As predicted, Audible's (Congaree) race stayed on the turf and he did not draw in. Second choice Bittel Road took the race over favorite Cairiene. Lime Rickey closed well for third.

For All Who Conga Hopes to do a Stakes Dance

July 12, 2008
Calder Race 11
Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 5:23 PM HRTV

For All Who Conga (Congaree - For All Who Dream by Eltish) returns to the races after breaking his maiden impressively on June 15. This time, he's taking on stakes competition. One advantage that For All Who Conga has is that he is the only runner in the race who has run (and won) at the 6 furlong distance. For All Who Conga is the first foal of out the stakes winner, For All Who Dream who won the J J'sdream Stakes as a 2-year old.

The favorite in the race figures to be Bee Cee Cee (Songandaprayer - Mighty Rose by Mighty Appealing) who broke his maiden on April 26 and then returned to win the B L's Sweep Stakes at Calder on June 15. That race was at 5 furlongs. Bee Cee Cee sold for $100,000 as a weanling and $200,000 as a 2-year old. Bee Cee Cee's dam was a stakes winner who earned $125,452. Bee Cee Cee is a half-brother to 5 winners, 3 of which won during their 2-year old season. These include Mighty David who was stakes-placed as a 2-year old.

Overcoming a stumble at the start to finishing second in the B L's Sweep Stakes was Ideal Exchange (Exchange Rate - Cape Verde by Mt.Livermore), who was also third in Bee Cee Cee's maiden win. In between those 2 starts, he broke his maiden in 4.5 furlong contest. Ideal Exchange's dam is a half-sister to one winner.

Also coming out of the B L's Sweep Stakes is Red Nation (Concorde's Tune - Valid Pro by Polish Pro) who finished 8th, after being part of the pace. Previously, Red Nation broke his maiden by 6 lengths on May 17 at Calder (in his first start, he lost his rider). 

Every other horse is coming into the race off of a maiden win except for Stamen (Awesome Of Course - Petals by Dr. Caton) who is still a maiden after finishing 5th on June 7 and 3rd on June 28 (behind Pick's Express). But, we have seen first-hand how maidens can jump up and win these baby races (e.g. Congo Kaye, Trifecta King), so he shouldn't be discounted for that. Stamen's dam is a half- or full-sister to 6 winners.

Another entry familiar to Maiden Watch readers is D. C.'s Legacy (Mr. Livingston - Miss Godiva by Way West (FR)) who broke his maiden on May 31. D. C.'s Legacy is out of a winning mare who earned $48,310 who has produced two winners from two to run.

Birdcaper Tries to Steal One

July 12, 2008
Calder Race 3
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 1:41 PM HRTV

Birdcaper is back after finishing a good 2nd against For All Who Conga (who runs in the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes) on June 15. His first start, on May 31, was a 6th place finish after his saddle slipped. Birdcaper is the first foal out of the winning mare, Sweet Caper who is a half-sister to 5 winners including stakes winner Leslie's Lady. Leslie's Lady won 4 races in her 2-year old season including the Hoosier Debutante Stakes.

J Storm (February Storm - Laceys Secret by Silver Deputy) has had 2 previous starts, finishing 6th at Gulfstream on April 19, and 7th at Calder on May 10. Freshman sire February Storm has had 5 runners who have made a total of 8 starts, recording 1 win and 1 third. J Storm's dam was a winner who has produced 1 winner from 2 to run.

New God Code (Omega Code - Kylie Is for Real by Prospect Bay) finished 4th in his only start on June 28. He is by first-crop sire, Omega Code, whose 12 runners have made a combined 28 starts, registering 6 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds. New God Code's dam has produced 2 winners. However, neither ran as a 2-year old.

The last experienced runner in this group is Mulherengo (Grave Digger - Green Gates Magic by Diesis (GB)) who finished 6th in his only start at Calder on June 7. Green Gates Magic, dam of Mulherengo, was a winner of $62,085 in 7 starts. She has produced 3 winners, 2 of which won during their 2-year old year.

March Twelth (Macho Uno - Peaceful Intention by Hold Your Peace) is out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $69,715. March Twelth is a half-brother to 7 winners including How About Now who won the Schuylerville (gr. II) as a 2-year old and earned $166,376 in her career.

Gold Box (Outofthebox - Pentelicus Gold by Pentelicus) is a half-brother to one winner and his dam is a half- or full-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Well Dressed. Well Dressed was also a winner at 2.

The dam of Duke of Mischief (Graeme Hall - My Lady Amelia by Real Courage) was a winner of $37,355 and has produced 2 winners, including grade III stakes winner Lord Robyn. Lord Robyn, who also won at 2, won or placed in 10 stakes and has earned $354,770 through 2008.

