Live the Dash (Peace Rules) broke with the leaders and sat about 3rd early on. On the other hand, Katolak Cowboy lingered near the back of the pack. Live the Dash took command on the turn, despite going wide. He was seemingly home free, but suddenly there was a shadow coming. It was Katolak Cowboy, who had gotten on track and was rolling on the outside. They hit the line together. With the naked eye, it looked like Live the Dash was the winner, the replay seemed to say Katolak Cowboy. The photo made it clear, Katolak Cowboy from last to first in the final jump. Both horses ran well, hard to ask for anything more, except maybe a dead heat. Katolak Cowboy becomes the first repeat winner for Saarland.

Result: September 5, 2008 
Presque Isle Downs Race 7
Allowance

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Ventana Takes the Speight of Hand

Speight of Hand (Speightstown) broke well and was up with the leaders, Celestial Diamond and Prince Charming. Favorate Celestial Diamond folded first, fading towards the back of the pack. Prince Charming took a clear lead, but couldn't hold off a closing Ventana, who becomes the 7th winner for his sire, Toccet. Speight of Hand did well to hold on for third. Oskar Hval didn't want to go in the gate, didn't want to come out of the gate, and trailed throughout.

Result: September 5, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 2
Maiden Special Weight

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Elusive is No Bluff, Beans Dries Up

Insider took the early lead, pursued by Precious Beans (Medaglia d'Oro). Honestly, I wasn't happy with Precious Beans' position. I thought that he was too close to the pace. He hung on into the stretch, but tired to finish 6th. Insider seemed home free, but Elusive Bluff was coming. He was green, but full of run and took over. The heavily favored entry of Evolutionist and New York Bobby closed to finish 3rd and 4th respectively. Into My Soul (Pleasantly Perfect) failed to draw in off the Also-Eligible list.

Result: September 5, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

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Blind Date Romps Without a Second Glance

Favorite Cherokee Ribbon took the early lead, sprinting clear of the pack. Quickquestionforya, Second Glance (Smarty Jones), and Blind Date were pursuing. Quickquestionforya and Second Glance soon faded to finish 8th and 9th respectively. Blind Date, however, was persistant, wearing down the leader to win by more than 4. Cherokee Ribbon was well clear of the rest of them, although Combinate did come running wide to pick up third.

Result: September 5, 2008 
Laurel Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

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Mothra Attacks Birdrock!

Strickly a Lady held a brief lead, but quickly faded. Freds My Friend took over, joined by Mothra and Birdrock (Birdstone). Mothra wore down Freds My Friend to take the lead. Southern Yankee came on late to take 2nd from Freds My Friend. Birdrock weakened, but did take 4th. Ann On the Run and Little Fruit Fly were scratched.

Result: September 5, 2008 
Thistledown Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

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Kafwain Rises Over the Jazzi Dawn

Tricky Temper, Storycatcher, and Kafwain Rose traded the lead early on. But, Kafwain Rose took control to draw off by 6. Changesinlatitude closed steadily to take third, while Tricky Temper retreated. Jazzi Dawn (Saarland) came out of the gate ok and sat in fourth behind the pace setters. However, she went steadily backwards from there and finished 7th (and last).

Result: September 5, 2008 
Northlands Park Race 2
Maiden Special Weight

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Quite the Lady and C. S. Silk Attempt to be Lassies

September 6, 2008
Arlington Race 8
Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (gr. III)
1 Mile
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 5:25 PM HRTV

Quite the Lady (Pleasantly Perfect - Separata (CHI) by Sam M.) and C. S. Silk (Medaglia d'Oro - Remember the Day by Settlement Day) venture into graded stakes territory with a start in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (gr. III) at Arlington Park. Quite the Lady broke her maiden on June 7 at Arlington, and then ran 3rd in an Allowance race at that same track on August 7, behind fellow Lassie entrants Ravin Maniac (Scrimshaw - Radcliffe Yard by Boston Harbor) and Pride (Lion Heart - Coffee Springs by Crafty Prospector). Both Ravin Maniac and Pride are by freshman sires. Ravin Maniac had previously finished 4th in the Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes on July 4. C. S. Silk broke her maiden impressively on July 6 at Churchill Downs, drawing off by more than 6. In her only other start, she finished 3rd behind Rachel Alexandra on June 13 at Churchill Downs. In her next start, Rachel Alexandra finished 2nd in the Debutante Stakes (gr. III).

