Two Brash Too Much for Shrewd

This certainly looked like a field of debut runners. Townie's Dream went to lead and while crossing over to the rail, bumped into Shrewd who crowded Two Brash which caused Cribnote to check and retreat near the back. However, Townie's Dream gave it up in the stretch while Shrewd was looming on the outside. It looked like Shrewd was going to pull away for the win, but he hung a bit and instead it was Two Brash who rallied. Winthrop House came up the rail to take second from Shrewd. It's hard to blame the trouble for Shrewd's performance since Two Brash had it worse, and he won the race. There was a Stewards' inquiry, but no results were changed (probably because the horse that started the trouble, Townie's Dream, finished behind all those he bothered).

Result: July 3, 2008 
Belmont Park Race 4

Equibase Chart 

The Best Advice

This one was all about Advice who sat about mid-pack and then circled the field to win by 8. Seems like many in the race were not ready for the mile distance. This may include our two runners, Becky's Express and Tiger Rules. Both were in decent position, but made steady retreats after about a half of a mile and ended up 8th and 9th respectively. Becky's Express was fractious in the gate and may have used up some of his energy there.

Result: July 3, 2008 
Arlington Park Race 7

Equibase Chart 

July 4, 2008
Woodbine Race 4
Maiden Claiming (Claiming Price $40,000)
5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 2:40 PM

Katolak Cowboy (Saarland - Tide Cat by Storm Cat) tries Maiden Claiming company after finishing 7th on April 20, 3rd on May 9, and 6th on June 8. Since that last race, Katolak Cowboy turned in a bullet 4 furlong work which hopefully indicates he's ready for a big effort. 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).

Finishing 9th in Katolak Cowboy's June 8 race was Storm Seeker (February Storm - Fun City Lady by Jeblar). Storm Seeker is by first-year sire, February Storm, who has had 3 runners which have made 4 starts, recording 1 third. A son of Storm Cat, February Storm was a stakes winner who earned $203, 971. He is a half-brother to grade I winner Blushing K. D. Storm Seeker's dam, Fun City Lady, was a 2-year old winner and has produced one winner, who also won as a 2-year old.

First-crop sire, Roar of the Tiger, is the sire of Passport Joe (Roar of the Tiger - Aunti Hattie by Affirmed) who finished 3rd in his only start, a Maiden Claiming race at Woodbine on June 20. Roar of the Tiger's 19 runners have made 33 starts, registering 6 wins, 8 seconds, and 8 thirds and earnings of $163,600. Passport Joe's dam was a winner and has produced 3 winners.

Finishing 5th behind Passport Joe on June 20 was Mancini's Silver (Mancini - El Prado's Plata by El Prado (IRE)). Mancini's Silver is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 2 winners.

I Boogie (Parisianprospector - Regent's Pride by Vice Regent) finished 8th in his only start, a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest on June 1. I Boogie's dam, Regent's Pride, was stakes-placed as a 2-year old. Regent's Pride has produced 3 winners including stakes winner, My Imperial Dancer who has earned $178,898 through 2008.

The final experienced horse is Joey's Smokin Gun (Joey Franco - Nora Ellen by Cee's Tizzy) who finished 6th in a Maiden Special Weight race at Hastings on May 17. His sire, Joey Franco, is a first-year sire who has had 2 runners which have not yet placed. Joey Franco won or placed in 7 stakes including wins in the Triple Bend (gr. I) and the Del Mar Breeders' Cup (gr. II) and earned $635,091. Joey's Smokin Gun is the 2nd foal out of a winning dam and the first to reach the races.

Libiamo (Tumblebrutus - Lake Mills Lady by Cryptoclearance) is by first-year stallion, Tumblebrutus who is a full-brother to Giant's Causeway and fellow first-year sire, Roar of the Tiger. From only 8 foals, Tumblebrutus has had 2 starters which have made 3 starts, recording 2 wins. Libiamo is a half-brother to 3 winners.

The dam of Jolly Jordyn (Hennessy - Princes Melissa by Marquetry) finished 3rd in the Landaluce (gr. II) and the Cinderella as a 2-year old. She is the dam of one winner from one to start.

Watch Stopper (Suave Prospect - Someonewhoneedsme by Northern Jove) is out of a winning mare who has produced 9 winners, 5 of which won during their 2-year old season. 

