Nancy's Voyage (Medaglia d'Oro) was scratched at Calder. Put It Back Twenty took that one.

Becky's Express is Super

Becky's Express (Congaree) went off as the favorite, and came out of the gate running, going right to the lead. Belfast (Congaree) and Gifts for a King (Saarland) kept him company early, but Becky's Express soon left everyone behind. He pulled farther and farther away to win by better than 10. Belfast dueled with Gifts for a King for 2nd, with the latter winning that battle. Dreams d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) was off slow, but made up some ground late on the outside to complete the Maiden Watch Superfecta.

Replay 

Result: November 27, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 4
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

A Golden Win for Sugaree

In contrast to her earlier races when she set the pace and then faded, in this one Sugaree Gold (Congaree) sat off of the pace set by Pokermom and Carla D. She settled in mid-pack and then began picking off her opponents. She swung to the outside and powered to the lead. It's Partytime, who was never far back, overtook Pokermom late to take 2nd. Sugaree Gold was the 2nd winner on the day for Congaree and his 16th winner overall.

Result: November 27, 2008
Hollywood Park Race 4
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Birkin is True Over Sue's Update

Sue's Update (Medaglia d'Oro) looked good in the post parade, like she was sitting on a big one. Lady Mariah was difficult to load and acted up in the gate. Triqueta took the early lead, setting slow fractions. Sue's Update was sitting in about 4th or 5th. She began to make her move on the outside, but Tsunami Bertie was making a move too. Lacking room, she angled out right into Sue's Update stalling her progress. Tsunami Bertie went on to finish in front impressively. However, there was a Steward's Inquiry and they moved Tsunami Bertie to 4th. I don't know whether Sue's Update would have beaten Tsunami Bertie without the bumping, but Sue's Update certainly lost all chance after that. It is true that Sue's Update was lugging in a bit, but Tsunami Bertie initiated the contact.

Replay

Result: November 27, 2008
Churchill Downs Race 4
Maiden Special Weight

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Miss Redoubled Too Much for Greenapple Martini

Greenapple Martini (Medaglia d'Oro) was back in the pack early, as Classic Gait and Miss Redoubled battled for the early lead and Cuvecious was stalking. Classic Gait soon began to go backward, but Miss Redoubled and Cuvecious continued to battle. Suddenly, Greenapple Martini made a big move and surged to the lead. This lead, however, was short-lived, as Miss Redoubled and Cuvecious went back to the front, and Brazilian Wedding rallied to take third. Greenapple Martini ended up 4th, but still a much improved effort.

Result: November 27, 2008
Woodbine Race 1
Maiden Special Weight

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The Freedom Trail has an Exclusive Scheme

Freedom Trail went right to the lead, chased by Pals First Lady. In the stretch, favorite Imthequeenofqueens took a run at Freedom Trail, but Freedom Trail shook her off too. Synchronicity closed to get third. Exclusive Scheme (Saarland) reared at the break, spotted the field some lengths, didn't have much impact, and finished 6th.

Result: November 27, 2008
Aqueduct Race 6
Maiden Special Weight

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A Revolution Over Hornung

Revoluta sprinted to the lead, with favorite Seven Mile Bridge chasing. Hornung (Speightstown) was pushed to go after the leaders, got into a tight spot and had to check. He ran fairly evenly after that. He couldn't make up any ground on the top 2, but he was clear in third. The fractions and final time were pretty zippy for 2-year olds.

Result: November 27, 2008
Golden Gate Fields Race 2
Maiden Special Weight

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Kelode has a Devil's Dream to be a Long Hill Glider

November 28, 2008
Philadelphia Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile 70 yards
2-year Olds
Post Time: 2:31 PM

Kelode (Saarland - Precious Jewell by Fortunate Prospect) makes his 2nd start, after finishing 7th first time out in a 1 1/16 mile Maiden Special Weight race at Keeneland on October 5. Since that race, he's been working at Fair Hill. Kelode sold for $80,000 as a yearling and is the 2nd foal out of the stakes-placed mare, Precious Jewell. Precious Jewell is a half-sister to champion and millionaire Jewel Princess. Saarland's 29 runners have made 90 total starts, recording 10 wins, 7 seconds, 12 thirds, and $300,211.

Long Hill Glider (Storm of Angels - Robin Cleary by Robin des Pins) made his last start in the Norman Hall Stakes on November 1 at Suffolk, where he finished 2nd. Previously, he was 3rd at Philadelphia Park on October 13. Long Hill Glider is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Homecroft (Polish Miner - Sent Certified by Strike Gold) debuted in a stakes race, the First State Dash Stakes, at Delaware Park on September 27, where he was 7th. He then ran in two maiden races at Delaware Park, finishing 4th on October 6, and 2nd on October 26. Sent Certified, dam of Homecroft, was a winner of 5 races in 12 starts. Sent Certified has produced 2 winners.

