Cosmic Queen, the high-priced 2-year old, came out of the gate flying and drew off in the stretch setting a new track record for 4.5 furlongs. However, it was a promising debut for Trifecta King. She came out of the gate nicely and seemed to get stronger as the race progressed. Although she was second best, there was daylight between her and the rest of the field.

Result: May 15, 2008 
Hollywood Park Race 3

Equibase Chart

Lord Shanakill

We did, however, have a winner today.  Kudos to reader, K. Rob, for alerting us to the fact that Lord Shanakill (Speightstown - Green Room by Theatrical) won the Constant Security E.b.f. Maiden Stakes today at York to become the first winner for Speightstown. As far as I can determine, Lord Shanakill is also Speightstown's only runner so far, so he has a 100% success rate. Lord Shanakill sold for $110,000 as a yearling. His dam was unraced, but she is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner, Spanish Fern, and also half-sister to the dam of Heatseeker who won the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).

Rapid Redux Entered

Rapid Redux (aka Storm Leopard) becomes the first runner for Pleasantly Perfect, as he has been entered in a Maiden Special Weight at Belmont Park on May 16. Out of the Storm Cat mare, Thiscatsforcaryl, Rapid Redux sold for $85,000 as a yearling. Thiscatsforcaryl failed to win at the track, but she has produced 6 winners including the stakes winner Be Like Mike (earnings $174,202) and Sacred Journey who finished 3rd in this year’s Southwest Stakes. Two of her offspring won as 2-year olds.

First-year sire Lion Heart is represented by two runners, Silent Valor (Lion Heart - Few Choice Words by Valid Appeal) and Trusting Heart (Lion Heart - Trust Your Heart by Relaunch). Silent Valor is a familiar face, having finished 2nd in a race profiled previously. The winner of that race, Run Away and Hide, came back to win the Kentucky Stakes. Silent Valor sold for $320,000 as a yearling and is a half-brother to stakes winner Miss Jeanne Cat. He is the only horse in the race with experience. Trusting Heart sold for $135,000 as a yearling. He is a half-brother to 3 winners including Special Grayce who finished 2nd in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. III) and earned $124,129. Lion Heart has had 3 winners from just 6 to run.

Another who sold for 6 figures is Atomic Rain (Smart Strike - Paradise Pond by Cox's Ridge) who brought $170,000 as a yearling. Atomic Rain's dam has produced 1 winner. She is also a  half-sister to grade III winners, Roxelana and Tiger.

May 16, 2008
Belmont Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2-Year Olds
Post Time: 1:32; HRTV, TVG 

2-Year Old Works
Returning to the WorkTab (horses previously mentioned in this blog)

May 14

Zigaree (colt; Congaree - Zigabout by Danzig) - Evangeline Training Center, 4 furlongs, :51.21.

May 15

Prime Time (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Sioux City by Carson City) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs; :48.80.

Collegiate (filly; Saarland - La Sorbonne (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Belmont Park, 4 furlongs, :49.50.

First Magnitude (colt; Saarland - Fapindy by A. P. Indy) - Arlington, 3 furlongs, :39.20.

Indemand (filly; Saarland - One Bat Cat by Mountain Cat) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :38.40.

Mighty Pleasing (filly; Speightstown - Pleasing by Falstaff) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs, :48.80.

Mullins Beach (filly; Speightstown - Treasure Beach by Silver Deputy) - Winding Oaks Farm, 3f, :35.20.

New to this blog

May 15

Rocket Dog (filly; Saarland - Quiet Talk by Valid Appeal) worked 3 furlongs at Santa Anita in :37.00. Rocket Dog is a half-sister to 3 winners, one of which won as a 2-year old.

At Hollywood, Hornung (colt; Speightstown - Deb's Charm by Silver Charm) worked 2 furlongs in :25.40. Hornung, who sold for $120,000 as a yearling and $200,000 as a 2-year old, is out of the stake-placed Deb's Charm. Deb's Charm finished 3rd in the Alcibiades (gr. II) as a 2-year old. Hornung is her first foal.