Lucky A. P. (A. P. Valentine - Lucky Bidder by Pollock's Luck) is lucky to be one of the few offspring of A. P. Valentine, who has had fertility problems throughout his stud career. Lucky A.P. is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to four winners.

Pam's Delight, dam of Three Part Harmony (Concerto - Pam's Delight by Slew the Slewor), was a 2-year old winner who has produced 4 winners.

Red Bird Will Try to Get Her Tailbytherail

July 12, 2008
Calder Race 12
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 5:51 PM HRTV

Red Bird Rules (Peace Rules - Twirling Angel by Saint Ballado) is back after finishing 6th in her debut on June 21. In that race, she had to check and hopefully a better trip will improve her placing. The dam of Red Bird Rules was a winner and she has produced one winner from one to start. She is also a half-sister to Hemingway's Key who finished 3rd in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II). Hemingway's Key was also 2 for 2 as a 2-year old.

Cumana (Full Mandate - Sweet Alabaster by Gulch) and Wilmette (Fusaichi Pegasus - Anita Knickers by Tejabo) finished 4th and 5th respectively in Red Bird Rules' debut. Cumana had previously finished 3rd on May 31. Cumana brought $70,000 as a 2-year old and is a half-sister to 4 winners, 2 of which won as 2-year olds. Wilmette, who sold for $50,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 2 winners. Her dam, Anitas Knickers, is a half-sister to grade III stakes winner Mr. Livingston who earned $429,285 and was stakes-placed as a 2-year old. Anitas Knickers is also a half-sister to the Peace Rules filly, Noble Rule.

Tailbytherail (Read the Footnotes - So Social by Proud Truth) finished 2nd in front of Cumana on May 31. She is by first-crop sire, Read the Footnotes, whose 7 runners have made 10 total starts, recording 2 wins, 1 second, and 1 third. Tailbytherail's dam, So Social, was a winner of $218,791. Tailbytherail is her first foal to race.

Diced N Sliced (Three Wonders - Slice Off the Top by Great Above) and Sr. Encarnacion (Roar of the Tiger - Piano Affect by Fappiano) both ran on June 28, but in different races. Diced N Sliced, a $20,000 2-year old, finished 3rd at 5.5 furlongs. Previously, she had finished 5th at 5 furlongs on June 7. Slice Off the Top, dam of Diced N Sliced, was a 2-year old winner and has produced 4 winners including 2 which won as 2-year olds. First-crop sire Roar of the Tiger is the sire of Sr. Encarnacion. Roar of the Tiger's 20 runners have made a total of 37 starts, registering 8 wins, 9 seconds, and 8 thirds. Sr. Encarnacion is a half-sister to six winners including stakes winner Valid Effect who earned $181,610.

Ripley's Express (Express Tour - Flush Draw by Banker's Gold) finished 3rd at 4.5 furlongs on June 12 and 2nd at 5 furlongs on June 22. Both of those races were Maiden Claiming contests. Ripley's Express is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to one winner.

Whatta Light (Colony Light - Whitney's Dream by Whitney Tower) who finished 2nd in her only start on June 19, is out of the 2-year old winning mare, Whitney's Dream. Whitney's Dream is a half- or full-sister to 8 winners including 3 which won during their 2-year old season.

Finishing 3rd in her only start was Mareana (Northern Afleet - Silverlado by Saint Ballado) who achieved that placing in a Maiden Claiming 5.5 furlong race on June 29. Selling for $20,000 as a yearling, Mareanna is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 7 winners including group III winner, Love of Silver.

Untuttable Jet (Untuttable - Miss Vermont Jet by Vermont) was 5th in her only start, a 2 furlong Maiden Special Weight on May 24. Untuttable Jet's dam, Miss Vermont Jet, was a debut winner at 2 and stakes-placed at 4, while earning $166,228. Miss Vermont Jet has produced 2 winners, both of which won at 2.

Just Da Bear Facts Please

July 12, 2008
Presque Isle Downs Race 1
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 6:30 PM

Da Bear Facts (Congaree - Impending Bear by Farma Way) debuts on the Tapeta of Presque Isle Downs. His dam, Impeding Bear, was a stakes winner who earned $255,751. Impeding Bear has produced one winner from two to run and that winner won as a 2-year old.

Player's List (Gimmeawink - Darned Alarming by Darn That Alarm) is the most experienced horse in the race, having run 4 times. His best finish came in his most recent star, a 4th on June 26 at Presque Isle. Player's List is by first-year stallion Gimmeawink whose 8 runners have recorded 1 win, 3 seconds, and 1 third through 15 collective starts. Darned Alarming, the dam of Player's List, was stakes-placed and earned $146,505.

