Valid Rule (Peace Rules) jumped out of the gate and went right to the lead. Royal Sneaker and Johnnies Breeze took a run at him, but could make no headway. In the stretch, Valid Rule pulled away with ease to take it by better than 8. There's no stopping Valid Rule now that he's learned to keep the jockey on. Valid Rule was claimed out of the race, and is now owned by Maggi Moss.

Result: January 7, 2009
Hawthorne Race 3
Claiming

Equibase Chart

Run Smart One into the Winner's Circle

Run Smart One (Smarty Jones) went off at less than even money, but it was a little tougher than that. Leo Larkspur and Ventry set the early pace, with Run Smart One sitting just off of them. Run Smart One moved to the lead on the turn, but Ventry was coming on the outside. He took the lead, but, Run Smart One wasn't done and came on again to just get the win by a head. These two were well clear of the rest of the field. Spikey Italiano finished last. Anyone want to claim him for running long on the turf?

Result: January 7, 2009
Turfway Park Race 1
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

The Rat Scoots Over Jaystone

Scooter Rat took the lead out of the gate and that was pretty much it, although Brock N Roll did cut the lead in half at the end (from 6 to 3 lengths). Jaystone (Birdstone) looked good in the paddock before the race, but he was bumped at the start and steadied on the turn. All of that, plus the sloppy track, makes his 6th place finish seem not so bad.

Result: January 7, 2009
Aqueduct Race 4
Maiden Claiming

Equibase Chart

Other Results for January 7

Normansbirdie (filly; Birdstone) ran a very nice race at Gulfstream. She was stalking early, and then took the lead after 6 furlongs. Girl Band came rolling, but Normansbirdie was tough and didn't give up. Girl Band took the win, but Normansbirdie never stopped trying.

Pretty Kitten (filly; Saarland) finished 5th in the 3rd race at Camarero.

Tiger Rules (colt; Peace Rules) finished 4th on an extremely sloppy Charles Town track. Two horses were scratched at the gate in this one, not sure whether the delay had any affect on Tiger Rules or not. He was claimed out of the race.

Itlee will Stayonit to be a Snowmaster

January 8, 2009
Santa Anita Race 1
Maiden Special Weight
1 1/16 miles
3-year olds
Post Time: 4:00 PM ET HRTV

Itlee (Pleasantly Perfect - Dancey Kate by Danzig) makes his 2nd start, after finishing 4th first time out (just missing third) at Hollywood Park in a mile and a sixteenth contest on December 14. He's had three works at Santa Anita since then. He sold for $21,500 as a yearling, and for $162,500 as a 2-year old. Itlee is a half-brother to 7 winners, including stakes winner Dyna's Club and group I stakes-placed New Story.

Also returning from Itlee's December 14 debut is Big Shot Syd (Chapel Royal - Mighty Fine Music by Pleasant Tap), who was 2nd that day. In his only other start, he was 10th at 6.5 furlongs at Hollywood on November 8. Big Shot Syd, who sold for $125,000 as a yearling is out of a winning mare who has produced the winner Siphon Ridge.

Life Goes On (Vindication - Limelighter by Seeking the Gold) and Personality Kid (Aptitude - Hydration by Unbridled) also met on December 14 at Hollywood, but in a different mile and a sixteenth race. Life Goes On was 5th, and Personality Kid 8th. These two also met at Hollywood on November 22, where Life Goes On was 7th, and Personality Kid was 4th.. Life Goes On is a full-brother to the winner Tintreach. Personality Kid has made one additional start, finishing 5th at Santa Anita on October 19. He is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare Hydration. Hydration's first foal, Woodland Flood, is a winner.

Finishing 3rd, in front of Life Goes On and Personality Kid, on November 22 at Hollywood, was Hi Flyin Indy (A. P. Indy - Go for It Lady by Mr. Prospector). He also finished third in his debut, at Keeneland on October 3. Hi Flyin Indy, who sold for $725,000 as a yearling, and is a half-brother to grade III winner Spring Meadow. Spring Meadow won or placed in 10 stakes, and earned $496,123.

Snowmaster (Maria's Mon - Snowflake (IRE) by Caerleon) finished 3rd in his only start, a mile and a sixteenth contest at Laurel on December 4. He is the first foal out of group I stakes-placed Snowflake, who earned $229,556.

Stayonit (Unbridled's Song - Trackofthecat by Forest Wildcat) has run twice, finishing 10th at Santa Anita on September 27, and 7th on the Hollywood Park turf on November 22. Trackofthecat, dam of Stayonit, earned $109,820 in a 14 race career. Stayonit is her first foal. Trackofthecat is a half-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winner Texturizer.