Another Speightstown was on track at Keeneland, where Reynaldothewizard (colt; Speightstown - Holiday Runner by Meadowlake) went 3 furlongs in :36.00.  Reynaldothewizard sold for $400,000 as a yearling and $775,000 as a 2-year old. He is 2nd foal out of the stakes winner, Holiday Runner who earned $232,073 in her career ($171,623 as a 2-year old including victories in the Three Chimneys Juvenile and Fashion Stakes and a 3rd in the Adirondack (gr. II)).

Curly

Curly was back on the worktab after his 2nd place finish on Derby Day. He worked 5 furlongs at Arlington in 1:03.00.

Persian got out of the gate well and raced near the front for a bit before tiring.  It was encouraging that he remained in fourth and didn't fall back farther.  The winner was the top-seller from the race, Segal who started a bit slowly but soon took the lead.  He then drew off like a horse with a promising future, to win by 4.  Screen Your Friend, who was 4th on April 18, improved to take 2nd.  The filly, Mar Fina, broke awkwardly and was never much involved, finishing last.  Out of the Van was scratched.

Result: May 7, 2008 
Churchill Downs Race 5

Equibase Chart

The Cowboy Runs Again

Katolak Cowboy (colt; Saarland - Tide Cat by Storm Cat) who finished 7th in his debut on April 20, becomes our first return runner. He will again try 2 furlongs at Woodbine. Three of his opponents are back, Tin Pan Alley Cat who finished 5th, Player's List who was 8th, and Can'tstopthiscat who finished 3rd. Interestingly, the filly Can'tstopthiscat has run since then, finishing third on May 3 also at 2 furlongs. Another familiar horse is Yo Joe who finished 5th in the first 2-year old race profiled on this blog.

Katolak Cowboy's dam, Tide Cat, was unraced and she has produced one winner who earned $43,143 and finished 5th in one 2-year old start. Tide Cat is a half-sister to Ide winner of the Southwest (gr. III) and Rebel (gr. III) stakes. Ide was a very good 2-year old, earning $243,780 that season including wins in the Iroquois (gr. III) and Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. III).

The top-seller in this race was Bear Encounter (Johannesburg - Current Encounter by Little Current) who sold for $142,000 as a yearling.  All 4 of Current Encounters offspring who have run were winners, but only one won during his 2-year old season.

The first-crop sire Stroll is represented in this race by Fast Eddie (Stroll - Icee Sara by Eskimo). Fast Eddie is a half-brother to 2 winners including Norjac, a stakes-placed runner who has earned $140,466 through 2008. Norjac's earnings include a third in the Oliver's Twist stakes as a 2-year old. Stroll has had one starter, a colt who finished 2nd in his debut. Stroll himself started 5 times as a 2-year old, recording a first, a second, and a third; and earned $47,747 that year (career earnings: $795,071).  

May 9, 2008
Woodbine Race 2
Maiden Special Weight
2 Furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 1:37 PM

2-Year Old Works
Returning to the WorkTab (horses previously mentioned in this blog)

May 7 

Bear's Conductor (colt; Congaree - Symphonic Lady by Blare of Trumpets) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs, :50.60

Pearl of Valor (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Maderia M'dear by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.40.

Lippy Rules (filly; Peace Rules - Jive Talker by Time for a Change) - Hollywood Park, 3 furlongs, :36.80.

Noble Rule (filly; Peace Rules - Vienna Knickers by Noble Saint) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :37.00.

Peace Bear (colt; Peace Rules - Cocktail by Relauch) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs, :49.00.

May 8

Alexabella (filly; Congaree - Diane's Birthday by With Approval) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Renda (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Ten Carats by Capote) - Calder, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.20.

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs, :48.80. 

