News and Notes

The Speightstown 3-year old Haynesfield (Speightstown - Nothing Special by Tejabo), who was a terror at Aqueduct last winter, taking the Damon Runyon, the Count Fleet, and the Whirlaway Stakes, was back in the Winner's Circle today with a nice victory in the Empire Classic Stakes at Belmont. Watch the Replay.

Magic Bullet (Afleet Alex - Magical Mood (GB) by Forestry) was scratched from the 7th at Keeneland. He'll run instead on Wednesday, October 28 at Keeneland. The winner of the 7th was Heart Butte (Empire Maker - Girl of Gold by Seeking the Gold). Watch the Replay.

Stakes Results 

Lisa's Kitten Rallies Out of Trouble in the M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes

Lisa's Kitten (Kitten's Joy - Chianti Red by Woodman) was favored, close to even money for this contest on the soft Retama turf. There was a big scramble for the early lead, Chanel Number Mine (Value Plus - Ruthie the Rocket by Confide), Grand Opry (Grand Appointment - Songandadance by Slew City Slew), C C's Pal (Alex's Pal - Roca by Noactor), and Shotgun Gulch (Thunder Gulch - Rosieville by Boston Harbor) all went for it. Lisa's Kitten wanted no part of that. She was sitting near the back. When it came time to make her move, she was blocked and had to check hard. It looked as though the race might be over for her right there. Up front, Seasoned (Pulpit - Right Spice by Salt Lake) and Winning Tale (Tale of the Cat - Mining Missharriet by Mining) both made moves to get into contention. It seemed like they would fight it out to the wire. But, up the rail zipped Lisa's Kitten, who quickly took the lead. She won comfortably, despite trying to jump the finish line light. Watch the Replay.

Result: October 24, 2009
Retama Race 5
M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes

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It's all about Kera's Kitten in the Skyy El Joven Stakes

This one was not as dramatic as the M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes. Kera's Kitten (Kitten's Joy - Mrs. K. by Dixieland Band) went into the gate as the big favorite. He went right for the lead. He seemed a little rank early, but soon settled down. Longshot Dynaism (Dynameaux - Maude Rose by Shadeed) dueled with Kera's Kitten early, but he began to retreat after a half. Prince Eddington (Eddington - Queen Mama by Seattle Slew) and B'wanagoldmine (Bwana Charlie - Alphabet Gold by Alphabet Soup) made runs in the stretch, but Kera's Kitten had plenty left. He won by 5 easy length. Watch the Replay.

Result: October 24, 2009
Retama Race 7
Skyy El Joven Stakes

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Maiden Results 

Gold Dusted Saintly Ways

Reagan's Wildcat (Forest Wildcat - Whitewashed by Broad Brush) was favored, with Someothertime (Bernstein - Stedes Wonder by Native Royalty) and Gold Dust Lady (Chapel Royal - Papier Mache by Marquetry) also receiving attention at the windows. Saintly Ways (Saint Liam - Visual Art by Deputy Minister) was 17-1. But, she looked good as they headed to the track. Someothertime has some long legs and looked like she might need more than 7 furlongs, but she outbroke everyone. She was not able to maintain that advantage, however, as Quicken Tempo (Songandaprayer - Darling Katey by Marquetry) used her rail post to take the early lead. She was followed by Someothertime and Gold Dust Lady. Saintly Ways was 5th early. Gold Dust Lady made her move in the stretch, made the lead and then drew off. Reagan's Wildcat came after her, but had to settle for second. Saintly Ways ran some late, but she was trying to lean on her opponents. She did well to get third after all that extracurricular activity. Watch the Replay.

Result: October 24, 2009
Keeneland Race 1
Maiden Claiming ($80,000)

Who's Up Too Much

Who's Up (Graeme Hall - Divine Rockette by Is It True) took the early money, but Royal F J (Royal Academy - Perpetual Motion by Kingmambo) was favored when the gates opened. Saintly Seoul (Saint Liam - Seoul by Deputy Minister) wasn't getting much respect at 12-1. Saintly Seoul made a favorable impression as he strutted around. Ironmann (Serazzo - Prized Package by Zinov) was on his toes. Royal F J balked a bit at the load. Who's Up, who was adding blinkers for this run, went right to the lead. Saintly Seoul secured a rail spot just off the leader. Who's Up continued to lead, and was able to spurt away in the stretch. When it was time to run, Saintly Seoul's rail spot was a disadvantage, as he had nowhere to go. Meanwhile, Royal F J, who had settled off of the pack, was also encountering traffic troubles. He finally got free and moved all the way into second, but he was no threat to Who's Up. Saintly Seoul held third over Wings of Sound (Vindication - Cat Appeal by Storm Cat), but he never really got to run. Still, this second straight third-place finish on the turf seems to indicate that Saintly Seoul has found a home on the grass. Watch the Replay.

