Witch's Coven Puts a Spell on Moment of Majesty

Church View (Quiet American - Holy Belle by Holy Bull) was scratched. Favoritism volleyed between Thorn Flower (Montjeu (IRE) - Champagne Cocktail by Red Ransom) and Witch's Coven (Cuvee - Witch's Call by Caller I. D.), resting on the latter filly at post time. Moment of Majesty (Saint Liam - Lady Indy by A. P. Indy) looked interested in the post parade, while Legendary Stacey (Include - Ruth Ann d'Or by Tour d'Or) looked agitated. Witch's Coven was an eyecatcher. Moment of Majesty broke well, but it looked as if the jockey did not want to be on the lead. Instead, Silent Wisper (Wando - Silent Course by Trajectory) went to the front, and Moment of Majest secured a rail spot. In the stretch, Thorn Flower moved to the lead, as Moment of Majesty tired. She would end up 5th. Thorn Flower seemed home free, but Witch's Coven was coming. They hit the wire together, I certainly couldn't tell who got it. The photo revealed the winner, Witch's Coven by a nose. Watch the Replay.

Result: September 18, 2009
Woodbine Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

View Race Details

Other Results

Kid Canuck (colt; Kitten's Joy - Draxhall Jump by Tale of the Cat) was in a good position early in his Allowance race at Woodbine, but tired late and finished 7th. Watch the Replay.

Becky's Kitten Seeking Summer Fame

September 19, 2009
Woodbine Race 8
Summer Stakes (Can-IIIT)
1 mile turf
2-year olds
Post Time: 4:36 PM ET TVG

Becky's Kitten (Kitten's Joy - Caterette by Cozzene) tries stakes company in the Summer Stakes (Can-IIIT) at a mile on the Woodbine turf. Becky's Kitten's maiden win came on August 27, running 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Saratoga. He had run three times before then, finishing 5th at Belmont on July 24, 4th at Churchill Downs on June 20, and 3rd at Churchill Downs on May 22. Those three races were on the dirt. He most recently worked on September 14 on the Woodbine Polytrack, going 5 furlongs in 1:00.40. Becky's Kitten is the first foal out of the turf winning mare Caterette. Caterette is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Enduring Will, who was stakes-placed on the turf.

Stormy Lord (Stormy Atlantic - Lady Auchamore by Meadowlake) and Ruhtro (Werblin - Din's Landing by Din's Dancer) met in a 7 furlong Allowance race on the Woodbine turf on August 28. Stormy Lord was the winner, and Ruhtro finished 2nd. Stormy Lord broke his maiden in his debut on July 18, running 6 furlongs on the Woodbine turf, and then finished 5th in the Vandal Stakes on the Woodbine Polytrack on August 9. He is the first foal out of the unplaced mare Lady Auchamore, who is a half-sister to one turf winner. Ruhtro, who is by first-crop sire Werblin, also broke his maiden at 6 furlongs on the Woodbine turf, running on August 3. His only other start came on July 19 on the Woodbine Polytrack, where he finished 4th. He is out of the winning mare Din's Landing, who has produced 3 winners.

Benestar (Yankee Gentleman - Mazel Tov by Mazel Trick) finished 2nd, behind Ruhtro, at 6 furlongs on the Woodbine turf on August 3. He then finished 3rd in a 6 furlong turf race at Woodbine on August 28. Benestar sold for $70,000 as a yearling, and is out of the turf winning mare Mazel Tov. Mazel Tov is a half-sister to 6 winners, including grade III winner Mil Kilates.

Mobil Unit (Mobil - Stop Looking by Dr. Adagio) and Personal Signal (Mizzen Mast - Top Tier by King of Kings (IRE)) ran in a different 6 furlong Maiden Special race on the Woodbine turf on August 3, with Mobil Unit winning and Personal Signal finishing 5th. Mobil Unit, who is by freshman sire Mobil,  has run three additional times, all on the Woodbine Polytrack. He was 4th on May 18, 2nd on June 14, and 6th in the Claredon Stakes on July 4. Stakes-placed Stop Looking, dam of Mobil Unit, earned $158,060 and was a winner at 2. She was 4th in her only turf start. Stop Looking has produced two winners. Personal Signal has run two other times, finishing 6th on July 5, and 3rd on August 30. Both races were on the Woodbine Polytrack. He sold for $50,000 as a yearling, and is out of turf winner Top Tier. Top Tier has produced turf winner Show Place.