Collegiate (filly; Saarland - La Sorbonne (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Belmont Park, 4 furlongs, :48.66.

Mighty Pleasing (filly; Speightstown - Pleasing by Falstaff) - Santa Anita, 3 furlongs, :36.40.

New to this blog

May 7 

Midnight Break (colt; Congaree - Twilight Spectre by Imp Society) worked 3 furlongs at Keeneland, recording a time of :36.60. Midnight Break is a half-brother to 3 winners including Ethan Man who won the Swale Stakes (gr. III). Ethan Man also broke his maiden in his 2-year old debut.

Another Congaree who worked 3 furlongs was the filly, Sugaree Gold (Congaree - Sugar is Gold by Slew o' Gold) who registered a time of :38.00 at Hollywood Park. Sugar is Gold has produced 8 winners including the stakes winner, Shot of Gold, who earned $515,033.

At Hollywood Park, the Peace Rules filly, Trifecta King (Peace Rules - Mamita by Unbridled) worked 4 furlongs in :48.40. Yes, Trifecta King is a filly.  I double-checked.  If anyone has an explanation as to why a filly would be named Trifecta King, please chime in. Trifecta King is the first foal out of an unraced mare.  However, her dam is a half-sister to Church Service who is grade II-placed and most recently (on March 29, 2008) finished 2nd in the Tokyo City Handicap.

Babylon Road (filly; Speightstown - Bowmanston by Phone Trick) went 2 furlongs in :25.00 at Winding Oaks Farm.  It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. Babylon Road's dam is a half-sister to 2 stakes winners.

May 8

Cedros (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Wayward Bound by Mr. Prospector) worked 3 furlongs at Keeneland recording a time of :38.00. Cedros is a half-brother to 5 winners.

Two Saarland fillies worked on this date, Saarlands Star went 2 furlongs at Hollywood in :23.20 while Exclusive Scheme worked 3 furlongs in :39.00 at Quiet Woman Farm Training Center. Saarlands Star is the first foal out of the unraced Conquistador Cielo mare, Interruption. Interruption is a half-sister to 7 winners, 3 of which won as 2-year olds. Exclusive Scheme's dam, the Distant View mare, Pyramid Scheme, is a half-sister to 4 winners.

At Santa Anita, Exile (colt; Speightstown - Ruff by Clever Trick) worked 3 furlongs in :38.60. Exile's dam, Ruff, was a multiple-stakes winner whose victories include the Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. III) as a 2-year old. As a broodmare, Ruff has produced one winner (from 2 to race).   

Like many twinspires.com customers, I was shut out of the Derby.  In fact, I tried to login so many times that I disabled my login.  I called immediately after the race, not to complain about the service, but to reinstate my account.  "I need to bet the 12th at Arlington."  Luckily, this was easily done. 

If you didn't have a chance to watch Curly's race live or via replay, I would encourage you to take a look.  It was a very enjoyable race. As in his first start, Curly was severely lacking early speed.  In fact, for much of the race, he wasn't in the picture.  Instead, his old buddy, Stirrup Excitment set the early pace. Finally, he started coming as they came into the final turn ("now here comes Curly"). But, he was pushed wide, wide, wider than Big Brown in the Derby (officially 7 wide).  Amazingly, Curly kept coming and coming.  Meanwhile Four to Go was closing too, but he had the rail and less distance to travel.  At the wire, it was Four to Go by a head.  Sure it was a very fast pace that set up for a closer, but Curly looked like a real racehorse out there. By the way, I did have the exacta in Curly's race, hopefully I wasn't the only one.

Result: May 3, 2008 
Arlington Race 12

Equibase Chart

2-Year Old Works 

Returning to the WorkTab (horses previously mentioned in this blog)

May 1

Our Golden Dream (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Adorahy by Rahy) - Belmont, 3 furlongs; :38.44.

Prime Time (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Sioux City by Carson City) - Woodbine, 3 furlongs; :36.20.

