Ameribelle Shows Wise Speed

Ameribelle (Medaglia d'Oro) broke well and secured a tracking position behind the speed of E. F. F. Sher and Sweet Yulianna. On the first turn, she clipped heels and dropped back a bit to the second tier. She recovered and began to move up on the outside. She moved into 3rd with no visibilty effort and then took control, driving clear by 3. Wise Passion and Speed Note closed to take the 2nd and 3rd spots. Both Legend of Turtle and Just a Dream were eased, and Viva Summer was scratched.

Result: September 19, 2008 
Calder Race 7
Maiden Special Weight

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Toxaway All the Way

As Toxaway (Congaree) broke from the gate, it struck me that she is one of the few grays among the Maiden Watch horses, it also struck me that she was going right for the lead. This she claimed, despite having to clear the whole field from her outside post. Stepinmyboots chased, but gave up after a half. Nice Lookin took up the chase and showed determination, but Toxaway was not to be caught. In fact, she was lengthening her lead throughout the stretch. In the words of the track announcer, "It's all Toxaway."

Result: September 19, 2008 
Remington Park Race 4
Maiden Claiming

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Secret Has Skills Over Tbilisi

Secret Skills went right to the lead, playing "catch me if you can" with the rest of the field. Favored Xchangpleasantries got closest, but she was no match for Secret Skills. In fact, Xchangpleasantries was all out to hold Diva Dawn, who closed well to pick up third. Tbilisi (Birdstone) was near the back of the pack throughout, but never very far from the front. However, she didn't show any punch and setlled for 5th.

Result: September 19, 2008 
Woodbine Race 1
Maiden Claiming

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Dancing Dances Over the Land

Dancing Daisy took the lead soon after the gates opened, with Alexandra's Halo and Saarlandisourland (Saarland) giving chase. Alexandra's Halo fell back first, but Saarlandisourland joined her after 6 furlongs. Marula and Lilly of Paradise took up the pursuit from mid-pack, but they couldn't catch Dancing Daisy either. Interestingly, the talk before the race was all about how Dancing Daisy was a weak favorite. She didn't look so weak in the stretch, while showing the other fillies her heels.

Result: September 19, 2008 
Belmont Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

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Audible Will Hear Buddy's Song for a Brave Victory

September 20, 2008
Belmont Park Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
7 furlongs
2-year Olds
Post Time: 1:35 PM HRTV/TVG

After not making it in from the MTO list the last time he was entered, Audible (Congaree - Miss Marcia by Mr. Greeley) will try again. Audible has made one start, finishing 8th at Belmont Park on July 17, behind Break Water Edison. Since that race, he has been working regularly at Belmont Park. Audible, who sold for $300,000 as a yearling, is out of a mare who earned $95,925, including a third place finish in the Lake Placid (gr. IIT). Audible is a half-brother to one winner. Congaree has sired 28 runners who have made a combined 53 starts, recording 12 wins, 8 seconds, 3 thirds, and $442,230.

Brave Victory (Lion Heart - I'm in Celebration by Copelan) ran twice at Saratoga, finishing 2nd both times (on July 23 and August 25). Selling for $200,000 as a yearling, Brave Victory is by leading freshman sire Lion Heart. Lion Heart's 51 runners have made a combined 111 starts, registering 20 wins, 16 seconds, and 11 thirds, and $902,545. I'm in Celebration, dam of Brave Victory, was a winner and has produced 8 winners, including stakes winners Nice to Know and Cheers and Tears.

Mayor Marv (Distorted Humor - Miss Wineshine by Wolf Power (SAF)) was third in his only start, on August 27 at Saratoga. Miss Wineshine, dam of Mayor Marv, was a stakes winner at 2 and earned $189,080. Miss Wineshine has produced 2 winners.

Japanese-bred Florentino (Swept Overboard - Must Be Loved (JPN) by Sunday Silence) finished 5th in his only start, at Saratoga on August 23. Florentino sold for $1,226,120 as a weanling and is a half-brother to 4 winners. One of his siblings, Rhein Kraft, was a group I winner in Japan.

