A Smart Win for Keefer

True Ally went to the lead, but he was sooned joined by favorite Matador Run. Keefer was lurking in third. He soon joined in the fun, as True Ally tired and fell back. The two favorites dueled for awhile, but Keefer was able to pull away for a clear victory to become Smarty Jones' second winner. Matador Run was game in second, while True Ally held third. The rest were far back, especially Coltraider who was left at the gate. Read more about Keefer here. 

Result: July 20, 2008 
Monmouth Race 6 

Keefer	$5.00	$2.80	$2.60
Matador Run		$2.60	$2.60
True Ally			$4.00

Equibase Chart

No Doubt About Oconee

Oconee (Congaree) broke with the leading group, but soon emerged as the leader. He was pursued for a bit by Win and Reign, but he put that one away and drew off for an impressive win. Willsgray and Awesome Rhythm closed to take 2nd and 3rd over a tiring Win and Reign. Our other runner, Mine That Bird (Birdstone) had no early speed, but he did pass 3 horses in the stretch to pick up 5th. Experience and distance may help this one.

Result: July 20, 2008 
Woodbine Race 5

Oconee	$11.10	$5.90	$4.50
Willsgray		$4.80	$3.50
Awesome Rhythm			$5.90

Equibase Chart

Turtle and Stardom Rule Over Lippy

Lippy Rules (Peace Rules) and Oro Blanco battled on the lead, but both weakened and they finished 7th and 9th respectively. The favorite, Montana Fields, hit the front and it appeared as if it would be a battle between her and Turtle Creek Babe. But, Turtle Creek Babe overcame Montana Fields rather easily. However, Stardom Bound came flying from nowhere after being left at the gate. Turtle Creek Babe held on, but only by the slimmest of margins. Both the winner and the runner-up appear to be horses we will be hearing more about.

Result: July 20, 2008 
Del Mar Race 4

Turtle Creek Babe	$16.80	$7.00	$4.00
Stardom Bound		$6.20	$3.40
Montana Fields			$2.60

Equibase Chart

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 20

Sweetie Bird (filly; Birdstone - Kacie's Favor by Distinctive Pro) worked 3 furlongs at River Downs in :39.00. Kacie's Favor, dam of Sweetie Bird, won $137,280 and has produced 4 winners from 5 to run.

Loving Roe Is Easy (filly; Peace Rules - Miss What a Day by Miswaki) worked 3 furlongs at Monmouth Park in :37.40. Loving Roe is Easy, who sold for $20,000 as a 2-year old, is out of a mare who is a half-sister to 9 winners, including 5 stakes winners.

Working 3 furlongs at Delaware Park in :37.80 was Peace Above All (filly; Peace Rules - Pleasant Glory by Honour and Glory). Peace Above All was a $20,000 2-year old and is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 6 winners.

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

July 20

Bear's Conductor (colt; Congaree - Symphonic Lady by Blare of Trumpets) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs, 1:00.40.

Presents for Berti (colt; Congaree - Agiftfrom Bertie by Monetary Gift) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

Wear Blush (filly; Congaree - Tifonica (ARG) by Equalize) - Del Mar, 6 furlongs, 1:14.80.

Wood Violet (filly; Congaree - Nani Rose by Peteski) - Ellis Park, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

Porto d'Oro (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Above the Harbor by Petionville) - Prairie Meadows, 3 furlongs, :35.80.

Promise Me Merlot (colt; Peace Rules - Promise Me Magic by Pentelicus) - Calder, 5 furlongs, 1:02.20.

Schrader Rules (filly; Peace Rules - She Did It Her Way by Private Terms) - Calder, 4 furlongs (gate), :51.20.

Rapid Redux (colt; Pleasantly Perfect – Thiscatsforcaryl by Storm Cat) - Monmouth Park, 4 furlongs, :49.80.

Antigone Jones (Smarty Jones - Oedy's Appeal by Valid Appeal) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :36.60.

Pick's Express (colt; Speightstown - Program Pick by Peterhof) - Calder, 5 furlongs, 1:02.00.

Pocket Patience (filly; Speightstown - Brass in Pocket by Domasca Dan) - Woodbine, 3 furlongs, :38.40.

