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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.