LUKES ALLEY BOWLS THEM OVER IN GRADE 3 AUTUMN
LUKES ALLEY – image by Michael Burns Photography
Winning his second consecutive graded stakes race, LUKES ALLEY went to the top of the list for Canada’s champion older horse with his Autumn (grade 3) win on Sunday at Woodbine. The 4yo colt by Flower Alley – Vaulcluse by A.P. Indy is an Ontario bred for Eugene Melnyk, trained by Josie Carroll.
The long striding colt was last and very wide in the 1 1/16 mile race but managed to make up the ground with a determined drive and he beat War Correspondent, the shipper for Eclipse Thoroughbreds, in 1:43.18, good for a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. He is the first foal for his stakes winning dam who has a 2yo named Dotties Alley.
It was a big day for jockey LUIS CONTRERAS won 5 races on the card – he has now regained the lead from PATRICK HUSBANDS, the score is 151 to 150.
More Sunday – Race 1 – a nice 2yo maiden allowance race that went with a 75 Beyer Figure and it was won by AMI’S FLATTER, who won handily in his debut for Ivan Dalos, who bred the son of Flatter. The half brother to 2 debut winners is trained by Josie Carroll.
Race 2- a starter allowance at 5 furlongs was an easy win for CHECK EM, his 3rd win of the season. The Best of the Bests (Ire) 4yo is owned by CEC Farms and trained by Ralph Biamonte.
race 3- This was a 1 5/8 mile starter allowance and heavily favoured O WANDERLUST was the predictable winner for Lucky Fish Stable and trainer John Mattine. This 5yo by Mizzen Mast, bred by Hedgestone Management, has won 3 of 9 races this year and with his 80 Beyer Figure, has earned a starter in the Valedictory Stakes on the last day of racing. Contreras rode.
race 4- a maiden allowance at 1 1.16 miles was the first race of the Pick 4 and everyone’s pick was KAVIKA, who had a troubled journey in her debut but was odds on this time for Colebrook Farms. The Ashlee Brnjas-trainee rallied wide and from last under Contreras to win as much the best. She is by Niigon out of Amy’s Falcon by Maria’s Mon.
Race 5 – CHIRICAHUA SIGNAL won as the big favourite with a well timed move under Jesse Campbell. The gelding by Where’s the Ring out of Apache Signal, by Announce had raced 4 times for CEC Stables and David Bell and had been placed three times. He was bred by Bob and Beth Hancock in Caledon, ON. The winning Beyer was 57.
Race 6 – DANCING ASHLEY is now a 4-time winner at Woodbine this year with this rallying score for CEC Farm and trainer Ralph Biamonte, 2nd win for the owner and trainer on the card (not the same as CEC Stables that won the 5th race). This is an Olmodavor filly out of Dancinginthewater by Dance Brightly bred by Racehoss Inc.
race 7 – REBELLION ON TAP won his 3rd race of the year and Jesse Campbell won again as this gelding lunged right on the wire to win this allowance race. The Rebellion gelding is a homebred for Heste Sport and Bill Tharrenos, who has horses stabled at Gulfstream already, is the trainer.
Race 9 – MOONSHINE MARTINI, a Florida bred by Full Mandate, won this allowance race in his 2nd race off the claim by Ezna and Willie Armata. The dark bay 4yo had lost for $10,000, been 2nd for $16,000 and then won this race with a career best 83 Beyer Figure.
Race 10 – REBELLIOUS LOVE, owned by Bret Jones and trained by Reade Baker, won this race for 412,500 claiming on the drop from Ontario sired allowance races. The Rebellion filly was claimed from the race, her 2nd win in her 9th start.
SOVEREIGN AWARDS PICTURE
ALERT BAY won a stakes race at Santa Anita won 2 graded stakes in Canada, and could be named Canada’s champion 3yo male – KELLEY CARLSON photo
The Canadian racing meetings are all over except for a few weeks left at Woodbine. Most of the major races have been run. Here is a look at some of the contenders for Sovereign Awards for championship honours in Canadian racing – 2104:
2yo filly – CONQUEST HARLANATE won the Natalma and Mazarine, both graded stakes and is the top contender over BROOKLYN’S WAY, the Princess Elizabeth winner
2yo colt – The Coronation Futurity has yet to be run and could determine the winner of this category. The colts have shared the prizes – CONQUEST TYPHOON, PASSION FOR ACTION, GLENVILLE GARDENS are all route stakes winners and other stakes winners are CONQUEST TSUNAMI and PHIL’S COCKTAIL
3yo filly – LEXIE LOU
3yo colt – This looks a year where the champion sophomore could (should?) be from elsewhere – ALERT BAY is a multiple graded stakes winner for Peter Redekop this year in California and British Columbia. He won the BC Derby and beat older horses in the BC Premier’s while also taking the Echo Eddie Stakes at Golden Gate and placing in stakes at Santa Anita. He had high Beyer Figures and won over $380,000. The son of City Zip won stakes from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 3/8 miles.
His competition would be Coltimus Prime, the Prince of Wales winner, and Ami’s Holiday, the Breeders’ Stakes winner.
Older male – LUKES ALLEY has the edge over SKY CAPTAIN, PENDER HARBOUR and HIS RACE TO WIN
Older female – STRUT THE COURSE is the leader here based on her Maple Leaf win but it is a weak category
Male Turf – Not a lot going on in this category since KAIGUN and UP WITH THE BIRDS are not eligible – KARIBU GARDENS, ALDOUS SNOW, RIVER SEVEN, REPORTING STAR?
Female Turf – Perhaps DECEPTIVE VISION or SAVVY HESTER
Male Sprinter – The Kennedy Road is coming up and will be a huge race but SHARP SENSATION has won 3 stakes at 3 different tracks on 3 different surfaces already.
Female Sprinter – SPRING IN THE AIR could have the edge currently. Silent Treat?
HORSE OF THE YEAR – Lexie Lou.
My memory could fail me, what are your thoughts?
