Payton d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) went off as the favorite, but was slow out of the gate. Instead, Having Faith took to the lead, chased by Missy Lou. Payton d'Oro began her move on the far turn, coming 4-wide. Having Faith had little response, as Payton d'Oro drew clear by several lengths. No Warning closed to get third over a tiring Missy Lou.

Result: January 30, 2009
Oaklawn Race 1
Maiden Special Weight

Race Details and Equibase Chart

Frolic is the Dream

Gemswick Park (Speightstown) took the early lead, but she was pressured by Frolic's Dream. That one took the lead after a half, and Gemswick Park faded. Frolic's Dream shook clear from the field and was soon 5 in front. C. S. Silk (Medaglia d'Oro) was in a good position, but lost ground on the turn, and finished 4th. Coming on strong at the end was Renda (Medaglia d'Oro), who closed on a tiring Frolic's Dream. That one drifted out late, but had enough left to keep Renda at bay. However, Renda was 10 lengths in front of the rest of them. It was a disappointing performance for Gemswick Park and C. S. Silk, but I can't wait to see Renda go farther.

Read more about the Forward Gal here.

Result: January 30, 2009
Gulfstream Park Race 6
Forward Gal Stakes

Race Details and Equibase Chart

Other Results for January 30

Cradle of Peace (gelding; Peace Rules - Cat's Cradle by Flying Paster) made a bid in his claiming race at Laurel, but faded and finished 6th.

Himynameissarah (filly; Saarland - Pacific Island by Grand Slam) made a move on the turn to get into 2nd, but weakened and finished 5th in her claiming race at Oaklawn.

Peace Reigns (filly; Peace Rules - Diamond Dottie by Eagle Eyed) didn't do much running in her maiden claiming contest at Oaklawn, finishing 8th.

Racing did resume at Turfway Park (and I did get out of my driveway), but Presidente d'Oro (gelding; Medaglia d'Oro - Temis (CHI) by Lord Florey) was scratched and stayed in the barn anyway. The winner of that one was Back to Ack.

Medaglia d'Onore (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Always Ready by Dixieland Band) was also scratched at Tampa Bay Downs, as his stablemate, Remarkable Storm finished 2nd.

Entries

Too many races and too little time, so I'll concentrate on the horses running at Gulfstream Park. Rockland goes for stakes glory in the Holy Bull, Tapis Magique and Warrior's Reward make their debuts, and Dukes Alley makes his third attempt at a maiden win. In addition to the races discussed below, the first race at Gulfstream deserves a look. It's a mile allowance race featuring Well Positioned, who was all buzz after breaking his maiden by 14 lengths on November 22 at Aqueduct.

Rockland Goes for Holy Bull

January 31, 2009
Gulfstream Race 7
Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III)
1 1/8 miles
3-year olds
Post Time: 4:12 PM ET HRTV

Rockland (Smarty Jones - Wiscasset by Kris S.) has done little wrong in his young career. He finished a good third at Keeneland in a 6 furlong race on October 9, and then broke his maiden 2nd time out at the Meadowlands on November 5. Last time out, he won an allowance race on the Calder turf on December 20. Now, we'll find out if he's ready for stakes competition. One thing that I like about Rockland, is that he's already shown some versatility. Not only has he run on three different surfaces (Polytrack, dirt, and turf), but he has also shown the ability to be on the lead or to come from off the pace. That skill should help him in this big field.

The stakes experience edge in this one goes to West Side Bernie (Bernstein - Time Honored by Gilded Time). Since breaking his maiden in his debut on August 28 at Monmouth, he has run in 3 straight stakes. He won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III) at Turfway on September 27, and then finished 6th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). His most recent start was on December 5 at Delta Downs, where he finished 2nd in the Delta Jackpot (gr. III). West Side Bernie has recorded three straight bullet works preparing for this one.

Beethoven (Sky Mesa - Moonlight Sonata by Carson City) made his debut on July 2 at Churchill Downs, where he was 5th behind Reynaldothewizard. He won his next start at Turfway Park, and then ran in two allowance races. He was 3rd at Keeneland on October 4, and was victorious on November 1 at Churchill Downs. Most recently, he took the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 29. In that race, Beethoven defeated Capt. Candyman Can, who won the Hutcheson at Gulfstream on January 30.

