilworth (Are You Kidding Me) and Mercedes Stable.

The Ontario-bred 3-year-old is a half sister to probable Horse of the Year for 2018, Wonder Gadot, and that is intimidating enough. But Hard Not to Love also has just one eye.

“She banged it as a young horse and then it got infected,” said Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, one of the buyers of the filly two years ago for $400,000.

David Anderson bred the daughter of Hard Spun – Loving Vindication by Vindication. Loving Vindication is nominated for Outstanding Broodmare at the Sovereign Awards on April 18.

STAKES AND PURSES, ALBERTA, MANITOBA

Training underway at Hastings

The Grade 3, $150,000 Canadian Derby will headline the inaugural Century Mile meet, which begins April 28 and runs for 51 days through Aug. 26.

The new Century Mile is the only one-mile track in Canada west of Ontario. It is located in Nisku, Alberta, a suburb of Edmonton, and is a drive and a wedge from the Edmonton Airport. It replaces Northlands Park, which was located in Edmonton.

The 80th running of the Canadian Derby will be Sunday, Aug. 18. The distance of the derby has changed from its traditional 1 3/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles.

The derby is the only graded race in Alberta and headlines a big racing weekend that includes the $100,000 Century Casino Oaks, $75,000 Northlands Distaff for fillies and mares, and the $75,000 Century Mile for 3-year-olds and up. The Oaks and Distaff are Saturday, Aug. 17.

Century Mile will run 19 stakes worth a total of $1.175 million.

ASSINIBOIA DOWNS OFFERS NICE PURSES FOR 2019

For the second year in a row, ASD race purses have been adjusted upward to entice more horsemen and horsewomen to the Downs—and Derek Corbel, the assistant director of racing, will be taking to the skies later this month to spread the good word at tracks and training facilities in the U.S. and western Canada.

ASD purses range from $18,000 at the allowance level down to $7,700 for $1,500 claimers.

In addition, every horse will be guaranteed at least $200 just for entering a race and the cost of renting a trailer space in the backstretch—including utilities and WiFi—will continue to be just $200 a month.

QUARTER HORSES – HORSE OF THE YEAR #3 FOR COUNTRY BOY 1-2-3

The class of 2018 in Quarter Horse racing in Ontario was honoured Feb. 16 at Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Awards Banquet at Ajax Convention Centre.

Rod Phillips, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP for Ajax spoke to a packed house about a bright future for Quarter Horse racing and was joined by Councillors Marilyn Crawford, Sterling Lee and Rob Tyler Morin.

For the third consecutive year, COUNTRY BOY 123 was named Ajax Downs’ Horse of the Year as the now 6-year-old powerhouse went 7 for 7 in Ontario, winning three stakes races including the Alex Picov Memorial Championship. Owned and trained by Ruth Barbour of Hillsburgh, ON, Country Boy 123 set two track records during the season and was also named High Point Aged Male horse and Distance series Champion.

“It was such an exciting season, he really gave us his all,” said Barbour, who bought Country Boy 123 for $7,200 (US) from an Oklahoma yearling sale five years ago. Barbour reported that Country Boy 123 is getting ready to gear up for another season.

Jockey Chelsey Willick won her first ever High Point Jockey title collecting 330 QROOI points from 26 wins in 176 mounts.

Perennial leading trainer Joe Tavares was once again High Point Trainer with 380 points and 31 wins while his wife Christine picked up another High Point Owner title with 282 points.

Ajax Downs will celebrate its 50th year of Quarter Horse racing in 2019 with plenty of special events. The season begins on Sunday, May 5, 2019.

Award Winners – 2018 Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc.

HIGH POINT JOCKEY – CHELSEY WILLICK – 330 Points

26 wins $342,733

RUNNER-UP: CORY SPATARO – 325 points
41 wins $446,026

HIGH POINT TRAINER – JOE TAVARES – 380 POINTS
31 wins, $396,032

RUNNER-UP JASON PASCOE – 321 POINTS
37 wins, $423,000

HIGH POINT OWNER/TRAINER – CAROL MCINTYRE – 91 points
47 – 7 -10 – 7 $86,000

RUNNER-UP
Darlene Ballis-Hunderup – 76 points
96 2-8-14

HIGH POINT OWNER – CHRISTINE TAVARES – 282 POINTS
157 STARTS 23-25-29 $288,000

RUNNER-UP
MILENA KWIECIEN – 254 POINTS
100 starts 22 wins, $306,000

HIGH POINT ONTARIO BREEDER – CHRISTINE TAVARES – 196 pointS
18 wins, $220,000

Runner-up
Heste Sport Inc. – 133 points 10 wins

HIGH POINT 2-YEAR-OLDS MALE
SPY FOR THE SENATE (Louisiana Senator) – 28 points – won the Alex Picov Futurity, 3 wins in 5 Ajax starts, $54,000;
Owner: Milena Kwicien/Trainer Jason Pascoe

Runner-up Carlos the Second, owned and bred in Ontario by Heste Sport, 15 points; 2nd in the Ontario Sires Futurity; trained by Jason Pascoe

2-YEAR-OLD FILLY
STRIPPER DUST – (Louisiana Senator) 24 points; won Ajax Bonus Futurity, 2nd Alex Picov Futurity to Spy; Owner: Milena Kwiecien. Trainer: Jason Pascoe
Runner-up – Shake It Twice (Look at Magics Form); homebred for Chantelle Bourgeois; 14 points, 3rd OS Futurity

3-YEAR-OLD MALE
CARNEROS – (Prospect to the The Top) 33 points 4 wins at Ajax, 2nd in the Picov derby to Had to be Ivory; 33 points. Owner: Milena Kwiecien. Trainer Jason Pascoe
Runners-up– Had to Be Ivory – 25 points won 2 stakes in 4 strats including the Picov Derby. Owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson, trained by Bryn Roberston;
and Bending Over (Ontario bred and sired) Junos Back; 25 points; winner and 8 placings in 12 starts for Christine Tavares and Joe Tavares;
and SW Hail tot he King – 2 wins at Ajax: owned by Braynne Sheppard and Amelie Aubut; trained by Jason Pascoe

3-YEAR-OLD FILLY
AJ CHICK IN 15 – (Apollitical Jess) – 28 points; 3rd Picov Derby 2 wins; Owned Milena Kwiecien. Trainer Jason Pascoe (team includes Bryanne and Mario)

Runner-up – Wont Bac Down 24 points – Ontario homebred for Marko Naterer. Trained by Angelle Carter. 2 wins in 9 starts (First Down Straw)

AGED MALE
COUNTRY BOY 123 (Country Chicks Man) – 47 points – 7 for 7 at home; Alex Picov Memorial, All Canadian and Picov Maturity; Owner/trainer Ruth Barbour – Cory Spataro
Runner- COUNTRYS COMIN BAC – Ralph Pearson owner/trainer; 2 wins and 2nd in the All Canadian and 3rd in the Alex Picov Mmeorial; bred by Marko Naterer – 30 points

AGED MARE
FISHIN FOR A CORONA – 29 points, from 2 wins for Picov Cattle Co. And trainer Joe Tavares; wonderfully consistent
Runner-up – Night Fishn, homebred for Mary Schrama by Sugarman Perry; 23 points; 3 wins; won Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity; trained by Greg Watson

JAYSON SLOANE – GEORGE EGERTON MEMORIAL AWARD-
CAROL AND WAYNE PROCTOR – KEN MUCKLESTONE AWARD