Lord Shanakill (Speightstown) was also in action on October 18, running in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-I) at Newmarket. This one was a thriller, ending in a three-way photo finish between Lord Shanakill, Finjaan, and Intense Focus. It was Intense Focus in the middle who took the win, Lord Shanakill was second, and Finjaan third.

A Smile Storms the Mist

Stormy's Smile, one of the maidens in the race, wanted the lead and the rest of the field was content to let her have it. The first quarter was fairly strong (:22.60), but the remaining fractions were comfortable. Many horses get brave when left on the lead and Stormy's Smile seemed to be one of those. As the distance increased she seemed to get stronger. Sneakin Up closed well, but she couldn't catch the winner. Our Golden Dream (Medaglia d'Oro) made a good middle move, but seemed to lose momentum, ending up fourth.

Result: October 18, 2008 
Belmont Race 5
Maid of the Mist

Equibase Chart

A Grand Trio over Curly

Grand Trio and Green Turtle Cay dueled early, but Green Turtle Cay was done after 6 furlongs. At that point, Too Many Sins took up the pursuit. He drew even with Grand Trio, but couldn't move in front of him. They hit the wire together, with Grand Trio getting the nod. Curly never really seemed involved in this one, in mid-pack the whole way round. Maybe, he came back too soon?

Result: October 18, 2008 
Arlington Race 4
Allowance

Equibase Chart

Toquinho Wears Them Down

Kerwin's Way was upset in the post parade and then fractious in the gate, having to be backed out. Gather All broke on top and established a clear lead. Dorian Will was chasing, but to no avail. Gather All seemed to be home free, but Toquinho was closing steadily. He caught Gather All and drew off for the win. Gather All was still running well, but had no response for Toquinho. Azul Moon also closed to take the third spot. Dorian Will weakened to fourth. The two Maiden Watch entrants, Desert Fox and Dreams d'Oro broke together and raced as a team throughout, finishing 11th and 12th respectfully.

Result: October 18, 2008 
Keeneland Race 1
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Warrior Maid is a Wow

Smart 'n Snazzy (Smarty Jones) was off slow, stumbling after the start and pretty much galloped around. Mark this one down as a learning experience for her. Seminole Lass went to the lead, but She's a Wow (Speightstown) didn't let her get away. Those two dueled for most of the race and She's a Wow finally surged by Seminole Lass. However, she couldn't stop a closing Warrior Maid who got up late.

Result: October 18, 2008 
Delaware Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

It's a Changing Vista for Glory Gold and Second Glance

Second Glance (Smarty Jones) went right to the front and quickly established a clear lead. Her nearest pursuer was Glory Gold (Medaglia d'Oro). Both were looking good and I was starting to compose headlines in my mind. But, in the stretch, first Second Glance and then Glory Gold began to fall back, as the closers began to emerge. First to hit the front was the stalker Lookin' Foxy, but she had no response to Changing Vista and Mac Speed. Those two finished as a team, with Changing Vista taking it from a nose. Glory Gold and Second Glance ended up 8th and 10th, but both ran very good races and should improve next time out.

Result: October 18, 2008 
Laurel Park Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

Soft Shoe Steps on Beans

Soft Shoe went to the lead, pushed by Blushing Romeo. Face Off was hanging around in third. Precious Beans (Medaglia d'Oro) was uninvolved early on, lingering in mid-pack. There was little change up front throughout, but Precious Beans began to get in gear, closing stoutly on the outside. Precious Beans was coming and coming and coming, but he just couldn't catch the pacesetter Soft Shoe. The other Maiden Watch participant, Gifts for a King (Saarland) ran evenly and finished 6th.

Result: October 18, 2008 
Louisiana Downs Race 8
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

Entries

In addition to the entries below, Noble Rule (Peace Rules) is on the AE list for a Maiden Special Weight contest at a mile on the turf at Calder (race 6). 

Congaraa is Gathering Dreams for a Bitty Bit

October 19, 2008
Thistledown Race 3
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:13

Congaraa (Congaree - Balotra by Oh Say) makes her 2nd start, after finishing 2nd first time out at Thistledown on September 22. In that race, she showed a lot of determination which should help her in the future. She has had one work since that race. Congaraa, who sold for $40,000 as a yearling, is out of grade III stakes winner Balotra. Balotra earned $321,191 in her career and has produced 6 winners. Congaraa's siblings include stakes-placed It's a Problem who was a winner at 2. Congaree is the sire of 36 runners which have made 75 collective starts, registering 14 wins, 14 seconds, 6 thirds, and $566,556.