Five runners in four races (Promise Me Merlot was a scratch), but only one winner.  However, it was a good one as Zigaree took the Minstrel Stakes. Zigaree was off a bit slow and settled near the back of the pack. Up front, Not Grounded, Bertsgoldenmissile, and Takin' the Bullet were setting the early fractions. Zigaree swung to the outside and cruised by them all to score an impressive victory. With this triumph, Zigaree becomes the second stakes winner for Congaree and Maiden Watch's first turf winner.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Louisiana Downs Race 8
Minstrel Stakes

Zigaree	$7.20	$4.20	$3.00
Bertsgoldenmissile		$4.80	$2.60
Takin' the Bullet			$3.00

Equibase Chart 

Me You and Her Mostly Leaves Her Race at the Gate

Me You and Her (Smarty Jones) may be getting some gate work after this debut. First, she was reluctant to load, they finally got her in after Joe Bravo hopped off. But then, she was in the gate awkwardly and they had to remove the 1 and 3 horses and pull Me You and Her back out. She was reloaded without incident, but came out of the gate slowly and was never much involved in the race. The only horse that she beat was our other runner, Mostly Peace (Peace Rules), who was part of the pace early on, but retreated steadily after the half. Lion's Terms, went right to the lead and built a 4 length advantage. He tired, however, and Coffee in Bed, closed well to make things interesting. The wire came in time to preserve the win for Lion's Terms. Itwillbelovely also closed well after a slow start.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Monmouth Race 3

Lion's Terms	$11.20	$4.80	$3.60
Coffee in Bed		$3.80	$3.20
Itwillbelovely			$4.40

Equibase Chart 

Pterodactyls Rule Himynameissarah

This one was pretty much a match race between Pterodactyls Rule and first-time starter, Stroll By, who quickly sprinted away from the field. Stroll By had the early advantage, but the more experienced Pterodactyls Rule was able to overtake her and draw off. It was way back to Golden Currency in third. Himynameissarah (Saarland) ran evenly to take 4th, but she was no threat to the top three, 2 of which she had defeated previously.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Canterbury Park Race 3

Pterodactyls Rule	$5.80	$3.40	$3.40
Stroll By		$5.40	$4.20
Golden Currency			$15.20

Equibase Chart 

Lets Just Say it's The Cliff's End for Tannic

Lets Just Say went to the lead, pursued by The Cliff's End. The Cliff's End was in front for a minute, but Lets Just Say had another gear and put that one away. Tannic (Saarland) was off slowly, but soon got into the race and closed well to take third. The top 3 finishers all made favorable impressions and I would expect The Cliff's End and Tannic to join Lets Just Say as winners soon.

Result: July 19, 2008 
Prairie Meadows Race 2

Lets Just Say	$5.80	$3.00	$2.40
The Cliff's End		$4.00	$2.80
Tannic			$3.00

Equibase Chart 

Oconee will Mine That Bird to Win and Reign

July 20, 2008
Woodbine Race 5
Maiden Special Weight
6 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 3:00 PM

P	Horse
1.	Libiamo
2.	Win and Reign
3.	Oconee
4.	Megacode
5.	Sky Taps
6.	Willsgray
7.	Awesome Rhythm
8.	Sinful Vows
9.	Mancini's Silver
10.	Mine That Bird
11.	Bear Most Wanted

Oconee (Congaree – Chenoa by Wild Again) returns after tiring to 8th in his debut on June 14. Since that debut, he has been working at Woodbine where he runs today. Joining him in the starting gate is Birdstone first-timer, Mine That Bird (Birdstone – Mining My Own by Smart Strike). Oconee's dam was unraced and has yet to produce a winner, but she is a half-sister to four graded performers including Demaloot Demashoot who earned $574,825 and won or placed in 8 graded stakes. He also won 2 races as a 2-year old and finished 3rd in the Iroquois (gr. III) that same year. Congaree's 18 runners have made a total of 23 starts, recording 4 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Mine That Bird is the first foal out of the unraced mare, Mining My Own, who is a half-sister to 5 winners including stakes winner Golden Sunray. Three of Mining My Own's siblings won at 2. Birdstone has had 9 runners who have made 14 total starts, recording 2 wins, 1 second, and 2 thirds.

