Both S. S. Stone and Speight the Halo broke well and sat right behind the leaders, Del Conte and Say it Again. Speight the Halo, benefiting from his outside post, cruised to the front in the stretch. On the other hand, S. S. Stone was stuck amongst horses. But, he showed a lot of tenacity and fought his way through the crowd to join Speight the Halo. The two Maiden Watch horses battled well clear of the rest of the pack, until S. S. Stone surged forward past the tiring Speight the Halo to become the first winner for Birdstone. Street Hero, who was off slow and was near the back for most of the race, closed well to pick up third.

I hope that I wasn't the only one who had the Maiden Watch exacta which paid $102.70 for a dollar.

Result: June 29, 2008 
Hollywood Park Race 9

Equibase Chart 

News and Notes

Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro - Lotta Kim by Roar), who finished 2nd in the Debutante at Churchill on June 28, will get a break, according to the Churchill Downs Barn Notes. She may show up next in the Arlington-Washington (gr. III) on September 6 and then on to the Breeders' Cup??

Working 4 furlongs this morning at Churchill Downs was Ocean Colors, the daughter of Winning Colors who broke her maiden at Churchill on June 13 by 5 1/4 lengths. 

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

June 29

Presents for Berti (colt; Congaree - Agiftfrom Bertie by Monetary Gift) worked 3 furlongs at Churchill in :37.60. Presents for Berti's dam was a stakes winner at 2 and earned $408,378. She has produced 4 winners.

Working 3 furlongs at Lone Star Park in :39.40 was Herrand (filly; Peace Rules - Kelly's Lake by Salt Lake). Herrand's dam is a daughter of Our Summer Bid who won or placed in 11 stakes including victory in the Las Flores (gr. III). 

At Belmont Park, Perfect Footprint (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Pedicure by Mr. Prospector) worked 3 furlongs in :39.09. Perfect Footprint, who sold for $240,000 as a yearling, is a half-brother to Masseuse who won the Dance Smartly (gr. II) and the Beaugay (gr. III) and has earned $439,652 through 2008. 

Chef (colt; Smarty Jones - Take the Cake by Fly So Free) worked 3 furlongs in :37.20 at Monmouth Park. Chef sold for $400,000 as a yearling and his dam won the Forward Gal (gr. III) and $256,333. She was also 2 for 2 as a 2-year old. She has produced one winner from 2 to run.

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

June 28

Rockland (colt; Smarty Jones - Wiscasset by Kris S.) - Fair Hill, 3 furlongs, :38.20.

June 29

Broad Stone (colt; Birdstone - Broad Legacy by Broad Brush) - Belmont Park, 3 furlongs, :38.71.

P. J.'s Canary (filly; Birdstone - P J Prado by El Prado (IRE)) - Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs (gate), 1:03.00.

Congo Kaye (filly; Congaree - Palau by Kingmambo) - Pleasanton, 5 furlongs, 1:01.00. 

Singing Rose (filly; Congaree - Dial a Song by Mining) - Keeneland, 3 furlongs, :35.00 (fastest of 26).

Hank the Billymax (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Twining Star by Twining) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

Signet Ring (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Runaway Royalty by Runaway Groom) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :49.00.

Joanne's Ruler (filly; Peace Rules - Escaping Glory by Red Ransom) - Belmont Park, 3 furlongs, :37.86.  

Noble Rule (filly; Peace Rules - Vienna Knickers by Noble Saint) - Calder, 4 furlongs, :49.60. 

Tiger Rules (colt; Peace Rules - Danzig Tiger by Danzig Connection) - Arlington, 4 furlongs, :48.80.  

Trifecta King (filly; Peace Rules - Mamita by Unbridled) - Hollywood Park, 4 furlongs, :48.40. 

One Perfect Karat (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Golden Fanfare by Seeking the Gold) - Hollywood Park, 4 furlongs (gate), :49.20.

Gato Roar (colt; Speightstown - Madame Roar by Roar) - Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1:00.80.

Tannic (colt; Saarland - Poetic Image by Perrault (GB)) - Prairie Meadows, 4 furlongs, :52.31.