Fantastico Roberto (Refuse To Bend (IRE) - Fantastic Account (GB) by Fantastic Light) made his first two starts on the turf in Italy winning on both May 3 and May 17. He then came to the United States, and finished 4th in the Spectacular Bid on the Arlington Park Polytrack on August 8. He sold for $11,819 as a yearling, and is the first foal out of the unraced mare Fantastic Account. Fantastic Account is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Double Account, who was stakes-placed on the turf.

Yesnabay (Grand Slam - Speedy Sonata by Stravinsky) did his previous running in England, finishing 3rd in his debut on June 30, and breaking his maiden in his second and most recent start on July 20. Both races were on the turf. Yesnabay sold for $65,644 as a yearling, and is the first foal out of Speedy Sonata, who was stakes-placed on the turf. Speedy Sonata earned $184,372 overall, and is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes-placed El Batallon.

Bridgetown (Speightstown - Ellesmere by Tabasco Cat) has made two starts, both on the turf. He finished 2nd at 5 furlongs on June 27 at Churchill Downs, and won a 5.5 furlong turf race at Saratoga on August 14. Bridgetown is out of the turf winning mare Ellesmere, who was also a winner at 2. Ellesmere has produced 3 winners from 3 to run, including stakes winner Carnacks Choice.

Korvette Kid (Lemon Drop Kid - Bold Ruritana by Bold Ruckus) has run once and won once, capturing a 6 furlong turf race at Woodbine on August 15. Bold Ruritana, dam of Korvette Kid, was a grade III winner on the turf, who earned $1,140,163. She was named champion grass mare (and champion older mare) in Canada in 1995. Bold Ruritana has produced 3 winners, including turf stakes-placed Raw Power.

Read more about the Summer Stakes here.

William's Kitten Tries the Sunday Silence

September 19, 2009
Louisiana Downs Race 8
Sunday Silence Stakes
1 1/16 miles turf
2-year olds
Post Time: 4:34 PM ET HRTV

William's Kitten (Kitten's Joy - Blush by Menifee) faces 7 in the 1 1/16 mile Sunday Silence Stakes on the Louisiana Downs turf. William's Kitten has made three starts, all on the turf. He was 7th in his debut in a 5 furlong race at Churchill Downs, and then won a mile race at Ellis Park on July 16. Most recently, he ran in a mile Allowance race at River Downs, finishing 3rd. The winner of that race, Gleam of Hope, returned to win the Cradle Stakes at River Downs. Since that race, he's worked twice, including 5 furlongs in :59.80 at the Churchill Downs Training Center. William's Kitten is out of the turf-winning mare Blush. Blush is a full-sister to the winner Maroon, who has earned $170,981 through 2009, mostly on the turf.

The only stakes winner in the field is King of the Bayou (K One King - Smarter Is Better by Beau Genius), who won the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes at 6 furlongs on a sloppy Louisiana Downs surface on August 1. Previously, he had broken his maiden at 7 furlongs on the Louisiana Downs dirt on July 23. In his only turf start, King of the Bayou finished 4th at 5 furlongs at Louisiana Downs on June 25. King of the Bayou is out of the winning mare Smarter Is Better, who has produced one other winner.