Another with stakes experience is Fionnaur (Perfect Soul (IRE) - Luvthat' Jackie by Wild Wonder), who finished 7th in the Go for the Green Juvenile Stakes on September 13 at Delaware Park. Fionnaur also has three maiden races to his credit. In his last two starts, he ran at a mile on the turf, finishing 5th at Delaware on October 4, and 4th at Laurel on October 31. Fionnaur is by first-crop sire Perfect Soul whose 27 runners have made 75 total starts, recording 6 wins, 3 seconds, and 10 thirds. Fionnaur is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 2-year old winner Robyn Sweet Robyn.

Devil's Dream (Devil His Due - Tra by Farma Way) and At Least a Miracle (Malibu Moon - Fit Performer by Fit to Fight) met on November 3 in a mile and a sixteenth contest at Philadelphia Park, finishing 2nd and 6th respectfully. Devil's Dream is a veteran of 6 starts, 5 of them at Philadelphia Park. In addition the 2nd on November 3, he was also 2nd at Philadelphia Park on October 15. He is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, both of which won at 2. At Least a Miracle was previously 8th at Philadelphia Park on October 14. At Least a Miracle, who sold for $200,000 as a yearling, is out of stakes winner Fit Performer. Fit Performer won 2 races at 2 and earned $356,309 in her career. At Least a Miracle is her first foal.

Charles Pridgen (Repent - Left Lane Lorrain by Rhodes) finished 9th at Philadelphia Park on October 15, behind Devil's Dream. His dam, Left Lane Lorrain, won or placed in 5 stakes including a victory in the Emerald Necklace Stakes at 2.

Also running on October 15 was Sudden Shift (Toccet - Changeable by Miswaki), who finished 4th in a turf race at Laurel. Sudden Shift, who sold for $50,000 as a yearling, is by freshman sire Toccet. Toccet's 40 runners have made 123 total starts, recording 15 wins, 15 seconds, 18 thirds, and $413,736. Sudden Shift's dam, Changeable, was a winner at 2 and 3. Changeable has produced the winner Cambio.

Justin M (Iron Deputy - Turkogirl by Turkoman) has run twice at Philadelphia Park, finishing 3rd on October 12, and 2nd on October 28. Justin M's dam, Turkogirl, was a winner at 2, 3, and 4. She is a half- or full-sister to 7 winners, including stakes-placed Unloosened Bit.

Mundo En Fuego (El Corredor - Red Satin Slippers by Peteski) sold for $130,000 as a yearling, and $375,000 as a 2-year old. He finished 7th in his only start, on October 6 at Delaware Park. Stakes-placed Red Satin Slippers, dam of Mundo En Fuego, earned $144,868 in her career. Red Satin Slippers has produced the stakes winner Cantrel, a winner at 2 who earned $146,790.

Back Off Satan (Van Nistelrooy - Sweet Soul by Lord Avie) was 9th in his only start, at Philadelphia on November 2. He is a half-brother to 2 winners, including grade II stakes-placed Soul City Slew. Soul City Slew earned $326,002 in a 31 race career.

Tap Man (Tale of the Cat - Tap Dance by Pleasant Tap) has also made one start, he finished 6th at Delaware Park on November 3. Tap Man is out of grade II winner Tap Dance, who earned $378,176. Tap Dance, who was also a winner at 2, is a half-sister or full-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winner Grand Prayer.

Floating On Air is Seeking Ms Shelley while Dancing With Lily

November 28, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 6
Maiden Claiming ($25,000)
5.5 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:40 PM

Floating On Air (Peace Rules - Charmie's Secret by Secret Hello) , who has made 6 starts in California, will see if a change in location changes her luck. In her most recent start, at Hollywood Park on November 9, she tired after being up with the lead and ended up 5th. Her best finish was 2nd, which she achieved at Santa Anita on October 15 and Fairplex on September 15. Floating On Air is the first foal out of a mare who earned $56,445 and placed in the Hildene Stakes as a 2-year old. She is also a half-sister to 4 winners, 2 of which won during their 2-year old seasons. Peace Rules is the sire of 41 runners, who have made 137 starts, recording 27 wins, 26 seconds, 16 thirds, and $646,772.

