Pumpkin Shell Takes the Busanda Over Missunitednations

This was one of the those races where the speed definitely came back to the field. Most of the horses that were up there early, Miss Dartmouth, Southern Charmer, Flashing weakened and finished at the back. While those at the back early, Pumpkin Shell and Chocolate Pop, did their best running at the end, to finish 1st and 2nd. The exception was Don't Forget, who was up close early, hit the front after the pace faded, but couldn't hold off the closers. She was, however, not far back in third. Missunitednations (Peace Rules) was about mid-pack, came four wide, but then went steadily backward. She did end up finishing a respectable fifth, but it may have been more of a case of passing tired ones, then making up ground. The big story today at Aqueduct was the snow, which was very heavy at times.

Result: January 10, 2009
Aqueduct Race 8
Busanda Stakes

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Florentino Wires Caffe D' Oro

It was the Japanese connections that took the exacta in this one. Japanese-bred Florentino was the winner, and Mikoshi, out of a Japanese mare, was 2nd. Florentino went to the lead at the start, and although he was never able to shake free from the field, he was able to hold off Mikoshi. Bearpath closed well for third. Caffe D' Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) took a lot of money in this one, going off at 3-1 (as opposed to the morning line of 8-1). He was in a good spot early on, around 5th. Then, he was making a move on the outside, when he clipped heels with Umbra, almost going down. Caffe D' Oro finished the race fine, but the jockey didn't push him after that.

Result: January 10, 2009
Gulfstream Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

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Satan Takes Down Maiden Watch

With the scratch of Touche, 3 out of the 8 in this one were Maiden Watch horses. Should have been a shoo-in for victory? Well, it started out well, as Mein Fraulein (Saarland) took the early lead. She was soon joined by Oriental Sunshine (Medaglia d'Oro). That one came up the rail and soon took control. Looking good, for a Maiden Watch exacta. But, it was not too be, as Satans Quick Chick rolled by both of them to get the win. Oriental Sunshine and Mein Fraulein were well-clear in 2nd and 3rd. Perfectly Campbell (Pleasantly Perfect) didn't run much, finished 6th.

Result: January 10, 2009
Turfway Park Race 10
Maiden Special Weight

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Piso Mojado Squelches the Rumors of Peace

Piso Mojado went right to the lead with Cat Dash applying pressure. They stayed 1-2 the whole way round, with Piso Mojado gradually putting space between himself and the rest of the field. Peace Rumor (Peace Rules) ran evenly, claiming 4th soon after the gates opened and keeping that placing throughout. He certainly improved from his debut (10th) and outran his 30-1 odds. There was very little change in position in this race, the first five stayed in the same position throughout, and there was only minor shifting among the other horses.

Result: January 10, 2009
Fair Grounds Race 11
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

Other Results for January 10

As predicted, Perfectionism did not draw into his race at Santa Anita. That one was taken in impressive fashion by Mark S the Cooler, who will probably be staying on the turf after that performance.

ENTRIES

Dreaming of Gifts for a King

January 11, 2009
Fair Grounds Race 1
Maiden Claiming ($10,000 - $15,000)
1 mile
3-year olds
Post Time: 1:30 PM ET HRTV

Gifts for a King (Saarland - Shepherd's Star by Seeking the Gold) and Dreams d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Morning Time by Gilded Time) will break side-by-side, as both make their 6th start. These two have faced off before on November 27 at Fair Grounds, where Gifts for a King was 2nd and Dreams d'Oro 4th. That was Gifts for a King's best showing. His most recent start was on December 22 at Fair Grounds, where he was 7th. Selling for $30,000 as a yearling, Gifts for a King is a half-brother to the winner Vinnie's Lad. Dreams d'Oro also finished 4th in his most recent start, on December 14 at Fair Grounds. Dreams d'Oro, who sold for $70,000 as a yearling, is a half-brother to two winners including stakes winner Morner. Morner won or placed in 5 stakes and earned $262,002.

Days Action (Action This Day - Crystal Woods by Woodman) and Lucius Vorenus (With Approval - Good Solution by Alydeed) finished 8th and 10th, behind Gifts for a King on December 22. Days Action has made 4 additional starts, including 3 turf starts. His best finish was 4th on the Ellis Park turf on August 16. Days Action is a half-brother to 7 winners, including stakes winner Bonnie Scot. Lucius Vorenus did his previous running at Woodbine, where he was 4th twice and 7th once in 3 starts. Lucius Vorenus was a $25,000 2-year old, and is a half-brother to 3 winners.

