Tiger Rules Again

Crafty Lion went after the early lead, but Tiger Rules (Peace Rules) was sticking close. These two turned it pretty much into a match race. It looked like Tiger Rules had him on the turn, but Crafty Lion was stubborn. At the end, however, Tiger Rules surged to the lead. On the scene late was Callmemisterlouis, who was gaining on both of them. Tiger Rules picks up his 2nd win in 7 starts, and now has earnings of $29,200.

Result: December 4, 2008
Laurel Race 6
Claiming

Equibase Chart

The Hill Drums Past Barrichello

Barrichello (Speightstown) went after the early lead with Hot Shot Jules. The latter secured the front position and Barrichello was back to stalking. Drummond Hill was never far back, came running on the turn, and left the pacesetters behind. Barrichello began moving backwards through the field and ended up 9th. Up front, Drummond Hill had to hold off Calm Night, who rallied well late. Also worth mentioning (because he is on my personal watch list), is the improved performance of Port Stanley. Yes, he finished 7th, but he was making up ground late and galloped out with the leaders. This one is screaming for a stretch out.

Result: December 4, 2008
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Taqarub Speights It

Taqarub took the lead after the break, and established a clear advantage. He had to work at the end when Fellow Crasher came running, but Taqarub was able to hold him off. In Speight of It (Speightstown) ran evenly, finishing 5th.

Result: December 4, 2008
Aqueduct Race 8
Allowance Optional Claiming

View Race Details and Equibase Chart

Bella d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) was scratched from her race at Aqueduct. That one was won by Pumpkin Shell, who ran down favorite Spell Check late. Meanwhile, at the Fair Grounds, MTO Greer Lynn (Speightstown) didn't go as the race stayed on the turf. In that race, Vickie's Ready was overtaken late by Linnea.

Who Will be a Delta Princess?

December 5, 2008
Delta Downs Race 6
Delta Princess (gr. III)
1 mile
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 9:17 PM HRTV

Not only do we have two horses running in this grade III event, but we have the top two choices and they are the only two graded stakes winners among the entrants of the Delta Princess.

Livin Lovin (Birdstone - Nurse Margaret by Captain Bodgit) last ran on November 1, when she won the Tempted Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct. In that race, she came from off the pace to run down Gemswick Park. She broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion in her 2nd start, on September 23 at Delaware Park. In between these two races, she was 2nd in the Mazarine (Can-III) Stakes at Woodbine on October 5. This will be her 5th different track in 5 starts. Since her Tempted win, she has worked twice at Fair Grounds, including a 3 furlong bullet on December 1.

C. S. Silk (Medaglia d'Oro - Remember the Day by Settlement Day) was last seen finishing 7th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) on October 24. In that race, she held the lead into the stretch before faltering late. In her last start before the Breeders' Cup, she went gate-to-wire in winning the Arlington-Washington Lassie (gr. III) at Arlington on September 6. She had previously come off the pace to break her maiden in her 2nd start, at Churchill Downs on July 6. In her debut, C. S. Silk finished 3rd, behind future graded stakes winner Rachel Alexandra. Since the Breeders' Cup, C. S. Silk has worked 3 times at Churchill Downs, including a 5 furlong bullet on November 25, and a 4 furlong bullet on December 1.

Southern Yankee (Yankee Gentleman - Wanna Kat by Katowice), Smokin Again (Smoke Glacken - Broad Hint by Broad Brush), and Seacrettina (Sea of Secrets - Sha Hearah by Dehere) met last time out in the My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs on November 7. Southern Yankee and Smokin Again finished 1-2 in that one, and Secrettina was 5th, after setting the early pace. Southern Yankee broke her maiden in her 2nd start on September 28 at Presque Isle Downs, and then won an Allowance race on October 17 at Mountaineer. Smokin Again's previous starts include a victory in the Princess Stakes on the Louisiana Downs turf on July 19. Smokin Again has worked once since the My Trusty Cat. Seacrettina has run 5 times. She broke her maiden first time out on May 4 at Lone Star Park, and then took the Silver Spur Stakes in her next start on July 26 at that same track. She also finished 2nd in the Clevor Trevor Stakes, and E. L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes before the My Trusty Cat. Seacrettina has had 3 bullet works since the My Trusty Cat, including 4 furlongs in :47 which was the fastest of 92 works at the distance.

