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Conduit, Summer Bird arrive in Japan Four international invaders jetted into Narita Airport in Japan on Thursday. Two-time Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani), Canadian Grade 1 victor MARSH SIDE (Gone West) and Italian Group 1 winner SCINTILLO (Fantastic Light) are all contenders for the November 29 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1). Multiple Grade 1 star SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone) is bound for the December 6 Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1). Conduit and Scintillo endured a 15-hour journey from England, while Marsh Side and Summer Bird's travel time from Southern California was 12 hours. Marsh Side left Neil Drysdale's base at Hollywood Park, and the Tim Ice-trained Summer Bird departed Santa Anita. Once arriving in Japan, the quartet was then transported to the JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center in Shiroi City. "The horse is in fine condition and does not seem to be worn out from the trip," said Conduit's groom Neil Varley. "This visit to Japan and the race will probably be the highlight of my life, so I'm looking forward to it. It's an honor just to be here for the Japan Cup, but since we've come all this way, we will give it our best." Conduit, a strong fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) two back, is coming off his second straight score in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. The Sir Michael Stoute charge is expected to make his final career start in the approximately $6 million Japan Cup. Plans call for the chestnut to retire to stud next year at Shigeyuki Okada's Big Red Farm in Japan. Conduit has won two races this season that qualify him for lucrative bonuses if he performs well in the about 1 1/2-mile turf test at Tokyo. In addition to the Breeders' Cup Turf, he also captured the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot this summer, and either one would have made him eligible according to the Japan Cup bonus structure. Conduit stands to pocket a $1,368,000 bonus if he wins the Japan Cup, a $547,000 windfall if he places second, and an extra $342,000 if he finishes third. Marsh Side, most recently fourth as the defending champion in the Canadian International (Can-G1), walked around the stable area on Friday and seems to be in fine form with great appetite. "He's in very good condition," assistant trainer Marcelino Olguin said. "(The Japan Cup) is expected to be a tough race. We'll give it our best to get the best result." Marsh Side hopes to have a better experience in his second foray to the Japan Cup. Last year, he developed a fever and cough after arriving and had to be scratched at the last minute. Runner-up to American divisional leader Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the Manhattan H. (G1) in June, Marsh Side crossed the wire first in the Northern Dancer Turf S. (Can-G1) at Woodbine in September, only to be disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference. Marsh Side is the third and final American-based hope to arrive for the Japan Cup. JUST AS WELL (A.P. Indy), who was awarded the victory in the Northern Dancer Turf, and INTERPATATION (Langfuhr), who upset Gio Ponti in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1), both shipped in Monday. The Richard Hannon-trained Scintillo was a late addition to the Japan Cup. The four-year-old has failed to shine since landing the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Fr-G2) in May, winding up seventh in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1), a tailed-off last of nine behind Conduit in the King George and a distant sixth in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Fr-G2) last out. "He is in very good form and seems to have found a liking for the stalls here at the international stables. He looks fresh and is enjoying himself," said Scintillo's groom Anna Kowalczyk. "As for his training, I will wait for orders from the trainer, but tomorrow, we'll only walk him around and not enter the track. The Japan Cup is a world-class race, and I'm delighted that we were invited here and to participate in a race of this caliber." "Scintillo left on Thursday, and everything seems to have gone according to plan," Hannon commented on his website, richardhannon.tv, on Friday. "Richard Jr. will be flying out next Tuesday, and we will give the horse a spin on the track midweek. "I am delighted to have snapped up Gerald Mosse, who has a great record in Japan and is a world-class jockey. "Scintillo might be one of the outsiders, but he is a decent colt, as he showed when winning at Chantilly last summer. The ground was rattling fast that day and conditions could well be similar in Japan, which would suit him ideally. He has a terrific turn of foot, and, while it is a very hot race, we are not going out there just for the sushi!" Scintillo will eventually continue his racing career in Australia for new owner Leonard Lucas. Japan Cup Dirt contender Summer Bird, the leading candidate for an Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old male, seemed to have taken his transpacific trek in stride. "His condition is well. We'll walk him around the track tomorrow (Friday)," Ice said upon the colt's arrival. "I'm not aware of the competition, so I can't say much, but we're very much looking forward to the race." Ice added that he would decide on his training regimen on a day-to-day basis, based upon Summer Bird's condition. As the winner of the Belmont S. (G1), Travers S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), Summer Bird is eligible for bonuses should he place in the top three in the approximately $3 million Japan Cup Dirt. Summer Bird would rake in an extra $1,052,000 if he wins the Japan Cup Dirt, an extra $421,000 if he finishes second, or an extra $263,000 if he finishes third. Summer Bird, who was a distant second to Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Haskell Invitational (G1) in August, was most recently a gallant fourth to Horse of the Year candidate Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The Japan Cup Dirt, contested at about 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin, would mark Summer Bird's first try at a right-handed track. Cigar Mile candidates to work over weekend Schooling sessions for Edward P. Evans' QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) continue Saturday morning at Aqueduct, where the three-year-old will go through the paddock and load into the gate with jockey John Velazquez aboard as his connections ponder a start in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) on November 28. "We'll try to simulate a race scenario a little bit, and see if we can load him without incident," said Pletcher of Quality Road, who was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita on November 7 after a meltdown at the gate. "He'll breeze on Sunday, we'll see how that goes, and get with Mr. Evans and come up with a plan." Quality Road arrived back in New York on Tuesday by van, and began schooling sessions at Belmont Park the following morning under the supervision of Bob Duncan, the former starter for the New York Racing Association, who frequently works as a consultant. "I think he's handled everything since he's shipped in," Pletcher said. "He's done as well as you can hope for, but obviously this wouldn't be the way you would draw it up. He's been schooling perfect. The whole gate crew has gone out of their way, which we appreciate." Pletcher added that MUNNINGS (Speightstown), coming off a trio of third-place finishes in the Vosburgh S. (G1), King's Bishop S. (G1) and Haskell Invitational (G1), will start in the Cigar Mile whether or not Quality Road goes. "One has nothing to do with the other, really," he said. "I think Munnings gets a mile, no problem. If you look back at his Haskell at a mile and an eighth, he was right there at the eighth pole, and was just beaten by Summer Bird (Birdstone). Obviously, Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) was an impressive winner but I felt he held his own pretty well." Meanwhile, Rick Mettee, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said that VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), who won the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) in his most recent start, may work once more for the Cigar Mile. Vineyard Haven worked six furlongs in 1:13 at Belmont Park on Thursday. "We'll see what the weather does next week. He should be spot on for this race," said Mettee, adding that a decision would be made about Forego S. (G1) winner PYRO (Pulpit), who was 10th in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), following his scheduled work this Sunday. "If Pyro breezes good on Sunday we may take a shot in the Cigar Mile; he may run as an entry with Vineyard Haven," he said. Top Godolphin mares retired; Sara Louise confirmed for Top Flight Rick Mettee, assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, confirmed Friday that Godolphin's Grade 1-winning triumvirate of MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy), COCOA BEACH (Chi) (Doneraile Court) and SEVENTH STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) have all been retired. Music Note finished