Result: October 24, 2009
Oak Tree at Santa Anita Race 6
Maiden Special Weight

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Making Do In the Rough

It was pretty nasty at the Meadowlands. The track was sloppy and it was pouring. Ghost Town Kat (Ghostzapper - Keeneland Kat by Hennessy) and her entrymate In the Rough (Stormy Atlantic - Old Fashion Girl by Arch) were heavily favored. Fox Hunt (Saint Liam - Zorra by Silver Fox) was 11-1 and Self Reliance (Afleet Alex - Grace Avenue by Metfield) was 32-1. Fox Hunt was pawing in her stall, acting up a bit as they tried to saddle her. She seemed to be better out in the rain. River Brat (Congaree - Brattothecore by Katahaula County) was reluctant to load. Ghost Town Kat went for the early lead, but Starlit Moon (Malibu Moon - Watching You by Coronado's Quest) got it. Fox Hunt was also among the early leaders, despite bobbling at the break. Starlit Moon held the lead for a half, and then In the Rough came up the rail and blew everyone away. She ended up winning by better than 6. Summer Humor (Distorted Humor - Summer Colony by Summer Squall) moved into second, and was 5 lengths best of the rest of them. Ghost Town Kat was 4th, Fox Hunt 6th, and Self Reliance. Considering the condition of the track, it's probably unwise to get too excited about anyone's performance in this one. Watch the Replay.

Result: October 24, 2009
Meadowlands Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

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Stakes Entries

The way it's raining today at Belmont, it doesn't look good for those entered in the turf stakes at Belmont on October 25. On the other hand, that's good news for Havre de Grace (filly; Saint Liam - Easter Bunnette by Carson City), who is an MTO entrant for the Good Mood Stakes, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the Belmont turf. Post time is 1:00 PM ET, as this is the first race of the day. Havre de Grace was third in her debut at Delaware on August 24, and then won a mile and 70 yard contest at Delaware Park on September 30. In that one, she was left at the break, but still won easily.

Golden Ghost (colt; Ghostzapper - Mandy's Gold by Gilded Time) takes on 4 in the 6 furlong Bold Lad Stakes on the main track at Belmont. Post time is 2:01 PM ET. Golden Ghost has run 5 times. He broke his maiden in his third start, the 5 furlong First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park on August 22. He then finished 3rd in a 6 furlong Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Delaware Park on September 19, and won a 6 furlong Allowance race at Delaware Park on October 5. Since that race, he worked 4 furlongs in :48.60 at Delaware Park on October 20.

Four Maiden Watch horses do battle in the Vision Stakes at Belmont, scheduled for a mile and a sixteenth on the turf, with a post time of 3:35 PM ET. Zapster (colt; Ghostzapper - Extend by Unbridled's Song) broke his maiden in his most recent start, a mile and a sixteenth turf race at Belmont on October 8. His previous stakes experience came in the 1 1/16 mile With Anticipation Stakes (gr. III) at Saratoga on September 4, where he finished 5th. All four of his starts have been on the turf. Dean's Kitten (colt; Kitten's Joy - Summer Theatre by Ide) has run 5 times. He won his third start, a 1 1/16 mile turf race at Saratoga on August 5. He then finished 4th in the With Anticipation Stakes, in front of Zapster. Most recently, he was 5th in the Pilgrim Stakes, which was taken off the turf and run on the good main track on October 4. Since that run, he has worked 4 furlongs in :48.77 at Belmont on October 20. Shrimp Dancer (colt; Kitten's Joy - Formal Dancer by Formal Gold) was supposed to run in the Pilgrim, but was scratched when it came off the turf. He has run three times, breaking his maiden in his third start, a mile and a sixteenth turf race at Belmont on September 17. He's worked several times since then, including 4 furlongs in :50.31 at Belmont. Krypton (colt; Rock Hard Ten - Freedom Reigns by Unbridled's Song) also broke his maiden in his third start, running a mile on good turf on October 3 at Belmont. His latest work was 4 furlongs in :49.28 at Belmont on October 15.

Maiden Entries

Alex Le Great will Fly Down with Schoolyard Dreams

October 25, 2009
Belmont Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
7 furlongs
2-year olds
Post Time: 1:30 PM ET HRTV/TVG

Alex Le Great (Afleet Alex - Colonial Glitter by Glitterman) makes his 2nd start in this 7 furlong contest at Belmont. First time out, he finished 4th at Saratoga on September 5, while running this same 7 furlong distance. Since that race, he's worked several times at Belmont, including 5 furlongs in 1:01.18 on October 20. He sold for $335,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes winner Colonial Glitter. Colonial Glitter was a winner and grade III stakes-placed at 2, and earned $258,539 overall. Colonial Glitter has produced the winner Trumpet Call. Afleet Alex's 46 runners have made 124 total starts, recording 12 wins, 19 seconds, 13 thirds, and $619,148.

