HORSE RACING NEWS & RESULTS weekend of June 24

[two gun sid]

Trio from States up to take shot

By BILL TALLON
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There is no question that the Queen's Plate is the prize most coveted by owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys in Canada. On occasion, however, the Plate prize has fallen to connections based south of the border, and this year three American-owned and -based horses will be among the expected field of nine Canadian-bred 3-year-olds in the 1 1/4-mile race on Sunday.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/66107.html


Rapid Proof disqualified from Mervin Muniz victory

The Louisiana Racing Commission disqualified Rapid Proof on Monday from his victory at odds of 31.60-to-1 in the $500,000 Mervin Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2) on March 19 at Fair Grounds due to a positive test for the corticosteroid dexamethasone, a therapeutic medication that is banned on race days.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=55529&subsec=2


Rock Hard Ten Back Galloping; BC Classic Still in Plans

Rock Hard Ten, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), is back galloping and is being pointed for the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita, said trainer Dick Mandella, whose ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I).

The son of Kris S. has not started since his 1 3/4-length victory in the Big Cap, which was his third straight score following wins in the nine-furlong Strub Stakes (gr. II) and seven-furlong Malibu (gr. I).

"He just started galloping," Mandella said. "I gave him a break after the Santa Anita Handicap, and when I started back up, he got stiff and sore all over. I had to deal with that for a month, and I just went ahead and took it real easy with him. Sometimes, when you let up on an older horse they'll stiffen up on you, and that's what he did. But with a little patience and backing off on him, he's come around real well.


http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28724

[Justpat]

1. Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont Saturday

Here's the field:
horse weight jockey trainer

1. Seeking the Ante 121 Mike Luzzi John Kimmel
2. Smuggler 121 Edgar Prado Shug McGaughey
3. Spun Sugar 121 J.J. Castellano Todd Pletcher
4. Winning Season 121 Eibar Coa D. Wayne Lukas
5. Lady Pegasus 121 Richard Migliore Bobby Frankel
6. Summerly 121 Jerry Bailey Steve Asmussen

Small field but should be a good race. Lady Pegasus is inexperienced
but very talented.

[two gun sid]

2. I haven't seen Lady Pegasus run....

I'm kinda leaning towards Spun Sugar.

[Justpat]

3. Lady Pegasus just won her non winners of 1 other than

here a few weeeks ago. Unfortunately, we had a filly in the
same race with her. We got beat by about a pole. LP won
off by herself by many. But I think it was only her second
or third start.

[two gun sid]

4. She sounds like she might be a quality horse...

I hate to get beat but, if you're beat by a good horse it takes the sting out a little. I'm gonna give her another look in an exacta. Thanks.

[aaronbees]

9. Smuggler wins it...

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28764

It's a strange year in the 3-year-old filly division. No one is really stepping up to claim top honors. I'm still pulling for Round Pound on that, though.

[two gun sid]

13. I'm a Spun Sugar fan...

and that was a tough beat yesterday. Congratulations to Smuggler and her connections.

[two gun sid]

5. By God, This horse deserves his own thread...

From The Bloodhorse:

Old Gray 'Fred' to Make 100th Career Start

This game has sprinters, routers, speed horses, and stalkers. We've seen those with blistering speed and others who have used their superior tracking abilities. There are those who come from off the pace to get up in the nick of time, and others who come from so far off the pace they usually leave us wondering how they made up so much ground.

Then, there's Fred.

OK, Tissington.

But, for the record, everyone that knows him calls him Fred. Only the announcer calls him Tissington.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28755

Not many horse like Fred anymore.

[Justpat]

6. Great story.

The fans get so attached to those kind. I hope he gets a great
home when he finally retires.

[u4ic]

41. That's a great story

One of my favourites at Fort Erie is a 12 year old called Major Zee. He won a stakes race last year, and was a winner on his first outing this year.

[aaronbees]

7. Beverly Hills Handicap today... Megahertz runs.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28745

[aaronbees]

8. and she wins... in fairly typical fashion.

Bloodhorse report: Megahertz Jolts Foes in Beverly Hills ... http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28768

This mare has such heart and is on a good roll this year.

[two gun sid]

10. She is a nice race mare....

She looks unbeatable.

[Justpat]

16. She was the highweight?

I've never even seen a video of her running, but I hear she
puts in a breathtaking late run.

[aaronbees]

25. She storms down the lane...

Her kick is really fun to watch. I've only seen her run a couple times but she's memorable. If you can find a video online, give it a look -- she's special. I'm not sure how she'll do against the top company (bombed in two BC races, if I'm not mistaken) but I'll sure root her home.

