Two scratches on the day, Kelode (Saarland) and Da Bear Facts (Congaree). I kind of had an inkling that Kelode would be scratched when I received on workout notice for him on Saturday morning. His race was taken by Lord Justice. West Side Bernie took the Kentucky Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park, the race Da Bear Facts scratched out of.

Renda Draws Off in the Brave Raj

Sweet Repent was restless in the gate, but once the doors opened she went right to the lead. Renda (Medaglia d'Oro) took a step back at the break, but soon recovered and attached herself to Sweet Repent's side. She drew alongside Sweet Repent on the turn, and the jockey of the latter horse went to his whip. But, she had no response for Renda. Renda drew off by 5, despite running on the wrong lead through the lane. It was nice for Renda to be back in Florida where they know how to pronounce her name. Renda has now won three races, including 2 stakes, earning $107,093.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Calder Race 6
Brave Raj Stakes

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Dixie is Lovin' Not Long Livin

Long Live Dixie (Peace Rules) broke on top, but dropped back to assume a pressing position. Pride of Alke took the lead, but she was soon passed by a stalking Lovin' Dixie. It was all over after that, as favorite Lovin' Dixie continued to increase her lead throughout. The final margin was more than 13 lengths. On the other hand, Long Live Dixie went backwards through the field and ended up 6th (last).

Result: September 27, 2008 
Laurel Park Race 2
Claiming

Equibase Chart

Dixie's Flying Past Fabriziano

Intense Encounter ran off in the post parade and was a late scratch. Dixie's Flying took the lead soon after the start and increased her lead throughout. Valid Strike made a move in the stretch and gained 2nd, but didn't threaten the winner. This was our second race at Laurel and the second time the winner won by 13. The track was sloppy and there wasn't much hope of making up ground. Fabriziano (Congaree) took a lot of early money at the windows, but didn't show much once the gates opened. With the track conditions, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and wait for next time.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Laurel Park Race 3
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Graeme Wafer Rules L. A. and Barrichello

L. A. Rules (Peace Rules) caught my eye in the post parade, looking ready for action. After the break, L A. Rules dueled with Up Country early. He was able to put that one away, but didn't have enough left to stop the closing Graeme Water. Barrichello (Congaree) broke in the air and then raced wide, not having much impact.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Woodbine Race 4
Maiden Claiming

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It's an Event for Allie Despeightitall

Despeightitall (Speightstown) came out slow and never really got involved. But the race itself was pretty exciting. Smokndrinkngamblin dueled with Lord Dubai in the early going. Lord Dubai tired, but fresh competition came in the form of Allie's Event and Webcast. Those three hit the wire together. First-timer Allie's Event got his nose in front of Webcast, who was just a head in front of Smokndrinkngamblin. All three horses delivered good performances. Fourth-place finisher Greater Glory may also be one to watch, as he made up a lot of ground in the stretch.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Turfway Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

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No Reservations for a Prolific Naughty and Bold

My first note on this race says, "foggy" and it certainly was that. Prolific (Medaglia d'Oro) broke well, but was taking back to 4th. Jungleland, Indian Reservation, and Oski Oski were battling for the lead. Prolific was sitting in a perfect position. But, it was Naughty and Bold who took advantage of the pacesetters, making a 3 wide move to the lead and prevailing by a head over Indian Reservation. Those two were well clear of Prolific, who did hold the third spot.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Monmouth Park Race 5
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Prince Charms the Cowboy and the Duke

Cabaret Cowboy broke on top, but he was joined by Prince Charming. Those two raced as a team, with favorite Just a Coincidence back in third. Eventually, Prince Charming began to gain on Cabaret Cowboy and was able to pull clear by some lengths. Cabaret Cowboy may not have won, but he did hold off Just a Coincidence to keep 2nd, continuing Maiden Watch's dominance over that horse. Those three were well clear of the rest of the pack, including Dukes Alley (Speightstown) who was steadied in the turn and showed little afterwards.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

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Emma is the Darling Over Oriental Sunshine and Sweetie Bird

A pack of four, Olga's Marbles, Sky Blue Sky, Interest Me, and This Cat Can Dance broke as a group for the lead, with Emma Darling just off this pack. Interest Me emerged with the lead from the group, as the others began to fall back. Emma Darling came flying down the center of the track and easily went by Interest Me. Sky Blue Sky also showed late interest to get third. The two Maiden Watch horses, Oriental Sunshine (Medaglia d'Oro) and Sweetie Bird (Birdstone) didn't have much impact. Oriental Sunshine ran evenly in 7th, while Sweetie Bird trailed most of the race.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Turfway Race 12
Maiden Special Weight