The only stakes winner in the field is our old friend, Broadway Hennessey (Hennessy - Eastside Westside by Eastern Echo) who won the Wine Country Juvenile Fillies Stakes on July 27 at Santa Rosa over Conga Kaye, after previously finishing 2nd to that rival in the Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes.

Pretty Prolific (Lion Heart - Seattle Way by Seattle Slew) is the only other entrant with stakes experience, having finished 3rd in the Adirondack (gr. II) (behind Mani Bhavan), after previously breaking her maiden on June 22 at Churchill Downs. She is the 2nd entrant for freshman sire Lion Heart.

Phola (Johannesburg - Humbling (IRE) by Petionville), who broke her maiden in her only start, is the only runner to have previously run a mile on the Arlington Polytrack. Never Lie (Alke - Taint True by Saint Ballado), who is by first-crop sire Alke, has also been a mile, but on the turf. She finished 6th in her first start on the Arlington Park Polytrack, before winning at a mile on the turf.

Reine des Coeurs (Lion Heart - Queen of Millbrook by Distinctive Pro), yet another runner for Lion Heart, Mama Lina (Langfuhr - Race to Glory by Honour and Glory), and Wind Caper (Touch Gold - Wind Tunnel by Summer Squall) were all winners in their first and only starts. Reine des Coeurs and Mama Lina both won at Arlington. Reine des Coeurs came from off the pace, while Mama Lina went gate-to-wire to win by 14. Wind Caper's victory came at Presque Isle Downs.

Timeless Miss (Cape Canaveral - Reni by Palace Music) has run three times, breaking her maiden last time out at Arlington against fellow Illinois-breds.

The only maiden in the field is Afleet Deceit (Northern Afleet - Deceit by Danzig) who was 2nd in her only start at Arlington on August 14. In that race, she was gaining well after stumbling at the break. She will have to go from 5 furlongs to a mile in the Lassie.

Read more about the Arlington-Washington Lassie here.

Express Hopes to Pick a Stakes

September 6, 2008
Calder Race 8
Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash
5 furlongs Turf
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 4:21 PM HRTV

Pick's Express (Speightstown - Program Pick by Peterhof), who was last seen finishing 3rd in allowance company at Calder on July 28, after breaking his maiden in his debut on June 28, will try stakes company in the Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash. I am a bit skeptical that this will remain a "turf" dash with all the rain at Calder, but we shall see. Pick's Express has had one work at Calder since his last start.

The winner of the July 28 Allowance Race, Code Runner (Omega Code - Basque N the Storm by Mystery Storm), is also entered in this stakes. Since that race, Code Runner, who is by first-crop sire Omega Code, ran in the Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes, finishing 8th..

Also coming out of the Florida Stallion Dr. Fager stakes is Red Nation (Concorde's Tune - Valid Pro by Polish Pro), who was 6th. Previously, Red Nation won the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes. He also finished 8th in the B L's Sweep Stakes. In his first start, Red Nation was defeated by fellow Fasig Tipton Turf Dash entrant Silver Bayer (Smoke Glacken - Bally Storm by Summer Squall). However, since Red Nation clipped heels and lost his rider in that one, it is difficult to learn anything about their relative abilities. That race took place way back on April 19. Silver Bayer has made one other start, finishing 7th in the Bashford Manor (gr. III).

Little Richie (French Envoy - Punkins Wild by Once Wild) was also in the B L's Sweep Stakes, finishing 6th (in front of Red Nation). Little Richie has started 6 times, breaking his maiden in his 2nd start, a 2f $25,000 Maiden Claiming race. His last two starts have been in Claiming non-winners of two races, where he finished 4th on August 1 and 3rd on August 22.

Another by freshman sire Omega Code is New God Code (Omega Code - Kylie Is For Real by Prospect Bay), who broke his maiden in his 4th try, a $40,000 Maiden Claiming race on August 14. Previously, he had finished behind Promise Me Merlot and March Twelth, entrants in the Seacliff Stakes, and fellow Fasig-Tipton Dash runner, Pick's Express.