Downrigger (Read the Footnotes - Exclusive Eskimo by Ecliptical) is the final entrant with experience, having finished 6th at Keeneland back on April 9. Downrigger is by first-crop sire Read the Footnotes, whose 17 runners have made 37 total starts, recording 7 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, and $238,328. Exclusive Eskimo, dam of Downrigger, was a stakes winner who earned $204,421. Exclusive Eskimo, who also won at 2, has produced 2 winners. One of her offspring won at 2.

Selling for $250,000 as a yearling was All the Bases (Grand Slam - Diversa by Tabasco Cat). Diversa, dam of All the Bases, was a winner at 2 and a stakes winner at 3. She earned $226,751 in her career and has produced one winner. That winner, Divide and Conquer, was a winner at 2.

Buddy's Song (Unbridled's Song - Summer Wind Dancer by Siberian Summer) brought $180,000 as a yearling. He is the first foal out of Summer Wind Dancer, a grade II winner who earned $898,762. As a 2-year old, Summer Wind Dancer was a debut winner and won 2 stakes.

Captain Booyah (Sky Mesa - Captain's Girl by Miswaki), who sold for $120,000 as a yearling, is a half-brother to one winner, who did win at 2.

Inclusive Faith (Include - Tiger's Wedge by Slew o' Gold) sold for $50,000 as a yearling and $100,000 as a 2-year old. He is a half-brother to 3 winners, including one that won at 2.

Sweet Life, dam of Calimonco (Storm Cat - Sweet Life by Kris S.) was a stakes winner, who was also 1 for 1 at 2. In her career, she earned $223,486. Sweet Life is the dam of champion and millionaire Sweet Catomine, a full-sister to Calimonco. As a 2-year old, Sweet Catomine won 3 stakes, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).

Greenapple Martini Will Be Dealin in Dreams for Thrill Time

September 20, 2008
Woodbine Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
7 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:33 PM

Greenapple Martini (Medaglia d'Oro - Trishyde Slew by Seattle Slew) debuts at Woodbine, where she has been working regularly since early July. She sold for $145,000 as a weanling and is a half-sister to 2 winners, including Virginia Plain. Virginia Plain was a 2-year old winner and earned $185,308. Medaglia d'Oro has sired 32 runners who have made 72 total starts, recording 14 wins, 8 seconds, and 10 thirds, and $549,289.

Cafe Au Mey (Kafwain - Castle Mey by With Approval) and Deeveetee (Doneraile Court - Diamonds to Me by Belong to Me) met in the Muskoka Stakes, a 7 furlong race at Woodbine on September 1. In that race, Cafe Au Mey closed to take 4th and Deeveetee faded to 5th. Cafe Au Mey, who sold for $42,741 as a yearling, previously finished 4th and 3rd in two Maiden Special Weight contests at Woodbine. Cafe Au Mey is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Hi Trail who was stakes-placed at 2. Deeveetee was 2nd in her only other start, a Maiden race at Woodbine on August 14. She was a $44,641 yearling. Diamonds to Me, dam of Deeveetee, was stakes-placed at 2 and has produced one winner, Marquis Diamond, who won at 2 and has earned $62,978.

Fiddlesticks (Pleasant Tap - Whistling Maid by Bold n' Flashy) has run twice at Woodbine, finishing 2nd on July 19 and 9th on August 2. She is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare who was a 2-year old winner who earned $331,242 in her career.

Finishing 2nd in her only start, on September 7 at Woodbine, was Rashnaa (Tapit - Tanuki by Affirmed), who is by freshman sire Tapit. Tapit has sired 32 starters who have made 80 total starts, recording 13 wins, 18 seconds, 7 thirds, and $592,887. Rashnaa is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Mistda. Mistda, who was also a winner at 2, earned $150,396 in her 9 race career.