Bitty Bit (Appealing Skier - Livacious by Mt. Livermore) and Kawaii (Kafwain - Dili by Chief's Crown) will be making their debuts in this one. Bitty Bit is a half-sister to 6 winners, including All Star Lover who was third in the Scotts Highlander Handicap (Can-III) and who has earned $407,913 through 2008. One of Bitty Bit's siblings won at 2. Stakes-placed Dili, dam of Kawaii, has produced 3 winners from 4 to run, including one 2-year old winner.

Sherribaldi (Gimmeawink - My Granny by Racing Star), who is by first-year sire Gimmeawink, has run twice, both times at Presque Isle Downs. She finished 3rd on August 7, and 5th on September 18. Gimmeawink is the sire of 19 starters who have made 61 total starts, registering 5 wins, 9 seconds, and 8 thirds, and $174,125. Sherribaldi is out of a winning mare, who has produced 4 winners from 5 to run.

Another who has made 2 starts is Meanasasnake (Ago - Sissy Sassy by Covered Wagon). Meanasasnake, who has done her running at Thistledown, finished 5th on August 9 and 9th on September 5. Sissy Sassy, dam of Meanasasnake, was stakes-placed at 2 and has produced 1 winner.

Gathering Dreams (Mercer Mill - Touched Bythe Lite by Light Idea) was 2nd in her only start, on September 21 at Thistledown. She is out of the stakes winner, Touched Bythe Lite. Touched Bythe Lite has produced 2 winners from 3 to run.

Eve the Dancer (Turnofthecentury - Playwrite by Unzipped) and Majestic Ann (Milwaukee Brew - Majestic Nicole by Danzig Connection) both finished 8th at Presque Isle Downs in their only starts. Eve the Dancer, who ran on September 28, is out of a placed mare who has produced 2 placed runners. Majestic Ann's race was on September 24. Her dam, Majestic Nicole, was a winner who has produced 2 winners from 3 to run. One of Majestic Ann's siblings won at 2.

Tbilisi is a Precious Jade in the River Lime

October 19, 2008
Woodbine Race 4
Maiden Claiming ($20,000)
1 1/16 miles
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:32

Tbilisi (Birdstone - Tripp Trial by Skip Trial) is back for her fifth try at Woodbine. In her most recent effort, on October 1, she was the post time favorite. In that race, she was going well late, but could do no better than 5th. Previously, she was 8th on August 14, 7th on the turf on August 31, and 5th on September 19. Tbilisi sold for $28,449 as a yearling. Her dam, Tripp Trial, was a stakes winner who earned $202,310 and also won at 2. Tripp Trial has produced 4 winners from 6 to run. Birdstone is the sire of 21 runners who have made 62 total starts, recording 12 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds, and earnings of $632,642.

Kia Ora Cat (Ciano Cat - Giannina Pink by Bold Executive), River Lime (Where's the Ring - Bold Tigress by Bold Executive), and Deer Fan (Patrol - Run Deer Run by Cherokee Run) all faced Tbilisi on October 1, finishing 3rd, 4th, and 7th. Kia Ora Cat, who had made 5 previous starts, is a half-sister to stakes winner Midnight Shadow. Midnight Shadow won 3 stakes at 2 and has earned $273,562 overall. River Lime had finished 6th and 11th in two previous Woodbine starts. River Lime is by freshman sire Where's the Ring. Where's the Ring has sired 17 runners who have made 45 total starts, registering 6 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds, and $369,006. River Lime is out of the winning mare Bold Tigress. Bold Tigress has produced 2 winners, one of which won at 2. Deer Fan (Patrol - Run Deer Run by Cherokee Run) is by freshman sire Patrol, whose 7 runners have made 30 total starts, recording 3 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, and $77,760. Run Deer Run, dam of Deer Fan, was a winner at 2 and 3, and has produced 3 winners from 4 to run. Two of Deer Fan's siblings won at 2.