Just Jenda (Menifee - Liberty School by Pine Bluff) is undefeated in two starts. She broker her maiden on September 20 at Philadelphia Park, and then won the Brandywine Stakes at that same track on October 28. Both of those starts were at 6 furlongs. She has had two Fair Grounds works since the Brandywine.

Phoenician Moon (Malibu Moon - Phoenicia by Mr Purple) broke her maiden in her debut on August 8 at Prairie Meadows. She then finished 2nd in the Prairie Meadows Debutante Stakes on September 13, also at Prairie Meadows. In her next start, she took the E. L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes at Remington Park on October 18, finishing 7th in that one was Seacrettina. Phoenician Moon's most start was in the Cimarron Stakes, where she clipped heels and lost her rider. She's had one 5 furlong bullet work (fastest of 9) since that aborted effort.

Garter Belt (Anasheed - Sexy Stockings by Tabasco Cat) has started 6 times at Calder. She won her debut on May 17, and an allowance race on August 23. Her most recent effort was a 4th place finish in the Florida Stallion My Dear Girl Stakes on October 18. She's had three works since then, including two at Delta Downs.

Four Gifts (Even the Score - Agiftfromservice by Service Stripe) and Loveyou Everybody (Five Star Day - Cherokee Canyon by Cherokee Run) finished 1-2 in a 7 furlong allowance race at Churchill Downs on November 1. It was the fourth start for Four Gifts, who broke her maiden on August 9 at Arlington Park. She then ran 3rd in an allowance race at Arlington Park on September 19, and fourth in an allowance race at Keeneland on October 17 (behind Rachel Alexandra). Since her allowance win, she has worked three times at Fair Grounds. Loveyou Everbody won an allowance race at Churchill Downs on November 15. Her maiden win came in her first start on September 17 at Turfway Park. Loveyou Everybody has worked once since her allowance triumph.

Read more about the Delta Princess here.

Mimsa has Boundless Bucks to Catch the Buss

December 5, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 3
Maiden Claiming ($17,500 - $20,000)
6 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 2:27 PM HRTV

Mimsa (Congaree - Majestic Report by Corporate Report) debuts at Fair Grounds against her fellow Lousiana-breds. Mimsa's last work was at Fair Grounds, three furlongs in :36.60. Before that, she had been working at Louisiana Downs. Mimsa sold for $22,000 as a yearling, and is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Actxecutive. Four of Mimsa's siblings won at 2, and 3 won their 2-year old debut. One of these was Actxecutive who was 2nd in the Best Pal (gr. II) and the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (gr. III) that year. Congaree's 42 runners have made 108 total starts, recording 17 wins, 18 seconds, 9 thirds, and $670,586.

Catch the Buss (Malabar Gold - Subconscious by Defrere) and Lacie J (Time Bandit - Relevation by Recusant) met on November 15 at Fair Grounds, finishing 7th and 10th. Catch the Buss has previously finished 2nd at Evangeline Downs on August 21. Catch the Buss is the 2nd foal out of the unraced mare Subconscious. Her first foal, Eeny Meeny, was winner at 2, and has earned $207,707 through 2008. Stakes-placed Relevation, dam of Lacie J, won 2 races at 2. Relevation has produced 9 winners, including 3 2-year old winners.

Finishing 10th, behind Catch the Buss, on August 21 at Evangeline Downs was Sirah Sirah (Texas Glitter - Kate Sirah Sirah by Silver Deputy). She has since finished 8th at Lousiana Downs on September 20. She is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, including Sportie's Squeeze who has earned $106,100 through 2008.

Suberi (Zarbyev - Suri by Concorde's Tune) and Dubai Star (E Dubai - Zarb's Star by Zarbyev) faced off on September 4 at Lousiana Downs, with Suberi 6th and Dubai Star 9th. Suberi previously was 9th at Lousiana Downs on August 9. She is the first foal out of the winning mare Suri. Suri is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Incredible Bulk. Incredible Bulk was a winner at 2, and earned $148,985 overall. Dubai Star also ran on the Louisiana Downs turf on November 11, finishing 7th. Her dam, Zarb's Star, was a stakes winner who earned $132,700. Zarb's Star has produced 4 winners from 5 to run, including stakes winner Star Production. Three of her offspring won at 2.