Bear Most Wanted (Forest Wildcat – Midday Runner by Real Quiet), Megacode (Omega Code – Merica by American Standard), and Sky Taps (Tapit – Skywriting by Jeblar) all met on June 22 at Woodbine, finishing 3rd, 4th, and 6th. Interestingly, finishing 5th in that race was Tashi who broke his maiden on July 18 at Woodbine. Bear Most Wanted, who sold for $130,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner and millionaire, Ten Most Wanted. Megacode is by freshman sire, Omega Code whose 15 runners have made 34 combined starts, registering 7 wins, 3 seconds, and 4 thirds. Merica, the dam of Megacode, was a 2-year old winner and has produced 9 winners including stakes winner, Megacles. First-crop sire Tapit is the sire of Sky Taps who was a $37,000 yearling. Tapit is the sire of 12 runners who have made 21 total starts, recording 2 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. Sky Taps' dam was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and earned $220,646.

Mancini’s Silver (Mancini – El Prado’s Plata by El Prado (IRE)) and Libiamo (Tumblebrutus – Lake Mills Lady by Cryptoclearance) debuted in a Maiden Claiming race on July 4, a race won by our own Katolak Cowboy. Mancini's Silver, who was 4th, is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 2 winners. Finishing 5th was Libiamo who is by first-year stallion, Tumblebrutus. Tumblebrutus is a full-brother to Giant's Causeway and fellow first-year sire, Roar of the Tiger. From only 9 foals, Tumblebrutus has had 4 starters which have made 5 starts combined, recording 3 wins. Libiamo is a half-brother to 3 winners.

Willsgray (El Corredor – Doughty by Strike the Gold) has run twice, both times finishing 2nd at Arlington Park. He was a $85,000 yearling and is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 4 winners including Merger who was group II placed as a 2-year old.

The remaining experienced runner is Sinful Vows (Broken Vow – Something Sinful by Skywalker) who finished 8th in his only start on June 20. Sinful Vows is the 2nd foal out of a mare who is a half- or full-sister to 5 winners, including Sanky Panky who was a group III winner in Panama.

First-timers Win and Reign (Tomahawk – Its a Ruby by Rubiano) and Awesome Rhythm (Toccet – Galoshes by Storm Boot) are both by freshmen sires. Win and Reign's sire, Tomahawk, has sired 7 runners who have made 14 total starts, recording 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. Win and Reign is a half-brother 3 winners including stakes winner Like a Gem, who was also stakes-placed as a 2-year old and earned $554,216 overall. Toccet, sire of Awesome Rhythm, has had 15 runners who together have made 26 starts resulting in 1 win, 6 seconds, and 2 thirds. Awesome Rhythm, who sold for $20,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-brother to the winner Main Street, who has earned $78,200 through 2008.

Keefer, Iamachallenger to Matador Run

July 20, 2008
Monmouth Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 3:17 PM TVG

P	Horse
1.	Maestro On Tour
2.	Coltraider
3.	Iamachallenger
4.	Keefer
5.	Moonshine Mania
6.	Plianesberg
7.	True Ally
8.	Matador Run

Keefer (Smarty Jones – Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew) becomes our second Smarty starter at Monmouth. Maybe, he will like the Jersey Shore better than Me You and Her did. Smarty Jones' 3 runners have made 5 total starts, recording 1 win. Keefer, who was a $60,000 yearling, is a half-brother to three winners including stakes-placed Golden Rainbow who has earned $260,780 through 2008. Golden Rainbow was also a 2-year old winner. Keefer's dam is a half-sister to Fantasticat who won the Super Derby (gr. II) and earned $447,984.

Pilanesberg (Johannesburg – Tangier Sound by Rahy) finished 2nd in his only start, a Maiden Special Weight contest at Monmouth on June 29. Tangier Sound, dam of Pilanesberg, was a stakes winner who earned $265,970 who is a half-sister to 4 winners including 2-year old stakes winner, Livermore Valley. Pilanesberg is Tangier Sound's first foal.