July 4, 2008
Belmont Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2 Year Old New York-bred Filles
Post Time: 4:30 PM

Saarlandisourland (Saarland - Crypto Kate by Tabasco Cat) makes her debut at Belmont on Independence Day. Saarland has had 5 runners who have made 8 starts, recording 1 win and 3 thirds. Saarlandisourland's dam, Crypto Kate, was a winner of $30,602. Saarlandisourland is Cypto Kate's 2nd foal. Her first foal, Seattle Reed, is a winner who has earned $40,039 through 2008.

The only experienced horses in the race, Doremifasollatido (Bernstein - Consider It Done by Green Dancer) and Sweet Ober Melissa (Tale of the Cat - Gold 'n Sugar by Java Gold) met in a Maiden Special Weight 5 furlong race on June 12 at Belmont. In that contest, Doremifasollatido was 2nd and Sweet Ober Melissa was 3rd. Doremifasollatido, who sold for $110,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to 3 winners including Fortunate Damsel who won the Pebbles Stakes (gr. II) and earned $218,815. Sweet Ober Melissa sold for $115,000 as a yearling and is out of the stakes-placed mare, Gold 'n Sugar who earned $226,428. Gold 'n Sugar was also a debut winner at 2 and has produced 2 winners.

First-year stallion, Read the Footnotes, is the sire of Heavenly Pursuit (Read the Footnotes - Celeste Cielo by Conquistador Cielo by Mr. Prospector). Read the Footnotes has had 5 runners who have made 7 starts and recorded 1 win and 1 second. Heavenly Pursuit was a $67,000 2-year old. Her dam, Celeste Cielo, was a 2-year old debut winner and finished 3rd in the Astarita Stakes (gr. II) that same year. Heavenly Pursuit is a half-sister to 3 winners including 2-year old winner, Play N Hooky.

Selling for $75,000 as a yearling was Not a Peep (Successful Appeal - Silence Please by Quiet American). Not a Peep is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to 9 winners including 3 which won as 2-year olds.

She's Prime (Prime Timber - Mayicutin by Robyn Dancer) sold for $25,000 as a 2-year old. Her dam was a winner of $62,420 and has produced 2 winners from 3 to race including 2-year old winner, Nordberg, who was stakes-placed as a 3-year old.

Akilina (Langfuhr - Fahamore by Gulch) is a half-sister to the 2-year old winner, Blue Devil Bel, who has earned $63,670 through 2008.

Life Support (Hook and Ladder - Lucky Baroness by Fortunate Prospect) is out of the 2-year old winning mare, Lucky Baroness, who earned $143,115 in her career. Lucky Baroness has produced one winner, Baroness, who was 1 for 1 as a 2-year old and who has earned $131,162 through 2008.

Noble Rule and Aerin She Lovely Celebrate the Fourth at Calder

July 4, 2008
Calder Race 6
Maiden Claiming (Claiming Price $32,000)
5 furlongs
2 Year Old Fillies
Post Time: 5:05 PM

Aerin She Lovely (Birdstone - Strawberrydaiquiri by Cherokee Run) who makes her third start after finishing 5th in a Maiden Special race on May 31 and 4th in a Maiden Claiming race on June 22, is the only experienced horse in this race. Birdstone has had 5 runners who have made a combined 8 starts, recording 1 win and 1 second. Aerin She Lovely is the first foal out of an unraced mare who is a half-sister to Wimbledon, who earned $443,818 including a win in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II). Wimbledon did not win as a 2-year old, but he did finish 2nd twice in 3 starts that year.

Noble Rule (Peace Rules - Vienna Knickers by Noble Saint) is out of a winning mare who 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. Peace Rules' 12 runners have made a total of 22 starts, recording 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds.

Shakira's Song (Alajwad - Your Song by Colony Light) is by first-crop sire, Alajwad who has had seven runners who have made a combined 14 starts with 1 win, 1 second, and 3 thirds. Shakira's Song's dam, Your Song, was a winner of $82,585. Your Song is a half-sister to 4 winners.

First-year stallion Roar of the Tiger is the sire of Tiger Queen (Roar of the Tiger - Mickey's Queenmary by King of Kings (IRE)). Roar of the Tiger's 19 runners have made 33 starts, registering 6 wins, 8 seconds, and 8 thirds and earnings of $163,600. Tiger Queen is the first foal out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to First Blush who was stakes-places as a 2-year old and won the Spectacular Bid (gr. III) as a 3-year old, earning $334,369 in his career.

Dance N Run (Kafwain - My Dilemma by Sword Dance (IRE)) is out of a winning mare who has produced 2 winners from 2 to race.

