Noble Rule (Peace Rules) is entered in a race at Calder on October 2, but he is 5th on the AE list. So, I think I will skip the preview for that one, especially as he is also entered on Friday at Calder.

Don't forget to check out Alan Porter's Pedigree Analysis on Lord Shanakill (Speightstown).

Loving Roe is Easy When She's Winning

Loving Roe is Easy (Peace Rules) came out well and was able to clear the field and get to the rail. My Sister Leona was chasing, but Loving Roe is Easy was moving easily and setting soft fractions (:24.13, :48.84). In the stretch, she began to lengthen her lead without effort. However, she began to tire late and the favorite, Truly Divine was closing. Luckily, the wire came in time and it was Loving Roe is Easy by a neck, the 16th winner for Peace Rules.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Meadowlands Race 1
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Congor Bay Inhales the Bear

Congor Bay (Speightstown) broke a beat slow, as entry-mates Saint Bear and Bear's Ali battled early on. Saint Bear soon emerged from that pair to establish a clear lead. Congor Bay was let loose on the turn, and cruised by Saint Bear like he was standing still. He continued to widen his lead under a hand ride. Congor Bay, who is the 10th winner for Speightstown, runs for his breeder, Eugene Melnyk, who also raced Speightstown.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Woodbine Race 1
Maiden Special Weight

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Maram Rings Freedom for Our Golden Dream

Miss Bodine held the early lead, pursued by My Magic Moment and Casanova Move. Our Golden Dream made a big move, but flattened out and finished 8th. Meanwhile up front, Maram, Freedom Rings, and My Magic Moment all converged on the wire. Maram was closing best and took the victory. Our Golden Dream made virtually the same move that she did in her maiden, but this time she could not sustain. I'm not sure if it was the yielding turf or the step up in competition, but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Since they did run on the turf, MTO Saarlandisourland (Saarland) was scratched.

Read more about the Miss Grillo (and the Pilgrim, won by Elusive Bluff) here.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 7
Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. III)

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They're Late is Longandstrong

Toby the Coal Man was acting up in the gate before the start and was off slow. True Ally broke on top and went to the lead, but Longandstrong (Birdstone) broke well too and went off in pursuit. He stuck to True Ally's flank throughout the early going. He moved even with True Ally, but They're Late came running on the outside and bumped Longandstrong, as he was sandwiched between his opponents. Longandstrong held well, but he couldn't stop They're Late who won by almost 2 lengths. This race was almost 2.5 seconds faster than the Maiden Claiming race won by Loving Roe is Easy earlier on the card.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Meadowlands Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

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Hogan Beach Picks Up the Pieces at Second Glance

This one came off the turf, resulting in the scratching of Dismissal, Nervous Laughter, Platinum Bride, Seattle Tapdance, and Set. On the other hand, MTO Pick Up the Pieces made it into the race. Second Glance (Smarty Jones) broke well and was part of the pace, along with Delectable Cat and Bright Array. These three separated themselves from the rest of the runners. Second Glance was making some progress on the turn, but she tired and lost some placings, finishing 6th. Meanwhile, Hogan Beach was closing in the middle of the track. She took control, winning by more than 4. Pick Up the Pieces, well, picked up the pieces, closing to just get up for second over a weakened Delectable Cat.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Laurel Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

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Keep Safe Sweeps by the Misted Lake and Tbilisi

Misted Lake and The Brass Pole battled early with Misted Lake gaining the upper hand. She pulled forward as The Brass Pole went backward. Misted Lake seemed home free, but Keep Safe was closing relentlessly, overtaking Misted Lake in the stretch. Kia Ora Cat, River Lime, and Tbilisi (Birdstone) were going well late, but didn't threaten the top pair. I knew Tbilisi was in trouble when she was the post time favorite. She didn't run a bad race, ending up 5th, but probably needs a little more pace to run at.

Result: October 1, 2008 
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

Hey Smarty Be an Opposition Leader in Rowdy Town

October 2, 2008
Louisiana Downs Race 10
Maiden Special Weight
6.5 furlongs
2-year Olds
Post Time: 6:56 PM

Hey Smarty (Smarty Jones - Miss Seffens by Dehere) debuts at Louisiana Downs where he has been working since late May. Most recently, he has had a couple of 6 furlong works, which should set him up for this 6.5 furlong contest. Stakes winner Miss Seffens, dam of Hey Smarty, earned $502,600 in a career that included a debut win at 2. Smarty Jones has sired 13 starters who have made 24 total starts, recording 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and $176,939.

Moving Fighter (Fistfite - Regal Mover by Northiam) and Rowdy Town (Harperstown - Demons Rowdy Angel by Demons Begone) met on September 14 in a 5 furlong contest at Louisiana Downs, finishing 6th and 12th respectively. Moving Fighter, who previously was 7th at Lone Star Park on July 12, is a half-brother to 2 winners. Rowdy Town is a half-brother to 2 winners.