Finishing 3rd in front of Player's List on June 26 was Appalachian Trail (Monashee Mountain - Crafty Gal by Crafty Prospector). Appalachian Trail is out of a winning mare who has produced 5 winners from 6 to race. 

Saber Dancer (Cuvee - Auction Cat by Storm Bird) finished 5th and 8th in his two starts on May 14 and May 26 at Churchill Downs. He is by freshman sire Cuvee, a sire of 18 runners of 34 combined starts which have resulted in 2 wins, 5 seconds, and 4 thirds. Saber Dancer is a half-brother to 4 winners, including the stakes winner Cat Quatorze who earned $144,055. Two of Saber Dancer's siblings won as 2-year olds.

Also by a first-year sire is Man o'Wonder (Teton Forest - Glister Girl by Glitterman), who sold for $90,000 as a yearling. His sire, Teton Forest has had 2 runners which have made a total of 3 starts, recording one win. Man o'Wonder is the first foal out of an unplaced mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winners Saratoga Summer and Ever Elusive.

First-crop sire Big Country is the sire of Country (Big Country - Deep in My Heart by Rahy). Big Country has had one runner who has made 2 starts finishing third in one race. Big Country is by A. P. Indy out of the champion Flanders. Country, who sold for $82,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to one winner.

Selling for $87,000 as a yearling was Devil Approved It (Devil His Due - Regal Approval by With Approval). His dam, Regal Approach, was a stakes winner who has produced 2 winners, both of which won as 2-year olds.

Recording, the dam of Smart Bid (Smart Strike - Recording by Danzig), was a stakes winner who earned $134,224. She did not run as a 2-year old, but she did win her 3-year old debut. Recording is the dam of 4 winners including stakes winner, Deal Making.

Gran Wizard (Indy King - Sister James by Diablo) is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners from 4 to race including one 2-year old winner.

R. P. Indy (Cryptoclearance - Countess Ballado by Saint Ballado) is a half-brother to one winner and his dam is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Areelfast Buddy (Quiet Enjoyment - Reel Spiffy by Reel On Reel) is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half- or full-sister to 3 winners.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 11

Perfectly Pleasant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Beaux Arts Ball by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) worked 3 furlongs at Laurel in :37.60. Perfectly Pleasant was a $100,000 yearling and is out of the stakes-placed mare, Beaux Arts Ball. Beaux Arts Ball has produced 2 winner including Nightmare Affair who won or placed in 19 stakes earning $1,113,464.

Working 4 furlongs in :51.40 at Fair Hill was Goldshaft (colt; Smarty Jones - Mimi's Golden Girl by Seeking the Gold). Goldshaft, who sold for $400,000 as a yearling, is a half-brother to Noble Causeway who finished 2nd in the Florida Derby (gr. I) and earned $360,010 in his career.

Second Glance (filly; Smarty Jones - Worth a Look by Sword Dance (IRE)) worked 4 furlongs at Laurel in :49.60. Second Glance is out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Returning to the WorkTab (horses previously mentioned in this blog)

July 11

Conga Queen (filly; Congaree - Special Test by Hawkin's Special) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :48.40. 

Electric Start (filly; Congaree - Belle Visage by Horatius) - Thistledown, 4 furlongs (gate), :52.40.

River Fancy (filly; Congaree - Go Baby Go (IRE) by Lion Cavern) - Saratoga, 5 furlongs, 1:01.14. 

Grandaree (filly; Congaree - La Grande Mamma by Compadre) - Fair Hill, 4 furlongs, :50.40.

Wiggle and a Wink (filly; Congaree - Friendofthefamily by Wild Rush) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs; :49.00. 

Medaglia d'Amour (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Izara by Blushing John) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs, :49.20.

Our Golden Dream (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Adorahy by Rahy) - Belmont, 3 furlongs, :37.89. 

Rapid Redux (colt; Pleasantly Perfect – Thiscatsforcaryl by Storm Cat) - Monmouth Park, 4 furlongs, :48.00. 

Saar Treaty (filly; Saarland - Top of the Noggin by Chief's Crown) - Fair Hill, 5 furlongs, 1:02.00.  

Rockland (colt; Smarty Jones - Wiscasset by Kris S.) - Fair Hill, 4 furlongs, :49.40. 

Greer Lynn (filly; Speightstown - Roll Over Baby by Rollin On Over) - Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:04.00.

Mullins Beach (filly; Speightstown - Treasure Beach by Silver Deputy) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs, 1:02.00.

Original Ink (colt; Speightstown - Red n'Gold by Tabasco Cat) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :47.80.