Capitol Limited (Saarland) rushed to the early lead, hounded by Royal Money. Staunch Commander was also among the early mix. Lookin Left (Congaree) made his move in the stretch, sweeping to the lead. He was joined by Rare Cut. These two raced as a team for a time, but Lookin Left pulled away, winning by better than 4. This was a very professional score for Lookin Left, the 17th winner for Congaree. Capitol Limited faded to 9th after his early involvement, but he should be stronger next time out.

Result: December 14, 2008
Remington Park Race 6
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details and Equibase Chart

Tranquil Times Prevail

Tranquil Times (Peace Rules) seems to have figured this game out, as he took his 2nd race in a row. He stalked the early pace and then moved on the outside, taking control in mid-stretch. He did look a little green in the stretch, drifiting in and out, but he scored a clear victory. Peace Rules has now sired 8 repeat winners.

Replay

Result: December 14, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 7
Claiming

Equibase Chart

Adduce makes a Moving Violation

Fissato and Dakota Dunes battled early. They were joined entering the stretch by Mr Magenta. Watching the action in fourth was Adduce. Mr Magenta hit the front as Fissato faded. But Adduce was coming and got up for the win. Closing well was Empire Express, who despite my doubts, did run just 2 days after his debut. Moving Violation (Medaglia d'Oro) was never much involved, running 10th the whole way round.

Result: December 14, 2008
Philadelphia Park Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details and Equibase Chart

Flat Out on a Country Day

Doc Posse went to the lead, pressured by Inflight, with Whenthedealinsdone just off of them. Inflight weakened in the stretch and Whenthedealinsdone surged to the lead. However, he couldn't hold off Flat Out, who trailed early, but steadily wore down the leaders. Country Day (Speightstown) was wide throughout, made up some ground in the stretch, but lacked that final punch. In the end, he was 4th again.

Replay

Result: December 14, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details and Equibase Chart

Poker Dave Outbids Itlee and Free Beer

There was a big of a scramble early on, as everyone seemed to want the lead. Big Shot Syd emerged on top, with Galayo pressing on the outside. I. B. Outta Here was pursuing in third. In the stretch, Poker Dave joined in the fun. Big Shot Syd fought on, but Poker Dave prevailed. I have to say that it's hard not to appreciate a Poker Dave/Big Shot Syd exacta. Sounds like they should have been running in Las Vegas. Itlee (Pleasantly Perfect) had a nice debut. He was a bit rank early, but then put in a nice move on the outside and just missed 3rd. Free Beer (Medaglia d'Oro) was involved early, but then dropped back and ran evenly in 7th.

Result: December 14, 2008
Hollywood Race 2
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details and Equibase Chart

Tuscan Mist More than Dreams

Saddle Ridge, who broke through the gate before the start, sprinted to the lead. He was pursued by Vintage Dave. Vintage Dave gained the advantage on the turn, but Tuscan Mist was rolling. Vintage Dave tried to keep pace, but Tuscan Mist was too much and he rolled by. Dreams d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) was near the back early, swung outside and passed a bunch to move into 4th, but was no real threat the the top finishers.

Replay

Result: December 14, 2008
Fair Grounds Race 10
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Other Results for December 14

Heir to the Stone (Birdstone) stumbled at the break and then was bumped, raced wide, and came up just short to Giant Ryan in Race 5, an allowance race at Aqueduct.

Bella d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) failed to draw into her race. That one was won in gate-to-wire fashion by favorite Miss Dartmouth.

Kelode will Press the Limit for a Moonlite Ride

December 16, 2008
Philadelphia Park Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile and 70 yards
2-year Olds
Post Time: 2:31 PM

Kelode (Saarland - Precious Jewell by Fortunate Prospect) makes his 3rd start overall, and his 2nd at Philadelphia Park. He was 7th in his debut at Keeneland on October 5, and finished 6th in his most recent start on November 28 at Philadelphia Park. Since that race, he has worked a couple of times 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 31 runners have made 96 total starts, recording 10 wins, 8 seconds, 12 thirds, and $303,389.