Trip Six (Devil His Due - Chichi Dancer by Green Dancer) also broke his maiden in his most recent start, a Maiden Special Weight at Suffolk Downs. Previously, he had finished 5th in a Maiden Claiming race at Calder after being part of the pace.

Three of the entrants are maidens. Sligovian Bay (Sligo Bay (IRE) - Tiva by Two Punch) has made one start, finishing 5th in a Maiden Special Weight race at Calder on August 9 (behind Promise Me Merlot, who runs in the Seacliff Stakes on the Calder Saturday card). Blusterous (Hook and Ladder - Penthouse Melody by Pentelicus) finished 6th in his only start, a Maiden Claiming race at Calder on August 24. Under Contract (Three Wonders - Pride of the Hunt by Hunting Hard) is making his debut in the Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash. He does boast several fast works coming into the race.

The Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash is part of the Calder Juvenile Showcase. Read more about the Showcase here.

Merlot Promises a Seacliff Victory

September 6, 2008
Calder Race 9
Seacliff Stakes
1 Mile
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 4:52 PM HRTV

Promise Me Merlot (Peace Rules - Promise Me Magic by Pentelicus), who broke his maiden in his most recent start on August 9, moves up to stakes company in the Seacliff Stakes. Promise Me Merlot had previously finished 2nd and 6th in two maiden tries. He has had two works since his maiden score, including one at a mile, the distance of the Seacliff. None of the runners in this one, including Promise Me Merlot, have raced at a mile or farther.

This Ones for Phil (Untuttable - Heaven's Gate by Septieme Ciel) and Grand Central (City Place - Black Snow by Waquoit), who is by first-crop sire City Place, both ran in the Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes. This Ones for Phil finished 5th in that race after being part of the pace. Previously, he won a $40,000 Maiden Claiming race by 6 lengths. Grand Central bolted in the Dr. Fager (yes, another one of those) and was eased. Prevoiusly, he had won a $12,500 Maiden Claiming race by 11 lengths. Since the Dr. Fager, he won a a $25,000 Claiming race for non-winners of 2.

The only other entrant with 2 wins is the spelling challenged March Twelth (Macho Uno - Peaceful Intention by Hold Your Peace), who is a perfect 2 for 2. He won a Maiden race by 5 on July 12, and then an allowance race on August 22. The winning margin in the allowance race was more than 4 lengths. Finishing behind March Twelth in this allowance race were Dakota Bob (Greatness - Poly Pop A Top by Devongate), who closed to get 2nd, and Masterofballydoyle (Sligo Bay (IRE) - Witch Tradition by Holy Bull), who was 6th. Masterofballydoyle broke his maiden in a $16,000 Maiden Claiming race on June 1 and has an overall record of 5 starts, 1 win, 1 5th, 2 6ths, and 1 8th. Dakota Bob broke his maiden in a $25,000 Maiden Claiming race on July 24, where Decaf Again (Wised Up - Pot of Coffee by Kris S.) finished 2nd. Since that defeat, Decaf Again broke his maiden at the $25,000 level on August 9.

Both Bidham (Trippi - Secret of Front by Saint Ballado) and Vinnies Wild Tale (West Acre - Royal Prairie by Louis Quatorze) broke their maidens in their 2nd, and most recent, start. Bidham never trailed in his race, a $50,000 Maiden Claiming race at Calder on August 8, which he won by more than 6. Vinnies Wild Tale stalked in his win, a $50,000 Maiden Claiming race at Saratoga on August 14.

Flying Speed (Crown Delite - Crazy Canard by Woodman) is the only maiden in the main body of the race. He finished 2nd in his only start, a $25,000 Maiden Claiming race, on August 3 at Calder, closing well after a slow start.

Stately Character (Pleasant Tap - London Valley by Fast Play), on the AE list, is also a maiden. He has run twice, finishing 4th on July 12 and 2nd on August 16. Both of his races were Maiden Special Weight races at Calder.