Litigation Risk (Closing Argument - Silver Bliss by Silver Deputy) was 2nd in his only start, at 6 furlongs on a muddy track at Belmont on September 12. He sold for $90,000 as a yearling, and is by first-crop sire Closing Argument. Closing Argument has had 29 runners which have made 69 combined starts, recording 11 wins, 14 seconds, 9 thirds, and $362,968. Litigation Risk is a half-brother to stakes winner Trevor's Clever, a winner at 2, who has earned $151,000 through 2009. Litigation Risk's dam, Silver Bliss, is a half-sister to 4 winners, including stakes-placed Go Big Blue.

Gonna Get Burned (Tale of the Cat - Play With Fire by Boundary) has also run once, finishing 5th at 6.5 furlongs at Belmont on September 26. Play With Fire, dam of Gonna Get Burned, was a debut winner at 2, and finished third in the Matron (gr. I) and the Spinaway (gr. II) that year. Gonna Get Burned is her first foal. Play With Fire is a half-sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Haint.

The rest are unraced, including Fly Down (Mineshaft - Queen Randi by Fly So Free), who brought $80,000 as a yearling. Fly Down is half-sister to 3 winners, including grade II winner Seafree. Seafree was a winner at 2, and earned $280,566 in her career.

D'oro Dancer (Medaglia d'Oro - Cat Dancer by Storm Cat) is the first foal out of the winning mare Cat Dancer. Cat Dancer is a full-sister to 3 winners, including grade II winner Magic Storm. She is also a half-sister to one winner.

Taglioni (Lido Palace (CHI) - Grey Ballet by Imperial Ballet (IRE)) is out of stakes winner Grey Ballet, who won 2 races at 2, including the Long Gone Blues Stakes. Grey Ballet has produced the winner Quiet Dancer, a Peace Rules 3-year old filly.

Schoolyard Dreams (Stephen Got Even - Hear This by Prospector's Music) is out of the winning mare Hear This, who has produced the winner Stephenville. Stephenville is a full-brother to Schoolyard Dreams. Hear This is also a half-sister to one winner.

Hemlo (Mineshaft - Overnightsensation by Bertrando) is the first foal out of the winning mare Overnightsensation, who earned $115,120. Overnightsensation is a half-sister to 9 winners, including stakes winner Bright Magic and Hot War, and grade III winner Take the Ribbon.

La Gran Bailadora will use Cat Magic at the Pirate Party

October 25, 2009
Keeneland Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2-year old fillies
Post Time: 4:11 PM ET TVG

La Gran Bailadora (Afleet Alex - Affirmed Dancer by Affirmed) debuts at Keeneland, where she has been working. Her most recent work was on October 21, when she went 3 furlongs in :36.60. Stakes winner Affirmed Dancer, dam of La Gran Bailadora, earned $211,100 in 14 starts. She has produced 2 winners from 2 to run, one of which was a debut winner at 2. Afleet Alex's 46 runners have made 124 total starts, recording 12 wins, 19 seconds, 13 thirds, and $619,148.

Donna Getyourgun (Stormy Atlantic - Cryptoqueen by Cryptoclearance) was second in her only start, running 6 furlongs at Arlington Park on September 12. She sold for $72,000 as a yearling, and $170,000 at 2. Donna Getyourgun is a half-sister to 7 winners, including grade III winner Clearly a Queen. Clearly a Queen earned $504,532 in 28 starts. Two of Donna Getyourgun's siblings won at 2.

Also 2nd in her only start was Baby Sister (Tale of the Cat - Twice Tempted by Wild Again), who ran in a 5.5 furlong race at Turfway Park on September 11. She is a half-sister to the winner Holistic, who was placed at 2.

Cat Magic (Tale of the Cat - Royal Fair by Deputy Minister) also debuted at Turfway, finishing 4th at 6 furlongs on September 26. Stakes winner Royal Fair, dam of Cat Magic, earned $395,370 in a 22 race career. Royal Fair is a half-sister to 6 winners, including stakes winners Mr. Villemore and Morriston Belle, and grade III winner Native Regent.

Sheryl's Melody (More Than Ready - Gera by Capote) finished 8th in her only start, on a sloppy Saratoga track on August 29. She sold for $160,000 as a yearling, and is a half-sister to the winner Dixie Matt. Their dam, Gera, is a half-sister to winner Timely Action.

The rest are unraced, including Lady Symphony (Consolidator - Dancing Naturally by Fred Astaire), who is by freshman sire Consolidator. Consolidator's 49 runners have made 148 total starts, recording 19 wins, 14 seconds, 14 thirds, and $465,152. Lady Symphony sold for $85,000 as a weanling, and is out of the winning mare Dancing Naturally. Dancing Naturally has produced 4 winners, including stakes winners Indian War Dance and Bare Dancer. Two of Lady Symphony's siblings won at 2, including Indian War Dance, who has earned $389,994 through 2009.