Hector Connector (Devil His Due - Theheartofdixie by Crafty Prospector), Big Dustman (Stephen Got Even - Embrace Lauren by Conquistador Cielo), and Courthouse Charmer (Doneraile Court - Lil's Gate by Gate Dancer) faced Dreams d'Oro on December 14. Hector Connector finished 3rd, in front of Dreams d'Oro, Big Dustman was 5th, and Courthouse Charmer was 10th. Hector Connector, who sold for $16,000 at 2, finished 12th on the Fair Grounds turf on November 22 in his only other start. He is a half-brother to 3 winners, including stakes-placed Lesly's Back. Big Dustman has run 6 total times. His best finish was 4th, which he achieved on November 21 at Fair Grounds, and on July 27 on the Louisiana Downs turf. Big Dustman is a half-brother to one winner, and his dam is a half-sister to 3 winners. Courthouse Charmer is out of a winning mare who has produced 7 winners, including stakes winners Zeta and Dream Lady.

Lord of Thunder (Menifee - Flick by Dehere) and What About It Brud (Petionville - Alyette by Alydeed) met on December 19 in a 6 furlong Fair Grounds contest. Lord of Thunder has made 5 total starts, recording 2 seconds, a third, and a seventh. He is out of stakes winner Flick, who is a half-sister to grade III winner Cinemine. What About It Brud's best finish was 4th in his debut on November 2 at Churchill Downs. He has made 4 total starts. What About It Brud, who brought $25,000 as a yearling, is a half-brother to 2 winners.

Statice (Candy Ride (ARG) - Laurie's Balada by Saint Ballado) finished 7th in his only start, on December 7 at Fair Grounds. He is out of a winning mare, who has produced one winner.

Con Lover will use Blue Magic Devilishly

January 11, 2009
Turfway Park Race 6
Maiden Claiming ($30,000)
5.5 furlongs
3-year old fillies
Post Time: 3:28 PM ET TVG

Con Lover (Congaree - Timeless Love by Gilded Time) makes her 4th overall start, and her 3rd at Turfway. Last time out, on December 28 at Turfway, she finished 3rd in a 6 furlong contest. Previously, she was 5th at Turfway on December 19, and 10th at Churchill on November 7. She's worked once since her last start. Con Lover is out of the stakes winner Timeless Love. Timeless Love won or placed in 5 stakes, and earned $179,448.

Lovie (Golden Missile - Corporate Miss by Corporate Report) and Proudly Irish (Jump Start - Deb's Magic by Magic Prospect) faced Con Lover on December 28. Lovie finished 2nd, in front of Con Lover, Proudly Irish was 4th, behind Con Lover. Lovie has run one other time, finishing 9th at Turfway on December 3. Lovie is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners. Proudly Irish has made 2 additional starts, both at Mountaineer, finishing 4th and 5th. Proudly Irish, who sold for $15,000 as a yearling, is out of the winning mare Deb's Magic. Deb's Magic is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winner Tour d'Or.

Blue Magic (Richter Scale - Princess Blue by Sovereign Don) ran in a different 6 furlong race at Turfway on December 28, finishing 4th. It was her first and only start. Stakes winner Princess Blue, dam of Blue Magic, earned $139,868 in 22 starts. She has produced 3 winners.

Saintly Shylock (Ten Most Wanted - Northern Saint by Sunny's Halo) met Con Lover on December 19 at Turfway, finishing 9th (behind Con Lover). Saintly Shylock is out of the winning mare Northern Saint, who has produced 4 winners including stakes winner My Sweet Sug and stakes-placed Saint Golddigger.

For Spacious Skies (Golden Missile - Expanse by Distant View) finished 9th, in front of Con Lover, on November 7 at Churchill Downs. For Spacious Skies' dam was stakes-placed. For Spacious Skies is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes winner Reporting for Duty.

Miss Hermosa (Hoolie - Miss Kitty's City by Carson City) and Flatterwithglitter (Flatter - Glitter Bond by Glitterman) met Lovie on December 3 at Turfway Park. Miss Hermosa finished 5th, in front of Lovie, while Flatterwithglitter finished behind Lovie in 11th. Miss Hermosa has since finished 6th at Turfway Park on December 27. Miss Hermosa is out of a winning mare, who has produced one winner from two to run. Flatterwithglitter, who sold for $14,000 as a 2-year old, is out of the winning mare Glitter Bond, who earned $104,006. Glitter Bond has produced 2 winners, from three to run.