[two gun sid]

11. If Egg Head wants Lost in the Fog, he's got him

From DRF:

MIAMI - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin won't have to wait very long if he wishes to get his talented 3-year-old Egg Head a rematch against Lost in the Fog. Both horses are nominated to the $300,000 Carry Back Stakes here July 9, although McLaughlin also has several other options for Egg Head if he chooses to avoid another confrontation.

Undefeated in seven races, Lost in the Fog beat Egg Head by 1 3/4 lengths when they met in the Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont on June 11, the smallest margin of victory ever for Lost in the Fog. The loss also snapped a three-race win streak for Egg Head.

McLaughlin, who took over the training of Egg Head after his 9 1/2-length triumph in Delaware Park's LaBelle Memorial Stakes on May 7, has also nominated Egg Head for the $500,000 Smile Sprint on the July 9 Summit of Speed program. The Smile is open to 3-year-olds and up, and the Carry Back is restricted to 3-year-olds.

"He's nominated to both races at Calder but could also run in the Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont or in the mile and a sixteenth Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park," McLaughlin said.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/66231.html

Sounds like we got us a good rivalry. Go Lost In The Fog!

[two gun sid]

12. Some Standardbred News for those who want it.

From The USTA website:

Dawn Ofa New Day wins the Hoosier Cup

Anderson, IND. (June 25 2005) - Dawn Ofa New Day and driver David Miller was a winner in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup Saturday, June 25. The event was the main attraction on the 15-race program that featured more than $1.2 million in purse money at Hoosier Park.

Starting from post one in the 12-horse lineup, Miller used just enough speed with Dawn Ofa New Day to stay close to the lead. Team Hutch and David Magee secured the top spot at the quarter in :26.0. As soon as the backstretch arrived, Miller had the Western Ideal colt out and moving, smoothly taking control of the pace by the half in :53.4.

"I wanted to get him out and away from any trouble," said Miller. "I really didn't know what to expect in the race. I didn't know if there would be a lot of speed early on, but he's a nice colt and raced really well tonight."

The remainder of the one-mile pace was all under the direction of Dawn Ofa New Day. Odds On Duane and Tim Tetrick were forced first over, moving the outer flow of traffic into striking position for the stretch drive home. However, Dawn Ofa New Day was too strong, pulling away from the field by open lengths to win in a time of 1:50.3, equaling his lifetime best and the stakes record for the Hoosier Cup. Odds On Duane held on for second.

[Justpat]

17. That's a nice purse.

Educate me a little. What is the typical purse for a maiden
race? An allowance? I don't have a clue.

The only trotters I was ever around were the ones at Saratoga.
And the purses were appalling before they got the casino up
and running.

I used to go to the kitchen at the trotting track for breakfast
and read their overnights. Horrible. I never understood how
they made a living.

[jakefrep]

20. It depends on the track...

Here in Ohio, a non-winners of one (maiden) usually goes for $2,500-$3,000, with the top class overnight races going for $10,000-$12,000.

At Hoosier Park, a maiden goes for $5,000 and their top overnight races go for $24,000.

At the Meadowlands (which would be the trotting world's equivalent in quality to Belmont or Hollywood Park), bottom level races go for $12-15K with the top races going for $40K.

[Justpat]

21. Good grief.

I'll stick with TB's.

You must really love the game to stay in it for those purses.

But I see that some of your stake races have fantastic purses.
That's great.

[jakefrep]

24. Thoroughbreds in Ohio...

..aren't any better off purse-wise than the harness horses. It seems as if every time I go to Thistledown, it's an endless array of $5k claimers. I don't think they run more than two allowance-type races a week.

[jakefrep]

22. Andy Miller 5th at World Driving Championship...

...in Italy. More info here...

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=9987&z=1

The US Trotting Association sponsored a tour group to Italy to watch this driving tournament. My mom & dad went and had a great time.

[two gun sid]

23. Did they take any pictures?

I'd love see any you can post.

[jakefrep]

34. They did but mom goofed something up on the memory card...

...not sure if it's gonna happen.

[two gun sid]

14. Former jockey retrains retired race horses

Fron the Belleville News Democrat:

BY JENNIFER A. BOWEN

News-Democrat

After 18 years of riding thoroughbreds to the finish line, retired Fairmount Racetrack jockey Cindy Medina is taking retired racehorses and giving them a second chance.

Medina, 41, of Pontoon Beach, retired in September after winning 1,112 races in her career.

Her dream was to find thoroughbreds who could no longer race and retrain them for new lives off the track.

Armed with a lifetime of horse experience, Medina's new business was born: Second Chance Careers in Edwardsville.


http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/11973860.htm

[two gun sid]

15. Double DQ Puts Seeking Slew On Top in Kent

From The Bloodhorse:

A double disqualification gave Live Oak Plantation's third-place finisher Seeking Slew victory in the $500,000 Kent Breeders' Cup (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds Saturday when the first two finishers were disqualified for interference in the stretch on the Delaware Park turf.