Prince Eddington (Eddington - Queen Mama by Seattle Slew), Perfect Lou (Perfect Soul (IRE) - Broken Hill by Lear Fan), and Speightstown Son (Speightstown - Makin a Statement by Stage Door Johnny) met in the mile Sunny's Halo on the Louisiana Downs turf on August 15. Prince Eddington finished 2nd, Perfect Lou was 5th, and Speightstown Son finished 6th. Prince Eddington has run one other time, winning a 7.5 furlong race on the turf at Lone Star on July 2. He sold for $35,000 as a yearling, and is a half-brother to 2 winners, including Prince Woodman, who was stakes-placed on the turf. Perfect Lou also won his debut, a Maiden Claiming race on the dirt at Lone Star on May 15. He then ran in the 5 furlong Minstrel Stakes on the turf at Louisiana Downs, finishing 3rd. He is out of the winning mare Broken Hill, who has produced 2 other winners. Speightstown Son did his previous running at Evangeline Downs. He was third on the dirt on June 26, and then won a 5 furlong turf race on July 16. He is a half-brother to grade I winner On a Soapbox and 4 other winners. On a Soapbox was also stakes-placed on the turf.

Joey's Mizzen Mast (Mizzen Mast - Spare That Tree by Woodman) has run 5 times, finishing second three times and third twice, all at Louisiana Downs. In his two turf starts, he finished 3rd at 5 furlongs on June 25, and 2nd at 7.5 furlongs on August 14. His most recent start was at a mile and 70 yards on the dirt on August 30, where he was second. Joey's Mizzen Mast is out of the unraced mare Spare That Tree. Spare That Tree is full- or half-sister to 8 winners, including stakes winner East Is East and group III winner Susurration.

Why Not Be Perfect (Whywhywhy - Perfect Time by Matchlite) finished 3rd, behind Joey's Mizzen Mast at a mile and 70 yards on the dirt at Louisiana Downs. Why Not Be Perfect also finished behind Joey's Mizzen Mast on August 14 on the Louisiana Downs turf, when he was 3rd. He was 6th in his only other start. Why Not Be Perfect is out of the winning mare Perfect Time, who was a winner at 2. Why Not Be Perfect is a half-brother to the winner Norm's Princess.

Fudge Truffle (Candy Ride (ARG) - Buck High by Spend a Buck) has run twice, finishing 3rd on the Lone Star dirt on July 18, and 4th at 7.5 furlongs on the Remington Park turf on September 6. He sold for $20,000 as a 2-year old, and is a half-brother to stakes-placed High Zone, who was a winner at 2. Fudge Truffle's dam, Buck High, is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes-placed Highly Salted.

Muhaaseb has a Saber to face the Highveldt Storm

September 19, 2009
Belmont Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2-year olds
Post Time: 1:31 PM ET HRTV/TVG

Muhaaseb (Ghostzapper - Ticket to Houston by Houston) makes his debut at 5.5 furlongs at Belmont. His most recent work came at Saratoga, when he went 5 furlongs in 1:05.12 on the training track on September 9. Muhaaseb sold for $425,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes winner Ticket to Houston. Ticket to Houston won 4 races as a 2-year old, including 2 stakes, and earned $147,450. Ticket to Houston has produced 6 winners, including stakes winner Mambo Train and grade II winner Runway Model. As a 2-year old, Runway Model won the Alcibiades (gr. II) and the Golden Rod (gr. II). Overall, three of Muhaaseb's siblings won at 2, and 2 were debut winners at 2. Ghostzapper's 12 runners have made 23 total starts, recording 3 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, and $138,924.

The only one with experience is Condemned (Speightstown - Pent Up Kiss by Pentelicus), who was 10th in his first and only start, running 5 furlongs on August 26 at Saratoga. He brought $350,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes winner Pent Up Kiss. Pent Up Kiss won 2 races at 2, and earned $368,463 in her career. Pent Up Kiss has produced 6 winners, including Cabaret Cowboy, a full-brother to Condemned. Two of Condemneds siblings won at 2.

R Own Missle (Closing Argument - Cove Hill Missle by Buckhar) is by first-crop sire Closing Argument, whose 19 starters have run 38 total times, recording 4 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds, and $214,896. Cove Hill Missle, dam of R Own Missle, was a winner at 2, and earned $143,350 in 35 starts. She is also a half-sister to 2 stakes winners.

Highveldt Storm (Johannesburg - Hayley's Dancer by Mr. Greeley) who sold for $260,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes-placed Alexsayso.

