Phil took a little sojourn to Alberta Downs and Century Downs last weekend.
Before expounding on the Downs Phil has a question:
Where has the hot water in public washrooms across North America disappeared to.
The Green Register – Hassell – Hot taps in public toilets – are they necessary?
It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.
Franklin P. Jones
NY Times – Leonhart – A Quick Puzzle to Test Your Problem Solving
Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.
But the star of the day clearly was the undefeated Lady Eli, who won under arrogant handling from Irad Ortiz Jr.
When you’re sitting 11th in the middle of the course down the backstretch and repeatedly look over your right shoulder for late threats, as if you have the 10 fillies in front of you measured, that’s arrogance.
Her turn of foot in the G1 Belmont Oaks was electric as she separated herself from the herd soon after straightening away. It easily was her biggest challenge to date and it was like breaking so many equine sticks.
She ran 10 furlongs 1.49 seconds faster than Force the Pass did winning the Belmont Derby; males going two turns generally run about 3/5s of a second faster than females. It’s difficult to fathom but this three year old filly got 10 furlongs in 1:59.27.
Horse Race Insider – Pticci – From Belmont to Gulfstream, Holiday Stars Shine
“As we stretch out our turf horses, you wonder if they’re going to lose their turn of foot,” Brown said. “The term ‘breathes different air’ gets thrown around a lot when someone has a very good horse, and I’ve been lucky to have some great turf fillies and mares, but this one ‘breathes different air’ for sure. She certainly has the most devastating turn of foot I’ve ever worked around.”
Bloodhorse – Novak – Lady Eli Sparkles in Belmont Oaks
Brisnet – Lady Eli sets off fireworks in Belmont Oaks
Date Race Name Track Division
Jul 5 Princess Rooney Handicap Gulfstream Park Filly & Mare Sprint
Jul 5 Smile Sprint Handicap Gulfstream Park Filly & Mare Sprint
Jul 5 United Nations Stakes Monmouth Park Longines Turf
Jul 25 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by QIPCO Ascot Longines Turf
Jul 26 Bing Crosby Stakes Del Mar Sprint
Jul 29 Qatar Sussex Stakes Goodwood Mile
August
Aug 1 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap Del Mar Longines Distaff
Aug 2 William Hill Haskell Invitational Monmouth Park Classic
Aug 8 The Whitney Saratoga Classic
Aug 15 Beverly D. Stakes Arlington Park Filly & Mare Turf
Aug 15 Arlington Million Arlington Park Longines Turf
Aug 19 Juddmonte International Stakes York Longines Turf
Aug 20 Darley Yorkshire Oaks York Filly & Mare Turf
Aug 21 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes York Turf Sprint
Aug 22 Pat O’Brien Stakes Del Mar Dirt Mile
Aug 22 Del Mar Handicap Del Mar Longines Turf
Aug 22 TVG Pacific Classic Del Mar Classic
Aug 29 Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes Saratoga Longines Turf
Aug 29 Forego Handicap Saratoga Sprint
Aug 29 Ballerina Stakes Saratoga Filly & Mare Sprint
Aug 29 Personal Ensign H. Saratoga Longines Distaff
September
Sep 5 Spinaway Stakes Saratoga Juvenile Fillies
Sep 5 T. Von Zastrow Stutenpreis Baden Baden Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 5 Pocahontas Stakes Churchill Downs Juvenile Fillies
Sep 5 Iroquois Stakes Churchill Downs Sentient Jet Juvenile
Sep 6 Longines Grosser Preis Von Baden Baden Baden Longines Turf
Sep 12 The John Deere Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes Leopardstown Juvenile Turf
Sep 12 The Coolmore Stud Matron Stakes Leopardstown Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 12 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes Leopardstown Longines Turf
Sep 12 Natalma Stakes Woodbine Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 12 Summer Stakes Woodbine Juvenile Turf
Sep 13 Moyglare Stud Stakes The Curragh Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 13 Canadian Stakes Woodbine Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 13 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Woodbine Mile
Sep 25 Shadwell Rockfel Newmarket Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sep 26 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes Newmarket Juvenile Turf
Sep 26 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes Belmont Park Filly & Mare Turf
Sep 26 Vosburgh Invitational Stakes Belmont Park Sprint
Sep 26 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Belmont Park Longines Turf
October
Oct 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes Keeneland Sprint
Oct 2 Darley Alcibiades Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Fillies
Oct 3 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes Keeneland Mile
Oct 3 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes Keeneland Filly & Mare Sprint
Oct 3 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Keeneland Sentient Jet Juvenile
Oct 3 Frizette Stakes Belmont Park Juvenile Fillies
Oct 3 Foxwoods Champagne Stakes Belmont Park Sentient Jet Juvenile
Oct 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Belmont Park Classic
Oct 4 Total Prix Marcel Boussac Longchamp Juvenile Fillies Turf
Oct 4 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Longchamp Juvenile Turf
Oct 4 Longines Prix de L’Opera Longchamp Filly & Mare Turf
Oct 4 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Turf
Oct 4 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Keeneland Longines Distaff
Oct 8 J. P. Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes Keeneland Juvenile Fillies Turf
Phil’s vignette of Canadian Culinary History:
Serious Eats – What’s the Difference Between Pastrami and Montreal Smoked Meat?
More so than Portuguese chicken, bagels, even poutine, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches ooze everything that is this city.
MTLBlog – Korbee – Best Montreal Smoked Meat
Brisnet – Power King survives inquiry to take Durban July
Bloodhorse – Whitelaw – Silvano Offspring Dominate in Durban July
Alberta Downs Canadian Thoroughbred Advertisement
Demand Letter to HORSE RACING ALBERTA December 5 2014
Racing for Saturday, July 4, 2015 was cancelled with the fireworks being provided by the lightning and the infield left looking like a wild rice paddy.
HERBIE D SHOWS HIS STUFF,
FORMER MILE WINNER IS BACK
AUBURN, Wash. (July 4, 2015) – Herbie D was back in top form Saturday, rolling to a gate-to-wire one-length victory in the $25,000 allowance feature on Independence Day at Emerald Downs.
Plagued by injuries the last two years—first an ankle chip and later a torn suspensory—the 7-year-old gelding exhibited speed and tenacity, the same virtues that carried him to victory in the 2013 Longacres Mile.
Disposing of Disruption on the turn and Del Rio Harbor in the stretch, Herbie D ran six furlongs in 1:09.25 and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.40. Robert Gilker is the trainer for owners George Robbins and Darcia Dorman.
Afterward, Gilker said the main goal is the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on August 16, but added the$50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap on July 19 would be too quick back. For now, they’ll return to Hastings Racecourse, make sure Herbie D emerges from Saturday’s race in good shape, and plot a course for The Mile.
“The Mile’s what we’re thinking about,” Gilker said.
A 7-year-old B.C.-bred by Orchid’s Devil-Chilli Chines, Herbie D improved to 11-1-1 in 16 starts with earnings of $353,331. The win ended a two-race skid this spring at Hastings, in which he showed speed before wilting in a pair of stakes.
Del Rio Harbor, ridden by Julien Couton, also had a much improved effort Saturday. The track’s champion 2-year-old of 2013 showed good speed to chase Herbie D from flag fall to finish, but was a tad short in the stretch. Del Rio Harbor paid $4.60 and $3.40.
Until You, ridden by Javier Matias, finished third and paid $2.80. Mebossman and Disruption rounded out the order of finish.
Solemnly Swear and I Keep Saying were scratched earlier in the day.
SANCHEZ TRIUMPHS IN JOCKEYS’ RACE
Diego Sanchez rallied to victory in the historic first annual Emerald Downs’ Jockeys’ Foot Race, a charity event held between Saturday’s fourth and fifth races. A 23-year-old native of Mexico, Sanchez ran about one-eighth of a mile in :15.33, and lived up to the hype that followed the rider north from Santa Rosa, where he won a similar even last year on the Northern California Fair Circuit.
Apprentice Osvaldo Gonzalez flew late for second place and Julien Couton finished third. Leslie Mawing exploded from the starting gate and appeared destined for victory, but tripped in the final yards and finished last.
Sanchez earned $400 for the victory and Gonzalez $100 for runner-up. Emerald Downs also donated $500 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Also competing were Javier Matias, Jose Zunino, Jake Barton, Francisco Duran, Joe Steiner and Juan Gutierrez. Rocco Bowen served as official starter.