Matador Run (Cherokee Run – Informative by Tabasco Cat) finished 3rd in his only start on June 20, behind Rapid Redux. He brought $425,000 as a 2-year old (after selling for $325,000 as a yearling). Matador Run's dam, Informative, was stakes-placed as a 2-year old and also won her debut.

Coltraider (Thunder Gulch – Final Legacy by Boston Harbor) and Moonshine Mania (Monashee Mountain – Last Day of Winter by Green Alligator) both finished 5th in their only starts, Coltraider on June 5 and Moonshine Mania on June 25. Coltraider, who sold for $90,000 as a yearling, is out of a dam who is a half-sister to Storm Cat. She has produced one winner, Ranchy, who broke her maiden in her 2-year old debut and who has earned $31,006 through 2008. Moonshine Mania is the first foal out of a winning mare who won her 2-year old debut and is a full-sister to stakes winner May Gator. May Gator earned $570,298 in a 10 win career and also finished 2nd in the Cardinal Handicap (gr. III).

Debut runner Maestro On Tour (Concerto – Uptown Lady by Tour d’Or) is a half-brother to 4 winners, 3 of which won at 2.

Also making his debut in here is Iamachallenger (Golden Missile – I Certainly Am by Affirmed), who is a half-brother to 6 winners, including Certainly Classic who won the Grey Breeders' Cup (CAN-III) as a 2-year old.

Lippy Seeks Rising Honour in the Montana Fields

July 20, 2008
Del Mar Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 6:30 PM TVG

P	Horse
1.	Turtle Creek Babe
2.	Stardom Bound
3.	Rising Honour
4.	Oro Blanco
5.	Irish Gypsy
6.	Bujumbura
7.	Lippy Rules
8.	Madeline Ruby
9.	Kinesiology
10.	Montana Fields

Lippy Rules (Peace Rules – Jive Talker by Time for a Change) is back after finishing 4th on June 15 and 2nd on June 25. In the latter race, she showed a lot of guts, fighting back to the lead before being overtaken by a closing Evita Argentina. Since that race, she has had a good 4 furlong work. Lippy Rules' dam, Jive Talker, was 3 for 3 as a 2-year old including 2 stakes wins. Overall, she earned $102,780 in her career. Lippy Rules is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Selling for $120,000 as a yearling was Turtle Creek Babe (Grand Slam – Cyclorama by Theatrical (IRE), who finished 2nd in her only try at Hollywood on June 1. Turtle Creek Babe is the 2nd foal out of the stakes-placed mare, Cyclorama, who earned $108,600 and won her only start at 2. Cyclorama is also a half- or full-sister to 6 winners.

Also selling for $120,000 as a yearling was Irish Gypsy (Hennessy – Rayelle by Relaunch) who was 5th in her only start on June 15. Rayelle, the dam of Irish Gypsy won the Hidden Light Stakes as a 2-year old and finished 2nd in the Santa Ynez (gr II) as a 3-year old. Rayelle has produced two winners from 4 to run.

The remaining entrants in the race are first-time starters including Stardom Bound (Tapit – My White Corvette by Tarr Road), who is by first-crop sire, Tapit. Tapit's 12 runners have made 21 total starts, recording 2 wins, 6 seconds, and 3 thirds. Stardom Bound's dam was a stakes winner at 2 and finished 3rd in the Golden Rod (gr. II) that same year. Stardom Bound, who sold for $375,000 as a 2-year old, is a half-sister to 2 winners.

Bujumbura (Giant’s Causeway – Happily Unbridled by Unbridled), who sold for $295,000 as a weanling, is out of a mare who won or placed in 9 stakes and earned $280,254.

Selling for $190,000 as a 2-year old was Kinesiology (Dixie Union – Lakeville by Evansville Slew), whose dam was a stakes winner who earned $100,775. She also won her 2-year old debut. Kinesiology is her first foal.

Virginia-bred Montana Falls (Pulpit – Exceptionally by El Prado (IRE)) sold for $67,000 as a yearling. Montana Falls is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to stakes winner Queen of Ice and a full-sister to Swingin On Ice, who won the Beaumont Stakes (gr. II) and earned $236,024.