Winnie the Stew (filly; Smarty Jones - Bella Gatto by Storm Cat) - Emerald Downs, 2 furlongs, :23.60. 

Munnings (colt; Speightstown - La Comete by Holy Bull) - Belmont Park, 5 furlongs, 1:01.52.  

The Winning Pick 

Stamen went to the lead out of the gate, but Pick's Express cruised up to the front from the outside and left that one behind. He did tire a bit late, but had more than enough to hold off Ambuscader who closed well for 2nd. Stamen hung around for third. Our other runner, Frosty Diamond, was scratched. With this victory, Pick's Express becomes the first U.S. winner for Speightstown.

Result: June 28, 2008 
Calder Race 7

Equibase Chart 

Rachel and Renda Debutantes

Renda was off a bit slow in this one, she was back in the pack in the early going. On the other hand, Rachel Alexandra was up with the pace setters who were Cameron Crazies and the favorite, Garden District. Renda made a big 6 wide move on the turn and looked for a moment like she would go by everyone, but she couldn't sustain the bid and ended up 5th. Meanwhile, Cameron Crazies had tired up front and gave way to Garden District. Rachel Alexandra was a bit green, but she dug down and won the battle for second over Simplify, and even made things interesting for Garden District. However, that one prevailed by about a half of a length. Read more about the Debutante here. 

Result: June 28, 2008 
Churchill Downs Race 10
Debutante Stakes (gr. III)

Equibase Chart 

Trifecta King was scratched out of the Landaluce, a race won by Emmy Darling. Emmy Darling was a maiden before this win. The favorite, Cosmic Queen, stumbled at the start and could do no better than third.

Peach Brews Birdseye

Birdseye bumped into Golden Sky at the start and then swerved outward and continued to race wide. Once all that nonsense was finished, she actually passed some horses and ended up 6th. Hopefully, this was a good learning experience that will serve her well next time out. The winner was Peach Brew who closed impressively to overtake pacesetter Me Gusta Yonaguska.

Result: June 28, 2008 
Lone Star Park Race 7

Equibase Chart 

Speight and Stone take on Hollywood

June 29, 2008
Hollywood Park Race 9
Maiden Special Weight
5.5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 8:33 PM TVG

S. S. Stone (Birdstone - Sing and Swing by Dixieland Band) and Speight the Halo make their debuts at Hollywood on June 29. S. S. Stone sold for $135,000 as a yearling. His dam was a stakes winner who finished 2nd in the Fanfreluche Stakes as a 2-year old and earned $228,941 overall. She has produced 8 winners from 8 to race. Speight the Halo's dam, Ballado's Halo, was a stakes-placed winner of $80,858 and she is also a full sister to champion Ashado and grade I stakes winner Sunriver. Speight the Halo sold for $400,000 as a 2-year old in training.

Unraced Genki (Johar - Bedroom Chatter by Cure the Blues) is a son of first-crop sire, Johar. Johar has had 4 runners who have made 5 starts, with none hitting the board. Johar was a grade I stakes winner who earned $1,494,496, but he did not race as a 2-year old. Genki's dam, Bedroom Chatter, was a 2-year old winner. She has produced 7 winners from 8 to run including Chatter Chatter who was a stakes winner at 2.

The other debut runner in this race is Street Hero (Street Cry (IRE) - Squall Linda by Summer Squall) who is out of a stakes-placed mare who earned $154,727. Street Hero is a half-brother to 2 winners.