The Seacliff Stakes is part of the Calder Juvenile Showcase. Read more about the Showcase here.

Run Smart One

September 6, 2008
Delaware Park Race 1
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 12:45 PM HRTV

Run Smart One (Smarty Jones - Literary Light by Ide) deputs at Delaware Park after working at Saratoga in August. Run Smart One is the first foal out of grade III stakes-placed Literary Light, who earned $327,311 in her career and was a 2-year old winner. Literary Light is a full-sister to stakes winner Junior College, who has earned $403,306 through 2008. Smarty Jones is the sire of 10 runners who have made 17 total starts, recording 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and $125,715.

Afleet Aussie (Northern Afleet - Cervante (AUS) by King's Theatre (IRE)) and Don Telladaga (Max's Pal - Kissintobeclever by Kissin Kris) have faced earch other twice at Delaware Park on July 27 and July 13. Afleet Aussie finished 2nd in both races, Don Telladaga finished 8th on July 13, and 4th on July 27. Afleet Aussie is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 9 winners, including 2 stakes winners. Don Telladaga is the first foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Finished 3rd in his only start, a Maiden Special Weight on Delaware on August 11, was Irascibull (Holy Bull - Aerobatics by Caro (IRE)). Irascibull is out of the winning mare, Aerobatics, who has produced 5 winners, including grade III stakes winner Smooth Maneuvers. Smooth Maneuvers earned $221,310 in an 11 race career, only finishing out of the money once.

The final experienced entrant is Inmigrante (Famous Again - Sue's Last Dance by Forty Niner), who was 6th in his only start at Delaware on August 25. Inmigrante is a half-brother to grade I stakes winner and millionaire Island Sand. Island Sand won or placed in 9 stakes.

Selling for $775,000 as a yearling was Ice Road (Unbridled's Song - Runup the Colors by A. P. Indy). Runup the Colors, dam of Ice Road, was a grade I winner who earned $555,024. She was also a winner at 2. Runup the Colors has produced 3 winners. She is also a half-sister to Prospectors Delite, dam of grade I winners Tomisue's Delight and Mineshaft.

Little Turtle (Yonaguska - Jetazelle by Tri Jet), who sold for $60,000 as a yearling, is out of a mare who won at 2 and 3. Little Turtle is a half-brother to 4 winners, including stakes winner Runaway Jet, and a full-brother to stakes winner Cherokee Country. Cherokee Country, who was a 2-year old winner, won or placed in 6 stakes and earned $234,110.

Beatrippi (Trippi - Be Silver by Silver Buck) was a $28,000 2-yearling. His dam, Be Silver, was stakes-placed at 2. Be Silver has produced 2 winners from 2 to run.

It Happened Again (Proud Citizen - Quiet Lucky by Quiet American) is out of mare who was a 2-year old winner. It Happened Again is a half-brother to 3 winners, including stakes winner Lucky Sam, and grade III stakes-placed Murch.

Grand Motion (Way West (FR) - Poppins Popper by Whatever For) is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 6 winners.

Red Bird Will Attempt to Rule the Turf

September 6, 2008
Calder Race 1
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile turf
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 12:50 PM HRTV

Red Bird Rules returns for her 4th start overall and her first turf start, although the odds of this race actually going on the turf are pretty slim. It's the rainy season at Calder and the conditions Friday were a sloppy main track and off the turf. She is coming off her best effort, a 2nd place finish on August 10 at Calder after setting the pace. Previously, she finished 6th on June 21 and 7th on July 12. Since her last start, Red Bird Rules has had a work in the slop at Calder. The dam of Red Bird Rules was a winner, and she has produced one winner from two 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. Peace Rules is the sire of 27 runners who have made 64 total starts, recording 14 wins, 7 seconds, and 8 thirds, and $313,320.

Also returning from Red Bird Rules' August 10 start are Devilinareddress (Monsieur Cat - Ladyinareddress by Tactical Advantage) and Tut's Treasure (Untuttable - The Faster You Get by Entropy), who finished 7th and 8th respectively. Devilinareddress is the first foal out of the stakes winner, Ladyinareddress, who earned $128,009. Ladyinareddress was also stakes-placed at 2. Tut's Treasure, who brought $50,000 as a 2-year old, is out of a mare who was stake-placed at 2, and earned $104,560 in her career. Tut's Treasure is a half-sister to 4 winners, including 1 that won at 2.