The dam of Sweetsformyhoney (Sweetsouthernsaint - Extra Free by Tri Jet) was a winner who has produced 5 winners from 5 to run.

Wise Passion (Wised Up - Current Gossip by Current Hope) is out of a stakes winning dam who has produced 4 winners from 4 to race including Allsmarts a 2-year old winner and a full-brother to Wise Passion.

Jazz Her Up (Smooth Jazz - Vocally by End Sweep) is out of a winning mare who is a half-sister to 2 winners.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 3

Party Hard (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Keys to the Heart by Wild Again) worked 5 furlongs at Hollywood in 1:01.40. Party Hard's dam, Keys to the Heart, was a grade III stakes winner who earned $267,148. Party Hard is her first foal.

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

July 3

Hoopoe (Birdstone - Allou by Seattle Slew) -  Saratoga, 3 furlongs, :36.70.

Shoe Strap (colt; Birdstone - Boot Strap by Storm Boot) - Belmont, 4 furlongs, :49.67.

Conga Queen (filly; Congaree - Special Test by Hawkin's Special) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :52.00.

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

Sugaree Gold (filly; Congaree - Sugar is Gold by Slew o' Gold) - Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1:01.20.

Dueling Alex (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Rosie Dooley by Trempolino) - Monmouth Park, 3 furlongs (gate), :36.80.  

Sue's Update (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Sue's Update by Woodman) - Arlington, 3 furlongs, :36.60.

Cesium Fountain (colt; Peace Rules - San Speculation by Out of Place) - Hollywood, 4 furlongs, :50.40.

Go Peacefully (filly; Peace Rules - Ottomwa by Strawberry Road (AUS)) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :50.20.

Peace Conference (colt; Peace Rules - In Conference by Dayjur) - Fair Hill, 4 furlongs, :50.20.

Peace Reigns (filly; Peace Rules - Diamond Dottie by Eagle Eyed) - Louisiana Downs, 4 furlongs, :49.40. 

Work for Peace (filly; Peace Rules - Southern Solstice by Southern Halo) - Laurel, 3 furlongs, :38.20.

Perfect for a Run (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Unbridled Ashley by Unbridled) - Monmouth Park, 3 furlongs (gate), :36.80. 

Sargon (colt; Saarland - Cherished Jewel by Private Account) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs; 1:01.80. 

Little Lady Smarty (filly; Smarty Jones - Lake Lady by Salt Lake) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.00.

Go Smarty Go (colt; Smarty Jones - Sarah's World by Holy Bull) - Belmont, 4 furlongs, :49.48. 

Hey Smarty (colt; Smarty Jones - Miss Seffens by Dehere) - Louisiana Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.20.

Smarty Marty (filly; Smarty Jones - Frozen Rope by Clever Trick) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.89.

Despeightitall (colt; Speightstown - Deputy Royal by Deputy Minister) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs (gate), :51.20.

Exile (colt; Speightstown - Ruff by Clever Trick) - Santa Anita, 4 furlongs, :48.40.

Mullins Beach (filly; Speightstown - Treasure Beach by Silver Deputy) - Woodbine, 5 furlongs, 1:02.40.

Paradise Playgirl (filly; Speightstown - Bigger Half by Megaturn) - Saratoga, 4 furlongs, :50.76.

Prosecca (filly; Speightstown - Pink Champagne by Awesome Again) - Colonial Downs, 3 furlongs, :37.80.

Renaldothewizard broke well and sat just behind the leaders, More Than Global, Malibu Maverick, and Indeedingly, securing a spot on the rail. Julien Leparoux swung him outside and he exploded, drawing off by more than 4. This was a very professional win, Renaldothewizard looked like an old veteran out there and Maiden Watch is back on another roll.

Result: July 2, 2008 
Churchill Downs Race 9

Equibase Chart 

July 3, 2008
Belmont Park Race 4
Maiden Special Weight
5 furlongs
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 2:36 PM HRTV/TVG

This is my kind of race. All 8 entries (plus Western Legend on the Also-Elgible list) are making their first start including the Speightstown colt, Shrewd (Speightstown - Bluffing Girl by Pine Bluff) who sold for $435,000 as a yearling. As we have seen, Speightstown is off to a good start at stud. His five runners have made 7 starts recording 3 wins, 1 second, and three thirds (including today's winner, Reynaldothewizard). Shrewd's dam, Bluffing Girl, won or placed in 4 stakes including the Gowell Stakes when she was 2 and earned $268,350 in her career. Bluffing Girl has produced 3 winners from 3 to race including 2 which won as 2-year olds.