Five of the entries in the race previously met on June 5 at Hollywood in a 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest. Massone (Menifee - Stoneleigh's Hope by Damascus) was 2nd that day. Massone was a $40,000 yearling and his dam earned $258,809, including victory in the Fleur de Lis (gr. III). Massone is a half-brother to 6 winners. Nochangenweather (Lightnin N Thunder - Indyfendant by A. P. Indy) was 5th on June 5. Previously, he had finished 5th on May 8. Nochangenweather sold for $160,000 as a yearling and $400,000 as a 2-year old. He is a full-brother to the winner, Forever Cinderella. Finishing 6th on June 5 was Del Conte (Point Given - Dirty Diana by Flying Continental). Del Conte is the first foal out of the 2-year old stakes winner, Dirty Diane.  Say It Again (Werblin - Sayitwithdiamonds by Pioneering) was 7th. He is by first-year sire Werblin who has had 3 runners which have made four starts, recording 2 seconds and earning $13,945. Say It Again's dam was a winner of $41,780 and she has produced the stakes winner Mac N Mayo. Mac N Mayo has earned $136,200 through 2008. Finally, Loyal Son (Doneraile Court - Amber Gold by Mr. Prospector) was 9th that day. Loyal Son was a $47,000 yearling and is a half-brother to 2 winners.

The two remaining runners faced off on May 22. Captain Steel (Hennessy - Miss City Halo by Carson City) was 5th in that race. A $60,000 yearling, Captain Steel is out of a stakes winning mare who earned $155,930. She has produced 2 winners, one of which won as a 2-year old. Freedom Ride (War Chant - Itsoeasy by Easy Goer), who was a $30,000 yearling, was 8th. He is a half-brother to 3 winners including Easy Grades who finished 2nd in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and the San Rafael (gr. II). Easy Grades earned $559,159 in his career.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

June 28

Working 4 furlongs in :51.00 at Keeneland was Bear's Marie (filly; Congaree - White Line by Expelled). Bear's Marie sold for $67,000 as a yearling and her dam is a half-sister to 7 winners including 2 stakes winner.

Conga Gold (filly; Congaree - Added Gold by Gilded Time) worked 3 furlongs at Fair Hill in :38.20. The dam of Conga Gold, Added Gold, won the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) and earned $222,000. She has produced 2 winners from 2 to race.

Also working 3 furlongs in :38.20 at Fair Hill was Grandaree (filly; Congaree - La Grande Mamma by Compadre). Grandaree is the first foal out of a mare who was a stakes winner at 2 and who earned $209,355 overall. 

Iqbaal (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Queen's Lady by Storm Cat) worked 3 furlongs at Saratoga in :37.44.  Iqbaal brought $675,000 as a yearling and his dam is a half-sister to 5 winners.

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

June 28

Breakwithtradition (colt; Birdstone - Princess Penny by Joyeux Danseur) - Woodbine, 3 furlongs, :38.00.

For All Who Conga (colt; Congaree - For All Who Dream by Eltish) - Calder, 3 furlongs, :38.00. 

Toxaway (filly; Congaree - Doradoradora by Runaway Groom) - Lone Star Park, 5 furlongs, 1:00.60.

Zigaree (colt; Congaree - Zigabout by Danzig) - Evangeline Training Center, 4 furlongs, :49.11. 

Ameribelle (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Miz United States by Valid Appeal) - Calder, 5 furlongs, 1:02.60.  

Christo (colt; Peace Rules - Tis Me by Notebook) - Ocala Training Center, 4 furlongs, :48.60.

Perfect Edge (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Winner's Edge by Seeking the Gold) - Laurel Park, 3 furlongs, :37.00.

Verdant (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Rift Valley by Gulch) - Churchill Downs, 5 furlongs, 1:02.20 (sloppy). 

First Magnitude (colt; Saarland - Fapindy by A. P. Indy) - Arlington, 5 furlongs, 1:04.60.

Saarlanddisourland (filly; Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat) - Belmont, 4 furlongs, :48.55. 

Keefer (colt; Smarty Jones - Shootforthestars by Seattle Slew) - Belmont, 5 furlongs (gate), 1:02.25.

In Speight of It (colt; Speightstown - Honest Deceiver by Is It True) - Belmont, 4 furlongs, :49.12.   

Speight of Hand (colt; Speightstown - Hitch by Cox's Ridge) - Saratoga, 3 furlongs, :37.93.

Western Fire (colt; Speightstown - Under Fire by Gulch) - Lone Star Park, 5 furlongs, 1:03.80. 

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.

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.

New to this blog

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.