Opposition Leader (El Leopardo - Cradlesong by Pine Bluff) has run three times, most recently finishing 3rd at Louisiana Downs on September 7 in a mile and 70 yard contest. Opposition Leader is a half-brother to stakes winner Slew by Slew. Slew by Slew won the Centennial Stakes at 2, and has earned $137,661 through 2008.

The only other entrant with experience is Jake Wil Gallop (Victory Gallop - Tranquil Star by Salt Lake), who was 2nd at Louisiana Downs on August 7, and 5th on the Louisiana Downs turf on September 1. Jake Wil Gallop is a full-brother to stakes-placed Bucharest, who has earned $214,440 through 2008.

Trait (Menifee - Savory by Skywalker), who sold for $13,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to grade III stakes winner Dr. Ramsey and grade II stakes winner Owsley.

The Moy (Thunder Gulch - What a Game by Deputy Minister) is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to stakes winner Bensonhurst Bull and grade III stakes winner Clamorosa.

Not Brite Brillant, dam of Came in First (Came Home - Not Brite Brillant by High Brite), was stakes-placed at 2 and 4 and earned $264,287. Not Brite Brillant has produced 2 winners.

Sunnyside Up Bid (Glorious Bid - Allison Ann by Skywalker) is out of a 2-year old winning mare who has produced 3 winners.

Hard to Twist (Slew City Slew - Dearmomsendmoney by Desert Secret (IRE)) is the 2nd foal out of the unraced mare, Dearmomsendmoney. Dearmomsendmoney's first foal, Goldstein, was a winner at 2, 3, and 4.

Presidente d'Oro Will Pound the Rock for the Final Judgement

October 2, 2008
Turfway Park Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
1 1/16 miles
2-year Olds
Post Time: 9:36 PM TVG

Presidente d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Temis (CHI) by Lord Florey) makes his 2nd start, after finishing 8th first time out on the Ellis Park turf on August 24. This time, he tries out the Polytrack at Turfway Park. Since that race, he's had one work. Temis, the dam of Presidente d'Oro, was a stakes winner in Chile and stakes-placed in the U.S, earning $163,479. Presidente d'Oro is her first foal. Medaglia d'Oro's 37 runners have made 83 total starts, recording 17 wins, 8 seconds, 11 thirds, and $658,368.

Finishing 9th, behind Presidente d'Oro, on August 24 was Fradiablo (Candy Ride (ARG) - Kalemaat (GB) by Unfuwain) who is by freshman sire Candy Ride. Candy Ride has sired 31 runners who have made 76 total starts, recording 11 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, and $529,182. Fradiablo sold for $115,000 as a yearling. He is a half-brother to the stakes winner All for Fashion, who was 1 for 1 as a 2-year old.

Also by a first-crop sire is Tapitbound (Tapit - Gloriosity by Boundary), by Tapit. Tapit's 35 runners have made 91 collective starts, registering 15 wins, 19 seconds, 8 thirds, and $792,117. Tapitbound has run twice at Churchill Downs, finishing 2nd on May 24 and 4th on July 3. Tapitbound is the first foal out of a winning mare.

Pound the Rock (During - Snappy Little Tune by Spanish Drums) is by first-crop sire, During. During has sired 22 runners who have made 54 total starts with 7 wins, 4 seconds, 11 thirds, and $152,917. Pound the Rock, who finished 8th in his only start on September 13 at Turfway, is out of stakes winner Snappy Little Tune. Snappy Little Tune earned $382,138 and won or placed in 7 stakes. Snappy Little Tune always ran well at Turfway, but that was before the Polytrack. Snappy Little Tune has produced 3 winners, including Snappy Little Cat, stakes-placed at 2.

Regal Eagle (Langfuhr - Strikes No Spares by Smart Strike), who sold for $210,000 as a yearling, finished 10th in his debut on April 18 at Keeneland, and 4th on July 1 at River Downs. Strikes No Spares, dam of Regal Eagle was a stakes winner who was also stakes-placed at 2.

Bounissimo (Cherokee Run - Floral Beauty by Gone West) is also a veteran of 2 starts, finishing 8th on the Saratoga dirt on July 31, and 8th on the Saratoga turf on August 25. Bounissimo, who sold for $270,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to Floral Park, a winner at 2 and 3 who earned $96,211.

The final entrant with experience is Moral (Dynaformer - Sermonette by Danzig), who finished 8th on the Saratoga turf on August 4. Sermonette, dam of Moral, was a winner and is a half-sister to grade II stakes winner and sire, Pulpit.

Final Judgement (Northern Afleet - Best Judgement by Demons Begone), who sold for $45,000 as a yearling, is the 2nd foal out of stakes winner Best Judgement who earned $110,938. Best Judgement's 1st foal was a winner.