a close second to Proud Spell in the balloting for champion three-year-old filly in 2008 after wins in the Mother Goose S. (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Gazelle S. (G1). She ran second to Proud Spell in the Alabama S. (G1) and third to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1). This season, Music Note won the Ballerina S. (G1) and Beldame S. (G1) prior to a repeat third in the Ladies' Classic. She retires with a mark of 12-7-1-2, $1,615,000. Cocoa Beach, the 2008 Horse of the Year in Chile, captured the Beldame and Matriarch S. (G1) in 2008 and was second to Zenyatta in the Ladies' Classic. From five starts this season, the five-year-old captured the De La Rose S. at Saratoga and was third in the Lady's Secret S. (G1). Her career ends with a mark of 16-10-2-2, $1,744,905. Seventh Street finishes with a record of 10-5-3-1, $716,000. She won the Apple Blossom H. (G1) and Go for Wand H. (G1) and placed second in the Ogden Phipps H. (G1), Ruffian H. (G1) and Barbara Fritchie H. (G2), but was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) in her final start. Mettee also confirmed that stable stars JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor), REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) and GAYEGO (Gilded Time) would winter in Dubai, while SARA LOUISE (Malibu Moon) and VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]) will remain in the United States. "We'll pick them up in the spring when we return," Mettee said. Sara Louise, fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in her most recent start, breezed Thursday morning in in preparation for the November 27 Top Flight H. (G2) over one mile. "Sara Louise ran okay (in the Breeders' Cup)," Mettee said. "We thought she would actually move up on the synthetic they way she trained over it, but she didn't. We thought she would be a competitive third in there and to see her come in a modest fourth was a little surprising. She'll run in the Top Flight and then get the winter off." KTO honors Wiggins as Horseman of the Year Veteran trainer Hal Wiggins, nearing the end of a distinguished training career capped by a record-smashing victory by Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), will be honored on Saturday as the recipient of the 2008 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO). Wiggins will receive the award during the KTO's 21st annual awards dinner, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. (EST) at the Big Spring Country Club, 5901 Dutchmans Lane, in Louisville, Kentucky. Since 1989 the KTO has presented the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award to a member of the racing industry who displays the spirit and passion for the sport exhibited by the late Warner L. Jones Jr., the famed Kentucky Thoroughbred breeder and owner and former chairman of the board of Churchill Downs. Wiggins, 66, plans to retire at the conclusion of the Churchill Downs fall meet on November 28, ending a distinguished training career than spans 34 years. The third-generation horseman launched that career with Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in Louisiana in 1975, but Wiggins enjoyed his greatest success after he moved his training base to Kentucky. His clear career highlight came this spring when he saddled Dolphus Morrison and Mike Lauffer's Rachel Alexandra to score a record-smashing 20 1/4-length victory in the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill. The homebred miss was purchased after that win by Stonestreet Stable and went on to record one of the most remarkable campaigns by a three-year-old filly in American racing history. Rachel Alexandra is among the front-runners for the Eclipse Award for 2009 Horse of the Year. Wiggins has saddled nearly 870 winners in his training career. Other stars conditioned by the native of Port Arthur, Texas, include Chorwon, a three-time winner of the Louisville H. at Churchill who earned more than $1 million in his career, as well as Morris Code, a multiple stakes winner who earned $745,000 in her career. Upon retirement, Wiggins and his wife, Renee, plan to move back home to Texas. Their son, Lon, is a Thoroughbred trainer based in Illinois. The previous winners of the KTO's Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award are Shug McGaughey (1989), Arthur B. Hancock III (1990), Woodford C. "Woody" Stephens (1991), Pat Day (1992), MacKenzie "Mack" Miller (1993), William. T. Young (1994), D. Wayne Lukas (1995), Allen R. Paulson (1996), James M. "Jim" Bolus (1997), W. Elliott Walden (1998), William S. Farish (1999), James E. "Ted" Basset III (2000), Jennie Rees (2001), Kenneth McPeek (2002), Dale Romans (2003), Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey (2004), John Asher (2005), Thomas H. Meeker (2006), Carl Nafzger (2007) and Brereton C. Jones (2008). Jockeys to contribute to Brimo fund On November 28, jockeys across North America will be asked to contribute one mount fee to the Julia Brimo Fund, set up to assist with her expenses during rehabilitation for her injuries. Brimo suffered head and back injuries in a spill at Keeneland on October 30 and is currently a patient at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Early next week, she is expected to be transferred to the Lyndhurst Centre, a leading spinal cord rehabilitation facility also in Toronto. In honor of Brimo, and to raise awareness of the plight of seriously injured jockeys, riders across North America will wear two patches on their boots on November 28. One patch will feature her name, "Julia," on it while the other will highlight the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The Julia Brimo Fund was established at Fifth Third Bank by Cindy Werner, the wife of trainer Ronny Werner. Contributions can be made to the Fund by sending a check, made out to the Julia Brimo Fund, to Cindy Werner at 1116 Flat Rock Road, Louisville, KY, 40245. Mafaaz recuperating at farm after summer scare
"He is back on the farm and he seems like a happy horse," Neal McLaughlin said. "After we got him, he was gelded and then went to Saratoga the first of June. "He was there about a week and got real sick. He lost muscle and started losing protein through his liver. It was pretty dangerous and we have no idea what caused it." Mafaaz spent more than three months at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts. "I got a little jealous because the vet there got to spend more time with him than I have," McLaughlin said. "I only got to see him a few days in the spring and then again at the farm. "He's a neat horse and I was excited about American racing for him. I don't know if he will make it back to the races. Hopefully he will. Things seem to be going well." Bloodstock agent McDonald dies at 65 Bloodstock agent Billy McDonald, a colorful and charismatic presence in the industry in the 1970s and 80s, passed away in his sleep Thursday at his home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was 65. Based originally in Ireland before relocating to California, McDonald purchased, among others, eventual dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Alleged, as well as Fairy Bridge (Bold Reason), who would go on to be dam of Sadler's Wells. McDonald was a close associate of Coolmore principal Robert Sangster, for whom he purchased Alleged as an unraced two-year-old in training for $120,000, and counted among his friends celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore. McDonald, in addition to being a bloodstock agent, spent time as a Rolls Royce dealer in California, where he was a mainstay at the track and at various racing haunts. "Billy was one of the great characters of the game," trainer John Gosden said. "He is still in the Guinness Book of World Records for selling the most Rolls Royces in a day. He was a man who lived life to the full, and had a great eye for a horse. He was a talented pony rider in his youth, and a fast runner, both into -- and out of -- trouble. He was an immensely popular and loveable man who was totally at ease in all the great watering holes, restaurants and race courses of the world. There will never be another Billy." McDonald, who kept a low profile after suffering the effects of a stroke roughly 12 years ago, was a close friend of movie producer David Giler, who secured him a small role in the Richard Dreyfuss horse-racing film Let It Ride. McDonald played a bettor in the 1989 movie. In addition to providing Sangster and the Coolmore connections an initial Arc victory with Alleged in 1978, McDonald would play a role in the stud's legendary stallion Sadler's Wells. According to the book Horsetrader, by Patrick and Nick Robinson, McDonald had joined Sangster, John Magnier and trainer Vincent O'Brien on a scouting mission to Claiborne Farm: Robert and his men had gone there early to see the yearlings before they went to the sale, and McDonald had decided to short circuit the conventional way of perusing the young horses. Taking the yearling manager aside, he pressed a $100 bill into his hand and said, "Which one do YOU like best?" "Oh, I'd go for the little Bold Reason filly every time," he replied. "They always race over to this gate from right across the far side of the paddock, and that little filly is always yards in front when