Also returning from the November 28 race are Devil's Dream (Devil His Due - Tra by Farma Way), Homecroft (Polish Miner - Sent Certified by Strike Gold), and Long Hill Glider (Storm of Angels - Robin Cleary by Robin des Pins). Devil's Dream was 2nd, Homecroft was 4th, and Long Hill Glider 11th. Devil's dream also finished 2nd in two previous starts at Philadelphia Park, on October 15, and November 3. Devil's Dream is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners, both of which won at 2. Homecroft 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. Long Hill Glider was third in his debut at Philadelphia Park on October 13, and then finished 2nd in the Norman Hall Stakes at Suffolk Downs on November 1. Long Hill Glider is the 2nd foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Moonlite Ride (Tenpins - Moonlite Hunt by Deerhound) finished 2nd in his most recent start, the High Yield Stakes at Penn National on November 6. Previously, he ran in two Maiden Special Weight Races at Philadelphia Park, finishing 4th on August 11, and 2nd on August 23. Moonlite Ride is the first foal out of the winning mare Moonlite Hunt. Moonlite Hunt is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Namequest.

Press the Limit (Stormy Atlantic - Taanis by Dayjur) has run three times, including his last two at Philadelphia Park. He was 3rd on November 2, and 4th on November 23. Press the Limit, who sold for $180,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to 2 winners, including Jockey Ridge. Jockey Ridge finished 3rd in the 2008 Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III).

Another veteran of three starts is Baton Rouge (Fusaichi Pegasus - Brown Eyes (GB) by Danehill). He was 3rd in his debut at Churchill Downs on April 30, 10th at Keeneland on October 24, and 6th at Churchill Downs on November 19. Baton Rouge's dam, Brown Eyes, was a winner at 2, and has produced the winner Box Hill who finished 3rd in the Austrian Derby (Aut-I). Box Hill is full-brother to Baton Rouge.

Philotimo (Sweetsouthernsaint - Potluck Dinner by Pentelicus) has run twice, finishing 5th at Belmont on October 16, and 11th at Aqueduct on November 22. Philotimo, who sold for $150,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to 4 winners, including stakes winner Gaston A.

Prickly Pete (Devil His Due - Daylight Ridge by Dayjur) was 2nd in his only start, at Philadelphia Park on November 24. Daylight Ridge, dam of Prickly Pete, was a stakes winner who earned $177,695. She has produced 6 winners from 7 to run, including stakes winner Independent George. Two of her offspring won at 2.

Chief Tomoka (Malibu Moon - Cant Stop the Fire by Cozzene) made his only start on the Aqueduct turf on November 22, finishing 6th. A $30,000 yearling, Chief Tomoka is out of a winning mare who has produced the winner Colossal Fire. Colossal Fire was a winner at 2.

Unraced Zooger (Hold That Tiger - Heavenliness by Lord Avie), who sold for $85,000 as a yearling, is out of stakes winner Heavenliness. Heavenliness won or placed in 16 stakes and earned $343,760. Heavenliness has produced 2 winners, including stakes winner Amandatude. Amandatude was a winner at 2, and earned $408,570 overall.

Medal Winner is a Restless Missile on a Salty Mesa

December 16, 2008
Sunland Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2-year Old Fillies
Post Time: 3:45 PM

Medal Winner (Medaglia d'Oro - Winner's Ticket by Jolie's Halo) makes her debut at Sunland, after working at Retama for several months. Medal Winner, who sold for $160,000 as a yearling, is out of the 2-year old winning mare Winner's Ticket. Winner's Ticket has produced 5 winners from 5 to run, including stakes winner My Heavenly Sign, and grade III winner Skip to the Stone. Three of Medal Winner's siblings won at 2. Medaglia d'Oro's 55 runners have made 164 total starts, recording 26 wins, 27 seconds, 17 thirds, and $1,428,976.

