No wins on the day, but everyone who ran hit the board. Sue's Update (Medaglia d'Oro) and Texas Birdstone (Birdstone) were scratched. There is a recap of the race Sue's Update was entered in below. The Evangeline race was won by Begg's, who wore down the early pacesetter Mr Missile to secure the win.

Quebec City has the Edge over Tradition

Quebec City broke on top and went right to the lead, with Jerry's Connection the closest pursuer. Breakwithtradition (Birdstone) was off well and secured a spot in third on the rail. Jerry's Connection faded and Breakwithtradition made his move. However, he was unable to advance on Quebec City. Edge closed late to just steal the place spot from Breakwithtradition. First-crop sires ruled in this one, finishing one-two-three.

Result: August 16, 2008 
Woodbine Race 1
Maiden Claiming

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It's Obsequious

Light Green (Pleasantly Perfect) went off at 1-2, but it was Obsequious and Abundantia that came out running. They went head and head for awhile, but in the end Obsequious prevailed. Light Green was in a good posiiton, 4th and then 3rd, but she didn't have enough punch to threaten the top 2.

Result: August 16, 2008 
Saratoga Race 2
Maiden Special Weight

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Updates Never Lie

Sue's Update (Medaglia d'Oro) was a scratch, as was Forest Queen. High On Top held the early lead and seemed to be home free. But, she wavered in the stretch and was passed by a bunch of closers. Going best was Never Lie who drew off to win by 5, despite bearing out. This looks like one to watch, especially if she learns to run straight. Also making good late runs were It's Tiffin Time and Joy Street.

Result: August 16, 2008 
Arlington Park Race 6
Maiden Special Weight

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Champagne Launches Over Violet

Notreadytobenice went right to the lead, closely attended by Wood Violet (Congaree). Those two had a bit of match race going on. Wood Violet finally went to the lead in the stretch, but she could not hold off the closing Champagne Launch. She did, however, save third over Champ Laila.

Result: August 16, 2008 
Ellis Park Race 7
Maiden Special Weight

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Danceyoursocksoff Persistently for State Treasure

August 17, 2008
Saratoga Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
7 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 1:33 PM HRTV/TVG

Danceyoursocksoff (Pleasantly Perfect - Come Dancing by Two Punch) makes her third start after finishing 7th on July 6, and 4th on July 27. Since that race, she's had two works at Saratoga. Danceyoursocksoff sold for $160,000 as a yearling, and is out of a winning mare who has produced 6 winners. Two of Danceyoursocksoff's siblings won at 2. Pleasantly Perfect is the sire of 9 runners who have made 15 total starts, recording 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds and earnings of $90,945.

Also returning from the July 27 race is Persistently (Smoke Glacken - Just Reward by Deputy Minister), who was a fast closing third after starting slow. Persistently is out of a winning mare, Just Reward, who is out of champion Heavenly Prize who earned $1,825,940 in her career. Just Reward is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner Good Reward and grade II stakes winner Pure Prize.

Amanwella (Fusaichi Pegasus - Tempestina by Storm Cat) and Barbadillo (Rahy - Barbed Wire by Affirmed) met on the yielding Saratoga turf on July 28, with Amanwella finishing 7th and Barbadillo 11th. Amanwella, who sold for $525,000 as a yearling, is out of mare who won $101,690 and has produced a winner. Barbadillo sold for $160,000 as a yearling. Barbed Wire, dam of Barbadillo, was a stakes winner and has produced one winner.

Foxy Bailey (Ocean Terrace - House Dressing by Conquistador Cielo) has finished 2nd twice, at Churchill Downs on June 29 and at Saratoga on July 24. Foxy Bailey is by freshman sire, Ocean Terrace. Ocean Terrace is the sire of 4 runners who have made 7 total starts, recording 3 seconds and 2 thirds. Foxy Bailey, who sold for $30,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to four winners, including 2-year old stakes winner, Taos, and stakes winner, Park Avenue Prince who has earned $159,291 through 2008.

Leading first-crop sire Lion Heart is the sire of Heckuva Hunter (Lion Heart - Catch a Glimpse by Gulch), who was 5th in her only start at Belmont Park on July 16. Lion Heart has sired 36 runners who collectively have made 66 starts, recording 14 wins, 11 seconds, and 6 thirds and earnings of $650,922. Catch a Glimpse, dam of Heckuva Hunter, was group I-placed as a 2-year old. Heckuva Hunter, who sold for $50,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Successful Outlook who won the Tempted Stakes (gr. III) and was third in the Demoiselle (gr. II) as a 2-year old.