The only other stakes winner in the field is Stately Character (Pleasant Tap - London Valley by Fast Play) who won the Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder on September 27. He had previously finished third in the Seacliff Stakes on September 6 at that track. His most recent effort was on January 8 at Gulfstream, where he was third in an allowance race.

Bear's Rocket (Lion Heart - Aim for the Moon by Deputy Minister) last ran on December 6 in the Display Stakes at Woodbine, finishing 3rd behind Patena. Patena recently finished 2nd in the LeComte Stakes. Bear's Rocket also finished 3rd in the Colin Stakes at Woodbine on July 19. He has also won 2 races and finished 3rd once in his 7 race career.

Danger to Society (Harlan's Holiday - Elrose by Deputy Minister), Idol Maker (Empire Maker - Costume Party by Storm Cat), and Bruce N Autumn (Lemon Drop Kid - Loose Park by Stop the Music) met in a mile and an eighth allowance race at Gulfstream Park on January 8. Danger to Society was the winner, Idol Maker was 4th, and Bruce N Autumn was 5th. Danger to Society won his only other start, on November 19 at Churchill Downs. Idol Maker also broke his maiden in his first start, running at Belmont on October 19. He then finished 4th in the Remsen behind Old Fashioned, on November 29 at Aqueduct. Bruce N Autumn broke his maiden in his second start, running on November 26 on the Churchill Downs turf.

Saratoga Sinner (Harlan's Holiday - Naughty Linda by Slew City Slew), El Crespo (A. P. Indy - Commodities by Private Account), and Nowhere to Hide (Vindication - Stirring by Seeking the Gold) come into the race off of their maiden wins. Saratoga Sinner was victorious in his third start, on January 7 at Gulfstream Park, while running a mile and an eighth. Previously, he had finished 3rd behind Danger to Society in that one's maiden win. El Crespo's win also came in his third race, as he won at a mile and a sixteenth on the Gulfstream Park turf on January 10. He also finished 2nd on the Churchill Downs turf on November 26, behind Bruce N Autumn. Nowhere to Hide finished 3rd on October 19 at Belmont Park, behind Idol Maker. He then was a winner on December 13 at Calder, while running a mile. That was his fifth start.

Read more about the Holy Bull here.

Tapis Magique has One Move for a Presto Change O

January 31, 2009
Gulfstream Park Race 3
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
3 year-olds
Post Time: 2:12 PM ET HRTV

Tapis Magique (Speightstown - Bordelaise (ARG) by Espacial (ARG)), who has been working regularly at Payson Park since mid-November, debuts in a full field at 6 furlongs. Bordelaise, dam of Tapis Magique, was a group I winner in Argentina, and a grade III winner in the U.S. She earned $592,879 in her 25 race career. Bordelaise has produced 2 winners.

Also debuting in this one are Presto Change O (Grand Slam - Lovethespell by Capote), Have One More (Slew Gin Fizz - Sinful Seduction by Caller I.D.), and Jacoby's Run (Smoke Glacken - Missadryannaatto by Green Dancer). Presto Change O is out of the winning mare Lovethespell, who has produced 2 winners including stakes winner Cool Spell. Have One More is a half-brother to three winners, including stakes-placed Road Track's Joy. Two of Have One More's siblings won their debuts. Jacoby's Run sold for $50,000 as a 2-year old, and is out of stakes-placed Missadryannaatto. Missadryannaatto has produced 2 winners from 2 to run, including stakes winner Miss Mary Pat, and debut winner Bradford Falls.

Also unraced are the two AE entrants Captain Rio (Cuvee - Sea Cruise by Relaunch) and Zagarello (Songandprayer - Promise Promise by Deputy Minister). Captain Rio sold for $115,000 as a yearling, and $200,000 at 2. He is out of the debut winner Sea Cruise, who has produced one winner. Zagarello was a $20,000 2-year old, and is out of the winning mare Promise Promise. Promise Promise has produced 2 winners.