Also debuting in this one is Restless Missile (Golden Missile - Strong Credentials by Carson City), who sold for $75,000 as a yearling, and $130,000 as a 2-year old. Stakes winner Strong Credentials, dam of Restless Missile, was a debut winner at 2 who won the Angie C. Stakes that same year. Strong Credentials has produced the winner Awesome'ncool.

Full Length Mink (Star Programmer - Mink by Slewacide), Good Brew (Ecton Park - Malt by Zilzal), Ima Sweet Street (City Street - Ima Mermaid Too by Commanchero), and Maid by Pepper M (Pepper M. - Maid to Dash by John's Choice) met on November 25 at Zia Park in a 5.5 furlong race. Full Length Mink was 2nd, Good Brew 3rd, Ima Sweet Street 4th, and Maid by Pepper M 7th. Full Length Mink has started 5 total times, finishing 2nd twice, 3rd twice, and 10th once. Stakes winner Mink, the dam of Full Length Mink, is a full-sister to grade III winner Slew O Mink. Good Brew is out of stakes winner Malt, who earned $182,867. Malt has produced the winner Swift Strike, who has earned $75,986 through 2008. Ima Sweet Street has made 3 previous starts at Zia Park, finishing 2nd on November 4, 3rd on October 19, and 9th on September 15. Ima Sweet Street sold for $15,000 as a yearling, and is the 2nd foal out of an unplaced mare. Maid by Pepper M is out of stakes-placed Maid to Dash who was a winner at 2. Maid to Dash has produced the winner Clay County Maid.

Shannon Sue (Stephen Got Even - Classy Ensign by Polish Navy) has run twice, finishing 2nd at Zia Park both on September 15 and September 29. In both races, she finished in front of Full Length Mink. Shannon Sue, who sold for $105,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 7 winners. However, none of her siblings won at 2.

Eru (E Dubai - Pyrite Fab by Regal Search) has run 5 times, one at Lone Star and 4 times at Remington Park. Her best finish was her debut on July 18 at Lone Star Park where she finished 2nd. In his most recent starts, on November 14 and December 5 at Remington Park, she was 3rd. Pyrite Fab, dam of Eru, was a winner at 2 and stakes-placed that year. In her career, Pyrite Fab earned $138,799. Pyrite Fab has produced three winners, all of which won at 2.

Salty Mesa (Salt Lake - Mesa Beauty by Royal Academy) finished 7th in his only start, at Remington Park on November 1. Salty Mesa is the first foal out of the winning mare Mesa Beauty. Mesa Beauty is a half-sister to four winners.

Tasha's Star (Spanish Steps - Ms. Cuvee Napa by Relaunch) has also run once, finishing 8th at Saratoga on August 31. She sold for $130,000 as a yearling and $300,000 as a 2-year old, and is by freshman sire, Spanish Steps. Spanish Steps has had 23 runners who have made 83 total starts, registering 9 wins, 10 seconds, 7 thirds, and $207,885. Tasha's Star is out of a winning mare, and is a half-sister to 5 winners, including Tasha's Miracle. Tasha's Miracle won the Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) at 2, and has earned $398,452 through 2008.

Also in action on December 16

Mostly Peace (filly; Peace Rules - Ms. Mostly by Copelan) makes her 10th start in Race 4 at Philadelphia Park, a one mile claiming contest. Mostly Peace, who broke her maiden on August 4 at Delaware Park, finished 4th in her most recent start on November 29 at Philadelphia Park.

2-Year Old Works

New to this Blog

December 15

Exclusively Mine (colt; Saarland - Jingle Berry by Two Punch) worked at 6 furlongs at Calder in 1:18.00. He also worked 5 furlongs in 1:04.00 at Calder on December 6, but I didn't get notice of that work until now. Exclusively Mine sold for $15,000 as a yearling, and is out of the winning mare Jingle Berry. Jingle Berry has produced three winners from three to run, including one 2-year old winner.