Quiet All American (Forest Camp - Quiet Summernight by Quiet American) brought $130,000 as a yearling, and $225,000 as a 2-year old. He is a half-brother to 2 winners, one of which was a debut winner. His dam, Quiet Summernight, is a half-sister to 4 winners, including grade II winner Night in Reno.

Selling for $100,000 as a yearling was Magnification (Forest Wildcat - Blossomed by Deputy Minister), who is the first foal out of the unraced mare Blossomed. Blossomed is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winner Flick and grade III winner Cinemine.

Saber (Forest Wildcat - Siren Cove by Montbrook) brought $95,000 as a 2-year old, and is the first foal out of the mare Siren Cove. Siren Cove was a debut winner at 2, and placed in three stakes that year. Siren Cove is a full-sister to 2 winners, and a half-sister to 1 winner.

Quiescent Hit (Smart Strike - Traci Girl by Quiet American) is the first foal out of grade III stakes-placed Traci Girl, who earned $305,076. Traci Girl is a half-sister to 7 winners, including stakes winner Shandra Smiles.

Alex's Sis Casey will Subdue Thundering Heat

September 19, 2009
Philadelphia Park Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2-year old fillies
Post Time: 2:04 PM ET

Pennsylvanian-bred Alex's Sis Casey (Afleet Alex - Pose by Nureyev) makes her first start at Philadelphia Park, where she has been working. Most recently, she went 4 furlongs in :48.60 from the gate on September 14. She is a half-sister to 2 winners. Her dam, Pose, is a half-sister to 9 winners, including stakes winners Dixieland Dream, Art Sebal, and Golden Par, and grade III winner Adhocracy. Afleet Alex's 37 runners have made 88 combined starts, recording 9 wins, 15 seconds, 9 thirds, and $502,649.

Thundering Heat (Thunder Gulch - Feel the Heat by Unusual Heat) and Azadi (Forest Camp - Ice Carnival by Two Punch) finished 2nd and 3rd in a 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight at Philadelphia Park on August 31. Thundering Heat had previously run at Woodbine on August 20, finishing 9th at 5 furlongs. A $50,000 yearling, she is the first foal out of the winning mare Feel the Heat. Feel the Heat is a half- or full-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Thermal Ablasion and grade II winner Tucked Away. Azadi sold for $43,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes-placed Ice Carnival, who was a winner at 2. Ice Carnival is also a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes-placed Rollicking Affair.

Lil Precious (Forestry - Zahwah by Rahy) also ran on August 31, but at Delaware Park, where she finished 2nd. She had previously finished 2nd on July 20 at Philadelphia Park. She sold for $30,000 as a 2-year old, and is out of grade III stakes-placed Zahwah. Zahwah was a winner at 2, and finished 3rd in the Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (gr. III) that year. Zahwah is a half-sister to stakes winner Conte Di Savoya and grade II winner Krisada.

Insurance Money (Indian Charlie - Lucky Slevin by Two Punch) and Certain to Rain (Certain Storm - Assaggini by Vendor) met in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Claiming race at Philadelphia Park on July 26. Insurance Money finished 2nd, and Certain to Rain was 7th. It was the first and only race for both. Insurance Money, a $37,000 yearling, is the first foal out of stakes-placed Lucky Slevin, who was a winner at 2. Lucky Slevin is also a half-sister to 2 winners. Certain to Rain is the first foal out of the winning mare Assaggini, who earned $125,067. Assaggini is a half-sister to one winner.

The final filly with experience is Pleasantly Blonde (Pleasant Tap - Buff 'n Polish by Polish Numbers), who was 6th in her only start, a 4.5 furlong Maiden Claiming race on July 27 at Philadelphia Park. She was a $20,000 yearling, and is the first foal out of the winning mare Buff 'n Polish. Buff 'n Polish is a full-sister to stakes winners One Eyed Joker and Only in Philly, and a half-sister to stakes winner Bubble Economy and one other winner.