they arrive. SHE is a racehorse." Indeed, the filly, Fairy Bridge, turned out to be a fine runner, winning both starts at two before being named champion two-year-old filly in Ireland. But her real value would be as a broodmare. Her second foal was Sadler's Wells, who carried Sangster's colors to victory in a trio of Group 1 races, then commenced a career as Europe's premier sire. Following are a collection of quotes and anecdotes honoring McDonald: Elaine 'Legs' Lawlor, Goffs Director of Bloodstock Sales "He will be sadly missed. He was a legend, I think. When I lived in Los Angeles, he was character in the bloodstock world who had a knack for bringing new people into the game. Billy was a very good friend with the likes of Bill Shoemaker, Charlie Whittingham, and all those people. He was great mates with Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan. When I was in California, life would have been very dull without Billy. When I went back for the Breeders' Cup this year at Santa Anita, the first person I saw when I went into the Turf Club was Frank the Barman, whose been there for years. He said, 'Legs! Where's Billy?!' Everybody knew him. "There was a restaurant in L.A. called Le Dome, where all the racing people would go to regularly back in the 80s. Billy was friends with Frank Sinatra, and one time Billy had a date at the restaurant, and he asked Frank, who was also dining there, if he wouldn't mind dropping by on his way out and say hello. You know, to impress the girl. Which Frank duly did, and when he stopped by the table, Billy said, 'Frank, not now, can't you see I'm busy?' That story just sums Billy up. "He also had a wonderful gift. Say he met you one time. He'd see you 10, 15 years later, and he'd walk right up to you and remember your name. He was wonderful like that. And pedigrees, he was brilliant on them. He could talk the talk, and there was no better salesman. He could sell ice to an Eskimo. "You couldn't go to California without seeing Billy. Anybody who was anybody who came to L.A., from Robert Sangster to anyone from Europe, would stay with Billy. And all the Australians coming through stay with him." Johnny Jones Jr., who stood Alleged at Walmac "Billy was a very unique character. He had an uncanny ability to have wealthy people spend money on horses. He was one of the world-class characters we've enjoyed in the horse industry. I was really good friends with Sangster and Magnier and those guys, and he was around all the time. "The best story I have about Billy is this: I bought his share of Alleged the night before he won either his first or second Arc. I can't remember. Anyway, Alleged won the race, and the value of the share obviously increased tremendously. But Billy didn't back out of the deal. He stayed with it, and did what he said he'd do." Coolmore associate Richard Henry "I had dinner with (actor) John Forsythe and Billy one day, and John told me that Billy knew more fellas in Hollywood than he did." Tullamaine Castle Stud's Bob Lanigan, former general manager of Coolmore "The first place that I became aware of him, he was working for Georgie Wells, who was a top-class jockey in Ireland who had laterally turned to training a few horses. Billy was working for George. He had started off, I believe, working with jumpers, and then he crossed into racing. Where he went from George's I don't know, but the next time I saw him, he'd resurfaced in L.A. He used to describe himself as, 'The Purveyor of Champions to Millionaires.' He was a wonderful man. He introduced Pierce Brosnan and myself, and bought us a mare called Salidar (Ire), who we bred a good horse called Bin Ajwaad out of. "We had a lot of great times together, and he was a great companion. His great sponsor in life was Robert Sangster; he was very close to Robert and part of his immediate entourage. Billy used to be great friends, too, with Charles Benson. Benson used to write for The Daily Express, and afterwards was part of the syndicated gossip column at the Express. I forget the guy who wrote the column, but Benson and Billy used to keep him plied with plenty of information. Billy also used to have the best letterhead: A horse gallops with his lungs, perseveres with his heart, and wins with his character (Federico Tesio)." Restauranteur Eddie Kerkhofs, who owned popular L.A. hangout Le Dome. He currently owns Il Piccolino "I spoke to him Sunday morning; I called Billy once a month. He sounded so good. His brother Calvin had fallen off a horse and was paralyzed, which was tragic, but he was very glad to have his brother around. The two of them lived with their mother. Last night, his brother called me and said, 'Eddie, I have some bad news. Billy died in his sleep.' But that's a nice way to go. There are so many stories about Billy. He was my neighbor for 12 years, in addition to being my friend. The first house he had overlooked Universal Studios. That's where I lived, too--we shared the same driveway. Later, he moved to Sunset Canyon, right above Le Dome, and that was his home away from home. "He was the one who introduced me to the horse racing world, to Bill Shoemaker and those guys. Le Dome was their hangout. And now their hangout is Il Piccolino. We had a fantastic week during the Breeders' Cup -- and all of that, from John Magnier to Michael Tabor, was because Billy introduced us. "One of my favorite stories about Billy is when he turned 40, and he decided to give himself a party at Le Dome. He rented out the whole place. He said, 'I want pasta, I want caviar, I want Cristal Roederer. I'm inviting 130 people.' So we made a deal. I told him that, since he was my friend, that I wasn't going to charge him full price for the Cristal, because that would be very expensive, and that I would give it to him at cost. So 130 people came, and it was a lot of noise, and this and that. All of the sudden, I get a phone call from Palm Springs. It was the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sinatra himself. He said, 'Eddie, I know I was invited to Billy's 40th birthday party, but I couldn't make it. But, do me one favor: give me the check.' And that's what I did, and he picked up the check for Billy's party. Of course, I didn't tell Billy until the day after, because he would have done more damage! "With Sangster gone, Charles Benson gone, Billy gone...it's the end of an era." BST providing Thanksgiving dinner to NYRA backstretch Bollam, Sheedy, Torani, & Co (BST), Financial and Management Consultants, will once again underwrite a special Thanksgiving meal at both Belmont Park and Aqueduct so that more than 500 backstretch workers will have the opportunity to share in the true spirit of the holiday. It will mark the third year the Albany, New York, based firm has sponsored the feast for the Backstretch Employees Service Team (B.E.S.T). For many of the grooms, hotwalkers and exercise riders who work on the backstretch at Belmont and Aqueduct, Thanksgiving is just another day in the year-round cycle of caring for racehorses. "We've been fortunate here at BST for 35 years and we believe in giving back to the community," said Managing Partner Joe Torani, who will be serving meals along with his daughter, Amy, and BST's Eric Kreuter, Mike Murray, and Bill Frietag. "We are happy to again provide the financial support for this event." Under the supervision of Dennis Zoitos, who runs the concessions on the backstretch for The New York Racing Association (NYRA), the holiday meals will be served in the cafeterias of both racetracks from 10 a.m. (EST) until 2 p.m. on November 24, which is a non-racing day in New York. In addition to turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, the workers will also enjoy salad, a selection of vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert and beverages. For the non-traditional minded, Zoitos will also be offering another option. "We'll be serving about 150 people at Aqueduct, and about 350 at Belmont," Zoitos said. "And we have lasagna for anyone who doesn't want turkey." BST, which also has branch offices in Manhattan and Manhasset, originally stepped in to underwrite the holiday dinner after funding for the 2007 event fell through. "We've been doing it every year since, and we plan on doing it for the foreseeable future," Torani said. "This is the first year I will be able to attend, and I am looking forward to enjoying it and helping out." BST, headquartered in Albany, is one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the Empire State. It provides specialized services, tailored solutions, dedicated focus, and professional experience and expertise in a variety of areas. B.E.S.T. provides a full range of health and human services to support workers in the barn areas of NYRA's three racetracks: Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. Their programs include on-site primary care health clinics, health benefits and counseling services. Championship up for grabs in Colonial Cup The mid-season exit of two-time champion Good Night Shirt (Concern) due to injury left a huge void in the steeplechase division that has not entirely been filled. That might change pending the results of Saturday's $100,000 Colonial Cup (NSA-G1), the final major jump race of the season, which will be contested over the Springdale course in Camden, South