At Fenway (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Dancey Kate by Danzig) - San Luis Rey, 3 furlongs :35.00.

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs; :48.20.

Persian (colt; Peace Rules - Lady Cheryl by Williamstown) - The Thoroughbred Center; 3f (gate); :34.80.

Collegiate (filly; Saarland - La Sorbonne (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Belmont, 4 furlongs, :49.90.

Mullins Beach (filly; Speightstown - Treasure Beach by Silver Deputy) - Winding Oaks Farm, 3f, :40.40.

Gemswick Park (filly; Speightstown - Queen's Park by Relaunch) - Winding Oaks Farm, 3f, :40.40.

The Red Seat (colt; Speightstown - Luna Real (ARG) by Mutakddim) - San Luis Rey, 2 furlongs, :23.20.

May 2

Aerin She Lovely (filly; Birdstone - Strawberrydaiquiri by Cherokee Run) - Calder, 3 furlongs (gate), :36.60.

Alexabella (filly; Congaree - Diane's Birthday by With Approval) - Keeneland, 3 furlongs, :37.60.

Ambraw (colt; Congaree - Fabulous Flight by Flying Continental) - Silverton Hill Farm, 4 furlongs; :51.10.

King Congo (colt; Congaree - Hansels' Star by Hansel) - Emerald Downs, 3 furlongs; :39.40.

May 3

Stone Legacy (filly; Birdstone - Gulch Legacy by Gulch) - Belmont Park, 3 furlongs, :36.45.

Zigaree (colt; Congaree - Zigabout by Danzig) - Evangeline Training Center, 3 furlongs (gate), :35.60.

Peace Conference (colt; Peace Rules - In Conference by Dayjur) - Vinery Stable, 3 furlongs, :37.80. 

First Magnitude (colt; Saarland - Fapindy by A. P. Indy) - Arlington, 2 furlongs, :25.40.

In Speight of It (colt; Speightstown - Honest Deceiver by Is It True) - Belmont, 3f, :37.65.

Mighty Pleasing (filly; Speightstown - Pleasing by Falstaff) - Santa Anita, 3 furlongs, :37.60.

Pick's Express (colt; Speightstown - Program Pick by Peterhof) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :37.40.

May 4

River Treck  (colt; Congaree - Gem Treck by Java Gold) - Churchill, 4 furlongs, :50.80.

Cradle of Peace (colt; Peace Rules - Cat's Cradle by Flying Paster) - Arlington Park, 4 furlongs, :48.60.

Mostly Peace (filly; Peace Rules - Ms. Mostly by Copelan) - Arlington, 4 furlongs, :52.20.

Red Bird Rules (filly; Peace Rules - Twirling Angel by Saint Ballado) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :35.60.

May 5 

Cozy Bird (filly; Birdstone - Cozy Island by Cozzene) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :36.60. 

Shoe Strap (colt; Birdstone - Boot Strap by Storm Boot) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :36.80.

Belfast (colt; Congaree - Southerncomfortgal by Hermitage) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :50.00; Belfast was previously known as Darkin Color.

Karanka (filly; Congaree - Casual Rendezvous by High Brite) - Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:00.80.

Oconee (colt; Congaree - Chenoa by Wild Again) -  Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:00.40.

Gabby's Golden Gal (filly; Medaglia d’Oro – Gabriellina Giof (GB) by Ashkalani (IRE)) - Hollywood, 4 furlongs, :46.80.

Danceyoursocksoff (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Come Dancing by Two Punch) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :39.00.

Gatwick (colt; Speightstown - Beauty Halo (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Hastings, 3 furlongs, :37.60.

New to this blog

May 1

Royal Treaty (colt; Saarland - Itama by Tabasco Cat) went 3 furlongs in :39.36 at Hunter Farm Training Center. Royal Treaty's dam, Itama, is a half-sister to My Boston Gal, a grade III winner who was 3 for 3 as a 2-year old including a victory in the Golden Rod (gr. II). 