The remaining entrants are unraced.

Maxincomefree (My Friend Max - Somekindaspell by Northern Spell) is half-sister to 3 winners.

Tutu Cruiser (Cryptoclearance - Tarpin Ridge by Golden Act) is out of a winning mare who has produced stakes winners Bebe Garcon and Calista Ridge, and stakes-placed Keleb Ridge. Keleb Ridge was a debut winner at 2, who placed in the Stardust Stakes that year.

Gone Cajun (Macabe - Hawking Devil by Hawkster) is out of the unraced mare Hawking Devil, who is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winner Society Doon. Society Doon was a debut winner at 2, who won the American Beauty Stakes that year.

Stakes-placed Isle of Grey, dam of Doctor Grey (Doctor Mike - Isle of Grey by Digression), was a debut winner at 2, who earned $140,888 overall. Isle of Grey has produced 5 winners, including stakes winners Katlin's Rocket and Sammie Sam. Two of her offspring won at 2, including Sammie Sam who was a debut winner.

Stakes-placed Money Unlimited, dam of Boundless Bucks (Fifty Stars - Money Unlimited by Fire Dancer), was also a debut winner at 2. She finished 3rd in the Florida Stallion Susan's Girl Stakes that year, and earned $187,367 in her career. Money Unlimited has produced 4 winners from 5 to run, including stakes winner Go Atm. Go Atm, who was a winner at 2 and who has earned $112,305, is a full-sister to Boundless Bucks.

Cort's Love (Abajo - Grey Nikita by Skip Away) is out of the mare Grey Nikita, who was a winner at 2. Grey Nikita is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Ronton.

Clever Rules for Christo

December 5, 2008
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Claiming ($32,000)
7 furlongs
2-year Olds
Post Time: 3:02 PM

Clever Rules (Peace Rules - Clever Actress by Theatrical (IRE) makes his first start, and Christo (Peace Rules - Tis Me by Notebook) his 2nd, in this Peace Rules battle at Woodbine. Clever Rules, who has been working at Woodbine since late October, sold for $65,000 as a weanling, and $105,000 as a 2-year old. He is a half-brother to 4 winners, including stakes winner Big Apple Daddy. Big Apple Daddy was a debut winner at 2, and has earned $459,483 through 2008. Christo was 6th in his first start on November 7 at Woodbine. Christo is the first foal out of the mare Tis Me, who was a winner at 2 and earned $118,360 overall. Tis Me is a full-sister to the stakes winner Well Dressed, who was also a winner at 2. Peace Rules' 42 runners have made 145 total starts, recording 28 wins, 28 seconds, 16 thirds, and $670,994.

Also debuting in this one are Justcallmegeorge (Silver Ghost - Ms. Buckridge by Buckfinder), The World to Me (Domasca Dan - La Gazelle by Langfuhr), Friday On My Mind (Compadre - That Will Work by Tejabo), and Ten Six (Olmodavor - Party Down by Flag Down). Justcallmegeorge is a half-brother to 3 winners. The World to Me is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to the winner Petite Daphnee. Friday On My Mind, who sold for $68,386 as a yearling, is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare, That Will Work. That Will Work is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Simple Sister and grade II stakes-placed Kabul. Kabul earned $753,395 in a career that included a debut win at 2. Simple Sister won the Muskoka Stakes at 2. Ten Six is the first foal out of the winning mare Party Down. Party Down is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winner Little Joe Tubb. Three of her siblings won at 2, including Little Joe Tubb who was also stakes-placed that year.

White Balance (Delaware Township - Charge Account by Chief Honcho) has defeated Trust and Honor (Trust N Luck - Creative Lady by Alphabet Soup) twice at Woodbine. On October 10, White Balance was 3rd and Trust and Honor 9th. Then on November 5, White Balance was 4th and Trust and Honor 5th. White Balance also finished 7th on September 12 at Woodbine. He was a $20,000 2-year old, and is out of a 2-year old winning mare who has produced one winner. Trust and Honor finished 7th and 5th in two previous starts. He is the first foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to Highly Explosive. Highly Explosive was stakes-placed at 2.