NOTES:Jeff Metz posted the first three-win day by a trainer this year at Emerald Downs, sweeping the fourth, fifth and sixth races with Krazy for Kugel ($7.60), Redsolocup ($4.80) and Jazz Queen ($4.20). Metz also had two wins Friday and now leads Howard Belvoir (30-15) in the trainers’ standings. . .Juan Gutierrez, Jake Barton and Rocco Bowen rode two winners each. . .Gold Rush Dancer ($5.60) prevailed in the $20,500 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds, running five furlongs in :58.63 under Julien Couton. A Private Gold colt, Gold Rush Dancer races for John Parker and trainer Bill Tollett. . .Hearts Harbor ($2.60) prevailed as the odds-on choice in the Saturday opener, accounting for $17,844 of $19,524 in the show pool. . .Also in the first, jockey Jorge Rosales escaped injury after being unseated when his mount Sneakin Cat ducked out sharply in mid-stretch. . .Live Like Mike ($3.80) and Misty Warrior ($4.40) dead-heated for the win in race two, the 3-year-old fillies both hitting the wire in 1:39.49 for one mile. . .In race five, Tribal Waters made his first start for Emerald Racing Club and had a troubled trip, getting sawed off at the eighth pole to lose all chance in the race won by Redsolocup ($4.80) in 1:04.10 for 5 ½ furlongs. . . 2014 Longacres Mile winner Stryker Phd worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 Saturday morning in a tune-up for the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap on Sunday, July 19. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for fillies and mares at one mile. Kikisoblu, attempting to sweep the first three stakes in the division, is the 2-to-1 morning line favorite.
AUBURN, Wash. (July 3, 2015) – Star of the Dia turned back all challengers Friday and scored a half-length victory in the $18,800 Carl’s Jr. Purse for 3-year-olds and up on Fireworks Spectacular night at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Leslie Mawing—his third win on the card—Star of the Dia ran six furlongs in 1:09.86 and paid $26.40, $11.80 and $6.60. Frank Lucarelli is the winning trainer for owners Chris Randall and Nick Rossi.
Star of the Dia led through fractions of :22.72, :45.71 and :57.39, put away a host of challengers into the lane and held to the wire.
A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Seeking the Dia-Secret Brook, Star of the Dia improved to 5-9-6 in 27 career starts, with earnings of $77,284. His record at Emerald Downs is 4-5-4 in 17 starts.
Dare Me Devil, ridden by Joe Steiner, flew late to finish second and paid $8 and $4.80. It was a nice rebound effort by the 7-year-old gelding, last year’s claimer of the meet, after two off-the-board finishes.
Echo Zulu, ridden by Francisco Duran, finished third and paid $6.20 to show.
Pete’s Slew finished fourth, followed by Polish Dollar, Spot of Salt, Cinematic Cat and Fist Full of Green.
Cinematic Cat, the 9-to-5 favorite, dueled with Star of the Dia to midway on the turn and gave way.
Long shot winners in races 5, 6 and 7 (Double Shuffle-$25.60, Betsy’s Gold-$21.80 and Star of the Dia) caused a carryover of $9,564 to Saturday’s $0.50 Pick 5, which will be Races 6-to-10 on the holiday card.
NOTES: Mawing’s three-win night pushed his season total to 34 wins, good for third place in the riders’ standings. . .Leading rider Julien Couton drew a rare blank and remains at 49 wins, followed by Juan Gutierrez with 37. . .Jeff Metz led the trainers with two wins, boosting his meet-leading total to 27 wins. . .3-year-old gelding Betsy’s Gold ($) is having an interesting season for trainer Doris Harwood and owner Shady Valley Ranch. The only horse to beat Thetrailerguy this season at Emerald Downs, Betsy’s Gold was last three straight times before defeating 1-to-5 favorite Thundering Away in Friday’s $16,500 sub-feature for 3-year-olds. . .Hoodslide ($11.20) and Jose Zunino prevailed in race two, giving trainer Mary Pirone her first win of the meet. . .Live racing continues Saturday with a 10-race holiday card at 2 p.m. FREE admission for all on the Fourth of July!
Stopshoppingdebbie, Goin to the Window and Blueberry Smoothie are retired, but the plot remains the same. Trainer Tom Wenzel continues to dominate the older filly and mare division at Emerald Downs.
Sunday, Kikisoblu and Lady Rosberg—both conditioned by Wenzel—figure to monopolize wagering in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at one mile. The Boeing is the final steppingstone to next month’s $65,000 Emerald Distaff, the track’s championship event for distaffers at 1 1/8 miles.
George Todaro’s Kikisoblu has commandeered the division to date, rolling by 4 ¼ lengths in the Hastings Handicap at six furlongs and by 6 ¼ lengths in the Washington State Legislators Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs. Two explosive wins, ones that left jockey Rocco Bowen looking in vain for challengers through the lane.
The 4-year-old Kodiak Kowboy filly appears to face two obstacles Sunday—the one-mile distance and, perhaps even more formidable, her accomplished stable mate.
Lady Rosberg schooling in the paddock Thursday, ahead of Sunday’s Boeing Handicap.Lady Rosberg has proven plenty since last racing here two years ago. Karl Krieg’s 6-year-old mare comes off two straight stakes wins at Turf Paradise, scoring by a length in the one-mile Sun City Handicap on turf, and by 2 ¼ lengths in the 6 ½-furlong Mesa Handicap on dirt. Her overall mark is 6-2-2 in 13 starts with earnings of $106,722.
Kikisoblu earned Beyers of 82 and 70 in her wins, Lady Rosberg got an 80 and 78 in her Phoenix victories.
“With Jerre Paxton’s horses retiring last year, it was a wide open division to see who could jump up and do it and (Kikisoblu) was the one to do it,” Wenzel said. “It’s definitely a question mark for her going two turns. We’ll find out this weekend. Just talent alone, I know she’s going to give me what she’s got. I’ve got confidence in her but it’s always guarded when you go two turns.
“This is the first time I’ve had (Lady Rosberg) to run in quite a few years,” Wenzel added. “Val Lund had her in Phoenix and it’s right there in The Form. She’s been able to route, sprint, dirt, turf, and do all of them reasonably well. She’s worked decent coming into this race. Gallyn Mitchell knows her very well. I’m expecting her to run decent off the bench.”
Sarahline or Finding More have the best chances to spring an upset. A $210,000 Northern Afleet filly, Sarahline has been stuck at the first allowance level in Northern California but she has respectable figures for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and tries dirt for the first time. Finding More has recaptured the form that made her state champion 2-year-old filly in 2012, reeling off two sharp sprint wins, but she steps up in class and tired in two previous route tries.
Lady of the Nile is honest if not brilliant, running third in the Hastings and second in the Washington State Legislators, and has routed well in the past. Our Little Hen has come a long ways since competing for a $2,500 tag here two years ago. She’s racked up nine wins and $114,040 in earnings, mostly via a series of gate-to-wire route victories on the synthetic Tapeta surface at Golden Gate.
The Boeing Handicap is Race 9 at 6:09 p.m.
Madame Pele and Among the Stars, both nominated to the Boeing, run in Sunday’s $24,000 sub-feature for older fillies and mares at six furlongs. Dawselina, winner of two stakes and third in last year’s BC Oaks, also runs in the allowance race.
Ropersandwranglers, the only horse to win the Boeing Handicap twice (1997-98), is a 2015 Finalist for the Washington racing Hall of Fame.
Average field size thru nine stakes is 9.0 horses. Average $2 win payoff is $20.20. ($2 win prices: $19, $81.40, $19, $8.20, $3.60, $3.40, $18.40, $8.40).
The field for the 20th running of the Boeing Handicap: Alli Leigh, Joe Steiner, 114 lbs; Sarahline, Julien Couton, 115; Lady of the Nile, Leslie Mawing, 117; Kikisoblu, Rocco Bowen, 121; Our Little Hen, Leonel Camacho-Flores, 118; Lady Rosberg, Gallyn Mitchell, 120; English Lace, Jake Barton, 113; Finding More, Eliska Kubinova, 116.
Passing the Baton!
Trainer Tom Wenzel has been downright dominant in the Distaff division the past 2 1/2 seasons, winning seven of the 10 open stakes races during that span.
| Stakes | Wins From 2013-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wash Legislators | 3 | |
| Hastings Handicap | 2 | |
| Boeing Handicap | 1 | |
| Emerald Distaff | 1 | |
| — Emerald Downs Media | ||
HERBIE D RETURNS IN LOADED SATURDAY FEATURE
Returning to the scene of his greatest triumph, Herbie D heads a field of seven older runners in Saturday’s $25,000 allowance race at six furlongs.