On September 20, Deer Fan finished 7th in a race that included Gina L. (Catahoula Parish - Rodeo Princess by Inspired Prospect), AE horse Moonlit Flit (Dance to Destiny - Shine Is Mine by Majestic Light), Guava (Catienus - Teach by Pine Bluff), and Precious Jade (Dance to Destiny - Princess Jade by Ocean Crest). Gina L., who was 3rd that day, has made 7 total starts, recording 2 thirds, one 4th, 3 fifths, and one 12th. Gina L's dam is a half-sister to 6 winners. Moonlit Flit, who was 4th on September 20, also finished 7th on August 30 and 6th on October 12. She is out of a mare who was a winner at 2 and who has produced 3 winners. Guava was fifth on September 20, having previously finished 5th, 7th, and 6th. Teach, dam of Guava, was a winner at 2 and earned $133,484 overall. Teach has produced 2 winners, both full-brothers to Guava. Ninth on September 20 was Precious Jade, whose previous starts resulted in a 5th, a 9th, a 7th, and a 10th. She is the first foal out of a winning mare.

Chispa (Ascot Knight - No Sugar Tonight by Schossberg) has made 5 starts, all at Woodbine. Her best finish was a 2nd on August 30. Her most recent race resulted in a 9th place finish on October 10. Chispa is a half-sister to stakes-placed Drunken Love, who has earned $263,856 through 2008.

Casalguidi (Volponi - Caddam Wood by Polish Numbers) has made one start, finishing 7th at Woodbine on October 3. She is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, including one that won at 2.

Twoformeoneforyou (Toccet - Cobrina by Capote) is by first-crop sire Toccet. Toccet's 30 runners have made 92 total starts, recording 13 wins, 11 seconds, 12 thirds, and $321,584. Twoformeoneforyou, who was 5th in her only start, at Woodbine on September 18, is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners.

Jon's Girl (Fappie's Notebook - Broadway Martha by Broad Brush) was 10th in her only start, at Woodbine on October 5. She is out of a mare who is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Rossbank (Rossini - Branksome Hall by Regal Classic) has run twice, both times at Woodbine. She finished 11th on September 28, and 12th on October 10. Branksome Hall, dam of Rossbank, was a stakes winner who earned $341,585. Rossbank is her 2nd foal. Her first foal, Prince of Alphabet, placed at 2 and 3.

Also on the AE list (along with Moonlit Flit) is Gentle (Scrimshaw - Destiny's Monarch by Affirmed), by freshman sire Scrimshaw. Scrimshaw's 24 runners have made 83 total starts, recording 9 wins, 12 seconds, 10 thirds, and $231,681. Gentle has made three starts at Woodbine, finishing 8th on September 6 and September 18, and 7th on October 1. Gentle is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners, including stakes-placed runners Affirmlode and Spirit of Fire. Both of these won at 2.

Run Smart One for Audible Greater Glory

October 19, 2008
Keeneland Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
1 1/8 miles
2-year Olds
Post Time: 2:42 PM TVG

Run Smart One (Smarty Jones - Literary Light by Ide) and Audible (Congaree - Miss Marcia by Mr. Greeley) both make their third starts, stretching out to a mile and an eighth at Keeneland. Run Smart One finished 5th in his last start, on October 9 at Laurel at 5.5 furlongs. Previously, he was 8th in a 6 furlong race at Laurel on September 17. 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 $406,936 through 2008. Smarty Jones has sired 17 runners who have made 33 total starts, recording 5 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, and $312,751.

Audible has done his running at Belmont. In his last start, on September 20, he finished 7th in the 7 furlong race after leading for a half. Previously, he finished 8th in a 5.5 furlong race on July 17. He's had two works at Keeneland since his last start. 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 36 runners who have made a combined 75 starts, recording 14 wins, 14 seconds, 6 thirds, and $566,556.

No Inflation (Repriced - Free to Soar by Unbridled) and Union Strike (Smart Strike - Marvelous Mandy by Hennessy) met on the soft Arlington turf at a mile on September 20, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectfully. No Inflation is the first foal out of the unraced mare, Free to Soar, who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Major Focus. Two of Free to Soar's siblings won at 2. Union Strike, who sold for $100,000 at 2, is a half-brother to one winner and a full-brother to one winner.