Hensky (D'wildcat - Lusty Attire by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) and Scooby Dubai (Essence of Dubai - Rachael's Rumba by Pine Bluff) both finished 8th at Woodbine on November 9, in different races. Hensky, who was a $42,741 yearling, also finished 11th on October 24 at Woodbine. He is a half-brother to 4 winners, including stakes-placed Spy Aly. One of his siblings won at 2. Scooby Dubai finished 6th in his only other race, at Woodbine on October 13. He sold for $67,000 as a weanling, and is out of an unraced mare who has produced 2 winners.

Flowers N Weed (Domasca Dan - Fleur de Force by Skywalker) has made three starts, all at Woodbine. He was 7th on September 26, 11th on October 12, and 7th on November 6. He is a half-brother to the winner Talk About Seattle, a winner at 2 and 3.

Le Chat Noir (Cat's At Home - Freecielo by Conquistador Cielo) and AE entrant Sinfull Love (One Way Love - Sinhouse by Deposit Ticket) faced off on November 13th at Woodbine, with Le Chat Noir 4th and Sinfull Love 12th. Le Chat Noir has made three additional starts, all at Woodbine. He was also 4th in his debut on June 11. Le Chat Noir brought $25,605 as a yearling, and is out of the winning mare Freecielo. Freecielo has produced three winners, including stakes winner Lake Secret. Sinfull Love, who sold for $52,239 at 2, has made one additional start, finishing 8th at Woodbine on October 24. His dam, Sinhouse, earned $352,547 in a 36 race career. Sinfull Love is Sinhouse's first foal.

The remaining AE horses: No Fly Zone (Wild Wonder - Fly Super Fly by Fly So Free), Stay Cool (Silver Deputy - Saintly Manner by St. Jovite), and One Scotch (Perigee Moon - Simply Wild by Wild Again) raced against each other on November 21 at Woodbine. In that one, No Fly Zone was 3rd, Stay Cool 4th, and One Scotch 8th. No Fly Zone has made 7 total starts. His best finish was 2nd, which he achieved at Woodbine on September 28 and November 6. No Fly Zone's dam, Fly Super Fly, is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes-placed Silver Graphics. Stay Cool has run three additional times. His best finish was a 2nd on August 29 at Woodbine. He is out of a winning mare who has produced one winner. One Scotch's best finish in his 5 race career was a 7th on September 14 at Woodbine. He is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners, including stakes-placed Simply Again.

Prolific is either a Formal Deputy or Chester the Jester

December 5, 2008
Calder Race 10
Maiden Claiming ($12,500)
1 mile
2-year Olds
Post Time: 4:35 PM

Prolific (Medaglia d'Oro - Quadrahope by Quadratic) makes his 9th start, having run 6 times at Monmouth Park, and twice at the Meadowlands. In his most recent effort, on October 28 at the Meadowlands, he finished 5th on a sloppy track. His best finish was 2nd in a mile race at Monmouth on July 30. He has also finished 3rd twice, and 4th twice. Since his last start, he's worked once at Calder. Prolific is out of a mare who won once and placed 2nd once in two 2-year old starts. Selling for $37,000 as a yearling, Prolific is a half-brother to 5 winners, including El Prado Essence who earned $890,281 and won or placed in 16 stakes. As a 2-year old, El Prado Essence won her debut and finished 3rd in the Ontario Debutante Stakes. Medaglia d'Oro is the sire of 52 runners have made 154 total starts, recording 24 wins, 24 seconds, 17 thirds, and $1,301,796.