Gate-to-wire winner of the 2013 Longacres Mile, Herbie D was sidelined nearly two years before returning to action with two off-the-board finishes this spring at Hastings Racecourse.
A 7-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding by Orchid’s Devil, Herbie D is 10-1-1 in 15 career starts with earnings of $339,581. He’s 2-for-2 at Emerald Downs, recording Beyers of 101 and 100 while notching wins in the 2013 Mile and Mt. Rainier Handicap.
Trainer Robert Gilker said Herbie D was sidelined first by an ankle chip and later by a torn suspensory ligament.
“The plan is always the same; get back to The Mile,” Gilker said. “We’ll take one race at a time. He didn’t run very good races up here, but it wasn’t necessarily his fault. We got into some pretty crazy speed duels.
“It looks like this race is pretty good,” Gilker added. “I saw one other pretty fast horse in the race. We might stalk the pace, but I’m not sure yet what we’ll do.”
Regular rider Amadeo Perez will accompany Herbie D to Emerald Downs.
I Keep Saying also returns in Saturday’s feature. The 6-year-old gelding set the 6 ½-furlong world record of 1:12.94 last year, and is 7-for-22 with earnings of $110,318. His trainer, Jim Penney, is scheduled to be released Saturday from Canterbury House in Auburn, where he’s been recovering from shoulder and pelvis injuries sustained last month. A Yankee Doodle Dandy, Penney celebrates his 81st birthday Saturday.
Rounding out a very tough field are Until You, Del Rio Harbor, Disruption, Mebossman and Solemnly Swear.
Trainer Jim Penney cooking up a storm at the Canterbury House.Emerald Downs will be draped in red, white and blue this Friday and Saturday for it’s annual July 3rd Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Carl’s Jr., followed by the track’s first-ever free admission on July 4.
The Fireworks Spectacular has historically been Emerald Downs’ most-attended event, which features a world class fireworks show, a KMPS concert with country singer Seth Alley and a 9-race card of live Thoroughbred racing. With a special first post-time at 4:30 p.m., fans are encouraged to come early as spots will be at a premium once racing begins.
On Saturday, Emerald Downs offers free admission to celebrate the nation’s birthday and between races four and five a field of 11 jockeys will race one furlong in the 1st Annual Emerald Downs Jockey Dash.
The purse is $500 plus an additional $500 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund. Emerald Downs morning-line maker Rob Rao says he plans to make Diego Sanchez, reputed to be a speedster, the 2-1 choice followed by Leslie Mawing at 5/2. Other jockeys competing are Javier Matias, Gallyn Mitchell, Jose Zunino, Osvaldo Gonzalez, Jake Barton, Francisco Duran, Joe Steiner, Juan Gutierrez and Julien Couton. Barbados native Rocco Bowen originally in the lineup scratched in favor of being the race’s official starter.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 9: Wiener Dog Rally @ KOMO Plaza
July 9: Equine Art Show Preview Party
July 10: Equine Art Show & Brewer’s Night
July 12: STAR 101.5 Wiener Dog Races
July 19: Fiesta Premio Esmeralda
MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS CABALLO & RED RIDGE
Saturday’s eighth and sub-feature spotlights seven talented 3-year-olds, including four that are coming off impressive victories. The one-mile event is headed by Christmas Caballo and Red Ridge who face off in the Media Match-Up of the Week!
Christmas Caballo could be a demon in the 3-year-old division if he takes to two-turn racing like his daddy Papa Clem, who captured two Grade 2s going 1-1/16 miles and 1-1/8 miles, respectively. He comes out of several key races where he’s finished behind three stakes winners and two others that have a bright stakes future. Look for this gelding to use his tactical speed to take him right into the winner’s circle.
Red Ridge (pictured left) showed a new dimension while drilling a softer bunch two weeks ago. The Malt Magic colt is the only horse in the field with a two-turn victory vs. winners, and Javier Matias and Howard Belvoir are among the track’s most productive jockey/trainer combinations. This isn’t an easy spot, but the versatile colt should find a way to beat this group.
Also entered: Raspberry Road, Peace Arch, The Search Is Over, Bolshoi’s Bluff and It’s Allabout Jerry.
THE PRESS BOX PODCAST IS BACK!
The 45-minute program will showcase every stakes race this season including Sunday’s $50,000 Boeing Handicap and an interview with trainer Tom Wenzel, who saddles multiple stakes winners Kikisoblu and Lady Rosberg.
Hosted by Jacob Pollowitz (Professor Pollowitz) and Vince Bruun (Mr. Media), The Press Box Podcast starts approx. 30 minutes before post time before each stakes and includes horsemen interviews, handicapping, Matt Dinerman’s live race call, the Winner’s Circle interview and a comprehensive look at the race’s history.
You can listen to the show live or recorded just by going to the track website at emeralddowns.com or at mixlr.com/emerald-downs.
This week’s “Training Day” features some of the top fillies and mares on the grounds including 3-year-old Belle Hill, winner of last week’s Irish Day Handicap and Diane Garrison trainees Alli Leigh and English Lace, who are set to race in Sunday’s Boeing Handicap.
So many potential players – particularly among young males from the populous Empire State – must have been permanently dissuaded from participating because the opportunity to play the game was never encouraged properly.
Horse Race Insider – Indulto – I Can No Longer Look the Other Way
TeNoonan – Tom Noonan – This NYRA can’t be trusted on track changes
SUNDAY HASTINGS PREVIEW – BY MIKE HEADS
After a rare Saturday off for horsemen in July, likely most were wandering around wondering what the rest of the world does on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Normalcy returns for the Hastings faithful as an eight race program is on tap for Sunday.
Is best advised to get to Hastings early as the feature event is in race #1. Five $35,000 claimers and non-two lifetime allowance runners will do battle over six and a half furlongs.
On the rail is Frank Sturm’s recent claim Distillery who ran a close third in an extremely fast dash (1:15 4/5) two weeks ago. He never did get clear as he drew an inside post and was stuck in behind runners the entire trip. Antonio Reyes gets the call from Hall-of-Fame conditioner Frank Barroby.
He doesn’t run very often but when Taylors Deal is led out of his stall to come over and play he usually makes them count. The classy son of Second In Command was narrowly beaten in his return to Vancouver but as always turned in a workman-like effort. The six year old has won 8 of 14 starts in his abbreviated career and is a major player as he returns to the $35,000 claiming level. David Lopez re-rides for another Hall-of-Famer Troy Taylor.
The Century Plaza Stable’s Laguna Blaze has been given a tough chore as this race has come up extremely tough for the level. He has unfortunately run into two (Taylors Deal, Title Contender) former stakes winners which will make his job very tough today. He is a winner of one lifetime race but with no other non-two life races filling he shows up against this very salty group. He ran his best race of 2014 with Amadeo Perez in the irons and the two will team up this afternoon. Carl Lausten trains the son Heatseeker who was purchased out of the 2012 CTHS yearling sale for $46,000.
As usual Cowie Creek will be one of the longshots in the Sunday opener but he’s been used to playing the spoiler role throughout his brief career. He posted back-to-back wins for owner / trainer Randy Hudson in 2014, his first was at 42-1 and in his next victory the public once again totally dismissed him making him 21-1 and had watch him win by two and a half lengths. The Hastings crowd was not selling him short in his 2015 debut installing him at a mere 5-1 and he rewarded his backers with a game win. He is up in class today but will get leading rider Richard Hamel at the helm.
Horse racing can be a joyous time for horses and owners and sometimes it can be a very humbling sport. Exhibit A is Peter Redekop’s former B.C. Derby winner Title Contender being offered for $35,000 this afternoon. The multiple stakes winner had narrow defeats at this distance to Modern and Mr. Bowling earlier this year but after a disappointing try in the Churchill his connections are giving a much easier assignment. He looks to be the controlling speed for rider Mark Buchanan and if either of his earlier sprint efforts surface today then he will get the money for trainer Anita Bolton.