Rising Honour (Honour and Glory – Quiet Threat by Quiet American) was a $45,000 2-year old, and is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Bringing $35,000 as a yearling was Madeline Ruby (Yankee Gentleman – Holy Speed by Afleet), who is out of the winning mare, Holy Speed. Holy Speed is the dam of 6 winners from 6 to run including 2 which won at 2.

Oro Blanco (Hold for Gold – White Angelica by Quiet American) is the first foal out of mare who is a half- or full-sister to 4 winners.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 19

Working 4 furlongs in :47.60 at Arlington Park was Hug It Out (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Dazzling Contrast by General Meeting). Hug It Out, who sold for $35,000 as a 2-year old, is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to grade I stakes winner Designed for Luck who earned $973,660 and won or placed in 11 stakes.

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

July 19

Phu Bird (Birdstone - Phu Cat by Tabasco Cat) - Louisiana Downs, 3 furlongs, :39.00.

Shoe Strap (colt; Birdstone - Boot Strap by Storm Boot) - Belmont, 5 furlongs, 1:05.06.

Stone Legacy (filly; Birdstone - Gulch Legacy by Gulch) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs, :49.66.

Texas Birdstone (colt; Birdstone - Imatexantoo by Ray's Pegasus) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :51.60.

Ambraw (colt; Congaree - Fabulous Flight by Flying Continental) - Churchill Downs Training, 4 furlongs, :51.20.

Belfast (colt; Congaree - Southerncomfortgal by Hermitage) - Lone Star Park, 3 furlongs, :35.80 (fastest of 15).

Congo Creek (Congaree - Lost Expectations by Valid Expectations) - Lone Star Park, 5 furlongs, 1:03.60.

Fiesta d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Ionian Bride by Icecapade) - Churchill, 3 furlongs, :39.60.

Iqbaal (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Queen's Lady by Storm Cat) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs, :51.83.

Sue's Update (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Sue's Update by Woodman) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:01.00.

Missunitednations (filly; Peace Rules - Sister Greeley by Mr. Greeley) - Philadelphia Park, 3 furlongs, :37.55.

Joanne's Ruler (filly; Peace Rules - Escaping Glory by Red Ransom) - Belmont Park, 5 furlongs, 1:02.06.

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Del Mar, 4 furlongs, :47.00.

Saarlanddisourland (filly; Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat) - Belmont, 5 furlongs, 1:01.47.

Run Smart One (colt; Smarty Jones - Literary Light by Ide) - Atlanta Hall Training Center, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Boomtown (colt; Speightstown - Day Lily by A. P. Indy) - Fairplex, 4 furlongs, :52.00.

Original Ink (colt; Speightstown - Red n'Gold by Tabasco Cat) - Keeneland, 3 furlongs, :37.60.

She's a Wow (filly; Speightstown - Venetian Glass by Deputy Minister). - Philadelphia Park, 3 furlongs, :38.75.

Speight the Halo (colt; Speightstown - Ballado's Halo by Saint Ballado) - Del Mar, 5 furlongs, :59.20.

Western Fire (colt; Speightstown - Under Fire by Gulch) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :50.00.

Atomic Rain and Saratoga Steve were scratched, leaving a field of 5 to take on the sloppy track. The experienced one, Silent Valor, and Trusting Heart scampered away from the rest (for a large part of the race, they were the only horses visible on the screen). Rapid Redux kept plugging away and slowly gained on the top pair. He passed a tiring Trusting Heart to take second, but was no threat to Silent Valor. Still, a promising beginning for a first-time starter especially since the track was sloppy, hard to predict how horses will react to that kind of surface. Overall, a nice debut for Pleasantly Perfect as a sire.

Result: May 16, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 2

Silent Valor	$3.10	$2.30	$2.10
Rapid Redux		$3.50	$2.30
Trusting Heart			$2.10

Equibase Chart

Bowman's Band

Even though he's not one of our stallions, I wanted to mention that Bowman's Band's first starter, Just Humm, won the 4th race at Pimlico on May 15. Just Humm is a colt out of the stakes winning Scarlet Ibis mare, Jubilees Galore who has produced 4 winners from 4 to race.

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

May 16

Alexabella (filly; Congaree - Diane's Birthday by With Approval) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :50.40.

