Five runners in four races (Promise Me Merlot was a scratch), but only one winner.  However, it was a good one as Zigaree took the Minstrel Stakes. Zigaree was off a bit slow and settled near the back of the pack. Up front, Not Grounded, Bertsgoldenmissile, and Takin' the Bullet were setting the early fractions. Zigaree swung to the outside and cruised by them all to score an impressive victory. With this triumph, Zigaree becomes the second stakes winner for Congaree and Maiden Watch's first turf winner.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Louisiana Downs Race 8
Minstrel Stakes

Equibase Chart 

Me You and Her Mostly Leaves Her Race at the Gate

Me You and Her (Smarty Jones) may be getting some gate work after this debut. First, she was reluctant to load, they finally got her in after Joe Bravo hopped off. But then, she was in the gate awkwardly and they had to remove the 1 and 3 horses and pull Me You and Her back out. She was reloaded without incident, but came out of the gate slowly and was never much involved in the race. The only horse that she beat was our other runner, Mostly Peace (Peace Rules), who was part of the pace early on, but retreated steadily after the half. Lion's Terms, went right to the lead and built a 4 length advantage. He tired, however, and Coffee in Bed, closed well to make things interesting. The wire came in time to preserve the win for Lion's Terms. Itwillbelovely also closed well after a slow start.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Monmouth Race 3

Equibase Chart 

Pterodactyls Rule Himynameissarah

This one was pretty much a match race between Pterodactyls Rule and first-time starter, Stroll By, who quickly sprinted away from the field. Stroll By had the early advantage, but the more experienced Pterodactyls Rule was able to overtake her and draw off. It was way back to Golden Currency in third. Himynameissarah (Saarland) ran evenly to take 4th, but she was no threat to the top three, 2 of which she had defeated previously.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Canterbury Park Race 3

Equibase Chart 

Lets Just Say it's The Cliff's End for Tannic

Lets Just Say went to the lead, pursued by The Cliff's End. The Cliff's End was in front for a minute, but Lets Just Say had another gear and put that one away. Tannic (Saarland) was off slowly, but soon got into the race and closed well to take third. The top 3 finishers all made favorable impressions and I would expect The Cliff's End and Tannic to join Lets Just Say as winners soon.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Prairie Meadows Race 2

Equibase Chart 

Oconee will Mine That Bird to Win and Reign

July 20, 2008
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 3:00 PM

Oconee (Congaree – Chenoa by Wild Again) returns after tiring to 8th in his debut on June 14. Since that debut, he has been working at Woodbine where he runs today. Joining him in the starting gate is Birdstone first-timer, Mine That Bird (Birdstone – Mining My Own by Smart Strike). Oconee's dam was unraced and has yet to produce a winner, but she is a half-sister to four graded performers including Demaloot Demashoot who earned $574,825 and won or placed in 8 graded stakes. He also won 2 races as a 2-year old and finished 3rd in the Iroquois (gr. III) that same year. Congaree's 18 runners have made a total of 23 starts, recording 4 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Mine That Bird is the first foal out of the unraced mare, Mining My Own, who is a half-sister to 5 winners including stakes winner Golden Sunray. Three of Mining My Own's siblings won at 2. Birdstone has had 9 runners who have made 14 total starts, recording 2 wins, 1 second, and 2 thirds.

Bear Most Wanted (Forest Wildcat – Midday Runner by Real Quiet), Megacode (Omega Code – Merica by American Standard), and Sky Taps (Tapit – Skywriting by Jeblar) all met on June 22 at Woodbine, finishing 3rd, 4th, and 6th. Interestingly, finishing 5th in that race was Tashi who broke his maiden on July 18 at Woodbine. Bear Most Wanted, who sold for $130,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner and millionaire, Ten Most Wanted. Megacode is by freshman sire, Omega Code whose 15 runners have made 34 combined starts, registering 7 wins, 3 seconds, and 4 thirds. Merica, the dam of Megacode, was a 2-year old winner and has produced 9 winners including stakes winner, Megacles. First-crop sire Tapit is the sire of Sky Taps who was a $37,000 yearling. Tapit is the sire of 12 runners who have made 21 total starts, recording 2 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. Sky Taps' dam was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and earned $220,646.

Mancini’s Silver (Mancini – El Prado’s Plata by El Prado (IRE)) and Libiamo (Tumblebrutus – Lake Mills Lady by Cryptoclearance) debuted in a Maiden Claiming race on July 4, a race won by our own Katolak Cowboy. Mancini's Silver, who was 4th, is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 2 winners. Finishing 5th was Libiamo who is by first-year stallion, Tumblebrutus. Tumblebrutus is a full-brother to Giant's Causeway and fellow first-year sire, Roar of the Tiger. From only 9 foals, Tumblebrutus has had 4 starters which have made 5 starts combined, recording 3 wins. Libiamo is a half-brother to 3 winners.