Racing starts at 1:50 p.m. and a reminder that we are back to the Saturday-Sunday racing schedule for the remainder of July.
| Race 1 | 5 – Title Contender 2 – Taylors Deal 1 – Distillery |
2 – Talors Deal 5 – Title Contender 1 – Distillery |
| Race 2 | 6 – Mokhandoit 3 – Southern Casanova 4 – War On |
6 – Mokhandoit 1 – New Jersey Joe 2 – This Is The Moment |
| Race 3 | 2 – Brackendale 6 – Stratify 4 – Senor Rojo |
2 – Brackendale 6 – Stratify 4 – Senor Rojo |
| Race 4 | 1 – Stoneridge raider 6 – Burnaby Baron 2 – Timber Topper |
1 – Stoneridge Raider 7 – Three Way Trade 8 – Lord Gallovic |
| Race 5 | 2 – Vying For Glory 3 – Minstrel’s Time 1 – Texas Buccaneer |
8 – Step Up 3 – Minstrel’s Time 1 – Texas Buccaneer |
| Race 6 | 6 – Proxyman 7 – Brother Chuncky 2 – I Dig That |
5 – Honestly Occifer 6 – Proxyman 4 – After Court |
| Race 7 | 6 – Four Feathers 1 – Little Blossom 8 – Daughter Derek |
6 – Four Feathers 8 – Daughter Derek 2 – Charming Silver |
| Race 8 | 1 – Richter Red 6 – Wonder World 2 – Strangely Arousing |
1 – Richter Red 2 – Strangely Arousing 5 – Irish Romeo |
| Mike’s Picks | Drew’s Picks |
|---|
Bloodhorse – Trainer Desormeaux in New York State of Mind
Purse $1,000,000. For Three-Year-Olds, Foaled In Canada. One And One Fourth Miles. (All Weather Track)
PP Horse A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Shaman Ghost (ON) 3/C R M Hernandez 126 B A Lynch
2 Oakton (ON) 3/C L T Pizarro 126 M E Casse
3 Ault (BC) 3/C L D Moran 126 D J Vella
4 Academic (ON) 3/F L J Stein 121 R Baker
5 Billy’s Star (ON) 3/C E R Da Silva 126 R L Attfield
6 Sweet Grass Creek (ON) 3/C L J M Campbell 126 M Keogh
7 Danish Dynaformer (ON) 3/C L P Husbands 126 R L Attfield
8 Conquest Boogaloo (ON) 3/C L A Garcia 126 M E Casse
9 Breaking Lucky (ON) 3/C L J McAleney 126 R Baker
10 Easy Indygo (ON) 3/G L E Wilson 126 N Gonzalez
11 Portree (ON) 3/G G Olguin 126 S C Simon
12 Milwaukee Mist (ON) 3/G L G Boulanger 126 P Matejka
13 Bear At Last (ON) 3/C L R W Walcott 126 R Baker
14 Ami’s Flatter (ON) 3/C L L Contreras 126 J Carroll
Owners: 1 – Stronach Stables ; 2 – Bill and Vicki Poston Racing, Inc. ; 3 – Canyon Farms ; 4 – Bear Stables Ltd. ; 5 – Perfect Timber Partnership ; 6 – Gustav Schickedanz ; 7 – Charles E. Fipke ; 8 – Conquest Stables, LLC ; 9 – Gunpowder Farms LLC ; 10 – Tucci Stables ; 11 – Chiefswood Stable ; 12 – Preston Stables LLC ; 13 – Bear Stables Ltd. ; 14 – Ivan Dalos
Bloodhorse – Shaman Ghost Rallies to Take Queen’s Plate
Brisnet – Shaman Ghost appears in time in Queen’s Plate
Brisnet – Shaman Ghost carries winning form into Queen’s Plate; Attfield keen on Danish Dynaformer
Shaman Ghost’s half-sister IHAVETOGO was claimed for $3,000 from the 3rd race at Northlands Park June 26, 2015 by trainer Wally Pugh for new owner Wood River Ranches Ltd. IHAVETOGO was bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs.
Bear At Last, a one-time winner in 11 outings, will be piloted once again on Sunday by Rico Walcott. The dark bay finished seventh in the Plate Trial, a race in which he was shuffled back at the turn.
Brisnet – Baker hoping to strike Queen’s Plate gold with trio of runners
Bloodhorse – Angst – Shaman Ghost Looks for Queen’s Plate Magic
NY Times – ‘The Full Catastrophe,’ by James Angelos
NY Times – Alderman – Bailout Referendum Lays Bare Deep Schisms Among Beleaguered Greeks
NY Times – Ewing and Kanter – Day of Reckoning for Greek Banks and Eurozone’s Central Banker
Edmonton Sun – FRANK FONTANA’s Northlands Favourites
Matt’s Picks and Free Program – Wednesday July 8, 2015
Brisnet – Gimme Da Lute hits winning note in Los Alamitos Derby
Bloodhorse – Gimme Da Lute Holds On in Los Alamitos Derby
Trucks open: 5 – 10 p.m.
Post time: 6:30 p.m.
Phil has a question:
Will this truck be in attendance:
Bloodhorse – Novak – Force the Pass Brilliant in Belmont Derby
Brisnet – Force the Pass airs in Belmont Derby
July 11
Post time: 1 p.m.
“We are watching the end of the political career of Alexis Tsipras,” Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Peterson Institute in Washington, said in a Bloomberg Radio interview. “Mr. Tsipras can continue his career on T-shirts for students, replacing Che Guevara.”
Cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel.
Che Guevara
Brisnet – Speightster remains unblemished, Texas Red second in Dwyer
Bloodhorse – Balan – Speightster Still Undefeated With Dwyer Win
Bloodhorse – Balan – Effinex Outlasts Tonalist at Wire in Suburban
Brisnet – Effinex wins Suburban photo over Tonalist
Racing.com – Biddington – Stanaway scratches over a sandwich
Phil has a question:
What ever happened to the 250 slot machines that were promised to Alberta Downs about the time that Shirley McClellan was coincidentally insinuating herself into one of her positions at Horse Racing Alberta.
When the promise of the 250 slot machines evaporated, so should have the idea of building a race track at Lacombe and so should have the position(s) for Shirley McClellan.
The Ennead can recall Phil’s position on building and operating Alberta Downs with monies that were siphoned from thoroughbred purses and infrastructure maintenance at Northlands Park. Alberta Downs was never built to proper racing or customer service standards and now that Century Downs is available some one has set a flotilla of inspectors on Alberta Downs to point out the myriad deficiencies. The deficiencies did not crop up overnight but have existed since the first racing license was granted to Alberta Downs by Horse Racing Alberta and heads need to roll at Horse Racing Alberta for overlooking safety and fire code deficiencies for years putting the racing participants and general public at risk just so the Hillbilly Harness House League could have a place to play their intramural games.
Since it was Shirley McClellan who was the biggest proponent of the standardbreds running at Alberta Downs her head should be the first to roll.
Alberta Downs Canadian Thoroughbred Advertisement
Demand Letter to HORSE RACING ALBERTA December 5 2014
Going to be interesting to see how Alberta Downs threatened lawsuit against Horse Racing Alberta and the Directors proceeds:
“Our client has instructed us to commence immediate legal proceedings that will seek a variety of equitable, prerogative and monetary remedies including compensatory, aggravated and punitive damages along with full legal costs on a solicitor and client basis. Ultimately, his damages will likely exceed his investment to date ($8 million) in the event he cannot be made whole by HRA returning him to the status he enjoyed on the15th of November of this year.
This letter is being conveyed to all Members of the Board because it is our client’s intention to join you personally in the law suit. This decision is not taken lightly and is being made with full awareness that the governing legislation prohibits suits against individual Board Members for all decisions taken in good faith. As stated, however, it is our considered view that the decisions made by most if not all of the voting Members were conflicted and, in any event, were not taken in good faith thereby voiding the protective provisions under the Act.
Phil can’t see Bobby Allen ever getting his day in Court as the new provincial government will clean this mess up quickly and expeditiously and unfortuately at the expense of the horse racing industry in the province of Alberta.
Further south on the QEII Century Downs is a work in progress. For those used to the grandstands at Stampede Park and Northlands Park Century Downs appears rather Spartan. Newness is the best selling feature.
The slots floor just accomodates the machines they have presently and would have to be expanded for more slots and table games. Children are not very welcome at Century Downs currently but there is a grass area that has been planted. A grandstand and boxes are planned for the third floor, but to accommodate these new staircases, escalators and elevators will have to be built to service more than 50 fans.
The teletheatre betting and bar area has plenty of TVs but has not much more capacity than many of the OTBs in this province. Our server Tamara like most of the staff point out that there’s more to come as work continues. Wonder if they know that the current agreement with the provincial government expires March 31, 2016. The restaurant features seating with windows facing the track but the restaurant is inside the casino and children are not allowed. There is a second floor viewing and betting area that looks like it will hold about 100 patrons. Access is by a single elevator and a narrow staircase more suitable for a house than a commercial building.