Becky's Express (colt; Congaree - Becky Virtue by Strodes Creek) - Arlington Park, 4 furlongs, :48.20.

Mimsa (filly; Congaree - Majestic Report by Corporate Report) - Louisiana Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.20.

Wear Blush (filly; Congaree - Tifonica (ARG) by Equalize) - Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1:00.60.

C. S. Silk (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Remember the Day by Settlement Day) - Elloree Training Center, 3 furlongs, :37.40.

Saar Treaty (filly; Saarland - Top of the Noggin by Chief's Crown) - Fair Hill, 4 furlongs, :50.00.

Sargon (colt; Saarland - Cherished Jewel by Private Account) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs; 1:02.80.

Keefer (colt; Smarty Jones - Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :50.60.

New to this blog

The Birdstone colt, Breakwithtradition, was on track at Woodbine where he worked 2 furlongs in :26.00.  Breakwithtradition is the first foal of the unraced Joyeux Danseur mare, Princess Penny. Princess Penny is a half-sister to Palmiche who was a group III winner in Panama and who was 2 for 2 as a 2-year old.

Da Bear Facts (colt; Congaree - Impending Bear by Farma Way) worked 3 furlongs in :37.00 at Thistledown. Impending Bear was a stakes winner who earned $255,751. She has produced one winner, Honey Gold, who broke her maiden in her 2-year old debut.

Also at Thistledown, Dance the Cha Cha (colt; Congaree - Garden Dance by El Prado (IRE)) worked 4 furlongs in :50.00. Dance the Cha Cha's is the first foal out of the stakes-placed mare, Garden Dance, who earned 147,894.

At Calder, Power Rules (colt; Peace Rules - World Storm by Summer Squall) worked 3 furlongs out of the gate recording a time of :37.20. Power Rules is a half-brother to one winner, Tanyard Hill, who earned $36,327.

I was out of town and got a little behind on the workouts, so today is catch up day. Hopefully, we'll get some entries in the next day or two. I have been putting the workouts by date and then by sire (alphabetically) and then by horse name, keeping separate those previously mentioned and those new to the blog. If you think it would make better sense to separate the works by stallion, let me know.

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

May 9

Royal Treaty (colt; Saarland - Itama by Tabasco Cat) - Hunter Farm Training Center, 3 furlongs, :38.36

May 10 

Ambraw (colt; Congaree - Fabulous Flight by Flying Continental) - Silverton Hill Farm, 5 furlongs (gate), 1:03.23.

Becky's Express (colt; Congaree - Becky Virtue by Strodes Creek) - Arlington Park, 3 furlongs, :36.20.

Fiesta d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro - Ionian Bride by Icecapade) - Goldmark, 3 furlongs, :38.80.

Gold Aly (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Bangled by Alysheba) - Hollywood Park, 4 furlongs, :50.60.

Halo Beauty (filly; Peace Rules - Halo Tyra by Sunny's Halo) - Evangeline Training Center, 3 furlongs, :38.76. 

Red Bird Rules (filly; Peace Rules - Twirling Angel by Saint Ballado) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :36.40.

Valid Rule (colt; Peace Rules - Valid Bonnet by Valid Appeal) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Keefer (colt; Smarty Jones - Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :49.60.

Pick's Express (colt; Speightstown - Program Pick by Peterhof) - Calder, 4 furlongs, :49.00.

May 11

Birdseye (filly; Birdstone - Trail Guide by Our Native) - Lone Star, 3 furlongs, :36.00.

Heir to the Stone (colt; Birdstone - Mi Mariposa by Two Punch) - Aqueduct, 3 furlongs, :37.61.

River Treck  (colt; Congaree - Gem Treck by Java Gold) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :49.40.

Rachel Alexandra (filly, Medaglia d'Oro - Lotta Kim by Roar) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.20.

Cradle of Peace (colt; Peace Rules - Cat's Cradle by Flying Paster) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:03.00.

Mostly Peace (filly; Peace Rules - Ms. Mostly by Copelan) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:03.00. (Hmmm... did Cradle of Peace and Mostly Peace work together? Seems likely as both are owned by Vinery)

Tiger Rules (colt; Peace Rules - Danzig Tiger by Danzig Connection) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:04.00.