Saint Brigid (Chapel Royal - Pleasing Prospect by Mr. Prospector) has run three times, finishing 4th on the Kentucky Downs turf on September 16, 6th on the Keeneland Polytrack on October 9, and 4th on the Churchill Downs dirt on November 5. Saint Brigid is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Completing the field is unraced Devilishly (Devil His Due - Barby's Shamrock by Petionville), first foal out of the winning mare Barby's Shamrock. Barby's Shamrock is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes winner Shamrock Slew.

Schrader Rules with Laura's Luck and Untuttable Charm

January 11, 2009
Gulfstream Park Race 10
Maiden Claiming ($12,500 - $15,000)
6 furlongs
3-year old fillies
Post Time: 5:31 PM ET HRTV

Schrader Rules (Peace Rules - She Did It Her Way by Private Terms) hasn't been heard from since she finished 4th on the turf at Calder on September 11. Previously, she was 4th on the dirt at Calder on August 17. She has been working regularly since early November, first at Calder and then at Gulfstream. Schrader Rules is the first foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to 5 winners.

Debuting in this one are Tiznula (Tizbud - Arenula by Devil His Due) and Lilmac's Essence (Essence of Dubai - Lil Mac Attack by Grand Slam). Tiznula is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare Arenula. Arenula is a a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Capable Capers. Lilmac's Essence brought $25,000 as a 2-year old, and is a half-sister to the winner Krizeny.

Borsa (Louis Quatorze - Doll'demontreal by Montreal Red), Patricia (Put It Back - Charming Pat by Silver Charm), and Untuttable Charm (Untuttable - Terri's Charm by Gate Dancer) met on January 1 at Calder, in a 5.5 furlong Maiden claiming contest. Borsa was 5th, Patricia was 7th, and Untuttable Charm was 8th. Borsa has run 12 total times. Her best finish was 2nd on October 30 at Calder. Borsa is the first foal out of an unplaced mare, who is a half-sister to 5 winners. Patricia has made 2 previous starts, both at Philadelphia Park. She was 8th on December 7, and 9th on November 25. Patricia is the first foal out of an unplaced mare. Untuttable Charm has run twice previously at Calder, finishing 5th on December 23, and 9th on Decmember 8. She is out of the winning mare Terri's Charm. Terri's Charm has produced 5 winners, including stakes-placed winners He's a Charm and Tiz a Dancer.

Savannah Sings (Concerto - Pammy's Grand by Grand Flotilla) and Dancingfordiamonds (American Spirit - Isabel's Dance by Dance Brightly) finished 2nd and 3rd, in front of Untuttable Charm, on December 23 at Calder. Savannah Sings has made 7 total starts, all at Calder. Savannah Sings is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners. Dancingfordiamonds is the first foal out of the unplaced mare Isabel's Dance. Isabel's Dance is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winner Broadway Producer.

Laura's Luck (Gulch - Moonlit Evening by His Majesty) has run 6 total times, all at Calder. She finished 2nd on August 31, and 4th in every other start. Laura's Luck is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Christmas Eve (Whywhywhy - Heavenly Times by Relaunch) and Silver Lulu (Greatness - Fantasy Fest by Skip Away) have both run once at Calder. Christmas Eve was 5th on December 8. She is out of a winning mare who has produced 5 winners. Silver Lulu's race was on December 22, where she finished 6th. She is the 2nd foal out of the unraced mare Fantasy Fest. Fantasy Fest is a half-sister to the winner Black Magic Girl.

Bear's Marie will be Dancing With Lily to Charmer Ridge

January 11, 2009
Fair Grounds Race 10
Maiden Claiming ($12,000 - $15,000)
5.5 furlongs
3-year old fillies
Post Time: 5:55 PM ET HRTV

Bear's Marie (Congaree - White Line by Expelled) makes her first start outside Canada in this 5.5 furlong event. Bear's Marie made three starts at Woodbine, finishing 8th on September 28, 2nd on November 14, and 5th on November 30. Bear's Marie, who sold for $67,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winners Coax Chelsie and Coax Stardust.

Also last seen at Woodbine was Endure Difficultie (Stormy Atlantic - Stop the Croquet by Stop the Music), who finished 4th in her two Woodbine starts. Endure Difficultie, who sold for $22,000 as a yearling, is out of the winning mare, Stop the Croquet. Stop the Croquet has produced 5 winners, including stakes-placed Watershed Park.