Not surprisingly, none of the entrants have gone a mile and an eighth, but two have run a mile and a sixteenth, Last Martini (Lemon Drop Kid - Elaina by Dehere) and Affirmed On Appeal (Successful Appeal - Worry Not by Concern). Last Martini's 1 1/16 mile turf start came on the Saratoga turf on August 25, where he finished 7th. He also finished 4th at a mile on the Kentucky Downs turf on September 22, and 4th at 6.5 furlongs on the dirt at Saratoga on August 10 (behind Charitable Man). Last Martini, who was a $150,000 yearling, is out of the mare Elaina, who was a winner at 2. Elaina has produced the turf winner Bone Dry, who has earned $107,960 through 2008. Affirmed On Appeal was 11th in his 1 1/16 mile race at Keeneland. He also finished 11th at Turfway on September 13. Affirmed On Appeal is out of a winning mare who has produced grade III stakes winner, Sir Greeley. Sir Greeley has earned $594,251 through 2008.

Greater Glory (Empire Maker - Nonsuch Bay by Mr. Greeley), who sold for $320,000 as a yearling, finished 4th in his only start, at 6 furlongs on September 27 at Turfway Park. Greater Glory is the first foal out of grade I winner Nonsuch Bay. Nonsuch Bay earned $747,078 while winning or placing in 12 graded stakes.

I Come From Behind (The Cliff's Edge - Afleet Change by Time for a Change), who brought $40,000 as a yearling, has started twice at Arlington Park, finishing 8th at 6 furlongs on September 21, and 4th at a mile on September 6. I Come From Behind is by first-crop sire The Cliff's Edge, whose 31 runners have made 85 total starts, recording 10 wins, 9 seconds, 9 thirds, and $280,778. I Come From Behind is a half-brother to 3 winners, including stakes winner Up an Octave. Up an Octave won the Kris S. Stakes at 2. I was curious to see if I Come From Behind was living up to his name. In his first start, he did make up some ground, but in the 2nd he went from 6th to 8th.

Shape (Arch - Realm by Mr. Prospector) finished 6th in his debut at 6 furlongs at Churchill Downs on July 5, and then 3rd at Arlington Park on August 3 in a mile race. Shape is out of the winning mare, Realm, who has produced 6 winners, including stakes winner Haint. This is the family of graded stakes winners Pulpit, Narrate, Double Feint, Region, Tale of the Cat, and others.

Laredo (Menifee - Exotic West by Gone West) finished 3rd in his debut, on the Laurel turf on September 5 at 6 furlongs, and 4th at 7 furlongs at Keeneland on October 3. He is a full-brother to the winner, Exoteric.

Evolutionist (El Prado (IRE) - Dream Supreme by Seeking the Gold) ran 5th at Saratoga at 7 furlongs on August 15, and then 3rd at a mile on the turf at Belmont on September 5. He is out of grade I stakes winner and millionaire, Dream Supreme. Dream Supreme won or placed in 10 graded stakes and was 2 for 2 as a 2-year old. Dream Supreme is the dam of Majestic Warrior who won the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at 2.

Masked Man (Mineshaft - Catcher by Storm Cat) has run twice, finishing 6th at Churchill Downs on June 25 and 5th at Saratoga on July 26. That race was won by Munnings. Catcher, dam of Masked Man, was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and has produced 3 winners. Catcher is also a half-sister to grade I stakes winner Cat Thief who earned $3,951,012 in his career. As a 2-year old, Cat Thief won the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. II).

D'Oro - Gold and Bella

October 19, 2008
Belmont Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
7 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:07 PM

Double the d'Oro in this one, as one time starter Gold d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Gold Canyon by Mr. Prospector) takes on debut runner Bella d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Rangoon Belle by Alysheba) in a big field (12 plus 4 on the AE list) at 7 furlongs on the turf. Gold d'Oro's first start was at these same conditions and track on September 25, where she made a nice move, but tired late to finish fourth. Since that start, she's had one work at Belmont. Gold d'Oro is a half-sister to Adriano, winner of the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) and the Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT). Adriano also broke his maiden on the turf at 2. Gold Canyon, the dam of Gold d'Oro and Adriano, was a winner and finished 4th in her only turf effort.

Bella d'Oro has been working at Belmont since early September, and before that at Vinery Stable. While at Vinery, she had several turf works. Bella d'Oro is out of the winning mare, Rangoon Belle. Rangoon Belle has produced 3 winners, including stakes winner Thunder Belle and grade III stakes winner Belleski. Belleski was queen of the downhill turf course at Santa Anita where she won the Sentator Ken Maddy Handicap twice. Overall, Belleski earned $374,586. Medaglia d'Oro is the sire of 39 runners who have made 106 collective starts, recording 19 wins, 14 seconds, 13 thirds, and $793,655.