Carolina. Ten geldings and a mare will answer the call to post for the 2 3/4-mile event over National Fences. All who have won top-level events in Good Night Shirt's absence have been entered, though most have not enjoyed consistent form this season. The one with perhaps the fewest faults is YOUR SUM MAN (Ire) (Pistolet Bleu [Ire]), the unheralded seven-year-old who coasted home by 3 3/4 lengths in the October 17 Grand National (NSA-G1) in his North American debut in what could be labeled a massive upset. The Tom Voss charge was nearly two years removed from his last win in a novice hurdle at Punchestown, Ireland, and made what is left of the American jumping division look mediocre with a convincing win at Far Hills. PIERROT LUNAIRE (War Chant), who handed Good Night Shirt a three-length defeat in the Iroquois (NSA-G1) in May, showed little in the Grand National when beaten more than 23 lengths into fifth. The five-year-old did encounter trouble that day when clipping heels with a rival, and could bounce back with a more representative effort here. RED LETTER DAY (Red Ransom), who led from flag-to-finish in the Lonesome Glory (NSA-G1) two back, could not replicate that feat in the Grand National. A tiring fourth that day, he should nonetheless show speed from the start of the Colonial Cup. SPY IN THE SKY (Thunder Gulch), who romped by more than 10 lengths in the New York Turf Writers Cup (NSA-G1), was an okay fourth in the Lonesome Glory and most recently passed his first-level allowance condition on the flat at Aqueduct. Others of note are the veteran MIXED UP (Carnivalay), who finished far back in two starts since taking the A.P. Smithwick Memorial (NSA-G1); THREE CARART (Storm Broker), runner-up to Good Night Shirt in the 2007 Colonial Cup; and SWEET SHANI (NZ) (Kashani), the multiple Grade 1-placed mare who appears to be rounding into better form. Post time for the Colonial Cup is approximately 3 p.m. (EST). Churchill Downs honors Borel
Borel will also be Jill Byrne's special guest during Saturday's "Get in the Game" seminar in the paddock area at 11:50 a.m. (EST). Additionally, a new thirst-quenching drink called the "Borel Breezer" -- a mix of Woodford Reserve, cranberry juice and a splash of lemon-line served on ice in a commemorative racing-themed mint julep glass -- has been specially created for the weekend. Priced at $7, it will be sold throughout the facility for only $4 immediately after Borel wins a race. A roast in honor of Borel, complete with praise, outlandish stories and comedic insults from special guests, will take place after the races on Sunday in the Triple Crown Room. Tickets for the much-anticipated plated dinner are $100 and proceeds will benefit the Kentucky Equine Humane Center. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner and ceremonies set to commence at 6:30 p.m. To make reservations to the roast, call Kelly Danner at 502-638-3825. Borel, a native of St. Martin Parish, La. who rode his first professional winner at age 16 on January 14, 1983, at Delta Downs, began the week with 4,678 career victories, including 73 graded stakes wins, from 31,576 career mounts. His mounts had earned more than $105.7 million. His career highlights include:
Born Nov. 7, 1966, Borel -- nicknamed "Bo-Rail" for his penchant of hugging the inside rail en route to numerous victories -- is second to legendary Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day in career wins at Churchill Downs with 958 trips to the winner's circle, and ranks sixth in local stakes wins with 45. He has cracked the top five of the Churchill Downs jockey standings for 23 of the last 28 meetings since the fall of 1995, including titles during the 1999 and 2006 fall meets. He has been a runner-up on eight occasions. Following his victories in this spring's Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, Borel had celebrity-like status with appearances on The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman to name a few. He and Mine That Bird also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Two years earlier, he was invited to the White House for a white-tie dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth immediately after she witnessed Street Sense's 2007 Kentucky Derby triumph. Borel, the younger brother of Churchill Downs-based trainer Cecil Borel, began riding match races at his home state at age eight before launching his professional career. Known for his tireless work ethic and horsemanship, he currently rides the Kentucky-Arkansas-Louisiana circuit with summer stints at Saratoga. His fiancée is Lisa Funk and his longtime agent is Jerry Hissam. In brief Winchell Thoroughbreds' WAR ECHO (Tapit) returned to the winner's circle on Thursday following a three-length victory in the 9TH race at Churchill Downs. Making just her second start since capturing the February 7 Silverbulletday S. (G3), the Steve Asmussen-trained sophomore found herself covered up nearly the entire way while racing on the rail. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was visibly restraining his mount to keep her from running up on the heels of the horse in front, and finally angled her to the outside when exiting the turn. Under mild urging from Bridgmohan, the chestnut miss collared the leader inside the final furlong and drew off to finish up the one-mile allowance feature in 1:37 1/5 on the fast dirt. War Echo returned off a more than seven-month break last out to run fourth and last in the September 23 Cat Chat S. at Belmont Park. She was third in last year's Golden Rod S. (G2) over the track, and this victory boosted her earnings to $379,036 while improving her mark to 7-3-0-1... Zayat Stables' RIGHTLY SO (Read the Footnotes) registered her second straight convincing stakes win over New York-bred distaffers, and fifth straight victory overall, when posting a one-length tally in Thursday's $67,250 Love is Eternal S. at Aqueduct. Favored at 3-5 favorite, the front-running dark bay covered a mile in 1:38 4/5 over the fast main track beneath regular rider Ramon Dominguez. The three-year-old captured the Iroquois S. at Belmont Park by 2 1/4 lengths on October 24, and the Tony Dutrow-trained filly now owns a career mark of 6-5-1-0, $200,950... Twin Creeks Racing Stables' FUNNY FEELING (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 heroine Pussycat Doll (Real Quiet), captured her maiden debut on Thursday when taking the 4TH race at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Julien Leparoux for trainer Michael Maker, the chestnut lass pressed the pace while racing four wide in the 6 1/2-furlong test, put in a challenge on the turn and took command in the lane. Pulling away to be 2 3/4 lengths clear on the wire, the juvenile miss stopped the clock in 1:18 2/5. Both Funny Feeling and Pussycat Doll, who won the Humana Distaff H. (G1), Santa Monica H. (G1) and La Brea S. (G1) during her career, are out of Grade 1 queen Hookedonthefeelin (Citidancer)... The royally-bred SMART SURPRISE (Smart Strike) will try to defend her crown from 10 challengers in Sunday's C$150,000 Bessarabian S. at Woodbine. Since capturing last year's Bessarabian in her stakes debut, the Josie Carroll mare has gone on to land the Chou Croute H., Hendrie S. (Can-G3), Hill 'n' Dale S. and Ontario Matron S. A half-sister to multiple Grade 1 star Court Vision (Gulch), from the family of supersire A.P. Indy and classic winner Summer Squall, Smart Surprise was most recently third after pressing the early pace in the Belle Mahone S. With plenty of speed signed on in this seven-furlong affair, Smart Surprise figures to enjoy a better set-up here. On the other hand, her most dangerous opponent, Seaway S. (Can-G3) and Ontario Fashion S. winner TRIBAL BELLE (Tribunal), looms as the speed of the speed and has the ability to survive stiff pressure. Other contenders include Canadian stakes veterans AUTHENICAT (D'wildcat), GLITTER ROX (Glitterman) and YOU WILL LOVE ME (One Way Love); GEMSWICK PARK (Speightstown), who will try to recover the sparkling form that carried her to victory in the Old Hat S. (G3) earlier this year; and synthetic specialist SWEET LORENA (Langfuhr), runner-up to subsequent Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) queen Informed Decision (Monarchos) in the Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G3) three back... Trainer Bob Baffert will send out one-third of the field in Sunday's $100,000 Moccasin S., as the new Hall of Famer is responsible for two of the six juvenile fillies entered in the seven-furlong feature at Hollywood Park. CRISIS OF SPIRIT (Vindication), whose second dam is Baffert's fellow Hall of Famer Silverbulletday, comes off a score in the Anoakia S., while her uncoupled stablemate, MISS HEATHER LEE (Trippi), rallied from last to take an allowance/optional claimer last out. They will face Grade 1-tested rivals in BICKERSONS (Silver Deputy) and IT TIZ (Tiznow), who are both cutting back in trip. Bickersons, third in both the Spinaway S. (G1) and Oak Leaf S. (G1), wound up 10th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in her latest venture. It Tiz, fourth in both the Darley Debutante S. (G1) and Oak Leaf, exits a confidence-boosting allowance victory. Completing the field are recent maiden winners LT. ANNE (Deputy Commander) and NEEKO (Swiss Yodeler)... Jockey Chris Emigh, who was involved in a riding mishap when his mount appeared to clip heels on November 11, will be out five to six weeks with a broken collarbone, according to his agent Terry Miller. "He rode Sunday, but he was really hurting," Miller said. "He went back for a CT scan and that revealed the broken collarbone. We were going to go to the Fair Grounds after the meet, but now this will put him out right up to the start at Oaklawn Park."