Also by a first-year sire is Divine Destiny (Friends Lake - Chic Sheba by Alysheba), by Friends Lake. Divine Destiny finished third in her only start, a 7 furlong race on the Woodbine turf on August 31. The first time she was entered, on August 15, she was scratched at the gate after acting up. I am a little surprised that they didn't stick with the turf for this one. Friends Lake's 22 runners have made 42 total starts with 5 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds, and $306,611. Chic Sheba, dam of Divine Destiny, was a winner and has produced 6 winners from 7 to run.

Dealin in Dreams (Scrimshaw - Deal Us In by Mister Baileys (GB)), by first-crop sire Scrimshaw, ran just 4 days ago on September 16. In that race, she unseated her rider soon after the start. She must have come out of the race relatively unscathed to be running back so quickly and moving up in class from Fort Erie to Woodbine. Scrimshaw's 21 runners have made 61 total starts with 7 wins, 8 seconds, 9 thirds, and $197,558. Dealin in Dreams is the 2nd foal out of an unraced mare, whose first foal was a winner.

The final filly with experience is Glaslyn (Forestry - Extend by Unbridled's Song), who was 6th at Woodbine on August 31, her only start. Glaslyn, who sold for $525,000 as a yearling, is the 2nd foal out of the stakes winner Extend. Extend earned $436,856 in her career and was also a winner at 2.

Selling for $200,000 at 2 was Luxaholic (Macho Uno - Lil Punkindo by Maria's Mon) whose dam, Lil Punkindo, was a stakes winner. Lil Punkindo, who also won 2 races at 2, has produced the stakes winner Won Awesome Dude. Won Awesome Dude has earned $192,407 through 2008 and runs in the Mass Cap on Sept 20.

Freshman sire Chapel Royal is the sire of debuter Gellhorn (Chapel Royal - Irish Doon by Doonesbury). Chapel Royal's 53 runners have made 133 total starts, registering 15 wins, 14 seconds, 24 thirds, and $473,646. Gellhorn is a half-sister to 9 winners, including Quarter Irish who was stakes-placed at 2.

Thrill Time (Running Stag - Awesome Thrill by Awesome Again) is the first foal out of the unraced mare Awesome Thrill, who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including 2 that won at 2. One of Awesome Thrill's winning siblings is by Running Stag, dam of Thrill Time.

Do-over for Phu Bird and Peace Reigns

September 20, 2008
Louisiana Downs Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:29 PM TVG

Peace Reigns (Peace Rules - Diamond Dottie by Eagle Eyed) and Phu Bird (Birdstone - Phu Cat by Tabasco Cat) will once again try to take to the Louisiana Downs track, after being washed out last Saturday. Much of the field is back as well. Peace Reigns, who was 8th in her debut on August 23 at Louisiana Downs after showing early interest, is a half-sister to the winner, Prime Diamond, who has earned $89,072 through 2008. Peace Reigns' dam, Diamond Dottie, is a half-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winner Really Crafty. Peace Rules is the sire of 31 runners who have made 81 total starts, recording 16 wins, 13 seconds, 10 thirds, and $383,032. Phu Bird, who sold for $35,000 as a yearling and $77,000 at 2, is a half-sister to 2 winners. First-time starter Phu Bird has been working at Louisiana Downs since the beginning of June. Birdstone's 18 runners have made 44 collective starts, registering 7 wins, 6 seconds, 6 thirds, and earnings of $325,714.

Finishing 2nd, in front of Peace Reigns, on August 23 was Executive Girl (Cape Canaveral - Peaking Diablo by Diablo), who previously was 3rd at Louisiana Downs on June 26. Executive Girl is the first foal out of a mare who was a winner at 2, and who is a half-sister to 2 winners and a full-sister to stakes-placed Diablo's Peak.

The only other filly with experience is Bailey's Brook (Karen's Cat - Lone Wolf's Rose by Jack Livingston), who was 7th at Lone Star way back on May 22. Bailey's Brook is out of a mare who was a winner at 2 and 3 and who has produced 2 winners. These winners include Miss Know It All, stakes-placed at 2.