First-year sire Read the Footnotes is the sire of Cribnote (Read the Footnotes - Totebook by Notebook). Read the Footnotes has had 4 runners which have made a total of 6 starts, recording 1 win and 1 second. Cribnote's dam is a half-sister to 12 winners including grade III stakes winner, D'Or Ruckus and stakes winner, Diane's Birthday.

Selling for $300,000 as a yearling was Allrightsreserved (Awesome Again - Divine Angel by Matty G) whose dam, Divine Angel, finished 3rd in the Sorority (gr. III) as a 2-year old. Divine Angel is a half-sister to 4 winners including 2 which won during their 2-year old season.

Another $300,000 yearling by Awesome Again is Two Brash (Awesome Again - Impolite by Two Punch). Two Brash is out of a stakes winning dam who earned $174,860 and was also a 2-year old winner.

Winthrop House (More Than Ready - Why You by Polish Numbers) who brought $40,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of the stakes-placed mare, Why You. Why You is a half-sister to 3 winners.

Selling for $30,000 as a yearling was Sean Avery (Cherokee Run - Latin Lynx by Forest Wildcat). Sean Avery is the 2nd foal out of the 2-year old winning mare, Latin Lynx. Her first foal recorded one 2nd as a 2-year old. Latin Lynx is a half-sister to 3 winners, including Coosa who was a 2-year old winner and who has earned $51,324 through 2008.

Townie's Dream (Cape Town - Miss Dixie Dreamer by Dixieland Band) is the first foal out of the winning mare, Miss Dixie Dreamer who is a half-sister to 5 winners.

Master (Mr. Greeley - Voodoo Baby by Ogygian) is a half-brother to 5 winners.

On the Also-Elgible list is Western Legend (El Corredor - Affirmed Bel by Affirmed) whose dam, Affirmed Bel, was a winner. Affirmed Bel is the dam of 2 winners from 2 to race including Go Ask Daisy who was a stakes winner as a 2-year old.

Express and Tiger Try to Rule the Richies

July 3, 2008
Arlington Park Race 7
Maiden Special Weight
1 Mile
2 Year Olds
Post Time: 5:07 PM HRTV

My first comment about this race is that I really need to get to know Richie. Not only is he a pal, but he's also Aw(e)some. This is definitely the longest race that we have seen so far, as the 2-year olds will go a mile at Arlington Park.

Tiger Rules (Peace Rules - Danzig Tiger by Danzig Connection) was 9th in his debut on April 18 at Keeneland. Since that race, he has been working regularly and should show improvement in this contest. Peace Rules has had 12 runners who have made 21 starts with 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds. Tiger Rules was a $40,000 yearling whose dam won $42,613, but didn't start as a 2-year old. She has produced 3 winners, including stakes-placed Tyger River who earned $87,363. One of Tiger Rules' half-siblings won as a 2-year old.

Becky's Express (Congaree - Becky Virtue by Strodes Creek) has also had one start, finishing 6th in a 4.5 furlong race at Arlington on June 8. Since that race, Becky's Express has worked twice. Congaree is the sire of 10 runners who have made 10 starts (Becky's Express is the first to run back), recording 2 wins and a third. Becky's Express' dam, Becky Virtue, was a stakes winner who earned $101,990. Becky Virtue is a half-sister to the stakes winner Try N Express who earned $174,206 and won the Great Arizona Shoot-out Futurity as a 2-year old.

Sunday Coach (Sunday Break (JPN) - Sara Lass by Cutlass) and Roaring Scout (Lion Heart - Lil Scout by Atticus) previously met at Arlington Park in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight race on May 26, with Sunday Coach finishing 4th and Roaring Scout 6th. Sunday Coach is out of the mare, Sara Lass, who was a 2-year old winner. Sara Lass has produced 7 winners, 4 of which won as 2-year olds. Roaring Scout is by first-year sire, Lion Heart, whose 13 runners have made 21 starts, recording 8 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds. Roaring Scout's dam was a winner at 2 and she has produced one winner from 2 to run.

Finishing third in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest at Presque Isle Downs on May 31 was Wallstreetgold (Touch Gold - Playforme by Gone West). Wallstreetgold is a half-brother to one winner and his dam is a half-sister to 3 winners including stakes winner, Make My Heart Sing.