Broken Rules (Peace Rules - Puddy Cat by Mountain Cat) brought $32,000 as a 2-year old. She is out of the winning mare Puddy Cat, who earned $161,938. Puddy Cat has produced 4 winners, including Sweet Kristen, a full-sister to Broken Rules. Three of Broken Rules' siblings won their 2-year old debuts, including Sweet Kristen.

Picabo's Concho (Trippi - Picabo Silver by Gold Meridian) sold for $24,000 as a weanling, and $35,000 as a 2-year old. She is out of the winning mare Picabo Silver, earner of $178,660. Picabo Silver has produced 3 winners, including a full-sister to Picabo's Concho. One of Picabo's Concho's siblings won at 2.

Waimea Bay (Smoke Glacken - Roses for Alyse by Java Gold), a $15,000 yearling, is out of the winning mare Roses for Alyse, who won 2 races at 2. Roses for Alyse has produced 4 winners, including stakes-placed Don't Tell Susan. One of Waimea Bay's siblings won at 2.

Subdue (Ecton Park - Sweetheart Sami by Broad Brush) is out of the winning mare Sweetheart Sami. Sweetheart Sami is a half-sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Shesgoldincolor.

Tina's Tiger (Tiger Ridge - Formal Dress by Formal Dinner) is out of the mare Formal Dress, who won 2 races at 2. Formal Dress has produced the winner Donna's Blackjack. Formal Dress is a half-sister to 2 winners, including stakes winner Love Not War.

Other Entries

Stakes winner Golden Ghost (colt; Ghostzapper - Mandy's Gold by Gilded Time) takes on 7 in race 8 at Delaware Park, a 6 furlong Allowance/Optional Claiming race. He is not in for a tag. Post time is 4:24 PM ET. Last time out, Golden Ghost won the First State Dash Stakes at 5 furlongs on a sloppy Delaware Park track on August 22.

Bishop's Head (colt; Saint Liam - Blue Sky Princess by Conquistador Cielo) is a Main Track Only entrant for race 3 at Laurel, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf. I checked the weather for today and tomorrow, and I don't think that he will get in the race. Bishop's Head has run once, finishing 5th on August 28, while running 4 furlongs on a muddy track at Timonium.

New Workers

September 18

Conspicuous (filly; Ghostzapper - Kalahari Cat by Cape Town) went 3 furlongs in :38.76 on the training track at Saratoga. She sold for $150,000 as a yearling, and is the first foal out of the winning mare Kalahari Cat, who earned $106,760. Kalahari Cat is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes winner Desert Gold.

Rockin Tracy (filly; Rock Hard Ten - Tracy by Theatrical (IRE)) worked at Hollywood Park, 4 furlongs in :49.60. Rockin Tracy brought $110,000 as a weanling, and is out of the winning mare Tracy. Tracy has produced 3 winners, including stakes winner Run It. Run It won 2 races at 2, and has earned $109,300 through 2009.

Returning Workers

September 18

Cindy's Joy (filly; Kitten's Joy - Cindy Jean by Rubiano) worked at Woodbine, 4 furlongs in :50.60.

At Belmont, Dean's Kitten (colt; Kitten's Joy - Summer Theatre by Ide) went 4 furlongs in :48.76.

Jeff's Kitten (colt; Kitten's Joy - Sweet Baby Jane by Kingmambo) and Kenneth's Kitten (colt; Kitten's Joy - Shortstop Sal by Ghazi) worked 5 furlongs at the Churchill Downs Training Center, Jeff's Kitten in 1:03.60 and Kenneth's Kitten in 1:04.20.

Mystic Crystal (filly; Rock Hard Ten - Meadow Mystic by Meadowlake) worked 4 furlongs in :48.80 at Turfway Park.

Eyes of a Saint (filly; Saint Liam - Eyeofthestorm by Summer Squall) went 4 furlongs on a muddy Remington Park track in :48.53.

At Delaware Park, Havre de Grace (filly; Saint Liam - Easter Bunnette by Carson City) worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40. It was the fastest of 9 works at the distance.

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