One barn is almost complete and the materials for a second barn are on the grounds.
Water is still a problem as the MD of Rockyview has limited water use. There’s plenty of potable water for human consumption and other human use, but the amounts that can be used for horses is limited and the amounts that can be used for landscaping and track maintenance severely restricted.
The tarmacs at both Alberta Downs and Century Downs have no slope so when there’s 20-30 fans at the rail the view for those behind is obstructed.
Everyone wants the thoroughbred to run at Century Downs in 2016, but there’s miles to go before the track, barns and facilities will be ready to host a thoroughbred event. If the owners and their friends showed up for a Stakes race the rest of the fans would have to watch from the parking lot. An inner safety rail must be constructed for thoroughbred racing. The present track is what Phil would call pea gravel and Phil does not know how you could strip that surface down to the base and then install a dirt surface for thoroughbred racing. Chutes have to be built to allow different distances to be run. The present configuration of the infield pond will have to be changed to allow the starting gates to be moved for different distances. More barns are needed. A paddock needs to be built. Unless racing will be confined to afternoons lights will have to be installed. Even Wrigley Field finally installed lighting.
Second Most importantly some solution has to be found to provide water for the horses to drink and be bathed after they race.
Most importantly an agreement needs to be reached with the provincial government to solidify the split of slot revenues.
What Phil foresees if the new slot revenue split is not as generous as the old is racing thoroughbreds 60 days at Northlands Park, standardbreds 60 days at Century Downs and meets of 30 days each at Rocky Mountain Turf Club and Evergreen Park.
Phil has a question:
Will the Alberta HBPA be presenting their plan for approaching the provincial government at the 2015 HBPA general meeting.
Never mistake motion for action.
Bloodhorse – Balan – Java’s War Seeks Elusive Win in Singspiel
July 5
Arapahoe Park
George Wafer Memorial $40,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Belmont Park
River Memories $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 12f Turf
Emerald Downs
Boeing Handicap $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Azalea Stake GIII $150,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Birdonthewire Stake $75,000 2yo 5.5f Dirt
Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint Handicap (L $75,000 3&up 5f Turf
Carry Back Stake GIII $150,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Cassidy Stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 5.5f Dirt
Princess Rooney Handicap GII BC $250,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Smile Sprint Handicap GII BC $250,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
CBC Sho GIII $685,000 3&up 6f Turf
Radio Nikkei Sho GIII $671,000 3yo 9f Turf
Monmouth Park
Salvator Mile Stake GIII $150,000 3&up 8f Dirt
United Nations Stake GI BC $500,000 3&up 11f Turf
Oak Tree at Pleasanton
Everett Nevin Stake $50,000 2yo 5.5f Dirt
Oak Tree Sprint $50,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Prairie Meadows
Iowa Stallion Futurity $60,000 2yo R 5.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Clarendon Stake $150,000 2yo State/Prov 5.5f AW
Dance Smartly Stake CanGII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Highlander Stake CanGII $200,000 3&up 6f Turf
Queen’s Plate Stake $1,000,000 3yo State/Prov 10f AW
Singspiel Stake CanGIII $150,000 3&up 12f Turf
Wyoming Downs
Parker Speed Handicap $8,000 3&up 4.5f Dirt
July 7
Parx
Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap GIII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
July 8
Les Bois Park
Les Bois Park Filly & Mare Stake $8,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
July 10
Assiniboia Downs
Plenty Chilly Stake $18,000 3&up 7f Dirt
July 11
Arlington Park
American Derby GIII $150,000 3yo 9f Turf
Arlington Handicap GIII $150,000 3&up 9.5f Turf
Modesty Handicap GIII $150,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9.5f Turf
Stars and Stripes GIII $100,000 3&up 12f Turf
Arapahoe Park
CTBA Lassie Stake $40,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Ascot
Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stake EngGII $156,000 4&up 8f Turf
Assiniboia Downs
Harry Jeffrey Stake $25,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Belmont Park
Forbidden Apple $150,000 4&up 8f Turf
Canterbury Park
Lady Canterbury Stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Mystic Lake Mile $100,000 3&up 8f Turf
Delaware Park
Cape Henlopen Stake $50,000 3&up 12f Turf
Dashing Beauty Stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Delaware Oaks GIII $300,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Robert G. Dick Memorial Stake GIII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 11f Turf
Evangeline Downs
D.S. Shine Young Memorial Futurity $100,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 5.5f Dirt
D.S. Shine Young Memorial Futurity $100,000 2yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 5.5f Dirt
Los Alamitos Race Course
Great Lady M. Stake GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6.5f Dirt
Lone Star
Assault Stake $50,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Dirt
TTA Sales Futurity $100,000 2yo Colts & Geldings R 5f Dirt
TTA Sales Futurity $100,000 2yo Fillies R 5f Dirt
Valor Farm Stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Monmouth Park
Long Branch Stake (L $100,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Prairie Meadows
Iowa Stallion Filly Stake $60,000 3yo Fillies R 8f Dirt
Iowa Stallion Stake $60,000 3yo R 8.32f Dirt
Parx
Parx Dash GIII $200,000 3&up 5f Turf
Sunray Park
Jack Cole Handicap $45,000 3&up State/Prov 8f Dirt
Woodbine
Passing Mood Stake $125,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 7f Turf
July 12
Arapahoe Park
Colorado Derby $40,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
CTBA Futurity $40,000 2yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Belmont Park
Manila $100,000 3yo 8f Turf
Belterra Park
Cincinnatian Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Hoover Stake $75,000 2yo State/Prov 5.5f Dirt
Emerald Downs
Seattle Slew Handicap $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings 8.5f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Procyon Stake GIII $633,000 3&up 7f Dirt
Tanabata Sho GIII $723,000 3&up 10f Turf
Los Alamitos Race Course
Summer Juvenile Championship $75,000 2yo 5.5f Dirt
Monmouth Park
Klassy Briefcase Stake $60,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Turf
Presque Isle Downs
Leematt Stake $75,000 3&up State/Prov 8f AW
Northern Fling Stake $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f AW
Woodbine
Bison City Stake $250,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8.5f AW
Shady Well Stake $150,000 2yo Fillies R 5.5f AW
July 15
Assiniboia Downs
Debutante Stake $25,000 2yo Fillies 5f Dirt
Jack Hardy Stake $25,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Les Bois Park
I.T.A. Angi Go Stake $8,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 7f Dirt
I.T.A. Testum Stake $8,000 3yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Indiana Grand Race Course
Ellen’s Lucky Star Stake $85,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Turf
Snack Stake $85,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Turf
July 16
Del Mar
Oceanside Stake $100,000 3yo R 8f Turf
Indiana Grand Race Course
Shelby County Stake $85,000 3&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
William Henry Harrison Stake $85,000 3&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
July 17
Indiana Grand Race Course
Brandywine Stake $65,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 5f Turf
Ta Wee Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Northlands Park
Mademoiselle Handicap $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Northlands Oaks $50,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
July 18
Arlington Park
Hanshin Cup Stake GIII $100,000 3&up 8f AW
Assiniboia Downs
J.W. Sifton Stake $25,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
R.C. Anderson Stake $25,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt
Belmont Park
Rockville Centre Stake $125,000 2yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Saginaw $100,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Les Bois Park
Governor’s Cup Stake $8,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Delaware Park
Carl Hanford Memorial Stake $50,000 3&up 8.32f Dirt
Delaware Handicap GI $750,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 10f Dirt
Hockessin Stake $50,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Kent Stake GIII $200,000 3yo 9f Turf
Del Mar
Eddie Read Stake GI $400,000 3&up 9f Turf
Osunitas Stake $80,000 3&up Fillies & Mares R 8.5f Turf
Ellis Park
Don Bernhardt Memorial Stake $50,000 3&up 6.5f Dirt
Emerald Downs
Kent Handicap $50,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Indiana Grand Race Course
Indiana Derby GII $500,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Indiana General Assembly Distaff (L $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Indiana Oaks GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Mari Hulman George Stake (L $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stake (L $100,000 3&up 8.32f Dirt
Warrior Veterans (L $100,000 4&up 8.5f Turf
Monmouth Park
Lamplighter Stake $60,000 3yo 8.5f Turf
Northlands Park
Count Lathum Handicap $50,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Fred Jones Stake $50,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Prairie Meadows
Prairie Gold Juvenile Stake $75,000 2yo 5.5f Dirt
Prairie Gold Lassie Stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 5.5f Dirt
Sunray Park
SunRay Park & Casino Handicap $35,000 3yo 8f Dirt
ThistleDown
George Lewis Memorial Stake $75,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Woodbine
Ontario Damsel Stake $150,000 3yo Fillies R 8f Turf
Wyoming Downs
Wyoming Downs Futurity $8,000 2yo 5f Dirt
July 19
Belmont Park
Lynbrook Stake $125,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Canterbury Park
MTA Stallion Auction Stake $55,000 3yo R 6.5f Dirt
Del Mar
San Clemente Handicap GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Emerald Downs
Emerald Express Stake $50,000 2yo Colts & Geldings 6f Dirt
Mt. Rainier Handicap $50,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Hakodate Kinen GIII $723,000 3&up 10f Turf
Monmouth Park
Miss Woodford Stake $70,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Woodbine
Duchess Stake $125,000 3yo Fillies 7f AW
Nijinsky Stake CanGII $200,000 3&up 9f Turf
Wyoming Downs
Wyoming Downs Derby $8,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Bloodhorse – Balan – Big Blue Kitten Takes United Nations
Brisnet – Big Blue Kitten regains United Nations title
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Front-Running Golden Horn Rolls in Eclipse
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.