Rapid Redux (colt; Pleasantly Perfect – Thiscatsforcaryl by Storm Cat) - Monmouth Park, 5 furlongs, 1:03.00.

Saarlanddisourland (filly; Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat) - Belmont, 3 furlongs, :37.86.

Gatwick (colt; Speightstown - Beauty Halo (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Hastings, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

May 12

Shoe Strap (colt; Birdstone - Boot Strap by Storm Boot) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :49.60.

Oconee (colt; Congaree - Chenoa by Wild Again) -  Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:01.00.

Bri N Savannah (filly; Congaree - Walkerton by Copelan) - Woodbine, 2 furlongs, :23.40.

Mother Ruth (filly; Speightstown - Seven Four Seven by Colonial Affair) - Belmont, 3 furlongs, :37.41. 

In Speight of It (colt; Speightstown - Honest Deceiver by Is It True) - Belmont, 3 furlongs, :38.12.

Speight the Halo (colt; Speightstown - Ballado's Halo by Saint Ballado) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs, :48.60.

Exile (colt; Speightstown - Ruff by Clever Trick) - Santa Anita, 3 furlongs, :38.20.

May 13

Jazzandthemagician (colt; Birdstone - Pat Hand by Cape Town) - Keeneland, 4 furlongs, :49.00.

Gabby's Golden Gal (filly; Medaglia d’Oro – Gabriellina Giof (GB) by Ashkalani (IRE)) - Hollywood, 4 furlongs, :50.80.

Noble Rule (filly; Peace Rules - Vienna Knickers by Noble Saint) - Calder, 3 furlongs (gate), :37.60.

Danceyoursocksoff (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Come Dancing by Two Punch) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :36.20.

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May 9

Summer Bird (colt; Birdstone - Hong Kong Squall by Summer Squall) worked at Hunter Farm Training Center, recording a time of :39.40 for 3 furlongs. Hong Kong Squall has produced 4 winners from 4 to race, 2 of these won as 2-year olds.  She is also from the same family as champion sprinter Rubiano.   

May 10

At Calder, Ameribelle (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Miz United States by Valid Appeal) worked 3 furlongs in :38.20. Ameribelle is out of the stakes winning dam, Miz United States, who earned $298,904.  She was a debut winner, and also won the Florida Stallion My Dear Girl Stakes as a 2-year old. Miz United States has produced 4 winners, 3 of which won during their 2-year old season.

I'm the Law (colt; Peace Rules - Stormin' Down by Storm Creek) worked 3 furlongs in :37.60 at Evangeline Downs. I'm the Law is out of a mare who earned $126,715 (including $38,040 during a winning 2-year old season). I'm the Law is her first foal.

Another Peace Rules worker was Pacificator (colt; Peace Rules - Penthouse Doll by Pentelicus) who went 3 furlongs at Churchill Downs Training in :37.60. Pacificator's dam was a 2-year old winner and she has produced 2 winners, 1 of which won as a 2-year old.

May 11

For the dancer in all of us, we have; For All Who Conga (colt; Congaree - For All Who Dream by Eltish) who worked 3 furlongs in :37.40 at Calder. For All Who Conga is the first foal out of a mare who broke her maiden in her debut and won the J J'sdream Stakes as a 2-year old.

Rule of Motion (colt; Peace Rules - Poetic Motion by Green Dancer) worked at Philadelphia Park, recording a time of :37.42 for 3 furlongs. Rule of Motion is a half-brother to 2 winners. His dam was a winner in her 2nd start at 2.

May 13

Audible (colt; Congaree - Miss Marcia by Mr. Greeley) worked 3 furlongs at Belmont in :37.31. Miss Marcia was grade II placed and earned $95,925. She has produced 1 winner.

At Churchill Downs, the Medaglia d'Oro colt, Warrior's Reward, went 3 furlongs in :38.80. Warrior's Reward is out of the Seeking the Gold mare, For All You Do who has produced 1 winner.