Five fillies debut in this one: Dancing With Lily (Shore Breeze - Little Dancer by Composer), A Bit Bertha (A Little Illegal - Aunte Rhody by King Jody), Seeking Ms Shelley (Cactus Ridge - Seeking Miss Slew by Slew o' Gold), Summit Cat (Storm Boot - Throne by King of Kings (IRE)), and La Oro Diva (Oro Negra - Open Fairway by Open Forum). Dancing With Lily is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to the winner Lennys Vision. A Bit Bertha, who sold for $11,500 at 2, is out of stakes-placed Aunte Rhody. Aunte Rhody was a winner at 2 and earned $151,301 in her career. Aunte Rhody has produced 5 winners, including 4 that won at 2. And of those 4, 2 won their debuts. Seeking Ms Shelley is out of a winning mare who has produced 3 winners from 3 to run. Two of Seeking Ms Shelley's siblings won at 2, including stakes-placed Hadnot who was a debut winner at 2. Throne, dam of Summit Cat, was a winner at 2, and finished 3rd in the Dogwood Stakes (gr. III) at 3. Summit Cat is her 2nd foal. Her first foal was placed at 3. La Oro Diva is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winner Fair Maid. Fair Maid won the Lady Luck Stakes at 2.

Apart from Floating On Air, the most experienced entrant is Amy My Amy (The Cliff's Edge - Winter Tide by Tale of the Cat), who has run 5 times. In her most recent effort, she finished 6th at Delta Downs on October 31 in a Maiden Special Weight contest. In her previous starts, she was third three times, and 2nd once. Amy My Amy is by freshman sire The Cliff's Edge, whose 34 runners have made 109 total starts, recording 12 wins, 10 seconds, 10 thirds, and $434,966. Amy My Amy is the first foal out of the winning mare Winter Tide. Winter Tide is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winner Valarone. Valarone won 2 starts at 2, and earned $277,548 overall.

Also by a first-crop sire is Via Cuvee (Cuvee - Via Cavate by Devil's Bag), by Cuvee. Cuvee's 50 runners have made 153 collective starts, registering 24 wins, 21 seconds, 24 thirds, and $543,657. Via Cuvee has run twice, finishing 9th at Keeneland on October 10, and 3rd at Churchill Downs on November 14. Via Cuvee is out of the stakes-placed mare Via Cavate. Via Cavate has produced the winner Fiera Del Sol.

Jordan's Song (Unbridled's Song - Jordanesque by Mr. Prospector) has run 3 times. Her first start was on the turf at Saratoga on August 25, where she finished 9th. Since then, she finished 3rd at Keeneland on October 9, and 8th at Churchill Downs on November 5. Jordan's Song, who sold for $72,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 3 winners. Jordan's Song's dam, Jordanesque, is a daughter of Epitome, 1987 champion 2-year old filly and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner.

Fanfreluche Passer (Matty G - Hurry McGuerty by L'Enjoleur) has run twice at Retama, finishing 3rd on September 26, and 2nd on November 6. She is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners.

Vick's Violet (El Corredor - Mattie M by Hadif) has also started twice, finishing 5th on the Ellis Park turf on August 28, and 8th at Keeneland on October 10. Mattie M, dam of Vick's Violet, was stakes-placed at 2 and earned $124,991 overall. Vick's Violet is a half-sister to 2 winners, one of which won at 2.

Stormin Riley (Storm Boot - Maxixe by Dauphin Fabuleux) has made one start, finishing 6th at Evangeline Downs on October 31. A $10,000 yearling, Stormin Riley is out of stakes winner Maxixe. Maxixe was a winner of three turf stakes and earned $149,553 in her career. Maxixe has produced 5 winners from 6 to run, including stakes winner Max West. Three of Stormin Riley's siblings won at 2.

2-Year Old Works

New to this Blog

November 26

Tone It Down (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Chattin by Rollicking) worked 4 furlongs in :48.80 at Laurel. It was the 2nd fastest of 22 works. Tone It Down sold for $100,000 as a 2-year old, and is out of the winning mare Chattin. Chattin has produced 4 winners, including grade III winner Gin Talking.

Working 3 furlongs in :39.40 at Payson Park was Too Amenable (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Lady She Is Too by Two's a Plenty). Too Amenable is out of Lady She Is Too, who was a stakes winner at 2. Lady She Is Too has produced 6 winners, including stakes winners John Paul Too and Too Scarlet.

November 27

Pleasant Sister (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Jaded by Gone West) worked 3 furlongs on the dirt training track at Belmont in :36.64. Pleasant Sister is out of the winning mare Jaded, who has produced 2 winners. Jaded is a daughter of grade I winner Urbane, and a half-sister to grade II winner Suave.