Wild Actress (Wild Event - Act Foolish by Noactor) and Avalon Light (Colony Light - Village Fair by Meadowlake) last ran in the GTOBA Juvenile Filly Turf Dash Stakes on August 2, where Wild Actress finished 3rd and Avalon Light 4th. Wild Actress is the first foal out of mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Cigar Charlie. Avalon Light, who previously finished 3rd twice in 2 maiden races, is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners.

East to Eden (E Dubai - Heaven Knows Why by Star de Naskra) has run 3 times, all at Calder, finishing 5th on August 8, 5th on July 6, and 7th on May 31. Selling for $50,000 as a 2-year old, East to Eden is out of a dam who was a stakes winner who earned $133,720. East of Eden is a half-sister to 7 winners.

Ms. Lively (Mr. Livingston - Notatinkertoy by Great Above) finished 3rd on August 2 and 4th on July 13. Both of these races were Maiden Claiming races at Calder. Ms. Lively is out of a winning mare, who has produced 3 winners from 4 to run.

Another veteran of 2 starts is Viva Summer (Black Mambo - Miss Pangea by Honor Grades), who has finished 7th twice at Calder, on August 17 and August 3, both Maiden Special Weight races. Viva Summer is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, including grade III stakes-placed Mad Flatter. Mad Flatter also won 2 races at 2.

Simply In (Snuck In - Simply Valid by Kipper Kelly), who finished 6th in his only start on August 17 at Calder, is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners.

The main body of the field is completed by debut runner Legend of Turtle (More Than Ready - Boxcar Express by Private Express), who brought $45,000 as a weanling. Boxcar Express, dam of Legend of Turtle was a debut winner at 2 who also was stakes-placed that year.

Bon Bon (Gimmeawink - Biscotti by Regal Classic) is a MTO entrant for the race. He has run twice, finishing 3rd on July 17 and 8th on June 22. Bon Bon is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Baxter. Baxter was a debut winner at 2 and a stakes winner later that year. Strangely enough, Baxter ran at Belmont on September 5, almost exactly the same time as I am writing this.

On the AE list for this race are Samantha G (Macho Uno - Doc's Doll by Out of Place), Fulfilling (Aldebaran - Scorching by Dynaformer), and Bellehara (Tiger Ridge - Poms Rising Star by Risen Star). Samantha G, who finished 3rd in her only start on August 14, is the 2nd foal out of stakes winner Doc's Doll. Doc's Doll, who was also stakes-placed at 2, earned $207,985 in her career. Fulfilling was 7th in her only start, on July 19 at Calder. She is out of a winning mare who has produced one winner. Bellehara, who sold for $15,000 as a weanling, is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners. She finished 6th in her only start on August 2.

Inspeightofsuccess, She's Due to be a Frequent Flyer

September 6, 2008
Turfway Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:32 PM TVG

Inspeightofsuccess (Speightstown - Essence of Success by Deputy Minister) debuts on the Turfway Park Polytrack, where she has been working since early August. Inspeightofsuccess, who sold for $40,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 2 winners, including 1 that won at 2. Speightstown's 27 runners have made 44 total starts, recording 7 wins, 9 seconds, 10 thirds, and $463,268.

Illegal Search (Officer - Temporada by Summer Squall) has finished 2nd twice at Ellis Park, on August 2 and July 12. Illegal Search, a $80,000 yearling, is out of winning mare who has produced 3 winners. Included among her winners is Stormy Afternoon, who was stakes-placed as a 2-year old.

Seventh in her only start, at Ellis Park on August 16, was She's Due (Devil His Due - J. D. and Water by Northern Prospect). J. D. and Water, dam of She's Due, was a 2-year old debut winner and also won three stakes that year. She was also a stakes winner at 3, and earned $233,217 overall. As a broodmare, J. D. and Water has produced 3 winners, including stakes winner J D's Deelites.