Two Pleasantly Perfect offspring worked 3 furlongs on this date. The filly, Light Green, worked at Saratoga in a time of :36.94. Light Green is out of the stakes winning Sheikh Albadou (GB) mare, Green Light, who has produced 2 winners including the stakes winner, Run the Light. Run the Light has earned $221,099 through 2008. Perfectionism (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Soldera by Polish Numbers) worked at Santa Anita in :39.20. Perfectionism's dam, Soldera, was a stakes winner who won her 2-year old debut. Perfectionism is her first foal.

On track at Saratoga was Smart Woman, recording a time of :39.26 for 3 furlongs. Smart Woman is a Smarty Jones' filly out of the winning Storm Cat mare, Storming Beauty who has produced one winner.  Storming Beauty is a daughter of champion Sky Beauty who earned $1,336,000 and won or placed in 17 graded stakes, including victories in the Matron (gr. I) and Adirondack (gr. II) as a 2-year old. Storming Beauty is also a full-sister to Hurricane Cat, who was a group III winner in England.

We were late getting over to the track and it was Friday, so it was pretty crowded around the paddock.  Still, it didn't matter as Tiger Rules, like Mostly Peace on Wednesday, was a late arrival.  I have not been paying close enough attention to see if this is the usual practice for Steve Asmussen (who trains both of these Peace Rules offspring) with 2-year olds or if it has something to do with the Peace Rules temperament. I did notice today that Asmussen's other entrant in this race (Broadway Al) was also being kept away from the crowd.  Tiger Rules finally emerged revealing a long lean bay body, not quite as leggy as Mostly Peace, but with a similar narrow head. 

As with many 2-year old races, this one was over at the break when Run Away and Hide lived up to his name and scampered away.  Tiger Rules was ninth the whole way round, but hopefully learned something about how the game goes. The other first-year sire offspring fared better, running 2nd (Silent Valor by Lion Heart), 3rd (Broadway Al by Alke), 4th (Screen Your Friend by Friends Lake), and 5th (Cape Royale by Chapel Royal). The Cliff's Edge colt (Mount Hope) was scratched.

Result: April 18, 2008 

Keeneland Race 5

Run Away and Hide	$8.00	$4.20	$4.00
Silent Valor		$6.20	$4.60
Broadway Al			$8.00

 Equibase Chart

2-Year Old Works

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The Smarty Jones' colt Keefer was on track at Churchill Downs on 4/18, working 3 furlongs in :39.60. Keefer is out of the Seattle Slew mare, Shootforthestars. Shootforthestars was unraced, but she has produced 3 winners including the stakes-placed Golden Rainbow who has earned $248,610 through 2008. Golden Rainbow was never off the board in 6 starts as a 2-year old.

Also working at Churchill and recording the same time of :39.60 for 3 furlongs on 4/18 was Justin (colt; Speightstown - Love at Noon by Afternoon Deelites). Justin's dam earned $132,675 including seconds in the Princess (gr. II) and Dogwood (gr. II) and a third in the La Brea (gr. I).  However, she did not start as a 2-year old. She has produced one winner who has earned $29,690 through 2008.

At Santa Anita, the Speightstown filly Mighty Pleasing worked 1 furlong in :11.80 on 4/18.  Mighty Pleasing is out of the Falstaff mare, Pleasing. Might Pleasing is a half-sister to 3 winners, among them the grade III winner Excessivepleasure who was 2 for 2 as a 2-year old including a victory in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes.

Two Peace Rules fillies worked on opposite ends of the country on 4/18.  Long Live Dixie (Peace Rules - Crafty Brat by Lucky Lionel) went 3 furlongs in :37.00 at Laurel. Her dam, Crafty Brat, was a stakes winner who earned $239,749.  As a 2-year old, Crafty Brat started 9 times, finishing 1st twice and 2nd three times.  Long Live Dixie is her first foal. At Santa Anita, Floating On Air (Peace Rules - Charmie's Secret by Secret Hello) recorded a time of 1:03.00 for 5 furlongs. Floating On Air is the first foal out of a stakes-placed mare who finished 2nd in the Hildene as a 2-year old.

Alexabella, a Congaree filly out of the With Approval mare, Diane's Birthday, worked 3 furlongs at Keeneland recording a nice time of :35.40.  Out of the stakes  winning dam Diane's Birthday, Alexabella is a half-sister to 3 winners, 2 of which won during their 2-year old season.