Helicopter (Three Wonders - Heaven's Run by Septeme Ciel), Chester the Jester (Deputy Rokeby - Vids Bourbon Joy by The Vid), and Tigerglider (Honor Glide - Attaway to Go Baby by Attaway to Go) met on November 21 at Calder in a mile and 70 yard Maiden Claiming contest. Helicopter was 2nd, Chester the Jester 4th, and Tigerglider 5th. Helicopter has made 12 total starts, all at Calder. He also finished 2nd on August 15, and 3rd on July 21. Helicopter is a half-brother to 4 winners, including 2 that won at 2. The 2-year old winners include Akatsakat, who was a stakes winner that year. Chester the Jester is a veteran of 9 Calder starts. His best finish was a 2nd on November 1 at a mile and 70 yards. Chester the Jester is by first-year sire, Deputy Rokeby, who has had one other runner. Deputy Rokeby is an unraced son of Deputy Minister. Chester the Jester's dam is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Tell You Why. Tigerglider has run 6 times at Calder. His best result came in his debut on July 28 where he was 4th. Tigerglider is a half-brother to 2 winners.

Master Tassel (Snuck In - Witchy Witch by Real Courage) and Dos Valientes (Lexicon - Kays Runner by Strike the Gold) have met twice in 7 furlong races at Calder. On October 30, Master Tassel was 5th and Dos Valientes 7th, and on November 16, Master Tassel was 2nd, and Dos Valientes 8th. Master Tassel has made 2 additional starts, finishing 6th and 8th. Master Tassel is a half-brother to 2 winners. Dos Valientes has also made 2 other starts, finishing 6th and 8th. He is out of the winning mare Kays Runner, who has produced 3 winners.

Also running in the October 30 race with Master Tassel and Dos Valientes were African Angel (Cape Town - Bee My Honey by Southern Halo), who was 8th, Helicopter, who was 9th, and Formal Deputy (Deputy Wildcat - Formal Jackie by Formal Dinner), who was 10th. African Angel has made just one other start, finishing 6th at Calder on October 3. Stakes-placed Bee My Honey, dam of African Angel, earned $106,343, and has produced one winner. That winner, Halo At Last, was a winner at 2. Formal Deputy previously finished 8th twice at Calder, on September 21 and October 12. Formal Deputy is the first foal out of the mare Formal Jackie, who was a winner at 2. Formal Jackie is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes winner Carey's Gold. Carey's Gold was a debut winner at 2, won or placed in 5 stakes and earned $490,136.

Cat a Bold (Tactical Cat - Boldest by Yallah (GB)), who sold for $17,000 as a yearling, has run four times at Calder. Her best finish was on July 31, where she finished 6th. He is out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including Individual Style. Individual Style won 5 races at 2, including the Hollywood Prevue Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III).

Solteiro (Grave Digger - Jamilka by Swain (IRE)) has made 3 Calder starts. He was 5th on July 31, 4th on September 26, and 7th on the turf on November 7. He is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to Youandiatdelmar. Youandiatdelmar was a 2-year old winner, and stakes-placed that year.

Since AE entrant Split the Tab (Sea of Secrets - Pocket Prodigy by Full Pocket) ran today, December 4, finishing 10th. I think that we can safely assume that he won't be back in again on Friday.

Also in action on December 5

Strike Jak (Peace Rules - Sunset Crest by Strike the Gold) and Normansbirdie (Birdstone - She's a Cool Cat by Mountain Cat) face each other, and 5 others in a 1 mile claiming race at Calder. Carded as Race 1, this one has a post time of 12:25 PM. Strike Jak, who has made three starts, broke her maiden in her most recent start on October 31 at Calder. Since that 1 1/16 mile contest, she has worked once at Calder. Normansbirdie has run 5 times, all at Calder. After breaking her maiden on September 11, she finished 9th in an allowance race on October 17, and then 3rd and 5th in two claiming sprints.

2-Year Old Works

New to this Blog

December 4

Working 4 furlongs in :51.40 at Skylight Training Center was Palin (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - La Alleged by Alleged). Palin is a half-sister to 2 winners. Her dam, La Alleged, is a half-sister to grade III winner Lovelier and grade I winner Outstandingly.

Stark's a Smarty (filly; Smarty Jones - A Stark Is Born by Graustark) worked 3 furlongs in :39.20 at Palm Meadows. A Stark Is Born, dam of Stark's a Smarty, was a winner at 2, 3, and 4. She has produced 9 winners, including stakes winner Born Winner, and grade II winner Nasty Storm.