Proudest Romeo is the sire of Affirmed Truth (Proudest Romeo - Encore Amour by Affirmed) and Awesome Truth (Proudest Romeo - Heavens Passport by Awesome Again). Affirmed Truth is a half-sister to 3 winners, including 2-year old winner Da Birdman. Awesome Truth is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including one 2-year old winner.

R S Valentine (Storm and a Half - Shauna's Schedule by Geiger Counter) is a full-sister to the winner, Storming Abbey.

Also by Storm and a Half is Dona's Diva (Storm and a Half - My Girl Amy by Danzig Connection), who is a full-sister to 2 winners. These winners include Rachelsarompin, stakes winning earner of $106,020.

Golden Tree (Golden Missile - Timber Turn by Woodman) is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 6 winners, including grade I winner and millionaire West by West. West by West was also a 2-year old winner and ran third in the Arlington-Washington Futurity that year.

Cypress Crossing (Wagon Limit - Louisa by Menifee) is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is full- or half-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winner Blue Sky Baby.

Roll Preslee Roll (Dove Hunt - Howdy Do by Rubiano) is out of a winning mare who has produced 1 winner from 1 to run.

Pay the Line, dam of Flower Cat (Storm Day - Pay the Line by Line In The Sand), was stakes-placed and has produced 1 winner, a full-sister to Flower Cat.

Missunitednations  and Winestone Debut in Philly

September 20, 2008
Philadelphia Park Race 10
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 4:16 PM

Missunitednations (Peace Rules - Sister Greeley by Mr. Greeley) and Winestone (Birdstone - Miz Dixie by Dixieland Band) debut at Philadelphia Park where both have been working since July. Missunitednations is out of a winning mare who has produced one winner. Peace Rules is the sire of 31 runners who have made 81 total starts, recording 16 wins, 13 seconds, 10 thirds, and $383,032. Winestone is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half- or full-sister to 4 winners, including Five Towns. Five Towns was stakes-placed at 2 and has earned $121,856 through 2008. Birdstone's 18 runners have made 44 collective starts, recording 7 wins, 6 seconds, 6 thirds, and $325,714.

Marco's Red Rose (Marco Bay - Crimson Clover by Flying Pidgeon) and Naturally High (Talk Is Money - Morning High by Aggressive Chief) met on September 8 at Philadelphia Park in a 5 furlong race, with Marco's Red Rose finishing 5th and Naturally High finishing 6th. Both fillies were making their first starts in that one. Marco's Red Rose is out of a mare who is a half- or full-sister to 6 winners, including Mimi's Cherub who was stakes-placed at 2. Morning High, dam of Naturally High, was a winner who has produced the winner Talk to You Later, a full-sister to Naturally High.

Fire Water (Cape Canaveral - Oyster Bay by Saint Ballado), who has run twice at Philadelphia Park, is the only other experienced filly. She finished 5th on August 10 and 11th on August 31. She also was entered in, but scratched out of the September 8 race where Marco's Red Rose and Naturally High ran. Fire Water is a half-sister to one winner and her dam is a daughter of grade III winner, Clamorosa.

Selling for $100,000 as a 2-year old was Denali Glitter (Officer - Spanish Glitter by Glitterman). Spanish Glitter, dam of Denali Glitter, was a 2-year old winner and a stakes winner at 3 and 4. In her career, she earned $450,600. Spanish Glitter has produced 2 winners from 2 to run, including stakes-placed Mount Glitter.

Ten Lil Indians (Sir Cherokee - Bunch by Polish Navy) is out of winning mare who has produced 2 winners.

Play all Day , dam of Steady Play (Aldebaran - Play all Day by Steady Growth), was a stakes winner at 2, who earned $145,058. As a Broodmare, Play All Day has produced 6 winners, including graded stakes winners Hedonist and Seeking Daylight.

Just Jenda (Menifee - Liberty School by Pine Bluff) is out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $104,853. Just Jenda is a half-sister to the winner Homecoming.