Miss Carmelite (Mutakddim - Shake Down by Lord At War (ARG)), Stormin Riley (Storm Boot - Maxixe by Dauphin Fabuleux), and Dancing With Lily (Shore Breeze - Little Dancer by Composer) met in a 5.5 furlong race at Fair Grounds on January 1. Miss Carmelite was 2nd, Stormin Riley was 3rd, and Dancing With Lily 9th. Stormin Riley and Dancing With Lily previously met on November 28 at Fair Grounds, finishing 7th and 10th on the sloppy track. Miss Carmelite has made 2 previous starts, finishing 11th on December 20 at Fair Grounds, and 10th at Churchill on November 26. Miss Carmelite's dam, Shake Down, was a winner at 2 and 3. Shake Down has produced 4 winners. Stormin Riley made her debut at Evangeline Downs on August 14, finishing 6th. A $10,000 yearling, Stormin Riley is out of stakes winner Maxixe. Maxixe has produced 5 winners from 6 to run, including stakes winner Max West. Dancing With Lily is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to the winner Lennys Vision.

Miss Anomaly (During - Lady Quarterbag by Bon Point (GB)) has run twice at Fair Grounds. On December 20, she finished 10th, in front of Miss Carmelite. Previously, she was 2nd in a November 30 race. Miss Anomaly is a half-sister to the winner Wild Magpie.

E Class (E Dubai - Take Into Account by Top Account) debuted at Ellis Park on August 28, finishing 6th. She then ran on a sloppy Hoosier Park track on November 15, finishing 3rd. E Class is the first foal out of the winning mare Take Into Account. Take Into Account is a half-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winner Shot Gun Favorite.

Roisin's Charm (Shore Breeze - Gweniveve by Valiant Nature) has also run twice, finishing 9th at Louisiana Downs on October 9, and 6th at Delta Downs on November 19. Roisin's Charm is the second foal out of the winning mare Gweniveve. Gweniveve is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Charmer Ridge (Cactus Ridge - Charmer Venture (GB) by Zilzal) started once on December 7 at Fair Grounds, but she refused to break from the gate. Stakes-placed Charmer Venture, dam of Charmer Ridge, is a half-sister to 6 winners, and a full-sister to stakes winner I'm So Lucky.

Chaotic Budha (Buddha - Zelmira by Deputy Minister), Unlimited Warranty (Legion Field - Two Year Waranty by Cherokee Run), and Targeted Attack (On Target - Keepitsimplestupid by Jolie's Halo) are all unraced. Chaotic Budha's dam is a half-sister to 2 winners. Unlimited Warranty is the first foal out of the winning mare Two Year Waranty. Two Year Waranty is a half-sister to 5 winners. Keepitsimplestupid, dam of Targeted Attack, was a winner, who has produced stakes-placed Kiss an Optimist.

Also entered on January 11

Promise Me Merlot (gelding; Peace Rules) makes his 3-year old debut in a 7 furlong allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs (race 9). He'll face 7 while breaking from post 3 in this one scheduled for a post of 4:07 PM. Promise Me Merlot finished 6th in the Inaugural Stakes in his most recent start, on December 27 at Tampa Bay. His maiden win came at 6.5 furlongs at Calder on August 9.

New Workers to this Blog

January 10

Working 5 furlongs in 1:02.80 at Palm Meadows was Magical Mist (filly; Congaree - Call Her Magic by Caller I. D.). Magical Mist brought $52,000 as a weanling, and is out of stakes winner Call Her Magic. Call Her Magic earned $195,013 and has produced two winners, including stakes-placed Kid Majic.

Solid d'Oro (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Onceinabluemamoon by Al Mamoon) worked 4 furlongs in :49.00 at Hollywood Park. Solid d'Oro sold for $250,000 as a yearling, and is out of grade II winner Onceinabluemamoon. Onceinabluemamoon has produced 2 winners, including stakes winner One Union.

Dark Starlet (filly; Speightstown - Flowers and Vines by Blushing John) worked 3 furlongs in :39.40 at Palm Meadows. Dark Starlet sold for $130,000 as a weanling, and $150,000 as a yearling. Dark Starlet is a half-sister to 7 winners, including grade II stakes-placed runners Uno Fino Vino and Ketchikan.