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. 

April 26, 2008
Calder Race 9
Maiden Special Weight
4.5 furlongs
2-Year Olds
Post Time: 4:26 PM; HRTV

I have to admit that Precious Beans (Medaglia d'Oro - Precious Feather by Gone West) is one my favorite names among the Medaglia d'Oros. As many of you know, Medaglia d'Oro is a brand of coffee, combine that with Precious Feather and you get Precious Beans.  But, a good name only gets you so far, now it's time to see what he can do on the track. His dam, Precious Feather, was a stakes winner who earned $257,441 including second place finishes in the Azalea (gr. III) and Turfway Breeders' Cup (gr. III). However, she did not win as a 2-year old. Precious Feather is the dam of 2 winners, one of which won as a 2-year old.

The sales leader from this race is Bee Cee Cee (Songandaprayer - Mighty Rose by Mighty Appealing) who sold for $100,000 as a weanling and $200,000 as a 2-year old. Bee Cee Cee's dam was a stakes winner who earned $125,452 but didn't race as a 2-year old. Bee Cee Cee is a half-brother to 5 winners, 3 of which won during their 2-year old season. These include Mighty David who was stakes-placed as a 2-year old.

Sea Mecke (Mecke - Sea Span by Valid Expectations) is the first foal out of a stakes winning dam who earned $272,657 including $50,230 as a 2-year old.  

Two of the horses in this race have experience, Just Like Biscuit (Sligo Bay (IRE) - Evita's Song by Conquistador Cielo) finished 8th in a 2.5 furlong race at Gulfstream Park on 4/19. Evita's Song, dam of Just Like Biscuit, was a winner who earned $50,620. She has produced two winners including the stakes-placed Gone Wild. However, neither of her winners won at 2. Royal Sneaker (Snuck In - Regally Perfect by Regal Search) finished 5th in the same Gulfstream Park race as Just Like Biscuit. Royal Sneaker is a half-brother to the winner De Jewel who won 3 races and finished 2nd twice in seven starts as a 2-year old.

There are also three horses on the Also-Eligible list for this race, Adari, Kentucky Stormin, and Crazi Truth, which you should keep in mind if you are playing the race. 

2-Year Old Works 

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

Two Congarees worked 4 furlongs at Churchill on 4/25 in :50.00, Karanka (filly; Congaree - Casual Rendezvous by High Brite) and Oconee (colt; Congaree - Chenoa by Wild Again).

At Fenway (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Dancey Kate by Danzig) was on track again at San Luis Rey on 4/25, working 3 furlongs in :35.40.

Also working 3 furlongs in :35.40 at San Luis Rey on 4/25 was The Red Seat (colt; Speightstown - Luna Real (ARG) by Mutakddim).

Saar Treaty went 3 furlongs in :36.60 at Fair Hill on 4/25.  This was the fastest of 6 works at the distance. 

New to this blog

Red Bird Rules (filly; Peace Rules - Twirling Angel by Saint Ballado) worked at Calder on 4/25 going 3 furlongs in :36.60. Red Bird Rules is a half-sister to one winner, Uno Red Bird.  Uno Red Bird did not run as a 2-year old, but she did break her maiden in her first start as a 3-year old and has earned $10,607 in two starts.

The Congaree colt, King Congo (Congaree - Hansels' Star by Hansel) worked 2 furlongs at Emerald Downs on 4/25 recording a time of :25.40. King Congo is a half-brother to the winner Bullish Yield who has earned $75,825 through 2008.

I got my spot early by the #11 tree, so that I could be ready to take some pictures of our girl, Mostly Peace, but she was fashionable late.  More probable, she was being kept away from us folks so that she wouldn’t become too excited before the race. 

Lookbeforeyouleap, The Cliff’s Edge filly, was keeping us all entertained, rearing and bucking.  Actually, she reminded me of her sire who showed much of the same antics when I saw him at Vinery. This may not necessarily be negative behavior in a stallion, but it’s not promising for a 2-year old filly making her first start.

The Chapel Royal filly, Iberian Gate, was looking calm and collective.  She was also taking all the money. When the tote first flashed, she was 1-2 (she ended up going off at 6-5).  Apparently, she was the worst kept secret around the track.  Plus, she was trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez which didn’t hurt.

    The long-legged Mostly Peace in the paddock.

Finally, our filly made her appearance.  I took one look and thought that she didn’t have a chance in this race.  It’s not that she is unattractive; she just has extremely long legs.  I thought that there was no way she would get them unfolded in time to have an impact at 4 1/2 furlongs. Mostly Peace also has a skinny head which I recall as a characteristic of Peace Rules. I don’t recall if Peace Rules was overly leggy as a 2-year old.  Does anyone else remember this? Mostly Peace was mostly peaceful while being saddled. She did act up a little, but nothing compared to Lookbeforeyouleap.

Mostly Peace broke ok, but came out a little awkwardly.  I found out later from the chart that she actually hit the gate, not a great way to start.  Still, she wasn’t too far out of it while racing rather wide. She didn’t make up much ground throughout, but didn’t lose a lot either. Robby Albarado did not abuse her in the stretch and it was a positive learning experience. I would love to see this one stretch out, preferably on the turf.  The fact that she even made it to the starting gate this early in her career is evidence of her talent.

The winner was the Fusaichi Pegasus filly out of Pesci, Teriffany.  She jumped out of the gate and didn’t look back.  Iberian Gate tried hard, but she couldn’t catch the winner. Tiffany Royal (stablemate to our filly) was along for third.  Lookbeforeyouleap used up her energy in the paddock, she trailed almost the whole way round.  Cheyenne Code and Misleader were scratched.

Result: April 16, 2008 

Keeneland Race 5

Equibase Chart

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

Two Congaree offspring worked 4 furlongs at Keeneland on 4/16.  The colt, Oconee (Congaree - Chenoa by Wild Again) turned in a time of :47.00 which was the fastest of 26 works at the distance. Oconee's dam was unraced and has had one offspring reach the races. That offspring has not hit the board in two starts.  However, Chenoa 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) in his first year at the track.

Karanka (filly; Congaree - Casual Rendezvous by High Brite) worked in :47.40. Karanka is out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $93,857 and started 8 times as a 2-year old, with one win, one 2nd, and 2 thirds to her credit. Karanka is a half-sister to 5 winners, including the stakes winner Devil Valentine who earned $530,388 in his career.  As a 2-year old, he earned $159,890, was a debut winner, won the Kingarvie Stakes, and finished 2nd in the Coronation Futurity.