... Whitney H. (G1) winner BULLSBAY (Tiznow) is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Monday to run in the $400,000 Clark H. (G2) on November 27. Trained by Graham Motion, Bullsbay has won three of four starts at Churchill Downs, including a victory in the Alysheba (G3) on May 1, and finished a close fourth behind fellow Clark probable Macho Again (Macho Uno) in the Stephen Foster H. (G1) on June 13... The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) has announced its 2009 award winners: Janet L. Wayson, Outstanding Owner; Hamilton A. Smith, Outstanding Trainer; and Frederick A. Tallarico, Special Appreciation. The MTHA also revealed its Outstanding Backstretch Employees: Francisco M. Oseguera, employed by Chris Grove, Bowie; and Louis D. Bernier, Jr., employed by Ferris Allen, Laurel Park. Presentation of these awards will take place at the MTHA's annual Christmas Party on November 30 at Laurel Park... Grade 3 victor BITTEL ROAD (Stormy Atlantic), unraced since an unplaced finish in the American Turf S. (G3) on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard, will return to the races in Friday's $65,000 Monarch's Maze S. at Aqueduct. Unbeaten in his first three career starts, the Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore colt will attempt to snap a six-race losing skid in the 1 1/16-mile turf affair. Jamaica H. (G1) fourth-placer GRASSY (El Prado [Ire]), multiple stakes-placed GOLDEN MEXICO (Ire) (Daggers Drawn) and last-out allowance winner MR SANDMAN (GB) (Dashing Blade) are also entered... Maiden winners INDIAN FIREWATER (Indian Charlie) and AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) are the top draws in Saturday's $100,000 Hollywood Prevue S. (G3). A prep for the Hollywood Futurity (G1) on December 19, the seven-furlong event will feature a field of eight two-year-olds, including minor stakes winners SEATTLE RULER (Roman Ruler) and MACIAS (Purge). Indian Firewater recorded a smashing 4 1/4-length maiden score at Del Mar two starts back, and the Bob Baffert-trained colt is eligible to improve off a second versus allowance/optional claiming rivals at Oak Tree. Regular rider Garrett Gomez will be up. American Lion exits an impressive 6 3/4-length allowance tally at Keeneland, and Julien Leparoux will retain the mount aboard the Eoin Harty pupil... Multi-surface talents JUNGLE WAVE (Hold That Tiger) and FIELD COMMISSION (Service Stripe) will do battle with the improving sophomore EL BRUJO (Candy Ride [Arg]) in Saturday's C$150,000 Kennedy Road S. (Can-G3) going six furlongs over the Woodbine Polytrack. Jungle Wave, who took the Play the King S. (Can-G2) on turf three back, subsequently finished fourth in the Woodbine Mile (Can-G1) and third in the Nearctic S. (Can-G2), a race won by Field Commission. That rival is also a graded winner on the main track this season having bagged the Vigil S. (Can-G3) back in May. Meanwhile, El Brujo will step up to face older horses for the first time following triumphs in the Kentucky Cup Sprint (G3) and Perryville S. (G3). Others of note in the Kennedy Road field of 10 are Nearctic runner-up BOGUE CHITTO (Crafty Prospector) and the improving three-year-old YOU DON'T PASS (Pikepass), who has never finished worse than second in five starts to date... The catalog for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is now available online at the company's website www.magicmillions.com.au. Some 1,236 youngsters have been cataloged for the auction which runs January 6-10 and January 14, 2010. Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said the catalog is made of an outstanding selection of yearlings from vendors around Australia and also New Zealand. "Prospective buyers will be impressed with what they see when they inspect the catalog," Chester stated. "It is an outstanding selection of yearlings. Graduates of this sale continue to excel on tracks in Australia and also overseas. Those set to go under the hammer include relations to Grade/Group 1 winners such as Cesario (Jpn), Eremein, Hasna, Phelan Ready (More Than Ready) and Weekend Hussler (Hussonet)... Tyler Baze, who has ridden the last two months with a fractured finger, will be sidelined for about three weeks after corrective surgery, according to his agent, Ron Ebanks. "He had his left little finger reset Tuesday," Ebanks said. Baze suffered the injury in a gate mishap during the final week of the Del Mar meet... Jockeys Garrett Gomez and Calvin Borel will be in Japan to ride in the World Super Jockey Series at Hanshin Racecourse on December 5-6. The pair will represent the United States against 13 other international riders -- France's Christophe Lemaire and Ioritz Mendizabal, England's Ryan Moore, Ireland's Mick Kinane, Australia's Craig Williams, Hong Kong's Douglas Whyte, and Japan's Yutaka Take, Hiroyuki Uchida, Norihiro Yokoyama, Yasunari Iwata, Shinji Fujita, Shinichiro Akiyama and Fumio Matoba.
Workout Patrol
On the Kentucky worktab Fayette (G2) winner BLAME (Arch) breezed a half-mile in :47 3/5 over Keeneland's Polytrack on Thursday. Runner-up in the Super Derby (G2) two back, the Al Stall-trained colt is nominated to next Friday's Clark H. (G2). At Churchill Downs, Ruffian H. (G1) and Delaware H. (G2) queen SWIFT TEMPER (Giant's Causeway) breezed five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 in advance of the Falls City H. (G2) on Thanksgiving Day. The five-year-old mare will look to bounce back from unplaced efforts in the Chilukki S. (G2) and Spinster S. (G1). Blue Grass (G1) hero GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa), last seen finishing ninth in the Preakness (G1), continued preparations for his return to the races with a four-furlong breeze in :49 4/5. Grade 3 winner BE FAIR (Exchange Rate), unplaced in the Chilukki last time, recorded her move :50. Grade 2-placed sophomore BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart), unraced since a seventh in the Belmont S. (G1), went three furlongs in an easy :39 3/5. Bashford Manor (G3) runner-up FLATTER THAN ME (Flatter), second in an opening-day allowance under the Twin Spires, breezed a half-mile in a bullet :47 1/5, the fastest of 44 workers at the distance. The Merrill Scherer-trained colt is nominated to the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) on November 28. On the New York worktab Multiple Grade 1 winner VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace [Chi]), readying for his next engagement in the November 28 Cigar Mile H. (G1), breezed six furlongs in 1:13 over the fast track at Belmont Park on Thursday. The sophomore colt exits a score in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1). Test (G1) victress FLASHING (A.P. Indy), last seen recording an unplaced finish in the Raven Run S. (G2), covered the same ground in 1:11. She's nominated to the one-mile Top Flight H. (G2) on November 27. TIZWAY (Tiznow), who exits a third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), worked the bullet in 1:10 2/5 in advance of the Cigar. Multiple Grade 3 queen SARA LOUISE (Malibu Moon), fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), breezed five furlongs in a bullet :59 3/5. She's also nominated to the one-turn Top Flight. Stakes winner SOLITAIRE (Victory Gallop), fourth in the Chief Bearhart S. most recently, worked in 1:00. On the Florida worktab Meadowlands Cup (G2) hero ETCHED (Forestry), prepping for next Friday's Clark H. (G2), worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 over the fast track at Palm Meadows on Thursday. Unbeaten in five U.S. starts, with his lone career setback being a fourth in the 2008 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), the four-year-old colt is two-for-two this season for Kiaran McLaughlin. FLYING SPUR (Giant's Causeway), unraced since her third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), recorded three furlongs in :37 on the fast Payson Park training track. On the California worktab Listed winner ANABAA'S CREATION (Ire) (Anabaa), second by a head to Horse of the Year candidate Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) two back, covered five furlongs in 1:00 over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride on Thursday. Sophomore JACK O' LANTERN (Flatter), unraced since taking last November's Hollywood Prevue S. (G3), logged three-quarters in 1:14 4/5. On the Louisiana worktab At Fair Grounds on Thursday, multiple stakes victress LOVE TO TELL (Stage Colony) traveled a half-mile in :48 4/5 on the fast track. Sixth in the Blushing K. D. H. in her return from a three-month holiday, the Mike Burgess filly could go for a title defense in the December 5 Pago Hop S. River Cities S. winner MARTIN'S BAY (Graeme Hall), another logical type for the Pago Hop, drilled five furlongs in a bullet :59 4/5. Lookout S. romper MAYHAW (Lion Heart) completed her trial in 1:01 2/5.