The only other filly with experience is Sugarandice (Dixie Union - Mambo Woman by Kingmamb), who finished 10th in her only race, at Churchill Downs on July 6, behind C. S. Silk. C. S. Silk runs in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakees on September 6. Sugarandice is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 7 winners, including Antoniette who won the Athenia (gr. III) and earned $399,140.

Olga's Marbles (Syncline - Gruda by Strawberry Road (AUS)) is out of a winning mare who has produced one winner.

Alexandrina (Golden Missile - American Czarina by Quiet American) is the 2nd foal out of the stakes-placed mare American Czarina, who earned $147,485. American Czarina is also a half-sister to stakes winner, Joopy Doopy.

Past Twilight (Pulpit - Jazz Rags by Dixieland Band) is a half-sister to 4 winners, including Right Place N Time, a winner at 2.

Zealous Connection, dam of Frequent Flyer (Touch Gold - Zealous Connection by Unreal Zeal), was 2 for 2 at 2, including a win in the Landaluce Stakes (gr. II). She has produced 5 winners, including stakes winners There's Zealous and She's Zealous, and grade III stakes winner Here's Zealous. Here's Zealous was stakes-placed at 2 and earned $456,032 overall.

Clique (Cape Town - Classic Canvas by Broad Brush) is a half-sister to the winner Spokalu, and her dam is a half-sister to 5 winners including Dr Arbatach, a group I winner in Puerto Rico.

Smarty Marty Plays Brahms on a Gold Record

September 6, 2008
Belmont Race 5
Maiden Claiming ($40,000)
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:07 PM HRTV/TVG

Smarty Marty (Smarty Jones - Frozen Rope by Clever Trick) makes her third start, after finishing 7th in her debut on July 24, and 10th and last on August 24. In her last start, she showed good speed before tiring, so the cut back to 5.5 furlongs, plus the drop to Maiden Claiming may be enough to change the outcome. Frozen Rope, dam of Smarty Marty, was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and has 7 winners from 7 to race, including stakes winner Knot So Clever, who was also a debut winner at 2. Smarty Jones is the sire of 10 runners who have made 17 total starts, recording 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and $125,715.

Imandra (Menifee - Lady Quatorze by Louis Quatorze) finished 8th, behind Smarty Marty, on July 24. Imandra is a half-sister to 2 winners including stakes winner, Dawn Before Dawn, who has earned $150,036 through 2008. Dawn Before Dawn was the winner of the Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar on August 31 and was also a winner at 2.

The only other horse with experience is Who Plays Brahms (Brahms - Who Can Tell by Capote) who was 3rd in a Maiden Claiming race at Saratoga on August 13. Who Plays Brahms is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes-placed Why You.

Freshman sire Chapel Royal is the sire of debuters Miss Royale (Chapel Royal - Miss Say by Oh Say) and Royally Fortunate (Chapel Royal - The Final Toy by Fortunate Prospect). Chapel Royal's 45 runners have made 106 total starts, recording 12 wins, 13 seconds, 17 thirds, and $378,547. Miss Royale, who sold for $25,000 at 2, is out of Miss Say, who was a 2-year old winner and earned $124,201. Miss Say has produced 3 winners from 3 to run. Royally Fortunate is the 2nd foal out of the mare The Final Toy, who was a winner at 2. The Final Toy is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Selling for $43,000 as a yearling was Credit Limit (Bernstein - A Girl Needs Cash by Housebuster), who is out of the stakes-placed mare, A Girl Needs Cash. A Girl Needs Cash, who earned $126,487 in her career, is a half-sister to grade III stakes winner Careless Heiress.

Mama Brown (Lightnin N Thunder - Honey in the Lead by Mr. Leader), who sold for $26,000 at 2, is a half-sister to 3 winners, 2 of which won at 2.

Gold Record (Concorde's Tune - Christmas Gold by Slew o'Gold) is out of a winning mare who has produced 6 winners, including stakes winner Christmas Lights. Christmas Lights, who earned $172,041, was also a winner at 2.