Nan (High Yield - Trip Around Heaven by Halo), Selene's Delight (Maria's Mon - Buzzovertomyhouse by Drone), and Green Pond (Forestry - Yarico's Pond (IRE) by Seattle Slew) all ran against Gold d'Oro on September 25, finishing 3rd, 9th, and 11th respectfully. Nan finished 2nd in her debut on the yielding Saratoga turf on July 28, and 9th on the dirt at Saratoga on August 24. Nan is out of a mare who has produced 11 winners from 12 to race. Nan's siblings include Limoncella, who was stakes-placed on the turf. Selene's Delight, who sold for $70,000 as a yearling, is a half- or full-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winners Affair with Aflair, Chasing Stars, and Buzz Song. Affair with Aflair and Chasing Stars both won stakes on the turf. Green Pond is the first foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to grade I winner Aragorn and 2 other winners. Aragorn won or placed in 9 turf stakes.

Debbie H (More Than Ready - Plucky Broad by Holy Bull) finished 2nd twice in two starts at Saratoga, in the slop on August 11 and on the turf on August 31. She sold for $85,000 as a yearling, and is out of a mare who earned $125,574. Debbie H is a half-sister to one winner, who did win at 2.

Another which has made one turf start is There I Go (Hennessy - The Right Pew by Pulpit), who finished 4th on the soft Arlington Park turf on September 6. There I Go is out of a winning mare, who has produced the winner Rocket Legs. Rocket Legs finished 2nd in the 2008 San Marcos Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf, and has earned $138,474 through 2008.

Miss World (Bernstein - Moonstar by Kingmambo) who sold for $160,000 as a yearling, finished 3rd in her lone start, on the Belmont main track. She is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Conspiring. Conspiring was stakes-placed on the turf and earned $103,088.

Northern Harbor (Northern Afleet - Ducktrap Harbor by Polish Navy) is a veteran of two Saratoga dirt starts, finishing 9th on July 27, and 7th on August 16. Northern Harbor, who sold for $200,000 as a 2-year old, is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Maggy Hawk. Maggy Hawk is the dam of Afleet Alex, who is by Northern Afleet, sire of Northern Harbor.

Split Second (Interprete (ARG) - Petite West (ARG) by Westbridge) only start was on a sloppy Belmont track on October 5 where she finished 7th. Petite West, dam of Split Second, was a group I winner on the dirt and group I placed on the turf, in Argentina. In her 69 race career, she earned $311,817. Petite West has produced one winner from one to run, who did win on the turf.

The main body of the race is completed by first-time starters Miss Catalyst (Mr. Greeley - Key to the Cat by Tale of the Cat) and Always Auditioning (Mizzen Mast - Nawal (FR) by Homme de Loi). Key to the Cat, dam of Miss Catalyst, was a stakes winner on the turf, who earned $133,981. Miss Catalyst is her first foal. Always Auditioning's dam, Nawal, was group III placed on the turf and is the dam of grade I winner Mast Track who is scheduled to make his next start in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Mast Track is also a turf winner.

Four are on the AE list, including unraced Proud Lisa (Proud Citizen - Miss the Mark by Miner's Mark), who sold for $90,000 as a yearling. Proud Lisa is out of a winning mare who has produced one winner from one to race. That offspring won on the turf.

Just Livin a Dream (Trippi - Princesa's Passion by Marquetry) finished 2nd in Gold d'Oro's September 25 race. She had previously finished 2nd on the Saratoga turf on August 29, and 5th on the sloppy Saratoga main train on August 11 (where one of her opponents was Debbie H). Just Livin a Dream is a half-sister to grade I turf stakes winner, Presious Passion who has earned $964,028 through 2008, while winning or placing in 7 turf stakes.

Finishing 5th in Just Livin a Dream's August 29 race was Pari (Sky Classic - Parmilla by Silver Deputy). Pari is out of a winning mare, who has produced 3 winners, including stakes winner Silver Stockings. Two of her offspring won at 2, but none won on the turf.

Catniche (Roar of the Tiger - Marquet Niche by Marquetry) is by first-crop sire Roar of the Tiger, whose 30 runners have made 93 total starts, recording 18 wins, 13 seconds, 11 thirds, and $386,701. Catniche was a $70,000 weanling, and is the first foal out of a placed mare who is a full-sister to grade III stakes winner Mass Market.

