News and Notes

Two Smarty Jones' 3-year olds of note worked on August 31. Rockland (Smarty Jones - Wiscasset by Kris S.), who was last seen finishing 8th in the Holy Bull (gr. II) back on January 31, went 4 furlongs in :49.40 at Fair Hill. Keefer (colt; Smarty Jones - Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew), who won his only start back on July 20 of 2008, went 4 furlongs in :51.00 at Arlington Park.

Royal Troon Runs Away from Pugaboo

Helvi (Read the Footnotes - Flying Nightengale by Clever Trick), part of an entry with R. B. Float (Repent - Big Red Float by Bianconi), and Snow Kris (Snow Ridge - Crimson by Kris S.) were scratched. Royal Troon (Graeme Hall - Royal Damsel by More Royal) was the tepid favorite at 3-1. Pugaboo (Afleet Alex - Incircle Miss by Dayjur), who is the first Afleet Alex to run trained by Afleet Alex's trainer Tim Ritchey, took some action at 6-1. Beyond Parallel (Montbrook - Velvet Choaker by On to Glory) caught my eye in the walking ring, but Pugaboo made a good impression as well, and Royal Troon warmed up nicely. Beyond Parallel broke on top, but Hardly Dark Out (Speightstown - Dijon by French Deputy) came up the rail to snag the lead. Just behind these were Royal Troon and Pugaboo. Royal Troon made a run late, and got his head in front of Beyond Parallel for the victory. Hardly Dark Out held well in third. Pugaboo tired to 6th. He'll be stronger next out. Watch the Replay.

Result: September 1, 2009
Delaware Park Race 8
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details

Roulette Winner is the Rein King with Royal Stocks

September 2, 2009
Saratoga Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2-year olds
Post Time: 3:13 PM ET HRTV/TVG

Roulette Winner (Rock Hard Ten - Clever Monique by Clever Trick) debuts at 5.5 furlongs at Saratoga. He has been working in New York for several months, including a 5 furlong work in 1:01.45 at Saratoga on August 27. Roulette Winner is a half-brother to 8 winners, including stakes winner Honest Deceiver and grade I winner Yes It's True. Honest Deceiver won her first 2 races as a 2-year old, including the Eliza Stakes. Yes It's True won 5 races at 2, including his debut, the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III), and the Sapling (gr. III). Rock Hard Ten's 14 runners have made 22 total starts, recording 3 wins, 4 seconds, and $154,613.

Fayoum (Friends Lake - Katie Be Quick by Carson City) made his only start on August 3 at Saratoga, finishing 2nd. Fayoum sold for $70,000 as a weanling, and is the first foal out of the unraced mare Katie Be Quick. Katie Be Quick is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes-placed Promise One.

Also finishing 2nd in his only start was Chief Counsel (Officer - Format by Furiously), who ran at Saratoga on August 15. He sold for $75,000 as a yearling, and $230,000 as a 2-year old, and is the first foal out of stakes winner Format. Format won her only race at 2, and is a half-sister to 5 winners.

Rein King (Roman Ruler - Postulant by Pulpit), who is by freshman sire Roman Ruler, was 3rd in his only start, at Saratoga on August 9. Roman Ruler has sired 37 starters, which have run 81 total times, recording 16 wins, 12 seconds, 14 thirds, and $372,984. Rein King is the second foal out of the winning mare Postulant. Postulant's first foal, Positively True, was a winner at 2. Postulant is a half-sister to grade II winner Antrim Rd.

Another veteran of one Saratoga start is Swashbuckler (Orientate - Deaconess Bonnie by Pulpit), who finished 4th on August 12. He brought $165,000 as a weanling, $27,000 as a yearling, and $100,000 as a 2-year old. His dam, Deaconess Bonnie, is a half-sister to 3 winners, including grade II winner Diabolical.

The remaining entrants are unraced, including Baatesh (Pulpit - Doppio Espresso by Java Gold), who sold for $400,000 as a yearling. He is out of Doppio Espresso, who was a winner at 2, and finished 2nd in the Astoria Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III) that season. Doppio Espresso has produced 4 winners from 4 to run, including stakes winner Resplendency. Resplendency was a winner at 2, and earned $329,217 in her career.

Selling for $45,000 as a yearling was Brother Stuart (Arch - Stewper by Crafty Prospector). He is the first foal out of the mare Stewper, who was a winner at 2. Stewper is a half- or full-sister to 9 winners, including stakes winners Incognito and Big Foot Kid.

Bonavento (Speightstown - Arianna's Passion by Unbridled's Song) is out of stakes winner Arianna's Passion, who was a debut winner at 2, and who finished 2nd in the Holly Stakes that year. Arianna's Passion has produced 3 winners from 3 to run, including stakes winner Distorted Passion. Two of Bonavento's siblings won at 2.