Kenny Lane (Forestry - Vantive by Mr. Prospector) sold for $225,000 as a yearling. She is out of the winning mare Vantive. Vantive has produced 3 winners from 3 to run, including stakes winners Wasseema and Pitamakan.

Selling for $140,000 as a yearling was Queen of the Creek (Theatrical (IRE) - Miasma by Lear Fan), who is out of stakes-placed Miasma. Miasma was a winner at 2, and has produced 4 winners.

Aregulationhottie (Officer - Debra C. by Deputy Minister) sold for $40,000 as a weanling, and $110,000 as a yearling. She is out of stakes-placed Debra C. Debra C. has produced 4 winners, including one that won at 2.

Stakes winner Starlight Surprise, dam of Starlite Starbrite (Mutakddim - Starlight Surprise by Salutely), won 2 races at 2, and earned $171,643 in her career. Starlight Surprise has produced 5 winners, including stakes-placed Salty Surprise. Salty Surprise was a debut winner at 2.

Pirate Party (Cat Thief - Top Mambo by Kingmambo) is the first foal out of the winning mare Top Mambo. Top Mambo is a half-sister to 5 winners, including grade III stakes-placed Consistency and 3-year old Smarty Jones gelding I'll Show Them.

Bethaven (Victory Gallop - Watercolourtwo by Secreto) is a half-sister to 6 winners, including Big Talkin Man, who earned $303,792 in his career. Bethaven's dam, Watercolourtwo, is a half-sister to grade III winner River Traffic.

Other 2-year old Entry

Daddy Forty Nine (colt; Ghostzapper - Tuff Chick by Wild Again) faces 7 in race 2 at Keeneland, a 1 1/16 mile Claiming race. Post time is 1:36 PM ET. Daddy Forty Nine has run three times, finishing 3rd twice, and winning on September 27 at Arlington Park at a mile. Since that victory, he's worked a couple times at Churchill, including 4 furlongs in :51.40 on October 21.

Returning Workers

October 23

At Monmouth, Girlsasaint (filly; Saint Liam - Honky Tonk Pat by High Yield) went 3 furlongs in :36.40.

At Merryland Farm, Wilreign (filly; Saint Liam - Probable Storm by Tabasco Cat) worked 3 furlongs in :38.00.

October 24

Afleet Lily (filly; Afleet Alex - Day Lily by A. P. Indy) and Savona (filly; Afleet Alex - Andora Springs by Capote) worked 5 furlongs from the gate at the Evangeline Training Center, Afleet Lily in 1:03.10 and Savona in 1:03.20.

At Keeneland, Backstretch (colt; Afleet Alex - Pleasant Point by Pleasant Colony) went 4 furlongs in :51.40.

At Hollywood Park, Brave Alex (colt; Afleet Alex - Brave Deed by Alydeed) went 3 furlongs in :36.40.

Five Afleet (colt; Afleet Alex - Nickel Classic by Regal Classic) went 3 furlongs in :38.20 at Keeneland.

Magic Bullet (colt; Afleet Alex - Magical Mood (GB) by Forestry) went 4 furlongs in :51.00 on a muddy Churchill Downs track.

At Woodbine, Marquesa Alexandra (filly; Afleet Alex - Miss Delta Dawn by Thirty Six Red) went 4 furlongs in :49.60.

Recession Proof (filly; Afleet Alex - Pert Lady by Cox's Ridge) worked at Laurel, 4 furlongs in :48.40.

At Keeneland, I'm Surprised (filly; Ghostzapper - Wolfer by Wolf Power (SAF)) went 4 furlongs in :50.40.

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

At Delta Downs, Joyful Friend (colt; Kitten's Joy - Somethingtreasured by Charismatic) went 4 furlongs in :49.00.

At Turfway, Russian Kitten (filly; Kitten's Joy - Nikita by Slew City Slew) went 4 furlongs in :49.00.

Manners (filly; Rock Hard Ten - Turkana by Deputy Minister) worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 at Woodbine.

At Santa Anita, Rock Solid King (colt; Rock Hard Ten - Julie's Angel by Theatrical (IRE)) went 3 furlongs in 36.20.

Gaelic Will (colt; Saint Liam - Golf Girl by Kingmambo) worked 4 furlongs in :49.00 at muddy Churchill Downs.

At Woodbine, Moment of Majesty (filly; Saint Liam - Lady Indy by A. P. Indy) went 5 furlongs in 1:00.40.

At the Ocala Training Center, Seeking the Point (colt; Saint Liam - So Foolish by Seeking the Gold) went 5 furlongs in 1:01.20.

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