Ernest Hemingway
BY GLEN TODD
TUESDAY IS ALWAYS STATS DAY
Last Sunday was the 20th day of live racing or 40% of the way thru the originally scheduled 50 day meet.
The average horse per race is hanging on at just over 7 horses per race. A total of 149 races have been run with 1044 entries.
The track has been rated as fast all 20 days and looking at the long range forecast for the next 14 days there isn’t a drop of rain in forecast or there doesn’t appear any relieve in the temperatures either as temperatures for this time of the year are well above normal.
It was 93 degrees when I left the track on Sunday afternoon.
Our purse pool for the first time in the last five years in under budget thanks to the cooperation of the racing office. The average payout per race is $14,666.00 for overnight races. The total payout for overnights at the end of June was $2,038,590.00. The average payout per day is $126,929.50 and that will see a sharp jump after the Canada Day Card which has a total payout of nearly $300,000.00.
The pari-mutual handle continues to be approximately 20% ahead of 2014.
Some Things Cannot Be Denied, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Purple haze all in the sky, Us racetrackers, We got by, Making bets, We’re not sure why, Scuse me while I wipe my eye.
Pedro Alvarado won three. Trainers Mike Anderson and Anita Bolton each won two. The fans bet about $540,000 on the program, anchored by the last four races that had two 8 horse fields and two 9’s. They handled an average of 92,000 a race.
Title Contender Still A Worthy Opponent
Title Contender ($4.00) stepped down a notch and a half below the stakes where he may no longer be a contender, but he demonstrated that he still packs a punch to a field of 35K optional claiming types in the first on Sunday. He had to work harder than he would have in days gone by, but he still wants to outrun the other horses. That is what got him and rider Marklee Buchanan past the extremely honest Cowie Creek with enough left to hold off one of the infrequent Taylors Deal’s late charges. They went a half in 46.04 and then they came home in a 31 seconds flat that included six furlongs in 1:10.08 and a final time of 1:17.04.
Cowie Creek did not break all that well but he was clearly on the lead by the second statue. Title Contender, breaking from the outside, was lapped on Cowie Creek going into the first turn and they ran that way until early on the second turn when the winner edged up beside Cowie Creek and, working hard, got his head past and then had less than a half-length turning for home. Cowie Creek was game but Title Contender’s back class got him there. Taylors Deal, in his second start since mid-December, made his usual strong late run and came up less than a length short. Cowie Creek was more than 5 lengths clear of fourth place Distillery, and his race was all the better given this was his first since opening day. Cowie Creek has made a career out of out-running his odds.
Title Contender was foaled in Kentucky. He is by the deceased Tapit out of Winter Garden, who in 2003 lost the Sovereign Award as Champion Three Year Old Filly by one vote (112-111). She could run a lot, but Title Contender is her only stakes winner, having won five, including the Grade 3 Ohio and British Columbia Derbies. He is owned by Peter Redekop B. C. Ltd. and trained by Anita Bolton.
Claim Of The Year Keeps On Rolling: Four Straight For Brackendale
The third was an open $25,000 claimer for older horses that went about a half a length faster than the $35K optional claimer that kicked off the card, and it was won by Brackendale ($5.00) who took his fourth in a row and his second straight in a $25,000 type event after being tagged for 8K three races back. The final time of 1:16.91 was a shade better than the 35’s went in the first, although both races were through the six furlongs in 1:10.08. Shooting Jacket put in a steady effort to be second and never quit trying, while the nine-year-old Senor Rojo persevered for third. There was never a serious threat to the winner who was giving all the rest 4 pounds.
Brackendale and jockey Pedro Alvarado were away in good order and quickly established a daylight lead over Stratify who also got away well despite having pushed his way through the gate the first time a little prematurely. Stratify was Brackendale’s closest pursuer for a large part of the trip before turning that role over to his stablemate Shooting Jacket on the second turn.
Stratify paid the price for chasing something he could not catch and faded. Shooting Jacket, who enjoyed an unmolested run on the rail most of the way, angled out to make a run at Brackendale mid-way down the homestretch and while beaten only a length, he posed no real threat to the winner. Senor Rojo was almost three lengths back in third.
Brackendale is a son of Forest Grove and the Perfect Mandate mare Two to Get Ready. He was bred in British Columbia by Prescott Farms and sold in the 2012 CTHS Sale for $14,000. He is owned by Rick L. Hunter and trained by Nancy Betts.
Richter Red: Away He Sped
The fastest race of the day was the last, a $16,000 claiming sprint for non-winners of two races (BC-breds 3) at 6 ½ furlongs for three-year-olds and up. It drew a field of 8 older horses and was won by Richter Red ($6.90) in a day’s best 1:16.54, almost two lengths faster than Wonder World in second and another half in front of Irish Romeo in third.
Pedro Alvarado soon had Richter Red in a stalking position behind a very hard sent Mr. Glitz who led for most of a half in 45.82 before being discouraged by the winner who ran past him with authority. However, no sooner had Richter Red moved to the lead than Wonder World bulged at him with a dangerous looking outside move and at the head of the lane, it was anybody’s race including Irish Romeo who had negotiated the last turn on the rail and was in the firing line.
Richter Red proved strongest in the lane. Wonder World sustained his run to get past Irish Romeo who had made a nice run of his own that was only good for third.
Richter Red is by Yoonevano out of Thendoftherainbow by Amaruk. He was bred in British Columbia by Bruce Unwin and Keith Pederson. Anita Bolton owns and trains the winner and Pedro Alvarado capped off a riding triple with the win.
Also Noteworthy:
Pedro Alvarado got his second win on Proxyman ($4.50) in the sixth for owner Mohamad K. Khan and trainer Mark Cloutier.
Trainer Anita Bolton won two, both of them discussed above, and Mike Anderson also had a double. He won the second with This Is the Moment ($7.10) for owner Doug Clyde. Richard Hamel rode. Anderson also took the fifth with Texas Buccaneer ($12.20) for himself and co-owner Terry Clyde, Keishan Balgobin in the saddle. The eight-year-old gelding defeated a field of nine with an average age per starter of over six and a half years. They had made a total of 392 starts, or 43 ½ starts per horse. Neither of those stats will be equaled many times this year at Hastings.
Another member of clan Anderson, Taylor, won the fourth for himself and co-owner Praven Sorenson with Timber Topper ($8.30).
Oh Canada: Our Blessings Do We Count
Canada Day was all we could have hoped for. The weather was perfect (well, maybe a little warm for some of us northern types), the crowd large and enthusiastic, the track was fast and if it appeared to be playing somewhat to speed, that may have been the result of some pretty speedy horses running, rather than a marked bias.
There were some outstanding performances. Richard Hamel rode four winners, including two in stakes and he finished second in another of the four stakes offered on the day. Craig MacPherson trained three winners on the card and Troy Taylor won a stake and a Maiden Special Weight as the two-year-olds ran their first two-turner of the season.
Mr. Bowling and Modern put in efforts in the Lieutenant Governor’s Handicap that no racing fan could fail to appreciate, and Mario Gutierrez stage managed Mr. Bowling’s star turn with a ride that reminded us that this is the guy who won two-thirds of a Triple Crown not that long ago.