Galligan Road (Indian Charlie - True Tear Drops by Is It True), Mighty Score (Successful Appeal - Big Score by Grand Slam), and Jazz Hands (Smooth Jazz - Susie Smile by Smile) met on January 3 in a 6 furlong Maiden Special Weight race at Gulfstream Park. Galligan Road was 3rd, Mighty Score was 4th, and Jazz Hands was 5th. The winner was Checklist, who was the big favorite in an allowance race at Gulfstream on January 30 (he finished 5th). Galligan Road, who sold for $75,000 as a 2-year old, made one previous start, finishing 6th at the Meadowlands on November 7. He is the 2nd foal out of stakes winner True Tear Drops, who earned $134,034 in 20 starts. True Tear Drops is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Dark Cape. Mighty Score sold for $60,000 as a yearling, and $155,000 as a 2-year old. His dam, Big Score, was a stakes winner who earned $217,739. Mighty Score is her first foal. Big Score is a half-sister to 4 winners. Jazz Hands is out of a winning mare who has produced 3 winners, including stakes winners Katy Smiles and Straight Faced.

Just a Coincidence (Forestry - Scads by Forty Niner) has run 4 times, finishing 2nd twice, 3rd once, and 4th once. He has finished behind Maiden Watch horses Munnings, In Speight of It, and Cabaret Cowboy. Just a Coincidence, who sold for $200,000 as a yearling, is out of dam who won $129,790. Just a Coincidence is a half-brother to 4 winners, including Plenty who was 2nd in the Martha Washington Breeders' Cup (gr. III) and earned $189,625.

Masrawy (Roar of the Tiger - Successful Verdict by Successful Appeal) has made three starts in Kentucky, finishing 7th at Keeneland on October 9, 3rd at Churchill on October 26, and 5th at Churchill on November 19. Masrawy, who sold for $185,000 as a 2-year old is the first foal out of a mare who is a half-sister to three winners.

Bobby B. Goode (Songandaprayer - Huntin 'with Hunter by Jade Hunter) finished 2nd in his most recent start, on December 12 at Turfway Park. Previously, he was 4th at Churchill Downs on November 8. Bobby B.Goode is a half-brother to the winner Post Time, and a full-brother to stakes-placed On Duty.

Morgans Boy (Put It Back - Halo Moon by Halo's Image) and Polished (Mineshaft - Untarnished by Unbridled) have both made one start. Morgans Bay finished 7th on a muddy Aqueduct track on December 27. He is the first foal out of the winning mare Halo Moon. Halo Moon is a half-sister to 3 winners. Polished did his running at Churchill Downs on November 22, where he was 6th. Untarnished, dam of Polished, is a full-sister to champion Banshee Breeze and stakes winner Unbridled Wind.

Dukes Alley is Fullofsong for an Echo in Eternity

January 31, 2009
Gulfstream Park Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs turf
3-year olds
Post Time: 3:42 PM ET HRTV

Dukes Alley (Speightstown - Mount Hillaby by Colonial Affair) makes his 3rd start overall, and his first on the turf in this 5 furlong contest. He finished 7th on a sloppy Belmont track on September 27, and 6th at Aqueduct on December 6, after being up with the pace early. He's been working at Palm Meadows since late December. Dukes Alley is out of the winning mare, Mount Hillaby. Mount Hillaby was also placed on the turf. She is a half-sister to one winner, and her dam, Fire Tap, is a half-sister to grade I winners Pleasant Tap and Go for Gin.

Paul's Ace (Posse - Reverse the Call by Phone Trick) and Braciole (Not For Love - Set to Fly by Relaunch) are the only ones with turf experience in the main body of the race. Paul's Ace finished 2nd at 6 furlongs on the Belmont turf on September 11. That was his debut. Since then, he's run twice on the dirt at Aqueduct, finishing 2nd on November 7 and 6th on November 22. All of his races were against New-York-breds, and in each race he set the pace. Paul's Ace sold for $200,000 as a yearling, and $350,000 as a 2-year old. He is a half-brother to 6 winners, including stakes winner Long Distance. Braciole finished 9th in his debut on the Belmont turf on October 9. In his only other start, he was 7th on the Aqueduct dirt on November 5. Braciole sold for $205,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes winner Set to Fly. Set to Fly has produced 10 winners, including stakes winner Raghib. Four of Braciole's siblings won on the turf.

The only other experienced runner in the main field is Fullofsong (Songandaprayer - Sweet Side by Topsider), who was 4th at Calder on December 7, and 6th at Gulfstream Park on January 16. He was a $95,000 yearling, and is out of the winning mare Sweet Side. Sweet Side is the dam of 5 winners, including grade III stakes-placed Tactical Side, who earned $313,313.

Storm'n Warrior (Forest Wildcat - Miss Sweep by End Sweep) sold for $15,000 at 2, and is the first foal out of Miss Sweep, who finished 2nd in the Bessarabian Handicap (Can-III).