Carryover Watch
For Friday or Next Raceday
Graded Previews
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Only six sophomores will line up in Saturday's $100,000 Discovery H. (G3) at Aqueduct, and the Shug McGaughey-trained GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union) is the one to beat in the nine-furlong affair. The dark bay colt has really come to life since switching to two-turn races, racking up dominating victories in the Ohio Derby (G2) and Pennsylvania Derby (G2) in his last two. He's also been earning century-topping BRIS numbers of late, garnering a 106 Speed figure for his Penn Derby win and a 116 Late Pace rating for a close head second in the Coronado's Quest S. Gone Astray has winning experience over the track, and appears more than capable of adding this one to his resume. Eddie Castro retains the mount. BIRDRUN (Birdstone) might offer the best chance for some value in this race. The Bill Mott charge broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths against claiming rivals on a sloppy track at Saratoga, and has since run second twice before breaking through his first-level allowance condition on October 21. That front-running win netted the chestnut colt a 102 Speed rating and should have set him up perfectly for his stakes bow in this spot. Alan Garcia will be taking over riding duties on Birdrun, and the 5-1 morning-line shot could take this field from gate-to-wire. BAD ACTION (Brahms) has won or placed second in eight of his last nine races. That coupled with his 8-1 morning-line price makes us believe the Gary Contessa charge might help boost the exotics. The dark bay gelding has spent a good portion of the year racing on turf, but he switched over to Meadowlands' dirt to capture the Pegasus S. (G3) by a half-length last out. Though his numbers aren't quite as impressive as our top two, Bad Action has proven his ability against this caliber and should come running late under David Cohen. HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown) owns five wins from eight career starts, but most of those came on Aqueduct's inner dirt earlier this season. The Steve Asmussen-conditioned colt has tailed off quite a bit since his 6 1/4-length victory in the Whirlaway S. on February 7, finishing a well-beaten eighth in the Gotham S. (G3) next out before being put on the shelf. He returned on October 2 to just miss in the Sir Keys S. by a head, and visited the winner's circle when capturing his last one, the Empire Classic S. at Belmont Park. Though the chestnut seems to be on the improve, we'll let him beat us for the win and just tab in the bottom of the gimmicks. Ramon Dominguez has the call. PRECURSOR (A.P. Indy) posted a gate-to-wire score in the Proud Truth S. last out, repulsing a late bid from Bad Action. However, that win, along with his two other career victories, came on sloppy, sealed tracks. With sunny conditions forecast for Saturday, a fast surface seems probable, and we don't think Precursor will be able to duplicate his winning effort. REDDING COLLIERY (Mineshaft) seems to prefer less ground than what this race offers. We can't recommend.
Saturday's $100,000 Hollywood Prevue S. (G3) serves as a prep for next month's CashCall Futurity (G1), and in this seven-furlong feature we like INDIAN FIREWATER (Indian Charlie) for the potent combo of co-owner Mike Pegram, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Garrett Gomez. Fourth to a highly regarded maiden winner in his Del Mar debut, Indian Firewater came right back to graduate at the same venue by more than four lengths and earned a 99 BRIS Speed rating. The odds-on choice when attempting to pass his first allowance condition at Santa Anita last time, the dark bay unfortunately endured a wide trip and was outkicked to the wire while settling for the silver medal. If he can avoid another wide journey, we feel he is more than capable in this spot. Another Baffert trainee is MACIAS (Purge), who has won two of three including the Jack Goodman S. by a neck last time. Though he only captured that race by a neck, he found himself in the unusual position of dueling early on, which left his tank a bit empty at the end. He's clearly a major threat again in this one, though we find it intriguing that Gomez has sided with our selection here. AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) invades from Kentucky along with jockey Julien Leparoux. He beat a next-out winner by nearly seven lengths when breaking his maiden at Keeneland last out, and could be any kind for trainer Eoin Harty. PICO PICO (Pico Central [Brz]) did not perform up to snuff in a pair of routes recently, but like his sire he might simply prefer one-turn races. He gets a chance to redeem himself on the cutback here. Last-out maiden winners GET MY FIX (Posse) and TRIBAL FACE (Tribal Rule) earned Speed ratings that aren't too far off what the top selections have earned, though they still seem a cut below on paper. SEATTLE RULER (Roman Ruler) reverted to lackluster form in the Norfolk S. (G1) after breaking his maiden in the Barretts Juvenile over dirt at Fairplex. He simply seems to prefer dirt to the various synthetic surfaces he will constantly have to race over as long as he remains on this circuit. PURSE LUVA (Pollard's Vision) is a three-time winner, albeit in two claiming races and a starter allowance restricted to maiden claiming winners. He obviously lacks the necessary class to pull off the upset.