Saarbright will be Verily True for Arch's Arrow

October 19, 2008
Hawthorne Race 11
Maiden Special Weight
1 Mile Turf
2-year Olds
Post Time: 6:40

Saarbright (Saarland - Lady Sabrina by Patton) makes his third start overall and his first on the turf, after finishing 7th on September 14 at Arlington, and 10th at Hawthorne on October 5. His first race was scheduled for the turf, so it seems as though they have been trying to get him on the surface from the beginning. Saarbright was a $30,000 yearling, and is the first foal out of stakes winner Lady Sabrina. Lady Sabrina earned $236,975 in 30 starts. Saarland's 26 runners have made 68 total starts, recording 9 wins, 3 seconds, 11 thirds, and $249,106.

Scrimpy (Scrimshaw - Saratoga Soft Shoe by Pleasant Tap) and Toccet Rocket (Toccet - Tiy Buster by Housebuster), who are both by freshman sires, faced Saarbright on October 5, finishing 5th and 7th. Scrimpy has made 6 total starts, including a 7th place finish in the Patrick Wood Stakes at Pinnacle Race Course. He has not run on the turf. He is by Scrimshaw, whose 24 runners have made 83 total starts, recording 9 wins, 12 seconds, 10 thirds, and $231,681. Scrimpy is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to 6 winners, including Find the Tao, stakes-placed on the turf. Toccet Rocket previously finished 10th at Arlington on September 21. He is by Toccet whose 30 runners have made 92 combined starts, recording 13 wins, 11 seconds, 12 thirds, and $321,584. Toccet Rocket's dam was a winner and has produced stakes winner Chips Are Down. Chips Are Down was a winner at 2.

Facing Saarbright on September 14 were Falling Knife (Cozzene - Palette Knife by Broad Brush), who was 3rd, and Sunday Sunrise (Lemon Drop Kid - Sun Is Up (JPN) by Sunday Silence), who was 5th. Falling Knife, who sold for $130,000 as a yearling, previously finished 6th at Arlington on August 3, and 2nd at Presque Isle Downs on August 24. Palette Knife, the dam of Falling Knife, was a stakes winner who earned $319,400. Palette Knife has produced 2 winners. Sunday Sunrise also finished 5th at Arlington on August 21. Sunday Sunrise sold for $50,000 as a yearling. His dam is a half- or full-sister to 3 turf winners.

Also running on September 14, in a different race, were Agra (Dixie Union - North Park Legend by Affirmed) and Arch's Arrow (Arch - Cindy B by Jade Hunter) who were 3rd and 10th. Agra is out of a stakes-placed mare who was a turf winner. Agra is a half-brother to one winner. Arch's Arrow has made 2 additional starts, including a 6th place finish on the Arlington Park turf on August 17. Arch's Arrow, who sold for $50,000 as a yearling, is out of a turf winning mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including one turf winner.

Relvado (Thunder Gulch - Quinn by Theatrical (IRE)) and Copper Forest (Wiseman's Ferry - Poplar Lady by Woodman) met on the Arlington Park turf on September 20, finishing 7th and 12th respectfully. Relvado had previously finished 3rd on the Arlington Park turf on September 7. Relvado is the first foal out of the mare Quinn, who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including one turf winner. Copper Forest has made 3 additional starts at Arlington, including a 10th place finish on the turf on August 21. He also finished 2nd twice on the Polytrack. Poplar Lady, dam of Copper Forest, was a winner at 2 who has produced 1 winner from one to run.

Verily True (Yes It's True - Lilac Garden by Roberto), who sold for $22,000 as a yearling, finished 6th in his only start, at Arlington on September 20. Lilac Garden, dam of Verily True, was a winner on the turf, who has produced 5 winners, including grade I winner, Blushing K. D., group I winner Electric Unicorn, grade II winner Ambitious Cat, and stakes winner February Storm. Electric Union, Ambitious Cat, and February Storm all won stakes on the turf.

Debut runner Red Mesa (Alajwad - Jimmy Jo Jo by Rahy) is by first-crop sire Alajwad. Alajwad's 17 runners have made 60 total starts, recording 4 wins, 7 seconds, and 7 thirds. Red Mesa is a half-brother to 2 winners.