Touched by Madness, under left-handed whipping from jockey Frankie Pennington in deep stretch, bore outward a couple of times, taking out Spring House and Seeking Slew as they approached the wire. Touched by Madness won by a half-length but was placed fourth by the Delaware stewards.

For a separate incident, Spring House, second under the wire for Aaron Gryder, was disqualified to third. Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, aboard 11-10 favorite Chattahoochee War and making a belated rally, was forced to check severely in mid-stretch when impeded by Spring House, who banged with Seeking Slew while between rivals.

Stewards moved Chattahoochee War, who went on to finish fourth, up to second.


http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28763

[PDittie]

18. I love these ongoing posts

and the opinions all of you horsemen and horsewomen relate.

Thanks a lot.

[Justpat]

19. You are welcome.

[GOPisEvil]

26. Hey P, we should head over to Sam Houston one of these days.

They're running Quarter Horses now, but in the fall the Thoroughbreds run. There's always simulcasting.

http://www.shrp.com/

[PDittie]

28. True dat

They have a pretty good concert series on Fridays too (David Allan Coe on 7/8).

Come on over anytime ...

[Justpat]

27. Jerry Bailey to replace Santos on Funny Cide

Santos got the boot after his ride on Funny Cide in the Brooklyn.
He got him in tight on the turn and the horse had his butt knocked
sideways a little - then Santos came back and said the felt a little
weak behind. So JB will be the new pilot next weekend if Tagg
decides to run him in the Suburban at Belmont.

[two gun sid]

30. I wonder if Bailey will make a difference?...

And I wonder if Tagg is gonna run Funny Cide in the Suburban?

[Justpat]

31. I don't think so.

Every time he tries to replace Santos, the horse finishes up
the track.

Also, I think maybe Funny Cide is not what he used to be. We'll
see.

Tagg says he won't run FC if it is too hot or it rains. In other
words it has to be ideal weather for the horse to compete.

[two gun sid]

29. Frankel Takes Queen's Plate with Wild Desert

Three Results from The Bloodhorse:

Wild Desert gave jockey Patrick Valenzuela and stand-in trainer Bobby Frankel their first victory in the $1 million Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Triple Crown for 3-year-old Canadian-breds at Woodbine Sunday.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28775


Hurricane Run Blows Past in Irish Derby

Hurricane Run's late push proved to be more than enough to win the $1.5 million Irish Derby (Ire-I) at The Curragh on Sunday.
The 4-5 French favorite, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by Kieren Fallon, beat Scorpion by a half-length in the 1 1/2-mile race. Shalapour was third.

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28771


Willow O Wisp Repels Osidy in Cinema

Willow O Wisp turned the tables on odds-on favorite Osidy with a front-running win in the $153,450 Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds on the Hollywood Park lawn Sunday.



http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28781

[two gun sid]

32. u4ic, were4 are you?...

I haven't seen you post in a while. Is everything alright?

[Justpat]

33. I think u4ic said she had some business to attend to

and would be away from the computer for a short time.

[u4ic]

36. Hi sid!

I've just finished moving, thanks for asking. :-)

Here's pics of all the horses: http://www.horse-races.net/library/qp05-field.htm
Here's a video of the race: http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/thoroughbred/raceevents/qp/05/gallery-clips.asp

Wild Desert was easily the best looking horse in the paddock.

I was rooting for Gold Strike, the filly...she was full of run, and ran a heck of a race, but tired and bore out in the stretch, and squeezed out Wild Desert, who still went on to win. She finished up 3rd; is a lovely mover, and I think we'll be hearing more from her this year at Woodbine.

Wild Desert was a very fitting winner, he showed guts and King of Jazz ran very well. I don't know about the latter, but Wild Desert will be going for the Canadian Triple Crown. Dance With Ravens, the favourite, was way back in I think 7th - and is now sidelined for a few months with bone chips.

All in all, not a bad Plate.

[Justpat]

37. Hello u4ic.

Good to have you back.

[u4ic]

38. Hi Old Broad

nice to be back! :hi:

Wow, I've got LOTS to catch up on...so many retirements, and races I have no clue about. The internet is my sole source of racing news, there is very little coverage in my local paper.

[two gun sid]

40. I hope your move went well...

and glad to have you back.

[u4ic]

42. Thanks

as far as moving goes, it was pretty much hassle free.

[aaronbees]

35. Firecracker Breeders' Cup H (gr. II)

Looks like Kitten's Joy is pointed to this one this weekend ... so far. Hope he runs and wins. He's impressive. Looks like a great weekend of racing coming up.

[Justpat]

39. He won easy.

I was surprised that he ran that well off a long lay off. He is
really talented.