Saturday's $100,000 Cardinal H. (G3) has attracted a contentious field of nine turf distaffers, led by Churchill course specialist ACOMA (Empire Maker). Although we believe that the David Carroll filly will rebound from her last two subpar efforts, we're not so bullish as to endorse her for the win as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Instead, we'll go value-hunting with the Jonathan Sheppard-trained LONG APPROACH (Broad Brush), a 12-1 chance who missed narrowly in last year's running of the 1 1/8-mile Cardinal. Long Approach has been sparingly campaigned over the past two seasons, and she enters this test off a nearly seven-month layoff, but we have full confidence in Sheppard's ability to have her ready to fire off the bench. Two starts ago, the five-year-old chased home Mushka (Empire Maker) in an off-the-turf Keeneland allowance, an effort that looks even better since Mushka's promotion to victory in the Spinster S. (G1) at the same venue. When last seen in April, Long Approach rallied to finish second to the classy Criticism (GB) in the La Prevoyante H. (G2) on Calder's turf. The tactical filly figures to settle just off an honest early pace, and she should get first run on the deep closers. Kent Desormeaux has the return call. Acoma is two-for-two over the Matt Winn Turf Course, having captured the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) a year ago and the Mint Julep H. (G3) in June. She had valid excuses in her last pair -- irregular bloodwork signaled something was amiss following her poor sixth in the Delaware H. (G2) on the main track, and Keeneland's soft turf may not have been to her liking when she trailed home ninth in the First Lady S. (G1). Acoma still has to prove that she's back to her best, however, for new rider Jesus Castanon. Note also that she's spotting five pounds to Long Approach (121 versus 116). MY BABY BABY (Bernstein) typically gives a good account of herself, and the Ken McPeek trainee has never finished worse than second on the Churchill lawn (3-1-2-0). Runner-up to Acoma in the Mrs. Revere, she was a close second to Cocoa Beach (Chi) (Doneraile Court) in the De La Rose S. in her belated 2009 bow. In her latest venture, My Baby Baby rolled to a good-looking allowance/optional claiming score on Keeneland's Polytrack. Her regular rider Robby Albarado, who guided Acoma last time out, interestingly sticks with My Baby Baby in this spot. LEAMINGTON (Pleasant Tap) benefited from being lone speed when capturing the Voodoo Dancer S. two back, soundly defeating My Baby Baby in fourth, but she won't get that luxury Saturday. Still, the Graham Motion filly is strikingly consistent, boasting a 5-2-2-0 mark this season. Her lone blemish was a retreating fifth in the boglike Flower Bowl Invitational (G1), and she'll improve considerably back on better ground. Leamington is a must-use in the exotics with Calvin Borel, who piloted her to an allowance score over this course and distance in June. Southern California shipper LEMON CHIFFON (Lemon Drop Kid) runs her race every time. While we don't think that she's quite good enough to win outright, we won't be surprised if the hard-trying mare works her way into the superfecta. The Sean McCarthy pupil threw a scare into Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) in the C.T.T. and Thoroughbred Owners of California H. two back, and she was most recently a solid fourth in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1). Jon Court will partner the late runner. YOU GO WEST GIRL (Mr. Greeley) made mincemeat of fellow New York-breds in the Ticonderoga H. last time, and a duplication of that effort would make her a top-tier contender in this spot. On the other hand, the Tom Proctor mare is taking a jump in class to graded company and might be overbet. The deep-closing SOCIAL QUEEN (Dynaformer) is capable of uncorking a big late run, but she tends to leave herself too much to do. TIZFIZ (Tiznow) deserves credit for just hanging on in the San Gorgonio H. (G2) in January, and for beating an iffy bunch of males in the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. H. on Labor Day. If she were lone speed, we'd take a closer look, but her chances diminish with other early speed in here in the form of ZASKAR (GB) (Anabaa). It's feast or famine for Zaskar, who either turns in bold front-running efforts or drops right out of it. The John Terranova II trainee could make us look bad for dismissing her, yet we're not sure about the cutback in distance in this spot.
Notebooks
CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 20, 2009 by Frank Cotolo The second full week of the November Churchill meet wrote another 50 races into the season's history book, with a sharp betting public producing a 46-percent win tally. That astute behavior brought the meet's halfway point average to 37 percent. As strongly as some bettors feel about horses changing surfaces, specifically from all-weather to genuine dirt and vice versa, the horses coming to this brief meet from Keeneland, Turfway and Arlington continue to dominate at Churchill. Twenty of the week's winners, most of them in dirt events, were horses from Keeneland. Turfway provided four winners while Arlington and Presque Isle Downs contributed two each. TRACK STATS There has been a significant bias for horses coming off the pace this past week. We use three definitions to address the style statistics of winners. First, "off the pace" means the horse must have a call fourth or farther back before the half. Second, "close off the pace" means a horse must be within the first three on top all of the way, as long as being second or third is not separated by an unusual number of lengths. Finally, "wire-to-wire" is defined as having the lead at every call (unless in a duel the horse loses the lead at the exact moment of the call). That being established, from November 11 through November 15, a startling 48 percent of the winners on the dirt were winners from off the pace. On November 14, there was no way for speed to win, with all nine dirt races won from off the pace, only one with the "close" definition. The day before there were four wire-to-wire wins. Justifying the definitions, being close to the pace or on top all the way tallied 28 percent and 25 percent tallies, respectively. Still, wire-to-wire wins were rare and horses performing them should be noted as strong bet backs. On the turf, winning from off the pace provided 45 percent of the winners. TRAINERS Steve Asmussen had a great week, topping all trainers with his five victories. Tom Proctor placed with three wins and a pair each were recorded by Ken McPeek, Greg Foley, Dale Romans, Ian Wilkes and Wallace Dollase. A first-time starter got into the winners' circle this week from conditioner Michelle Ninei. STAKES Sean McCarthy decided to head east and run LEMON CHIFFON (Lemon Drop Kid) at Churchill Downs in Saturday's Cardinal H. (G3) on the Matt Winn Turf Course. He is having his horse skip the November 28 Matriarch S. (G1) at Hollywood Park to go in this $100,000 event. It will be her second start at Churchill this year, as she ran third in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) this spring. She broke her maiden in 2007 at Santa Anita with rider Jon Court aboard. He'll be in Louisville, Kentucky, for the mare's trip this time around at Churchill. Local heroine ACOMA (Empire Maker), who has won on this course twice in stakes races and is running a four-race win streak on grass and dirt, is raring to go in this event, also. She is the top weight for trainer David Carroll, with Jesus Castanon up. HORSES TO WATCH One winner from our Horses to Watch list came back from this meet. SILVER CRAFT (Value Plus) won and paid $8. From our Keeneland lists, shippers who have won at Churchill so far are SMARTEN DESTINY (Smart Strike), $4.80; and COULEE (Vicar), $23.80. MOUNTAIN JUSTICE (Afleet Alex) returned off the Keeneland list and paid $18.60 for breaking his maiden at Fair Grounds on November 15. Wednesday (11/11) 8TH -- PICK AND PRAY (Songandaprayer) produced an impressive wire-to-wire win on a day when eight horses won off the pace on the dirt. What is even better is that he won drawing away by 9 1/2 lengths, making for one terrific bet back. Thursday (11/12) 2ND -- HAPPY WAC (Military) dueled to the three-eighths mark and, though he drifted a bit after the fight, seemed to take well to the dirt from Presque Isle's Tapeta surface. 5TH -- HONOR IN PEACE (Peace Rules) is better than this race, where he was pushed to the outside every step of the way and tired from the process. 7TH -- PAPAW BROUGHTON (Saint Liam) was out for the first time and got to the lead early, which is a significant display of speed. Friday (11/13) 5TH -- EXCURSION (Sunday Break [Jpn]), at 9-1, was close to the pace early and battled with a 67-1 shot before both tired. 7TH -- JOLLY OL' NICK (Nicholas) gained well to the half, then dueled and held well to finish third. Saturday (11/14) 1ST -- GAMEBOOK (Midway Road) was all out at 21-1 in this route early, leading by five lengths until caught in the stretch. 