Stakes winner Silk Stocks, dam of Royal Stocks (Concorde's Tune - Silk Stocks by Medieval Man), was a winner and stakes-placed at 2. Silk Stocks has produced 9 winners, including stakes winner Razor. Four of Royal Stocks siblings won at 2, and 2 won their debuts.

Kaila Ann's Kitten faces a Veil of Tears for a Celestial Sweep

September 2, 2009
Saratoga Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
1 1/16 miles turf
2-year old fillies
Post Time: 4:21 PM ET HRTV/TVG

Kaila Ann's Kitten (Kitten's Joy - One Lucky Storm by Tale of the Cat) will attempt once again to make her first start, after not getting in from the AE list previously. This time, she is in the main body of the race. Kaila Ann's Kitten has been working at Saratoga for some time, including 2 works on the turf training track. Most recently, she worked 4 furlongs in :48.45 on the dirt on August 25. Kaila Ann's Kitten is out of the winning mare One Lucky Storm. One Lucky Storm is a half- or full-sister to 6 winners, including Kick In, who was stakes-placed on the turf. Kitten's Joy's 26 runners have made 62 starts, recording 9 wins, 12 seconds, 11 thirds, and $333,781. Five of his offspring have won on the turf.

The Underling (Malibu Moon - Queens Court Queen by Lyphard) and Celestial Sweep (Eddington - Gail's Brush by Broad Brush) met on July 30 at Saratoga, running 5.5 furlongs on the dirt. The Underline was 8th, and Celestial Sweep finished 9th. The Underling previously ran at Churchill Downs on June 5, finsihing 2nd. Queens Court Queen, dam of The Underling, was a grade I winner on the dirt, and a stakes winner on the turf. At 2, she was a winner and grade II stakes-placed on the dirt. She also placed on the turf at 2. Queens Court Queen has produced 4 winners, including stakes winner Awesome Ashley. Awesome Ashley was a winner at 2, and has earned $232,793 through 2009. First-crop sire Eddington, sire of Celestial Sweep, has had 23 starters which have made 50 total starts, registering 9 wins, 8 seconds, 4 thirds, and $173,564. Celestial Sweep sold for $220,000 as a yearling, and is out of grade III turf winner Gail's Brush. Gail's Brush earned $250,701, and has produced 6 winners, including grade III turf winner Aud. Four of Celestial Sweep's siblings won on the turf, and one won at 2.

Also by a first-year sire is Limeheart (Limehouse - Misty Gallop by Victory Gallop), by Limehouse. Limehouse's 26 runners have started 52 total times, registering 8 wins, 11 seconds, 7 thirds, and $337,913. Limeheart has run once, finishing third on the dirt at Saratoga on August 13. He sold for $120,000 as a yearling, and is a half-sister to turf winner Formula. Her dam, Misty Gallop, is a half-sister to 6 winners, including turf stakes winners Blush Rambler and Romanowa.

Orchestrator (Bernstein - Lucky Socks by Temperance Hill) is a veteran of two races, both on Polytrack. She finished 4th at Keeneland on April 17, and 2nd at Arlington Park on August 5. That race was at a mile. She sold for $42,000 as a yearling and $75,000 as a 2-year old, and is out of the winning mare Lucky Socks. Lucky Socks has produced the winner Lucky Defrere. Lucky Socks is also a half-sister to Beau's Town, a grade II winner on the dirt, who was a stakes winner on the turf.

Zilva (Successful Appeal - Spellmaker by Storm Cat) has also run twice, finishing 4th at Presque Isle Downs on July 1, and 3rd at Saratoga on August 3. She is out of the winning mare Spellmaker. Spellmaker is a half-sister to 3 winners, and a full-sister to turf stakes-placed Watching.

C. C. Coco (Tiznow - Itsmylife by Storm Cat) has one official start, finishing 7th at Saratoga on August 10. She also ran off in the post parade of a previous start and was scratched. She is a half-sister to the winner Kat Goddess, who was a winner at 2. Her dam, Itsmylife, is a half-sister to grade II winner La Rosa.

Completing the main body of the race are unraced fillies Senada (Pulpit - Owsley by Harlan) and Veil of Tears (Distorted Humor - Safe Haven by A. P. Indy). Senada sold for $800,000 as a yearling, and is out of Owsley, a grade II winner on the turf. Owsley earned $865,705 while running primarily on the grass. Veil of Tears is the first foal out of the winning mare Safe Haven. Safe Haven did not run at 2, but she did win her 3-year old debut. Veil of Tears is a half-sister to 5 winners.