All in, the folks here and yon wagered over $900,000 on what we had to offer, and the day itself, priceless. We were proud to be Canadians, and we were glad to be racing fans and racetrackers.
Mario Rolls A Perfect Game On Mr. Bowling
The Lieutenant Governor’s Handicap has been a significant stakes for older horses on the Hastings schedule for over 50 years, and it has been won by some very good ones. However, there have been few performances to equal that put on today by Mr. Bowling ($4.60), or for that matter, the runner-up Modern. The Lieutenant Governor’s has been run at distances ranging from 6 furlongs to a mile-and-an-eighth over the years, but no one has ever run the mile-and-a-sixteenth version of this race faster than these two did when Mr. Bowling stopped the clock in1:42.74 with Modern not far behind. Brass and Gold ran a hard-trying third after being closest, if 4 lengths is close, to a brutal set of fractions.
Jockey Mario Gutierrez on the dedicated closer Mr. Bowling faced a dilemma: how do you stay close enough to the jet that is Modern to have a chance to run him down late, without using too much of Mr. Bowling early by running counter to his preferred late-closing style. Mario solved it perfectly.
Modern broke and was lengths clear of the field before the sound of the bell had died. Brass and Gold took up a distant second position and Gutierrez had Mr. Bowling in third, not far off Brass and Gold but a solid 5 or 6 lengths back of Modern. That one blazed through a half in 46.01 on his way to six furlongs in 1:10.29. But as they got deeper into the run down the backstretch, the margin narrowed as the pace began to exact its inevitable toll. Going into the final turn it became apparent that Modern was going to have to reckon with Mr. Bowling.
After coming out of the turn and straightening out for the drive Mr. Bowling was a half-length on top and it appeared as if he was going to move away from the pace-setter with some ease. He got to the wire a length and a little clear, but no part of it was easy. Modern managed to reach down and find the will to keep running despite his blistering fractions. It was one of the most impressive losing races you are ever likely to see and, in fact, Modern did not lose anything, he just got outrun by Mr. Bowling. It was something special.
Mr. Bowling is a Kentucky bred son of the less than fashionable Istan and is by far the best horse produced by his Irish Tower mare. Regardless of his genetic inheritance, he has now won over $420,000. He is owned by Mark DeDomenico and the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company. He is trained by the venerable Hall of Famer, Troy Taylor.
Both Mr. Bowling and Modern are very genuine racehorses and they are racehorses at any track, anywhere. Mr. Bowling has now won four of his six starts at Hastings. Both of them are eligible to be seen at Emerald Downs a bit later in the year in a little number known as the Longacres Mile.
Arabella’s Muse Puts On Her Running Shoes
The Monashee Handicap was named for one of the very best fillies or mares to have ever run in British Columbia and it was won by Arabella’s Muse (3.30) who is defining herself as the best to be running here right now. With Richard Hamel up as usual she went immediately to the lead, and after a mile-and-a-sixteenth that went in 1:44.35, she was still there. Locket closed a lot of ground late to be second, a length behind the winner and a neck in front of Touching Promise who acquitted herself well with a steady effort that was easily good for third.
Arabella’s Muse and Touching Promise were briefly one-two after the break but Dear Lily quickly moved into a stalking position from the outside while Touching Promise settled into a close-up third along the rail. Going into the second turn Dear Lily moved into a clear second and as they went down the backside, she attempted to mount a challenge to the winner. In the end, she was unable to do so. Arabella’s Muse ran solid fractions, a half in 46.91, three-quarters in 1:12 flat, then a mile in 1:37.21 and she had more than enough left to get home from there.
The Monashee field may have been a little short, going with six fillies and mares, but five of them were stakes winners and the only non-stakes winner, Dear Lilly, had won half of her 10 starts. Arabella’s Muse never looked like losing and while Locket put in a nice run, the length she lost by flatters the threat she was to the winner.
Arabella’s Muse, a daughter of Finality out of the multiple stakes winner Excited Miss, was bred in British Columbia by Leif and Karen Nordahl and is now owned by Karen Nordahl and the Gallaghers, Bernard and Teresa. She is trained by Mike Anderson who has done an outstanding job with a filly who by temperament requires some thought and finesse.
Bluegrass Angus Opens Up The Derby Trail
The Chris Loseth Handicap for three-year-olds at a mile-and-a-sixteenth had the most competitors (12) of any race on the card and may well have been the least competitive as Bluegrass Angus ($4.90) just ran away from the field on his way to a three length win over the 64-1 shot Brother Duster. Merlot closed from somewhere in South Surrey to be third.
Bluegrass Angus broke from the 12-hole and that is as far outside as you can be at Hastings. No matter, he was in the two path around the first turn and tracking some very fast fractions being put up by the 75-1 shot Every Nites a Blur. The half went in 45.58, but after the three quarters, Every Nites a Blur’s one minute and eleven second’s worth of fame was over and Bluegrass Angus was long gone.
The winner was on cruise control coming home. Richard Hamel put his stick away just past the first statue and rolled on in to a final time of 1:44.28 and the Yellow Jersey that goes to the winner of the first leg of the Tour De Derby. Craig MacPherson trains and the Copper Water Thoroughbred Company owns the Kentucky bred son of Bluegrass Cat who figured off pedigree to get better with distance and did just that.
Morning Coffee Too Strong
The Supernaturel Handicap, a mile-and-sixteenth distance test for three-year-old fillies, was won by the recent shipper Morning Coffee ($12.80) in a final time of 1:44.98, fast enough for an expanding 2 ¾ length margin over second place Quatre Cat who was another 3 lengths clear of favored Majestic Presence in third.
The winner, a recent $65,000 claim (that’s Yankee bucks) in California was three wide around the first turn in a four horse tussle for the lead that ended first time past the grandstand when she moved to the front with vigor and was in command thereafter. Pedro Alvarado had her on the lead through a half in 46.97 and three-quarters in 1:12.20. From there she was never in any danger from the late runs offered by Quatre Cat or Majestic Presence.
Morning Coffee is by Quiet American out of a Tale of the Cat mare. She was bred in Kentucky and sold as a yearling for $47,000. Subsequently she went through the ring at the April two-year-old in training sale in Ocala and brought $190,000. Her current owner, Mike Whieldon knew a bargain when he saw one and dropped the tag for her at Santa Anita. Rosann Anderson trains.
Also Noteworthy:
The first two-turn race for two-year-olds went as the third on the card and it was won by Ebony Warrior ($5.50) with David Lopez guiding the Kentucky bred son of Majestic Warrior home after a trip that was not uneventful. Despite getting bounced around on the first turn and waiting for room on the second, Ebony Warrior found a seam at the head of the lane and prevailed in the Maiden Special Weight event. Troy Taylor trains for Mark DeDomenico and the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company.
Jockey Richard Hamel won the first of his four-bagger in the opener, the first qualifying race for the Champions Starter Series, on Alberta shipper Wine Stock for owners Derby Quest Farms and Shot In The Dark Racing, trainer Greg Tracy.
Hamel (aside from his two previously discussed stakes wins) also won the last on the 10 year-old Bearrock N Roll for owner Bob Leffler and trainer Craig MacPherson while completing a hat trick for MacPherson and racking up career win number 23 for the amazing equine senior citizen.
MacPherson’s other win (beside Bluegrass Angus as mentioned) came in the seventh, the first leg of the distaff version of the Champions Starter Series, with Far Niente for owners Brent and Kyle MacPherson and Mike Hanson. Keishan Balgobin rode.
The second race was a split of the boy’s edition of the Champions Starter Series and it went to the Swift Thoroughbreds homebred London, Dino Condilenios training with Antonio Reyes riding.
Lady and the Track – Smith Horse Racing News, Recaps, Replays July 4, 2015
#7-5492 Production Blvd,
Surrey, BC V3S 8P5
Phone (604) 534-0145 Fax (604) 574-CTHS (2847)
Email cthsbc@cthsbc.org
If people don’t want to come out to the ball park, nobody’s gonna stop ’em.
Yogi Berra
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
Horse Racing Alberta – Allison – HRA Chairman Very Satisfied
Phil has a question:
Did someone give the Chair of Horse Racing Alberta a dictionary of buzzwords.
Do you think that anyone in the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta is satisfied.
Do you think that anyone in the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta is satisfied with the performance of the Chair of Horse Racing Alberta, Rick LeLacheur.
Do you think that anyone in the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta is satisfied with the performance of the CEO of Horse Racing Alberta, Shirley McClellan.