4TH -- I BELIEVE IN ME (Giant's Causeway) looked good on the turf, getting to the lead and dueling to the half at 13-1. This is a recent Churchill returnee who seems to like the course. Sunday (11/15) 1ST -- FAVORITE MOON (Malibu Moon) displayed a mighty first win, striking from the 11 post, leading wide and then maintaining through a duel at the half and winning. A definite bet back. 5TH -- INTEREST ME (Belong to Me) is a Philly invader who jumped well from the 9 post and maintained speed to finish a sharp second, best of the rest to a winner who was more than eight lengths ahead of him. AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 20, 2009 by Albie Johnson We lost the Stuyvesant (G3) last week due to a shortage of entries and that was the only graded event that was scheduled during the past week. There were a half-dozen state-bred stakes on Sunday which were all part of the New York Stallion Series, and the start of the day was MOTHER RUSSIA (Mayakovsky), who won her fifth stakes of the year by taking the Staten Island division in wire-to-wire fashion. The sophomore filly has shown great versatility this season, winning stakes on the grass going both short and long. In this victory, she scored her third black-type win on the main track, two this year and one during her initial campaign. Mother Russia has been nicely managed by trainer Linda Rice, who has had just a simply spectacular year on this circuit. The day's only scheduled turf stakes was switched to the main track as we lost all the grass races on the weekend due to heavy rain. A field of seven headed by RUFFINO (Raffie's Majesty), who was coming off a second in the $250,000 Empire Classic S. at Belmont in October, stayed in the Cormorant division, which was shortened-up to a mile when the race was transferred to the sloppy, sealed main track. Ruffino was made a very heavy favorite and prevailed after looking beaten turning for home. The bay gelding surged in the last sixteenth to get by Pretty Boy Freud (Freud), who had stalked through the opening quarter, surged to the lead midway on the turn, but could not hold off the public choice after opening up in midstretch. The final margin was three parts of a length for this homebred who is trained by H. James Bond. Earlier in the week, the fleet and talented TAR HEEL MOM (Flatter) went wire-to-wire in an overnight stakes, scoring her second such contest in a row, having previously been victorious in a similar event at the Meadowlands. She's been nicely spotted by trainer Stanley Hough over her two years of racing and I wouldn't be surprised if she were to notch a win in a graded stakes in the near future. Another overnight stakes was run on Thursday's card and attracted a number of fillies and mares who have raced well against graded competition. In an exciting three-horse battle to the wire, the Todd Pletcher-trained SEA CHANTER (War Chant) was up in the last several strides to prove a half-length better than state-bred Chestoria (Chester House), who in turn had a neck on fellow New York-bred Love Cove (Not for Love). The winner was returning to the grass for the first time since February, having raced on the main track in her previous half-dozen starts. TRACK STATS Wednesday and Thursday saw fast and firm condition, but the turf was downgraded to just good on Friday. The weekend saw a sloppy, sealed, main track with no turf racing. Speed or those running near the pace proved most successful in both sprints and longer contests, while there was no discernible bias visible in the several grass races that were run. Inside posts (1 and 2) have won 38 percent of the sprints run at the meet with a very nice distribution in races of a mile or longer on the dirt. As far as the grass racing is concerned, there is a nice distribution there also excepting the hedge post, which has won only one of 34 at this meet. The leading rider is once again Ramon Dominguez, who holds a sizeable 10-win lead on Jose Lezcano as he tries for a sweep of the Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct titles. In the trainer's race, Todd Pletcher has a three-win lead over both Chad Brown and Mike Hushion, with nine other conditioners lumped close together right behind them. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (11/11) 3RD -- AWESOME ASHLEY (Unbridled's Song), who won a pair of stakes during the winter here, signaled that she may be returning to form as she rallied to finish second in this sprint behind Tar Heel Mom. The effort was her best since the spring and she should be a force when the action shifts to the inner-dirt in the next few weeks. 6TH -- Nice training job by Steve Asmussen as he had AUTUMNLADY (Proud Citizen) ready off a 10-month layoff to break her maiden in wire-to-wire fashion. The filly was dropping into a claimer for the first time and getting the addition of blinkers. Thursday (11/12) 8TH -- Making his second start off a Bruce Levine claim in late August, GONE MISSING (Pine Bluff) finished a very game second in this spot, giving the classier and heavily favored Base Commander (Officer) all he could handle here while losing by just a half-length. He'll find an easier spot soon. Friday (11/13) 1ST -- The lightly raced BILLY BEAR (Tiznow) continues to impress as he had no trouble in this state-bred allowance/optional claimer. In running his record to 5-3-2-0, the dark bay stalked early in this spot, took over when ready and proved much the best while winning by 4 1/4 lengths. He looks stakes bound soon. Saturday (11/14) 5TH -- Don't often see 10-year-olds winning on this circuit, but MIDWATCH (Sea Hero) sprinted clear early in this one-mile test for bottom claimers and never had an anxious moment while reporting home by 5 3/4 lengths. The veteran was picking-up his 13th lifetime win and off this one he has some more left in him. 6TH -- Very nice debut by THEMANINTHEGLASS (Malibu Moon) in this spot. Well-bet off of some sparkling drills, the Pletcher-trained colt had a tough post (8 of 10) and after being rated early he split runners on the turn and rallied to finish third. The $200,000 yearling purchase should win soon here, or at Gulfstream if they elect to give him some time. UPCOMING STAKES The Discovery H. (G3) is scheduled for Saturday, and has drawn a field of six sophomores going 1 1/8 miles. Have a nice week!
Spot Plays/Highlights/Weather
SPOT PLAYS For Friday
HIGHLIGHTS For Friday
*all times Eastern WEATHER For Friday
HANDICAPPER'S EDGE is compiled by Bloodstock Research Information Services. This newsletter may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Copyright 2009, Bloodstock Research Information Services. Information as to the races, race results and earnings was obtained from Equibase Company LLC and is utilized herein with the permission of the copyright owner, Equibase Company LLC.
Announcements
National Turf Clocker Reports The smoke has cleared from a memorable Breeder's Cup and it has come to our attention that the FIRST, SECOND and FIFTH place finishers in the Breeder's Cup Handicapping Challenge are not only National Turf users, but SUBSCRIBERS. Our most sincere congratulations and major kudos to Dave Wilkenfeld of New York (1st), Bryan Herrity of Minnesota (2nd) and Eugene Calahan of North Carolina (5th). Wilkenfeld came away with the $125,000 first prize money by accumulating a $41,125 bankroll. The three amassed $173,000 in total prize money for the placings. And, of course, this is an indirect testament to the outstanding job done by National Turf's indefatigable clocker Andy Harrington and his assistant John Wilson. Andy's observations were spot on and passed along some invaluable information during the two days of races and we understand the players put it to great use. If you are playing Hollywood Park, you need National Turf clockers services on your side. The Wizard hitting over 40% winners in 2009 The Wizard has been on a tear with his selections. His full-card analysis covers all of the major tracks this weekend, from Aqueduct to Churchill Downs to Hollywood Park. His Pick of the Day continues to roll on, hitting at an incredible 40 percent clip for the entire year! Visit the Wizard menu today. Ultimate edge for Fair Grounds! Looking for an edge at Fair Grounds? Look no further than the Ultimate PPs from Brisnet.com. Loaded with detailed track bias stats and accurate BRIS Pace and Class Ratings, the Ultimate PPs are the best in the industry. Log on to Brisnet.com now for superior information on the popular Fair Grounds meet. Then, watch the incredible HD signal live on TwinSpires TV or your local OTB parlor. From ALL-Ways software data files to Ultimate PPs to Wizard selections, Brisnet.com has you covered for this great meet. Frandsen
Publishing presents: "Pick up just about any book or essay on the subject of wagering on horse races and chances are pretty high the author will tell you the Pick 3 is a great wager. It is indeed a great wager...if it is played properly. There are some realities about playing the Pick 3 that the general public just does not understand. This is good news because it provides the opportunity to gain a significant edge over the public. This article covers the reasons why the Pick 3 is a good wager, exposes the realities missed by the public and shows you the best way we know to play the Pick 3." So, let's get started. (Read the whole article) The Kentucky Handicapper heating up at Churchill! The Kentucky Handicapper Sheet wrapped up a successful day at Churchill Downs on November 13 by selecting No Such Work on top at nearly 15-1 in the finale, tabbing four winners overall on the afternoon as well as the cold late Daily Double that returned $71.80! The Sheet also had Northern Choice in the 4TH race, Devilish Berti in the 5TH race and Hamazing Destiny in the 9TH race on top. Churchill Downs' autumn meet features competitive fields with plenty of wagering appeal, and the Kentucky Handicapper is the best source for winners. It's a bargain at only $3.
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