It's unlikely that MTO entrant Thatsallshewrote (Yes It's True - Best Friend by Dr. Caton) will run, regardless of the surface at post time, since she finished 2nd to Afleet Maggi at Saratoga on Sunday, August 30. Previously, she was 3rd at 5 furlongs on July 17 at Monmouth. She sold for $80,000 as a yearling, and is the second foal out of the winning mare Best Friend. Best Friend is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winners Magic Mecke and A. J. Melini, and grade III winner Yesbyjimminy.

Completing the MTO list is Isn't She Grand (Grand Reward - Crafty Atlantic by Crafty Prospector), who was 10th in her only start, on August 19 on the Saratoga turf. Freshman sire Grand Reward, sire of Isn't She Grand, has had 32 starters which have run 65 total times, recording 6 wins, 2 seconds, 6 thirds, and $168,710. Isn't She Grand sold for $55,000 as a yearling and $130,000 as a 2-year old. She is a half-sister to three winners, including stakes winner Atlantic Paws.

Cuqui's Love is in Guerrilla Warfare for La Sangre

September 2, 2009
Camarero Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year old fillies
Post Time: 5:45 PM ET

Cuqui's Love (Afleet Alex - Chilukki Cat by Storm Cat) makes her 4th start meeting a mostly familiar cast. She finished 2nd on a sloppy track on July 6, 4th on August 2, and 5th in the mud on August 19. All 3 starts were at Camarero. She brought $25,000 as a yearling, and is the first foal out of the winning mare Chilukki Cat. Chilukki Cat is a half-sister to one winner, and a daughter of champion Chilukki, who earned $1,201,828. Chilukki won her first 6 races as a 2-year old, before finishing 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). Afleet Alex's 33 runners have made 68 total starts, recording 6 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, and $262,973.

Bethia (Victory Gallop - Awesome Joy by Awesome Again), Vuelve Elene R. (Indian Ocean - Land Lady by Zamindar), Mi Nieta Yaniliz (Kafwain - Shar's Smile by Peaks and Valleys), and Guerrilla Warfare (Wind Whipper - Qillion by Saint Ballado) finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th respectfully, in Cuqui's Love's August 19 start. Vuelve Elene R. and Mi Nieta Yaniliz also faced Cuqui's Love on August 2, finishing 2nd and 6th. Mi Nieta Yaniliz had previously finished 3rd, behind Cuqui's Love, on July 6.

Bethia has run three additional times, all at Camarero. She finished 3rd in an Allowance race on May 22, 4th in a Maiden Special Weight on June 12, and 2nd in a Claiming race on July 22. Bethia is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare Awesome Joy, who was a winner at 2. Awesome Joy is half-sister to the winner Blazing Buddha.

Vuelve Elene R. is by first-crop sire Indian Ocean, whose 19 runners have made 46 total starts, recording 9 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds, and $190,210. Vuelve Elene R. is the first foal out of the winning mare Land Lady. Land Lady is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winner Twiceasbeautiful and grade II winner Twice as Bad.

Mi Nieta Yaniliz is a half-sister to the winner Ten Years After. Her dam, Shar's Smile is a half-sister to one winner.

Guerrilla Warfare is out of the winning mare Qillion, who has produced the winner Truly a Saint.

New faces in this one are the unraced fillies Mi Nena Elena (Southern Image - Lavish Gift (GB) by Generous (IRE)) and La Sangre (Chelsey Cat - Edenton by Stuka). Mi Nena Elena is a half-sister to 3 winners, one of which was a debut winner at 2. Her dam, Lavish Gift, is a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Lagudin. La Sangre, who sold for $5,000 as a yearling, is out of the unraced mare Edenton. Edenton has produced 7 winners from 7 to run, including Kaoma, who was grade III stakes-placed in Puerto Rico. Six of La Sangre's siblings won at 2, including one debut winner.

Nittany Kitten is a Prophetable Prince with a Proud Skip

September 2, 2009
Penn National Race 3
Maiden Claiming ($15,000 - $13,000)
5.5 furlongs
2-year olds
Post Time: 7:34 PM ET

Nittany Kitten (Kitten's Joy - Teach by Pine Bluff) debuts at Penn National, where he has been working. Most recently, he went 5 furlongs in 1:04.80 on August 26. He is out of the winning mare Teach, a winner at 2, who earned $133,484 overall. Teach has produced 3 winners from 3 to run. Kitten's Joy's 26 runners have made 62 starts, recording 9 wins, 12 seconds, 11 thirds, and $333,781.