Phil has a comment.
Why is Edmonton Northlands continuing with the Park After Dark program and their numerous promotions to attract people to Edmonton Northlands thoroughbred races when that behaviour is diametrically opposed to the comments of the Chair of Horse Racing Alberta. Doesn’t Edmonton Northlands realize that the younger generation finds if frustrating to wait 20 minutes between live races. Doesn’t Edmonton Northlands realize that the younger generation wants more and more online and mobile initiatives. Simply put, the younger generation is in tune with all the online conveniences and modernizing is a perfect way to attract the youth to horse racing.
How stupid is Edmonton Northlands to be trying to put people in the stands and on the tarmac when the younger generation wants the mobile experience. “With those on-line features, you don’t even need to be at the track”.
Does Edmonton Northlands think that any of the younger generation will actually come out to the track if you approach them through more and more online and mobile initiatives.
Does Edmonton Northlands think that any of the younger generation will bother to take a selfie or photo of a hot guy or girl or horse and distribute it to their hundreds of friends on social media connections letting them know that they’re having a great time and too bad you’re not at the track.
Does Edmonton Northlands think that the music, the games, the entertainment, the beer, the burgers, the occasional spin of the slots or Roulette wheel and the BSing amongst friends will keep the younger generation occupied during the 20 minutes between races.
Does Edmonton Northlands think that the generation that grew up with computers, video and on-line games, Poker World and study Fenwick and Corsi numbers for their Fantasy Drafts are intelligent enough to read the Daily Racing Form.
Does Edmonton Northlands know more about marketing to the younger generation than the easily satisfied Chair of Horse Racing Alberta.
Seems to me that Edmonton Northlands is putting their eggs in the get the people to the track and entertain them basket, rather than the “don’t even need to be at the track” basket.
Next thing you know Rick LeLacheur will be advising Travel Alberta that: “With those on-line features, the tourists don’t even need to come to Alberta”.
Phil has a suggestion for modernizing the thoroughbred experience in Alberta. Replace Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan before they can wreak more havoc on this industry.
Meanwhile let’s hope that Edmonton Northlands ignores the Chair’s simply satisfied ramblings and continues with their efforts to get people into the building and on the tarmac.
From the recent handle figures from Century Downs it appears that not only do you not need to be at the track you don’t even need to bet.
Phil has a question:
Who’s out of touch here: Edmonton Northlands where the daily handle for 2015 is on course to average more than it did before Phil got banned or the Chair of Horse Racing Alberta’s who’s doing nothing more than spewing a bunch of contradictory buzz word generalizations.
Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?
Bob Marley
The future is unwritten.
Joe Strummer
NY Times – Berkman – As Bar Codes Replace Tickets, Something Is Lost Before the First Pitch
Bloodhorse – Pedigree Analysis: Olympia
Save the Date!CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED HORSE SOCIETY
(ALBERTA DIVISION)
2015 Alberta Thoroughbred Sale
Sunday, September 20th, 2015
Northlands Park EXPO Centre – Edmonton, Alberta
_______________________________________________________________________
MAIN CATALOGUE
DEADLINE FOR MAIN CATALOGUE: FRIDAY, JUNE 26th, 2015
Brisnet – Private Zone much the best in Belmont Sprint Championship
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Private Zone All the Way in Belmont Sprint
Bloodhorse – Bossert – Merry Meadow Wins Princess Rooney in Return
Brisnet – Merry Meadow crowned in Princess Rooney
Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Pavilion
Emerald Downs, Auburn, Washington
Brisnet – Bradester takes flight in Salvator Mile
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Bradester Too Strong in Salvator Mile
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Alyssa Selman
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Alyssa Selman was riding in the 6th race at Assiniboia Downs on Saturday, June 27 when her horse stumbled and she was thrown to the racing surface. She suffered a serious back injury that required surgery the following day. The indication from her family is that the surgery was deemed successful. However, the road to recovery will be lengthy. The finality of her back injury cannot be stated at this time. Alyssa is currently in stable condition at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg.
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on quarter horse racing from Los Alamitos. You can also Unleash Your Luck in our free VLT tournaments that take place after live racing. 10 names will be drawn for 20 free VLT spins. Keep what you win!
Brisnet – Coffee Clique perks up in Dr. James Penny Memorial
Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Coffee Clique Proves Best in James Penny
You were probably expecting Mrs. Robinson.
Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Grand Bili Upsets Barbados in Carry Back
Brisnet – Grand Bili captures Carry Back
ESPN – West – The second half is time to shine in many divisions
Jay Hill, Alberta’s senior representative in B.C., Saskatchewan and the North and Prentice’s PC leadership campaign co-chair, was the top earner with a base salary of $230,849 and — according to his contract — a possible three-month severance of $53,068.
Edmonton Journal – Howell – Alberta’s updated sunshine list ‘woefully incomplete,’ says opposition
Shirley McClellan, another of Prentice’s PC leadership campaign co-chairs, made more than $230,849 in 2014 as CEO of Horse Racing Alberta and never gave back any of the money she was paid for the time she was spending on Prentice’s leadership campaign while CEO of Horse Racing Alberta.
HRA has been quiet; Shirley McClellan had been focused on getting Jim Prentice voted in for the PC Party
HRA is not meeting until October
ASHA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes of 13 September 2014
Bloodhorse – Alliseeisgold Wires Cleveland Gold Cup
Bloodhorse – Balan – Strut the Course Edges Favorite at Woodbine
Bloodhorse – Aldous Snow Repeats in Singspiel Stakes
Bloodhorse – Mitchell –Favorite Tale Upsets Champion Work All Week
Brisnet – Favorite Tale has winning role in Smile Sprint
Brisnet – Dogwood Trail leads to Azalea winner’s circle
NY Times – Greenhouse – Farm Labor Groups Make Progress on Wages and Working Conditions
National Post – Ratner – Online gambling is proving to be a good bet for savvy investors
The Garden and Gun – Backstage with the Young King
On a recent afternoon, the playground, which looks like a Scandinavian experiment of the kind that might forgo the placement of actual swings, asking children to instead close their eyes and imagine them, was sparsely populated. Several parents told me that was fairly typical, given how little there was to do there. “This is basically a playground with a slide,” the father of a 2-year-old girl said. Many more children were occupying themselves in the playgrounds of the projects across the street, which were better equipped.
NY Times – Bellafante – Trump’s Golf Course, a Lesson in Inequality
Phil has a question:
Is Trump really running for the GOP nomination or is he just running so the other GOP candidates look less extreme.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P. J. O’Rourke
NY TImes – Wollan – How to Sell the Most Cookies
The Globe And Mail – Graveland – Harper targets Liberals and NDP in Stampede speech
Phil has a question:
How are these attack ads helping the Canadian economy come out of the recession it’s in.
Phil has a question:
Will the people of Canada remember that when Harper started the US and Canadian $ were on par and after years of the Harper reign of attack ads the Canadian $ is now worth only 80 cents to the US Dollar.
I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.
Ernest Hemingway
Phil M Stockmen
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WILL THE Alberta TRACKS SUFFER IF RACING ENDS??
NORTHLANDS gets live tables/extra slots and double the space!
CENTURY gains $$millions of revenue from re-purposing the real estate holdings!!
PLAN B/ BOB is a two horse race for the NDP nomination for Calgary Foothills on July 27??
UNDERTAKER’S SUMMER INTERN STUDENT updates the 12 harness rulings missing I hope she gets hired by the ARC next year.
ASHA cash cow for HRA with 5 rulings this week 3 whipping/$250, slow pace $160 and gate violation $50 for a total of $960 less commissions!!
TC a repeat whipping offender is rumoured to be changing his colours to black/leather boots and a mask to payoff his fine tab???
ROD HAYNES gets backstretch person of the month, it’s a shame that the race industry/stp missed his 1,000 training win celebration back in 2008.
CANADIAN LIVE RACING totals to July 1 shows a 11% from 197.5 mil/13 to 219.3 m/14 and Alberta racing shows a 5.5% drop, i guess we are moving in the right direction HRA!!!
DIAMOND JIM’S senior aides get a 432k payout what does the CEO and the rest of HRA underachievers get in a golden handshake /Derek Fildebrant trying to figure it out???
PRESQUE cancels racing due to deer problems endangering horses/riders will HRA/NORTHLANDS be getting a pet farm for the geese and jack rabbits.
ARC HEAD rumoured to be a MARTIN but not JIM/PETER update for LABOUR DAY NEWS !!!!