Curious Conundrum, dam of Harlan Prospector (Aldebaran - Curious Conundrum by Harlan) was a stakes winner who earned $367,555.

Western Fire Has a Wholelotatricks for Jedi Games

October 2, 2008
Remington Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year Olds
Post Time: 10:12 PM

Western Fire (Speightstown - Under Fire by Gulch) makes his third start, after finishing 5th first time out at Lone Star Park on July 26, and 2nd at Remington Park on August 31. In his most recent start, he chased a runaway winner, but was well clear of the rest. He has had several works at Remington since that start, including one on September 30. Western Fire is out of a mare who is a half-sister to 9 winners including grade II stakes winner, Incinerate (earnings $553,556) and grade III stakes winner, Fan the Flame (earnings $388,623). Speightstown's 31 runners have made 61 total starts, recording 11 wins, 12 seconds, 11 thirds, and $661,536.

Also returning from Western Fire's August 31 start are New York Central (Stormy Atlantic - Marietta's Charm by Wolfhound), who was 6th, and Nun Like Me (Favorite Trick - Nun On the Run by Red Bishop), who was 7th. New York Central was a $39,000 yearling and is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare, Marietta's Charm. Marietta's Charm is a half-sister to 4 winners. Nun Like me sold for $17,500 as a 2-year old and is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $152,810 in her career.

Wholelotatricks (Favorite Trick - Wholelotasoldier by Lost Soldier) and Golden Run (Kafwain - Guadery by Golden Act) met on September 12 at Remington Park, finishing 2nd and 7th respectively. Wholelotatricks, who sold for $70,000 at 2, is a half-brother to the winner, Machacha. Guadery, the dam of Golden Run, won the Astarita Stakes (gr. II), and finished 3rd in the Frizette (gr. I) as a 2-year old, while earning $124,860 in her career. Guadery has produced 10 winners, including stakes winner Minority Dater who was stakes-placed at 2.

Orphan Boy (Saxton - On the Engine by Magic Moments II (FR)) has run three times, most recently finishing 12th on the Lone Star Park turf on July 25. Orphan Boy's dam was a 2-year old winner and has produced one winner, stakes-placed Saxton's Engine.

Another who has been running on the turf is Indy Express (A. P. Indy - Louve Mysterieuse by Seeking the Gold), whose two starts were both on the turf. He finished 9th at Saratoga on August 4, and 8th at Remington Park on September 20. Indy Express, who sold for 140,000 as a yearling, is out of a mare who was a stakes winner and earned $123,891. Indy Express is a half-brother to True Quality, who finished 3rd in the 2008 Woody Stephens (gr. II).

Wild Skater (Wild Horses - Cool Skater by Mawsuff (GB)) and Jedi Games (High Yield - Quick Connection by Danzig Connection) both finished 10th in their only starts. Wild Skater, who ran at Remington Park on September 18, is out of a winning mare who has produced 3 winners. None of Wild Skater's siblings won at 2. Jedi Games did his running on a sloppy Remington Park track on August 29. He is a half-brother to one winner and his dam is a half-sister to 9 winners, including stakes winner Whata Belle and grade III stakes winner Leap Lively.

Rockbreaker (Sunday Break (JPN) - Ruthie the Rocket by Confide), Tale of Perfection (Tale of the Cat - Above Perfection by In Excess (IRE)), and Rare Cut (Yankee Gentleman - Refinement by Seattle Slew) all make their debuts in this one. Rockbreaker is the first foal out of the winning mare Ruthie the Rocket who was stakes-placed at 2. Ruthie the Rocket is a half-sister to grade III stakes winner Best of Buddies, a 2-year old winner who earned $260,871 overall. Above Perfection, dam of Tale of Perfection, was a winner at 2, a stakes winner at 3, and a grade III stakes winner at 4. Overall, she earned $380,737. As a broodmare, Above Perfection has produced 2 winners from 2 to run. Rare Cut, who sold for $62,000 as a weanling, is a half- or full-brother to 2 winners, including stakes-placed Western Revenge. Rare Cut's dam, Refinement, is a daughter of grade I winner Stella Madrid. Stella Madrid, who earned $712,097 in her career, won the Spinaway (gr. I), the Matron (gr. I), and the Frizette (gr. I) at 2. She was also third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies that year.

2-Year Old Works

New to this Blog

September 30, 2008

Point Lookout (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Potomac Bend by Polish Numbers) worked 3 furlongs at Fair Hill in :39.20. Point Lookout, who sold for $150,000 as a yearling, is out of grade III stakes winner Potomac Bound. Potomac Bound, who was also a debut winner at 2, is a half-brother to one winner and to X Marks the Spot, stakes-placed at 2.