Bruce Carl (Mizzen Mast - Calldara by Sultry Song) sold for $15,500 as a yearling, and $50,000 as a 2-year old. He is the first foal out of stakes winner Calldara.

Selling for $240,000 as a yearling, was Echo in Eternity (Lion Heart - Spinner by Conquistador Cielo). He is a half-brother to two winners, including stakes winner Ferragamo. Both of his winning siblings won their debuts, and one was a turf winner.

Wat (Three Wonders - Lac Dawat by Lac Ouimet) sold for $13,000 at 2, and is out of stakes winner Lac Dawat. Wat is a half-brother to 2 winners, including one that was a debut winner.

Madame X Ski , dam of Ace of Spades (Elusive Quality - Madame X Ski by Polish Numbers), was a stakes winner who earned $165,410. Madame X Ski has produced the winner Mr. Universe.

Marq of Beauty, dam of Tale of Victory (Tale of the Cat - Marq of Beauty by Marquetry), won or placed in 5 turf stakes while earning $147,770. Marq of Beauty is a half-sister to Tricky Code, a grade II winner on the dirt, who was also a stakes winner on the turf. Tricky Code earned $603,981 overall.

Dancin' Deacon (Hennessy - Serene Ditty by Unbridled's Song) is out of a winning mare who has produced turf winner John's Song.

Kellys Straightman (Straight Man - Likely Suspect by Siphon (BRZ) is the first foal out of the unplaced mare Likely Suspect. Likely Suspect is a half-sister to 3 winners, including turf stakes winner Southern Fiction.

On the AE list, both Batchelor Flight (Formal Dinner - Ditch the Bride by Runaway Groom) and Krome Ave (Black Mambo - Tuscany Light by Colony Light) have turf experience. Batchelor Flight was 5th in his turf start, at a mile and a sixteenth at Calder on October 3. He has made 6 total starts, most recently finishing 7th at Tampa Bay on January 4. Batchelor Flight brought $20,000 as a 2-year old. His winning dam has produced 6 winners, including turf stakes winner Stans Dream, who earned $204,307. Krome Ave finished 6th in his debut, at 5 furlongs on the Calder turf on December 6. He then ran 8th on the Calder dirt on December 22. Stakes-placed Tuscany Light, dam of Krome Ave, was a winner in her first turf start. Krome Ave is her first foal.

AE entrant Kranz (Strong Hope - All the Crown by Chief's Crown) has run twice on the Turfway Polytrack, finishing 6th both on December 12, and on December 19. Kranz is a half-brother to 7 winners, including turf stakes winner Coral Reef and grade II winner Devil's Preacher, who was grade III stakes-placed on the turf.

Unraced Scorion (Scorpion - Sky Flower by Stack) completes the AE horses. Scorion is a half-brother to the winner Layton, who has earned $144,705 through 2009.

A Warrior's Reward for a Boyhood Dream of an Unbridled Cardinal

January 31, 2009
Gulfstream Park Race 8
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile
3-year olds
Post Time: 4:43 PM ET HRTV

All eyes will be on the 8th race at Gulfstream Park, as Warrior's Reward (Medaglia d'Oro - For All You Do by Seeking the Gold) debuts. Ok, so most of those eyes will be on Nicanor, but maybe Warrior's Reward can pick up some fans along the way. Warrior's Reward sold for $180,000 as a yearling, and is a half-brother to the winner Consider Me. His dam, For All You Do, is a half-sister to 2 winners. Warrior's Reward has been training at Palm Meadows since mid-December.

Also debuting in this one are Nicanor (Dynaformer - La Ville Rouge by Carson City), Boyhood Dream (Broken Vow - Mariola by Saint Ballado), Single Malt (Include - Jewel Dance by Robyn Dancer), and Audeamus (Scrimshaw - Beautiful Stranger by Foxhound). As most everyone knows, Nicanor is a full-brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. In addition to being a multi-millionaire and a grade I winner, Barbaro was also a debut winner. Nicanor's dam, La Ville Rouge, was grade II stakes-placed, and earned $262,594. You can read more about Nicanor on the Tracking Barbaro's Brothers Blog. Selling for $57,000 as a yearling, Boyhood Dream is half-brother to winner Saudade. Single Malt sold for $50,000 as a yearling, and is a half or full-brother to 4 winners. Audeamus is out of stakes winner Beautiful Stranger, who was a debut winner. Beautiful Stranger has produced 2 winners, including stakes winner Reata's Quik Punch. Both of her winning offspring were debut winners.