River Saar Looks for a Touch of Success to Put Me First

October 19, 2008
Mountaineer Race 1
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 7:00

River Saar (Saarland - One Neat Trick by Phone Trick) makes her 4 start overall, and her 2nd one at Mountaineer. She finished 4th at Mountaineer on October 5, 3rd at Presque Isle Downs on September 18, and 5th at Presque Isle on September 4. River Saar is the first foal out of a mare who was placed at 2 and 3, and who is a half-sister to two winners, including grade II stakes winner Tap the Admiral. Tap the Admiral earned $476,686 in his career. Saarland's 26 runners have made 68 total starts, recording 9 wins, 3 seconds, 11 thirds, and $249,106.

First-timers in this one are Put Me First (Put It Back - What a Sweep by End Sweep), Bygone Bay (Sligo Bay (IRE) - Pro Motion Days by Distinctive Pro), Uno Beso (Macho Uno - Just a Little Kiss by Mugatea), and Vic's Star (Appealing Skier - Victory Crown by Cougar's Crown).

Put Me First is the first foal out of the mare What a Sweep, who was a winner at 2, 3, and 5. What a Sweep is a half- or full-sister to 8 winners.

Pro Motion Days, dam of Bygone Bay, earned $344,275 in a 52 race career. Bygone Bay is her 2nd foal. Her first foal, Brew Crew, was a winner at 2 and 3.

Uno Beso is out of stakes winner Just a Little Kiss, who won 2 races at 2 and finished 2nd in the Good Move Stakes that year. Overall, Just a Little Kiss earned $202,663. Just a Little Kiss has produced 6 winners from 7 to run, 3 of her offspring won at 2.

Stakes-placed Victory Crown, dam of Vic's Star, earned $112,181 including 2 wins and 4 seconds in 10 starts at 2. Victory Crown has produced 4 winners, including stakes-placed Blazing Element.

Touch of Success (Touch Gold - Never Fail by Holy Bull), who brought $47,000 as a yearling, has made 3 starts. She finished 7th at Ellis Park on July 19, 2nd at Mountaineer on August 22, and 3rd at Turfway Park on September 17. Touch of Success is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $248,670.

The remaining runners have made one start each.

Gunny's Gal (Matty G - G Mans Gal by Foxhound) finished 2nd at Mountaineer on September 26. She is the first foal out of the stakes-placed mare G Mans Gal who earned $111,555. G Mans Gal is a half-sister to 5 winners.

Vorena's (Deputy Wild Cat - Bridled Delite by Unbridled) first start was on June 28 at Calder, where she was 9th. Vorena is out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes-placed Hot Hooves.

Rossini's Muse (Rossini - Bemusing Tomisue by Kingmambo) and My Need Dat (David Copperfield - Matching Coins by Tossofthecoin) both finished 10th in their debuts. Rossini's Muse, who ran at Turfway Park on September 27, is a half-sister to one winner. My Need Dat's race was at Presque Isle Downs on September 28. She is out of a 2-year old winning mare who has produced 2 winners, including one 2-year old winner.

I hope some of you were able to catch the Works yesterday on TVG, as Mine That Bird got some serious air time. I'm sure it will be replayed today sometime. I was out at Keeneland yesterday morning, and saw Juvenile Fillies Turf hopeful Laragh in action. She certainly was on her toes, but looked good when she got down to business.

Munnings worked this morning at Santa Anita, 5 furlongs in :59.60. Watch for him on today's Works show.

2-Year Old Works

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October 18

Iron Fortitude (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Viaduct by Thunder Gulch) worked 3 furlongs in :35.40 at Keeneland. Iron Fortitude sold for $25,000 as a yearling and brought $450,000 as a 2-year old. He is a half-brother to 3 winners.

Moving Violation (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Talk Me Again (ARG) by Mutakddim) worked 3 furlongs in :39.00 at Fair Hill. Talk Me Again, dam of Moving Violation, was a group II winner in Argentina. Moving Violation is her first foal.

At Calder, Nancy's Voyage (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Nancy's Glitter by Glitterman) worked 3 furlongs in :39.60. Nancy's Glitter, dam of Nancy's Voyage, was a stakes winner at 2 who earned $477,971 overall. Nancy's Glitter has produced 3 winners including stakes-placed Glittering Tax, a winner at 2.