The final experienced entrant is Schleprock (Tough Gold - Aly Capri by Alydar) who finished 7th in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight race on June 22. Schleprock is a half-brother to 2 winners including Aly's Alley who won or placed in 11 stakes. Included in the 11 was a victory in the Gallery Furniture Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes (gr. III) and a second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), both as a 2-year old. Overall, Aly's Alley earned $902,210.

First-crop sire Chapel Royal is responsible for Advice (Chapel Royal - Word o' Wisdom by Hennessy) and Golden Chapel (Chapel Royal - Come Forth as Gold by Touch Gold). Chapel Royal has had 24 runners who have made 41 starts with 5 wins, 6 seconds, and 5 thirds. Advice sold for $170,000 as a 2-year old and is a half-brother to 2 winners, one of which was a 2-year old winner. Golden Chapel brought $110,000 as a yearling and his dam is a half-sister to one winner.

Also by a first-year sire is My Pal Richie (Friends Lake - Fleet Pact by Afleet). Friends Lake has had 3 runners who have made 6 starts that have resulted in 1 win and 1 second. My Pal Richie is a half-brother to 6 winners, 2 of which won during their 2-year old season.

Rounding out the field is Awsome Richie (Bernstein - Two Eyed Tootie by Nalees Rialto) whose dam, Two Eyed Tootie, was a stakes winner who earned $114,538. Two Eyed Tootie has produced 6 winners including Diamond Miss, a full-sister to Awsome Richie.

News and Notes

The Bashford Manor, July 5 at Churchill Downs, includes Maiden Watch horse, Medaglia d'Onore (Medaglia d'Oro - Always Ready by Dixieland Band), as well as other familiar faces, Screen Your Friend, Theregoesjojo, and My Dominick James.  One name missing from the field is Kentucky Stakes (gr. III) winner, Run Away and Hide who did work 5 furlongs at Churchill on July 2, recording a time of 1:04.60.

No Maiden Watch horses in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (gr. III) also on July 5, but the field does include the maiden Nochangenweather, who most recently finished 4th behind S. S. Stone and Speight the Halo on June 29.

Curly has been entered in a mile and an eighth allowance race at Arlington on July 5. More on that one later in the week.

2-Year Old Works

New to this blog

July 1

Laguna de Oro (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Blue Lagoon by Saint Ballado) worked 4 furlongs at Belmont in :53.10. Laguna de Oro, who sold for $120,000 as a yearling, is the 2nd foal out of an unplaced mare who is a half- or full-sister to 7 winners.

July 2

Working 3 furlongs from the gate in :39.00 at Evangeline Downs was Penching Pennies (colt; Gayle's Glory by Sword Dance (IRE)). Penching Pennies dam, Gayle's Glory, was a winner of $304,935 in a 52 race career. Included in this total were 7 starts as a 2-year old in which she recorded 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 third. Gayle's Glory has produced one winner from one to race, who was a 2-year old winner.

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

July 1

Dreams d'Oro (colt; Medaglia d'Oro - Morning Time by Gilded Time) - El Primero Training Center, 4 furlongs (gate), :51.80.

July 2

Cozy Bird (filly; Birdstone - Cozy Island by Cozzene) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :50.60.

Bear's Conductor (colt; Congaree - Symphonic Lady by Blare of Trumpets) - Woodbine, 4 furlongs (gate), :50.20. 

Belfast (colt; Congaree - Southerncomfortgal by Hermitage) - Lone Star Park, 4 furlongs, :51.00.

King Congo (colt; Congaree - Hansels' Star by Hansel) - Emerald Downs, 5 furlongs; 1:01.80.  

Rue Du Bois (filly; Congaree - Aroz by Fappiano) - Delaware Park, 4 furlongs, :49.20.

Wear Blush (filly; Congaree - Tifonica (ARG) by Equalize) - Hollywood Park, 5 furlongs, 1:01.80.

Glory Gold (filly; Medaglia d'Oro - Gayla by Lord Gaylord) - Laurel, 4 furlongs, :49.20.

Just Right (colt; Pleasantly Perfect - Slewvera by Seattle Slew) - Churchill Downs, 4 furlongs, :49.40. 

Collegiate (filly; Saarland - La Sorbonne (ARG) by Southern Halo) - Belmont Park, 4 furlongs, :49.37 (fastest of 14).  

Saardona (filly; Saarland - Golden Penny by Touch Gold) - Churchill Downs, 3 furlongs, :36.40.

Smart Woman (filly; Smarty Jones - Storming Beauty by Storm Cat) - Saratoga, 3 furlongs, :37.45.