At Churchill Downs, the Saarland filly, Indemand, worked 4 furlongs in :49.60.  Indemand is out of the Mountain Cat mare, One Bad Cat, which means that she is a half-sister to El Gato Malo, winner of the San Rafael (gr. III) and scheduled to start next in the Preakness. El Gato Malo was also 2 for 2 as a 2-year old.

Also working 4 furlongs in :49.60 was Rachel Alexandra (filly, Medaglia d'Oro - Lotta Kim by Roar) who recorded her workout at Diamond D Ranch. Lotta Kim was a stakes winner who broke her maiden in her first start as a 2-year old and also finished second in the Golden Rod (gr. II) that year. Rachel Alexandra is her first foal.

May 2

Birdcaper (colt; Birdstone - Sweet Caper by Cape Town) worked at Calder, recording a time of :38.00 for 3 furlongs. Birdcaper's dam was a winner who is a half-sister to 5 winners including the stakes winner, Leslie's Lady. Leslie's Lady won the Hoosier Debutante Stakes as a 2-year old.

At Calder, the Peace Rules filly, Noble Rule, went 3 furlongs in :37.40.  Noble Rule is out of the Noble Saint mare, Vienna Knickers. Vienna Knickers is the dam of 3 winners including the grade III winner, Mr. Livingston who finished 3rd in the Rhythm Stakes as a 2-year old.

Working 4 furlongs from the gate in a time of :53.00 at New Episode Training Center was Pleasant Flight (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Heather's Flight by Seattle Dancer). Pleasant Flight is a half-brother to 4 winners, one of which won as a 2-year old.

Paid Preview (colt; Speightstown - Starring Monique by Risen Star) went 3 furlongs in :37.60 at Keeneland. Starring Monique is the dam of 5 winners, including Blushing Indian who finished 2nd in the Sanford (gr. II) and third in the Iroquois (gr. III) as a 2-year old.

May 3

At Louisiana Downs, Mimsa (filly; Congaree - Majestic Report by Corporate Report) worked 3 furlongs in :38.80. 5 out of 6 of Majestic Report's runners have been winners, 4 of them won at 2.

Gold Aly (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Bangled by Alysheba) worked 3 furlongs at Hollywood in :38.20. Gold Aly is a half-brother to 5 winners including the grade III winner, Anklet who earned $486,451 and broke her maiden in her 2nd start as a 2-year old. 

Working 3 furlongs at Belmont in :39.47 was Saarlanddisourland (filly; Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat). Saarlanddisourland is a half-sister to one winner.   

May 4

Birdseye (filly; Birdstone - Trail Guide by Our Native) worked at Lone Star Park recording a time of :37.80 for 3 furlongs. Birdseye is a half-sister to 9 winners, 3 of which won as 2-year old.

Another Birdstone offspring who worked 3 furlongs was the colt, Heir to the Stone (colt; Birdstone - Mi Mariposa by Two Punch) who recorded a time of :38.56 at Aqueduct. Mi Mariposa has produced 3 winners.

Becky's Express (colt; Congaree - Becky Virtue by Strodes Creek) worked 3 furlongs at Arlington Park in :37.00. Becky Virtue was a stakes winner who earned $101,990. 

At Woodbine, the Saarland colt, Regent Street, went 3 furlongs in :38.20. Regent Street is out of the winning Commemorate mare, Regents Signet who has produced 5 winners.

May 5

Perfect for a Run (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Unbridled Ashley by Unbridled) worked 3 furlongs in :38.40 at Monmouth. Perfect for a Run's dam is a half-sister to Elusive Warning who has earned $384,800 through 2008.

At Belmont, the Speightstown filly, Mother Ruth, worked 3 furlongs in :39.12. Mother Ruth is out of the stakes winning Colonial Affair mare, Seven Four Seven who earned $403,681 in her career.