Willsgray (El Corredor – Doughty by Strike the Gold) has run twice, both times finishing 2nd at Arlington Park. He was a $85,000 yearling and is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners including Merger who was group II placed as a 2-year old.

The remaining experienced runner is Sinful Vows (Broken Vow – Something Sinful by Skywalker) who finished 8th in his only start on June 20. Sinful Vows is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half- or full-sister to 5 winners, including Sanky Panky who was a group III winner in Panama.

First-timers Win and Reign (Tomahawk – Its a Ruby by Rubiano) and Awesome Rhythm (Toccet – Galoshes by Storm Boot) are both by freshmen sires. Win and Reign's sire, Tomahawk, has sired 7 runners who have made 14 total starts, recording 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. Win and Reign is a half-brother 3 winners including stakes winner Like a Gem, who was also stakes-placed as a 2-year old and earned $554,216 overall. Toccet, sire of Awesome Rhythm, has had 15 runners who together have made 26 starts resulting in 1 win, 6 seconds, and 2 thirds. Awesome Rhythm, who sold for $20,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to the winner Main Street, who has earned $78,200 through 2008.

Keefer, Iamachallenger to Matador Run

July 20, 2008
Monmouth Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 3:17 PM TVG

Keefer (Smarty Jones – Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew) becomes our second Smarty starter at Monmouth. Maybe, he will like the Jersey Shore better than Me You and Her did. Smarty Jones' 3 runners have made 5 total starts, recording 1 win. Keefer, who was a $60,000 yearling, is a half-brother to three winners including stakes-placed Golden Rainbow who has earned $260,780 through 2008. Golden Rainbow was also a 2-year old winner. Keefer's dam is a half-sister to Fantasticat who won the Super Derby (gr. II) and earned $447,984.

Pilanesberg (Johannesburg – Tangier Sound by Rahy) finished 2nd in his only start, a Maiden Special Weight contest at Monmouth on June 29. Tangier Sound, dam of Pilanesberg, was a stakes winner who earned $265,970 who is a half-sister to 4 winners including 2-year old stakes winner, Livermore Valley. Pilanesberg is Tangier Sound's first foal.

Matador Run (Cherokee Run – Informative by Tabasco Cat) finished 3rd in his only start on June 20, behind Rapid Redux. He brought $425,000 as a 2-year old (after selling for $325,000 as a yearling). Matador Run's dam, Informative, was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and also won her debut.

Coltraider (Thunder Gulch – Final Legacy by Boston Harbor) and Moonshine Mania (Monashee Mountain – Last Day of Winter by Green Alligator) both finished 5th in their only starts, Coltraider on June 5 and Moonshine Mania on June 25. Coltraider, who sold for $90,000 as a yearling, is out of a dam who is a half-sister to Storm Cat. She has produced one winner, Ranchy, who broke her maiden in her 2-year old debut and who has earned $31,006 through 2008. Moonshine Mania is the first foal out of a winning mare who won her 2-year old debut and is a full-sister to stakes winner May Gator. May Gator earned $570,298 in a 10 win career and also finished 2nd in the Cardinal Handicap (gr. III).

Debut runner Maestro On Tour (Concerto – Uptown Lady by Tour d’Or) is a half-brother to 4 winners, 3 of which won at 2.

Also making his debut in here is Iamachallenger (Golden Missile – I Certainly Am by Affirmed), who is a half-brother to 6 winners, including Certainly Classic who won the Grey Breeders' Cup (CAN-III) as a 2-year old.

Lippy Seeks Rising Honour in the Montana Fields

July 20, 2008
Del Mar Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 6:30 PM TVG

Lippy Rules (Peace Rules – Jive Talker by Time for a Change) is back after finishing 4th on June 15 and 2nd on June 25. In the latter race, she showed a lot of guts, fighting back to the lead before being overtaken by a closing Evita Argentina. Since that race, she has had a good 4 furlong work. Lippy Rules' dam, Jive Talker, was 3 for 3 as a 2-year old including 2 stakes wins. Overall, she earned $102,780 in her career. Lippy Rules is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Selling for $120,000 as a yearling was Turtle Creek Babe (Grand Slam – Cyclorama by Theatrical (IRE), who finished 2nd in her only try at Hollywood on June 1. Turtle Creek Babe is the 2nd foal out of the stakes-placed mare, Cyclorama, who earned $108,600 and won her only start at 2. Cyclorama is also a half- or full-sister to 6 winners.