Prophetable Prince (Wiseman's Ferry - Unbridled Princess by Unbridled's Song), Coach Colby (Uncle Abbie - Formal Tricks by Formal Dinner), and Elf Lord (Zavata - Naught Naught by Beau Genius) met on August 20 at Penn National, in a 5.5 furlong Maiden Claiming race. Prophetable Prince was 3rd, Coach Colby was 6th, and Elf Lord finished 9th. Prophetable Prince previously finished 7th at Penn National on July 31. He is out of the winning mare Unbridled Princess, who has produced 3 winners from 4 to run. Two of Prophetable Prince's siblings won at 2. Coach Colby made his only other start at Lone Start on July 19, finishing 7th. He is the first foal out of the placed mare Formal Tricks. His dam, Formal Tricks, is a half-sister to 4 winners. Elf Lord is a half-brother to 3 winners, one of which won at 2. Naught Naught, dam of Elf Lord, is a half-sister to grade I winner Celtic Melody and 3 other winners.

El Flaco (Quarry - Get Up by Prenup) and Christian's Star (Essence of Dubai - Quon by Honor Grades) finished 2nd and 5th at Penn National on July 31, in front of Prophetable Prince. El Flaco subsequently finished 4th in a Maiden Special Weight race on August 14 at Penn National. He is out of the unraced mare Get Up, who is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Miners Gamble. Christian's Star also finished 5th on July 8 at Penn National. He is out of the winning mare Quon, who earned $123,605. Quon has produced 2 winners.

Sonofabox (Outofthebox - Fall Season by Exploit) finished 6th, behind El Flaco, on August 14. He had started 3 previous times at Colonial Downs. He finished 3rd and 6th in two turf starts, and 3rd on the dirt at that track. Sonofabox is the first foal out of unplaced mare Fall Season. Fall Season is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Longley.

Raisethewildflag (Band Is Passing - Wild Raise by Wild Again) has run once, finishing 10th in a Maiden Claiming turf race on July 7 at Colonial Downs. He is out of the winning mare Wild Raise Wild Raise has produced 4 winners, including stakes-placed winners Askforaraise and Even Raise. Both Askforaraise and Even Raise won at 2.

Completing the field are unraced entrants Proud Skip (Proud and True - Miss Skippy by Skip Trial) and Brian's Sneakers (Ecton Park - Maxsi by American Chance). Proud Skip is out of the winning mare Miss Skippy, who did win as a 2-year old. Miss Skippy has produced 3 winners, including one that won at 2. Brian's Sneakers is the second foal out of the unraced mare Maxsi. Maxsi's first foal, Roaring Max, is a winner. Maxsi is a half-sister to 9 winners, including Mr. Andy, a group II winner in Peru, and Personal Rush, a group I winner in Japan.

New Worker

September 1

Bird Zapper (colt; Ghostzapper - Bird Town by Cape Town) worked 3 furlongs in :37.88 at Belmont Park. Bird Zapper is out of champion Bird Town, who won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the Acorn (gr. I). She was also a winner at 2. Bird Town is a half-sister to Birdstone.

Returning Workers

August 31

William Paley (colt; Afleet Alex - My Sweet Country by Bold Ruckus) worked at Belmont, 5 furlongs in 1:02.63.

September 1

At Philadelphia Park, Afleet Again (colt; Afleet Alex - Lucky Again by Wild Again) went 5 furlongs in 1:01.81.

At Calder, Gray Flash (filly; Afleet Alex - Stormy Regina by Storm Cat) went 5 furlongs in 1:03.80.

At Delaware Park, Stakes-placed Kratisto (Afleet Alex - Torch by Risen Star) went 5 furlongs in 1:03.20.

Recession Proof (filly; Afleet Alex - Pert Lady by Cox's Ridge) worked 4 furlongs in :49.60 at Laurel.

At Penn National, Self Reliance (Afleet Alex - Grace Avenue by Metfield) went 4 furlongs in :50.80.

Serene Palace (filly; Afleet Alex - Serene Place by Out of Place) worked 5 furlongs in 1:04.00 at Highpoint Farm and Training Center.

Viking Fleet (colt; Afleet Alex - Ellieonthemarch by Old Trieste) worked from the gate at Fort Erie, 4 furlongs in :49.60.

King Kitten (colt; Kitten's Joy - Santo Mio by Southern Halo) worked 5 furlongs in :59.03 on the turf training track at Saratoga. It was the fastest of 9 works at the distance.

Quiet Class (filly; Kitten's Joy - Balancing Act by Spectacular Bid) worked at Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs in :37.40.

At Mountaineer, Roll 'n Rock (colt; Rock Hard Ten - Lady Stack by Stack) went 3 furlongs in :37.20.

Courtesy Title (colt; Saint Liam - Ling by Fusaichi Pegasus) went 4 furlongs in :49.24 at Saratoga.

Saint Amore (filly; Saint Liam - Amaretta by Woodman) worked at Monmouth, 4 furlongs in :49.20.

At Keeneland, Saintly Ways (filly; Saint Liam - Visual Art by Deputy Minister) went 4 furlongs in :49.40.

Westshore (colt; Saint Liam - Alexi Dancer by A. P. Indy) worked 5 furlongs at Saratoga, recording a time of 1:00.66.

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