Dubinsky (Toccet - Breath of Life by Tactical Advantage) and Unbridled Cardinal (Unbridled's Song - Deputy Rose by Silver Deputy) finished 2nd and 4th on January 15 at Gulfstream Park, behind Alma d'Oro. Dubinsky had previously run twice at Aqueduct, finishing 2nd on November 8, and 4th on November 29. He sold for $90,000 as a yearling and $240,000 as a 2-year old. Dubinsky is a half-brother to winner Nafass. Unbridled Cardinal sold for $210,000 as a yearling. He is the first foal out of the unraced mare Deputy Rose. Deputy Rose is a full sister to grade II winner Rockport Harbor, and two other winners (including 2009 3-year old filly, Song of Solomon). She is also a half-sister to 2 winners.

Il Postino (Distorted Humor - Awful Smart by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) finished 6th, behind Dubinsky, on November 8 at Aqueduct. It was his first and only start. He is out of Awful Smart, who finished 2nd in the Test Stakes (gr. I), and 3rd in the Gazelle (gr. I), while earning $191,380. Awful Smart has produced 3 winners, including grade II winner Awfully Smart. Awfully Smart earned $489,565 in 19 starts.

Big Flirt (Macho Uno - Queen St. West by Smarten) has run twice, finishing 5th at Saratoga on August 31, behind In Speight Of It, and 6th at Churchill Downs on October 26. Big Flirt, who sold for $210,000 as a 2-year old, is out of stakes winner Queen St. West. Queen St. West has produced 4 winners from 5 to run, including stakes winner Paint Me Red.

Trust the Deputy (Trust N Luck - Deputy's Delight by French Deputy) has also made 2 starts, finishing 8th on the Calder turf on December 19, and 9th on the Gulfstream Park dirt on January 3. He was a $20,000 2-year old, and is out of the winning mare Deputy's Delight. Deputy's Delight is the dam of 3 winners, including grade II winner Delightful Kiss.

Allrightsreserved (Awesome Again - Divine Angel by Matty G) and Andiron (A. P. Indy - Zigember by Danzig) have both run once. Allrightsreserved ran at Belmont on July 13, where he finished 6th. Selling for $300,000 as a yearling, Allrightsreserved is out of grade III stakes-placed Divine Angel. Divine Angel is a half-sister to 4 winners. Andiron's start came at Santa Anita on December 29, resulting in a 9th place finish. Andiron is a half-brother to 5 winners, including grade I winner The Cliff's Edge.

On the AE list is Stayonit (Unbridled's Song - Trackofthecat by Forest Wildcat), who has run three times in southern California. He was 10th at Santa Anita on September 17, 7th on the Hollywood turf on November 22, and 5th at Santa Anita on January 8. 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.

Also in Action on January 31

Signet Ring (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Runaway Royalty by Runaway Groom) makes his 2nd start in a mile and 40 yards maiden claiming race at Fair Grounds. He'll break from post 8 in this 10 horse field, scheduled for 5:23 PM ET. In his first start, on September 3 at Turfway Park, he finished 9th.

Jeramino (colt; Congaree - Jera by Jeblar), who was third in his debut on January 3 at Santa Anita, takes on 10 in a 6.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest at Santa Anita. Post time is 5:34 PM ET, and he will break from post 9.

Anaan (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Parisian Deputy by French Deputy) makes his debut, in a 6 furlong Maiden Special race at Oaklawn Park. This one is for 3, 4, and 5-year olds. He'll break from the rail in this 12 horse race scheduled for 6:02 PM ET.

Verdant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Rift Valley by Gulch) makes her 6th start, and Oriental Sunshine (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Kristi's Sunshine by Miswaki) her 4th, in this mile contest at Turfway Park, race 12. Both fillies finished 2nd last time out at Turfway Park, Verdant on December 20, and Oriental Sunshine on January 10. This one is scheduled for 6:11 PM ET.

River Treck (gelding; Congaree - Gem Treck by Java Gold) takes on 9 in a Maiden Special Weight contest at Delta Downs. He'll break from post 4 in this mile race. This will be River Treck's fourth start. Last time out, he was 2nd in a mile race at Delta Downs on December 20.