The remaining horses are making their first starts including State Treasure (Mineshaft - Private Status by Alydar). Private Status, dam of State Treasure, was a stakes winner who earned $146,337. As a broodmare, Private Status has produced 3 stakes winners, including Secret Status winner of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), the Mother Goose (gr. I), and the Florida Oaks (gr. III). Secret Status earned $1,053,705 and was also stakes-placed at 2. State Treasure is also a half-brother to grade III stakes winner Alumni Hall.

Guarda (Empire Maker - Storm Alert by Storm Cat) is out of a stakes winning mare who has produced 3 winners, including the stakes-placed horses Indy Trouble and Temper Temper. Temper Temper is a full-sister to Guarda.

Grid (Petionville - Graph by Lord at War (ARG)) is a half-sister to two winners, and her dam is a half-sister to 5 winners.

Birdrock looks for an Electric Start to go Dancingdownthelane

August 17, 2008
Thistledown Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:29

I can't help wishing that Dancingdownthelane was in Danceyoursocksoff's race or vice versa.

Electric Start (Congaree - Belle Visage by Horatius) is back after finishing 6th and last in her debut on August 9. I think my assessment that she didn't run a bit, must have been close to the truth for her to run back this quickly. Electric Start, who has been working at Thistledown, is out of stakes winner Belle Visage who earned $149,991. Belle Visage is the dam of Spark Plug, stakes-placed at 2. Congaree's 23 runners have made 37 total starts, recording 7 wins, 5 seconds, and 3 thirds, and $254,559.

This time, the field includes the Birdstone filly, Birdrock (Birdstone - Eternal Glory by Danzatore) who makes her debut at Thistledown after working there since late June. Birdrock is out of a winning mare who has produced 3 winners, including stakes winner Neverlacken. Birdstone's 14 runners have made 25 combined starts with 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds, and $99,440.

Also making their debuts in this one are Strickly a Lady (Misty Strick - Rachel Jane by Observatory (IRE)) and Tachion Storm (Storm Gulf - Taylor Fit by Struggler (GB)). Strickly a Lady is the 2nd foal out of an unraced mare. Tachion Storm is the first foal out of an unraced mare, who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Double D Appeal, a stakes winner at 2.

Dancingdownthelane (Delaware Township - Tempest Hill by Temperance Hill) has run twice at Mountaineer Park, finishing 3rd on July 1 and 7th on July 26. Dancingdownthelane, who brought $13,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 7 winners including stakes winners Broken Code and Oil Man. Broken Code was also stake-placed at 2 and earned $329,436 in his career.

Finishing 4th in her only start at Presque Isle Downs on August 7, was Frosty Flake (Spunky Rascal - Sweeten Your Step by Covered Wagon). Frosty Flake is a half-sister to one winner and her dam is a half-sister to stakes winner, Waist Gunner John.

Also a veteran of one Presque Isle Downs start is Pyrite Dinner (Formal Dinner - Personal Halo by Southern Halo), who was 5th on July 25 at that track. Pyrite Dinner is a full-sister to the winner Pyrite Halo who was a winner at 2.

Schrader Tries to Rule the Tiger Queen at Sheffield Park

August 17, 2008
Calder Race 8
Maiden Claiming ($25,000)
6 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:58 PM HRTV

Schrader Rules (Peace Rules - She Did It Her Way by Private Terms) debuts at Calder, where she has been working for the past several months. Schrader Rules is the first foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to 5 winners. Peace Rules is the sire of 22 runners who have made 52 total starts, recording 12 wins, 6 seconds, 7 thirds, and $266,958,

The most experienced horse is Dance N Run (Kafwain - My Dilemma by Sword Dance (IRE)) who has run twice at Calder, finishing 3rd on August 1 and 5th on July 17. Dance N Run is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners from 2 to race.

Also running on August 1, but in a different race was Badboy Brian (Northern Afleet - Betty's Hat by Harry the Hat), who was 5th that day. Betty's Hat, the dam of Badboy Brian, was a stakes winner who earned $364,588. She has produced one winner from one to run. Not sure why you would name a filly Badboy Brian.