Also selling for $120,000 as a yearling was Irish Gypsy (Hennessy – Rayelle by Relaunch) who was 5th in her only start on June 15. Rayelle, the dam of Irish Gypsy won the Hidden Light Stakes as a 2-year old and finished 2nd in the Santa Ynez (gr II) as a 3-year old. Rayelle has produced two winners from 4 to run.

The remaining entrants in the race are first-time starters including Stardom Bound (Tapit – My White Corvette by Tarr Road), who is by first-crop sire, Tapit. Tapit's 12 runners have made 21 total starts, recording 2 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. Stardom Bound's dam was a stakes winner at 2 and finished 3rd in the Golden Rod (gr. II) that same year. Stardom Bound, who sold for $375,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Bujumbura (Giant’s Causeway – Happily Unbridled by Unbridled), who sold for $295,000 as a weanling, is out of a mare who won or placed in 9 stakes and earned $280,254.

Selling for $190,000 as a 2-year old was Kinesiology (Dixie Union – Lakeville by Evansville Slew), whose dam was a stakes winner who earned $100,775. She also won her 2-year old debut. Kinesiology is her first foal.

Virginia-bred Montana Falls (Pulpit – Exceptionally by El Prado (IRE)) sold for $67,000 as a yearling. Montana Falls is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to stakes winner Queen of Ice and a full-sister to Swingin On Ice, who won the Beaumont Stakes (gr. II) and earned $236,024.

Rising Honour (Honour and Glory – Quiet Threat by Quiet American) was a $45,000 2-year old, and is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Bringing $35,000 as a yearling was Madeline Ruby (Yankee Gentleman – Holy Speed by Afleet), who is out of the winning mare, Holy Speed. Holy Speed is the dam of 6 winners from 6 to run including 2 which won at 2.

Oro Blanco (Hold for Gold – White Angelica by Quiet American) is the first foal out of mare who is a half- or full-sister to 4 winners.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 19

Working 4 furlongs in :47.60 at Arlington Park was Hug It Out (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Dazzling Contrast by General Meeting). Hug It Out, who sold for $35,000 as a 2-year old, is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner Designed for Luck who earned $973,660 and won or placed in 11 stakes.

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

July 19

Phu Bird (Birdstone - Phu Cat by Tabasco Cat) - Louisiana Downs, 3 furlongs, :39.00.

Shoe Strap (colt; Birdstone - Boot Strap by Storm Boot) - Belmont, 5 furlongs, 1:05.06.

Stone Legacy (filly; Birdstone - Gulch Legacy by Gulch) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs, :49.66.

Texas Birdstone (colt; Birdstone - Imatexantoo by Ray's Pegasus) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :51.60.

Ambraw (colt; Congaree - Fabulous Flight by Flying Continental) - Churchill Downs Training, 4 furlongs, :51.20.

Belfast (colt; Congaree - Southerncomfortgal by Hermitage) - Lone Star Park, 3 furlongs, :35.80 (fastest of 15).

Congo Creek (Congaree - Lost Expectations by Valid Expectations) - Lone Star Park, 5 furlongs, 1:03.60.

Fiesta d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Ionian Bride by Icecapade) - Churchill, 3 furlongs, :39.60.

Iqbaal (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Queen's Lady by Storm Cat) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs, :51.83.

Sue's Update (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Sue's Update by Woodman) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:01.00.

Missunitednations (filly; Peace Rules - Sister Greeley by Mr. Greeley) - Philadelphia Park, 3 furlongs, :37.55.

Joanne's Ruler (filly; Peace Rules - Escaping Glory by Red Ransom) - Belmont Park, 5 furlongs, 1:02.06.

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Del Mar, 4 furlongs, :47.00.

Saarlanddisourland (filly; Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat) - Belmont, 5 furlongs, 1:01.47.

Run Smart One (colt; Smarty Jones - Literary Light by Ide) - Atlanta Hall Training Center, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Boomtown (colt; Speightstown - Day Lily by A. P. Indy) - Fairplex, 4 furlongs, :52.00.

Original Ink (colt; Speightstown - Red n'Gold by Tabasco Cat) - Keeneland, 3 furlongs, :37.60.

She's a Wow (filly; Speightstown - Venetian Glass by Deputy Minister). - Philadelphia Park, 3 furlongs, :38.75.

Speight the Halo (colt; Speightstown - Ballado's Halo by Saint Ballado) - Del Mar, 5 furlongs, :59.20.

Western Fire (colt; Speightstown - Under Fire by Gulch) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :50.00.