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Puma is King of Peace Town

Wynning Pursuit and Unsung Song dueled early, but they both tired in the stretch. At that point, King Puma, who had been making steady progress for some time, came between horses to get to the lead. Prowl On closed well, but couldn't catch King Puma. Also making up ground late was Gallatin Forest. Player's List was disqualified from 4th to 8th. Peace Town (Peace Rules) was in a good position, but tired in the stretch.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Presque Isle Downs Race 6
Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes

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Casino Has a Golden Blush

There was a group of about 5 going for the early lead, Catana Perez, Posse's Princess, Donttellmewhattodo, Red White and Brew, and G's Heavenly Union. Interestingly, none of these were around at the finish. Instead, this one belonged to the closers. These included Wear Blush (Congaree) who loitered near the back early, but then started picking off horses and just got up for third (at odds of 41-1). Closing best of all, however, was Casino Gold who went from 6th to 1st in a flash to take the victory. She did have to hold off Hot Summer Breeze, who was closing wide as well.

Result: September 27, 2008 
Oak Tree at Santa Anita Race 11
Maiden Special Weight

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Smart Coco at the Curragh

At the Curragh in Ireland on September 28, Smart Coco (Smarty Jones - Djebel Amour by Mt. Livermore) takes on 12 fillies in the C. L. Weld Stakes (Ire-III). The ground promises to be yielding, but she won her first race on that type of ground, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Bear's Marie Cassidys Pride

September 28, 2008
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:01 PM

Bear's Marie (Congaree - White Line by Expelled) and Cassidys Pride (Medaglia d'Oro - Cassidy by Jolie's Halo) go head-to-head as they debut on the Polytrack at Woodbine. Both have been working at Woodbine for several months. Bear's Marie, who sold for $67,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winners Coax Chelsie and Coax Stardust. Coax Chelsie was a stakes winner at 2, and Coax Stardust was stakes-placed at 2. Congaree is the sire of 33 runners who have made 61 total starts, recording 12 wins, 10 seconds, 5 thirds, and $460,518. Cassidy, dam of Cassidys Pride, won or placed in 12 stakes, including a win in the Azalea Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III), and earned $440,774. Cassidy has produced the winner Cassidy's Gold. Medaglia d'Oro's 36 runners have made 80 collective starts, recording 16 wins, 8 seconds, 11 thirds, and $621,820.

Mindemoya (Smoke Glacken - Queen of the Ice by Alwuhush) is the most experienced filly in the race, having run 4 times at Woodbine. In her most recent start on September 7, she was 3rd in a 6 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest. The dam of Mindemoya was a stakes winner who earned $155,868. Mindemoya is a half-sister to 3 winners, and sold for $62,000 as a yearling.

Diamond Sweet (Montreal Red - Etosha by Never Wavering) finished 4th on September 7, behind Mindemoya. Earlier, she was 7th on August 14 at Woodbine. Diamond Sweet is a half-sister to one winner and her dam is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Finishing 3rd in his only start, at Arlington Park on July 5 was Australian Posse (Posse - Out of Oz by Out of Place). Australian Posse sold for $35,000 as a weanling and $50,000 as a yearling, and is a half-sister to one winner.

The only other entrant with experience is Open Zipper (City Zip - Nearctica by Mazel Trick), who was 8th in her only start on August 21 at Woodbine. Open Zipper is the first foal out of a mare who finished 3rd three times.

Sequin (Silver Deputy - Flower Canyon by Gulch), who sold for $70,000 as a yearling, is out of the 2-year old winning mare, Flower Canyon. Flower Canyon has produced 3 winners, one of which won at 2.

Selling for $34,000 as a yearling was Red With Guilt (Cartwright - Guilty Grin by Smile). Guilty Grin, dam of Red With Guilt, was a winner and has produced 3 winners, including stakes-placed Ally's Little Sis. Ally's Little Sis was also a winner at 2, and has earned $189,083 through 2008.

Dream Crusader (Where's the Ring - Lass's Sword by Crusader Sword) is by first-crop sire, Where's the Ring. Where's the Ring has had 14 starters which have made 32 total starts, recording 5 wins, 2 thirds, and $280,166. His offspring include the undefeated Cawaja Beach who has won 2 stakes. Dream Crusader is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes-placed Cabriolass.

Branksome Hall, dam of Rossbank (Rossini - Branksome Hall by Regal Classic), was a stakes winner who earned $341,585. Rossbank is her 2nd foal. Her first foal, Prince of Alphabet, placed at 2 and 3.

World Gone Wrong (Proud Citizen - It's a Storm by Storm Boot) is the first foal out of winning mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes-placed Gratuity and Double Blue.

2-Year Old Works

New to this Blog

September 27

Wise Impression (filly; Smarty Jones - Mary Cassatt by Broad Brush) worked 3 furlongs in :38.80 at Keeneland. Wise Impression is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a daughter of grade I winner and millionaire Gorgeous.