Payton d'Oro In Awe of Sky Diva

September 6, 2008
Delaware Park Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:27 PM HRTV

Payton d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Jealous and Jaded by Jade Hunter) debuts in a full field of mostly fellow first-timers at 6 furlongs at Delware Park, where she has been working since late June. Payton d'Oro, who sold for $35,000 as a yearling, is out of a winning mare who has produced 3 winners from 3 to run. Medaglia d'Oro has sired 29 runners who have made 63 total starts, recording 11 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds, and $428,375.

Instant Style (Forestry - Golden Damsel by Gold Token) and Ocean Moon (Malibu Moon - Mt. Kobla by Mt. Livermore) previously met on August 10th at Delaware, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. I went back and looked at the replay of this one. Ocean Moon was with the pace and had the lead in the stretch, where she was overtaken by Graceful Ginger. Instant Style closed with a rush to pass Ocean Moon late and just missed the win. Golden Damsel, the dam of Instant Style, was a winner at 2 and a stakes winner at 3, and earned $241,502 overall. Instant Style is her first foal. Ocean Moon is the first foal out of a winning mare.

Patti's Unbridled Cat (Unbridled's Song - Troubling by Storm Cat) has run twice at Delaware, finishing 2nd on August 11 and 6th on July 12. Patti's Unbridled Cat, who sold for $90,000 as a 2-year old, is a half- or full-sister to 3 winners.

Another who has two starts at Delaware is Shug (Rainmaker - South of Kandahar by Party Manners), who finished 6th on August 5 and 3rd on July 12. Shug is the 2nd foal out of a placed mare who is a half- or full-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Lord Comet who was also a 2-year old winner and earned $532,738.

The final entrant with experience is Seminole Lass (Indian Charlie - Inside Emotion by Miswaki) who was 4th in her only start, a maiden contest at Saratoga on August 14. Seminole Lass, who brought $95,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes-placed Madison Meadows.

The top seller in the race is Sky Diva (Sky Mesa - Swift Girl by Unbridled), who brought $100,000 as a yearling and $250,000 at 2. Sky Diva is a half-sister to stakes winner Quick Little Miss. At 2, Quick Little Miss won the Barretts Debutante Stakes and the Moccasin Stakes, and finished 2nd in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) and 3rd in the Oak Leaf Breeders' Cup (gr. I). Overall, she earned $287,080.

What a Smile (Aptitude - Unfinished Dream by Silver Deputy) was a $100,000 yearling and is the first foal out of the unraced mare, Unfinished Dream. Unfinished Dream is a half-sister to 4 stakes winner, including 1997 Champion 2-year old filly, Countess Diana. Countess Diana won 5 of 6 starts at 2 and earned $1,019,785 that year.

Touchy Wheely (Wheelaway - Touchmeifyoucan by Touch Gold) is a half-sister to the winner My Luckey Penney, and their dam is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Sashshay Away (Malibu Moon - Buy the Dips by Meadowlake) is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners from 2 to run, including stakes-placed Yankee Victoria.

Cuvana (Cuvee - Creative Trickster by Clever Trick) is by first-year sire Cuvee, whose 28 runners have made 66 combined starts, registering 6 wins, 10 seconds, 11 thirds, and $197,122. Cuvana is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Bruce's Mill.

Mystic Rhythms, dam of In Awe (Came Home - Mystic Rhythms by Citidancer) was a stakes winner at 2 and finished 4th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). Overall, she earned $210,564. As a broodmare, Mystic Rhythms has produced 3 winners, including stakes winners Mystic Chant and Mystic Soul. Mystic Soul was a debut winner at 2 and stakes-placed that same year.

On the AE list is Lady Mercedes (Sky Mesa - Mercedes Too by Mercedes Won) who sold for $37,000 as a yearling and $110,000 as a 2-year old. Lady Mercedes is a half-sister to 3 winners, including 2 which won at 2.

New to this Blog

September 5

Memom Lil (filly; Congaree - Sly Butterfly by Pulpit) worked 4 furlongs at Belmont Park in :49.44. Memom Lil, who sold for $145,000 as a 2-year old, is out of the stakes winner Sly Butterfly. Sly Butterfly has produced 1 winner from 1 to race, Wind in My Wings, who was a stakes winner at 2 and who has earned $134,883 through 2008.