Long Live Dixie (Peace Rules) went right to the lead joined by Poetic Lana, but that one dropped back quickly. However, Billy Callinghoney took up the chase. For awhile, it looked as though Billy Callinghoney might threaten. But when Billycallinghoney's jockey took up the whip while Long Live Dixie was still under a handride, I knew it was over. Old friend Poetic Lana (this was the third time she and Long Live Dixie met) found her second wind to take 2nd, while Billy Callinghoney had to settle for third. 

Result: July 25, 2008 
Monmouth Park Race  3

Long Live Dixie	$5.00	$3.00	$2.80
Poetic Lana		$6.60	$3.80
Billy Callinghoney			$5.20

Equibase Chart

Join In Dances and Stomps Over Into My Soul

As predicted, this one was taken off the turf. So, the MTOs (Stomp and Pious David) drew in and Forest Tango, Mr. Dr. Professor, and Summit Creek were scratched. Join in the Dance was unruly in front of the gate and was reluctant to load. He didn't have any trouble exiting the gate, however, as he rocketed to the lead. He set some wicked fractions (21.96, 45.44), but kept going and was drawing off at the end. The MTO horses finished 2nd and 3rd. Into My Soul (Pleasantly Perfect) broke slowly, saved some ground, but didn't threaten. I think maybe he should try again for the turf.

Result: July 25, 2008 
Saratoga Race 2

Join in the Dance	$8.80	$4.90	$3.40
Stomp		$8.90	$4.00
Pious David			$2.50

Equibase Chart

Midtown Does a Ballet Over Persian and Shoe Strap

Grimaldi and Vinnies Wild Tale controlled the early pace with Shoe Strap (Birdstone) also showing good early speed. He fell back, however, fairly early. Meanwhile, Midtown Ballet was stalking just off the pace. He took the lead in the stretch, as Beer Pong  and Persian (Peace Rules) were rallying. Persian, who stumbled at the start, was stuck on the inside and got through too late to catch Beer Pong. Neither Beer Pong or Persian were a threat to the winner.

Result: July 25, 2008 
Saratoga Race 4

Midtown Ballet	$10.60	$5.40	$4.70
Beer Pong		$10.60	$4.70
Persian			$3.00

Equibase Chart

Tammy's Luck Dances Perfectly

Chilliwack and Keep Active were quickest out of the gate, closely followed by Victory Dancer. Victory Dancer took the lead in the stretch, as the others fell back. But, suddenly, the whole rest of the field was closing. One Perfect Karat (Pleasantly Perfect), who was off a step slow (that seems to be the theme of the day), saved ground on the rail, before swinging out for the drive and made up a lot of ground. But, Tammy's Luck had the short trip on the rail and got up for the win.

Result: July 25, 2008 
Del Mar Race 5

Tammy's Luck	$18.80	$7.00	$4.60
Victory Dancer		$3.00	$2.40
One Perfect Karat			$4.00

Equibase Chart

Holly Jets over Saarman

Peggy's Pretty Boy scampered to a clear lead early, but couldn't shake Holly Jet who took the lead in the stretch and drew off. Wells Park and Saarman (Saarland), closed with a rush to fight it out for place, but Holly Jet was long gone. I was impressed with Saarman, who was off slowly (of course) and then came rolling late on the outside to go by most of them.

Result: July 25, 2008 
Lone Star Park Race 7

Holly Jet	$8.20	$4.40	$3.40
Wells Park		$7.40	$4.80
Saarman			$3.20

Equibase Chart

Guadalcanal is a Maiden no Longer

Guadalcanal was pretty impressive in his maiden-breaking score on the turf at Ellis on July 25. He sat well off the pace and came running on the outside to win by 4 going away. The 2nd place horse, Groom's Cat, tried to go with him, but he was no match for Guadalcanal. It will be interesting to see what's next on his schedule and if we will see him in a stakes again this year.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 25

Working 3 furlongs at Calder in :36.20 was Strike Jak (filly; Peace Rules - Sunset Crest by Strike the Gold). Sunset Crest, dam of Strike Jak, was stakes-placed and earned $112,030. Sunset Crest has produced 3 winners from 4 to run.

Old Man Bill (colt; Speightstown - Be Happy My Love by Formal Gold) worked 4 furlongs from the gate at Charles Town in :51.60. Old Man Bill is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to Smarty Jones.

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

July 25

Broad Stone (colt; Birdstone - Broad Legacy by Broad Brush) - Belmont Park, 4 furlongs, :52.42. 

S. S. Stone (colt; Birdstone - Sing and Swing by Dixieland Band) -  Del Mar, 5 furlongs, 1:00.80.

Steel Lucky (filly; Congaree - Luck (ARG) by Kasteel (FR)) - Thistledown, 6 furlongs, 1:18.00.

Cassidys Pride (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Cassidy by Jolie's Halo) - Woodbine, 3 furlongs, :36.00.

Figlia d'Oro (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Runaway Chanel by Runaway Groom) - Delaware Park, 5 furlongs (gate), 1:03.20.

Oriental Sunshine (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Kristi's Sunshine by Miswaki) - The Thoroughbred Center, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

Tranquil Times (colt; Peace Rules - Lake Leman by Meadowlake) - Saratoga, 5 furlongs, 1:01.23. 

Work for Peace (filly; Peace Rules - Southern Solstice by Southern Halo) - Laurel, 4 furlongs, :50.20.

Bedtime Story (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Fairy Tale by Seattle Slew) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs, 1:00.60.

Perfectly Pleasant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Beaux Arts Ball by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) - Laurel Park, 3 furlongs, :37.20.

Goldshaft (colt; Smarty Jones - Mimi's Golden Girl by Seeking the Gold) - Fair Hill, 4 furlongs, :51.20.

Mullins Beach (filly; Speightstown - Treasure Beach by Silver Deputy) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs, :48.00.