The final experienced entrant is Tiger Queen (Roar of the Tiger - Mickey's Queenmary by King of Kings (IRE)), by first-year stallion Roar of the Tiger, who was 6th at Calder on July 4. Roar of the Tiger's 21 runners have made 53 starts, registering 11 wins, 10 seconds, and 9 thirds and earnings of $268,771. Tiger Queen is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to First Blush who was stakes-places as a 2-year old and won the Spectacular Bid (gr. III) as a 3-year old, earning $334,369 in his career.

Last Wonder (Three Wonders - Windcat by Iroquois Park) brought $40,000 as a weanling and is out of a winning mare. Last Wonder is a full-brother to one winner and a half-brother to 4 winners, including stakes winner Windinthevalley.

Selling for $37,000 at 2 was Smallness (Favorite Trick - Kathleen Mahveryan by Pentelicus). Smallness is the first foal out of a wining mare (who won at 2) who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes-placed Linda Love.

Inthefastlane, dam of Sheffield Park (Vicar - Inthefastlane by Once Wild), was stakes-placed twice at 2 and is the dam of 4 winners, including 2 that won at 2.

Simply In (Snuck In - Simply Valid by Kipper Kelly) is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Scooter Will be Ready to Cruise In the Juice

August 17, 2008
Laurel Race 8
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 4:37 PM HRTV

Scootin Scooter (Saarland - Sarah's a Winner by Cormorant takes on 8 in his debut at Laurel, where he has been working for the past 2 months. Sarah's a Winner, dam of Scootin Scooter, was a winner, and has produced stakes-placed Smokin Sarah. Smokin Sarah has earned $187,547 through 2008. Saarland's 13 runners have made a combined 27 starts with 2 wins, 1 second, and 6 thirds, and $87,107.

Seattle Glitter (Texas Glitter - Seattle Landing by American Chance) has run twice on the Colonial Downs turf, finishing 2nd on August 5 and 4th on July 8. Seattle Glitter is the first foal out of an unraced mare, who is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes-placed You're the One. You're the One finished 2nd in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. III) at 2.

Another veteran of two races on the Colonial turf is Bremo's Bluff (Pine Bluff - Good Apple by Val de l'Orne (FR)), who finished 5th on July 19 and 7th on July 6. Bremo's Bluff is out of a winning mare, who has produced 4 winners.

The final experienced colt is Romo to T O (Outflanker - Make Merry by Rare Performer), who finished 2nd at Delaware Park on June 2. Romo to T O, who sold for $30,000 as a yearling, is out of the winning mare, Make Merry. Make Merry has produced 7 winners, including stakes winner Merry Princess.

Selling for $55,000 as a 2-year old was Cool Punch (Two Punch - Carefree Flyer by Zilzal). Cool Punch is out of winning mare who has produced 4 winners.

In the Juice (Rock Slide - Apple Juice by Pleasant Tap), who sold for $24,000 as a yearling, is out of the stakes-placed mare Apple Juice. As a Broodmare, Apple Juice has produced Apple Special, a stakes winner at 2.

Icon Duet (Yes It's True - Stark Passage by Woodman) is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, both of which won at 2.

Ferber (Tale of the Cat - Empty Portrait by Coronado's Quest) is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner, millionaire, and sire Include.

River Cruise, the dam of Ready to Cruise (More Than Ready - River Cruise by Not For Love) was a stakes winner who earned $169,720. Ready to Cruise is her first foal.

News and Notes

There were a number of 2-year old stakes races on the day. I didn't catch all of them, and invite anyone to comment on the ones that they saw. Some of my observations follow.

Colonel Rutledge (Orientate - Rutledge Affair by Colonial Affair) won the James C. Ellis Juvenile Stakes at 7 furlongs at Ellis Park, powering past the favored entry of Ready Racer and Citizen in the stretch. Colonel Rutledge has shown some versatility in his young career, winning his debut at 5.5 furlongs on the Ellis Park turf.

Juliet's Spirit (Exchange Rate - Juliet's Way) took over in the stretch of the Ontario Debutante Stakes and then held off a late charge from After the Applause, to remain undefeated in three starts. After breaking her maiden on June 7, she won the My Dear Stakes on June 30.

Taking the Florida Stallion Desert Vixen Stakes was La Chica Sensual (Lightnin N Thunder - Lerma by Unbridled), who stalked early and then took over at the half to win going away by more than 8 lengths. La Chica Sensual broke her maiden way back on May 30. She also won a starter race on June 26 and finished second in the J J'sdream Stakes on July 12.

The Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes was full of familiar horses, including the winner Big Drama (Montbrook - Riveting Drama by Notebook) who had broken his maiden on August 2. This race was similar to his maiden score, as he took the lead soon after the break and never looked back. Maiden Watch was also there when Bee Cee Cee, who finished 2nd, and 3rd place finisher You Luckie Mann broke their maidens.

An impressive maiden winner was Girolamo (A. P. Indy - Get Lucky by Mr. Prospector) who debuted in a 7 furlong race at Saratoga on August 16. He was very professional, driving past the early leaders for the win. Girolamo is out of the grade III stakes winner Get Lucky, which makes him a full-brother to graded stakes winners Accelerator and Daydreaming. This looks like one with a promising future.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

August 15

Working 3 furlongs in :37.80 at Keeneland, was Slick Miss (filly; Congaree - Madamascus by Sheikh Albadou (GB)). Slick Miss is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Officer Cherrie who won the Mazarine Breeders' Cup (CAN-III) and earned $259,555.

August 16

Maraschino Red (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Irish Cherry by Irish Open) worked 3 furlongs in :39.01 at Saratoga. Maraschino Red, who sold for $200,000 as a yearling and $900,000 as a 2-year old, is out of the stakes winning mare, Irish Cherry. Irish Cherry is the dam of grade I winners Spun Sugar and Daaher.

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

August 16

Phu Bird (Birdstone - Phu Cat by Tabasco Cat) - Louisiana Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:03.20.

Torres Strait (filly; Birdstone - Maid of Gold by Tour d'Or) - River Downs, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.00.

Lookin Left (Congaree - Santa Fe Strip by Phone Trick) - Remington Park, 4 furlongs, :49.61.

Whowearsthepants (filly; Congaree - No Dress Code by Distorted Humor) - Woodbine, 3 furlongs, :38.60.

Crema d'Oro (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Courageous Maiden by Broad Brush) - Saratoga, 5 furlongs, 1:02.79.

Gold d'Oro (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Gold Canyon by Mr. Prospector) - Belmont, 5 furlongs (gate), 1:01.70.

Medaglia d'Amour (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Izara by Blushing John) - Del Mar, 5 furlongs, 1:03.40.

Party Hard (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Keys to the Heart by Wild Again) - Hollywood Park, 4 furlongs, :48.20.

Pearl of Valor (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Maderia M'dear by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) - Saratoga, 5 furlongs, 1:02.65.

Cesium Fountain (colt; Peace Rules - San Speculation by Out of Place) - Hollywood, 5 furlongs, 1:03.00.

Missunitednations (filly; Peace Rules - Sister Greeley by Mr. Greeley) - Philadelphia Park, 5 furlongs, 1:02.16.

Peace Reigns (filly; Peace Rules - Diamond Dottie by Eagle Eyed) - Louisiana Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:03.00.

Strike Jak (filly; Peace Rules - Sunset Crest by Strike the Gold) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :37.20.

Valid Rule (colt; Peace Rules - Valid Bonnet by Valid Appeal) - Arlington Park, 4 furlongs, :47.60.

Life's Precious (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Precious Clare by Red Ransom) - Saratoga, 5 furlongs, 1:02.24.

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Del Mar, 5 furlongs, 1:02.80.

Perfect Edge (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Winner's Edge by Seeking the Gold) - Laurel Park, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Perfectly Pleasant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Beaux Arts Ball by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) - Laurel Park, 4 furlongs, :51.00.

Verdant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Rift Valley by Gulch) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :50.00.

Legacy and Lace (filly; Saarland - Preservation Hall by Dixieland Band) - Golden Gate Fields, 5 furlongs, 1:00.40.

Saar Treaty (filly; Saarland - Top of the Noggin by Chief's Crown) - Fair Hill, 3 furlongs, :39.00.

Tannic (colt; Saarland - Poetic Image by Perrault (GB)) - Prairie Meadows, 5 furlongs, 1:02.80.

Clash of Arms (colt; Speightstown - Distinctive Code by Lost Code) - Laurel; 4 furlongs (gate); :49.00.

She's a Wow (filly; Speightstown - Venetian Glass by Deputy Minister). - Philadelphia Park, 5 furlongs, 1:02.16.

Tapis Magique (colt; Speightstown - Bordelaise (ARG) by Espacial (ARG)) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.00.