|
|
CALDER NOTEBOOK JULY 30, 2010 Tropical Storm Bonnie Dampens Calder Weekend Tropical Storm Bonnie was bearing down on Calder Casino & Race Course going into last week's racing action, but pretty much skirted to the south while dumping less rain than anticipated in the area, although races were forced off the turf on Saturday and Sunday. The races were run on "sloppy" or "wet fast" surfaces that were downgraded and upgraded as the showers came and went. Trainers Milt and Marty Wolfson, no relation, swept the three stakes run over the weekend with Marty sending out Team Valor's well-bred four-year-old CAUSEWAY'S KIN (Giant's Causeway) to a hard-fought, one-length victory in the $55,000 Band Is Passing S. on Saturday, an event scheduled for turf but run over a "good" main track. However, Milt Wolfson would take his spot in the winner's circle for the final two weekend stakes, with his first coming a few races later in the $65,000 Nancy's Glitter H. He sent out Peter Fuller's three-year-old homebred filly TRIP FOR A. J. (Trippi) for a wire-to-wire score. Sweet Repent (Repent), the 1-to-5 favorite in the Nancy's Glitter, finished an even third, but it was asking a lot to give the winner nine pounds in her first start since January 30. The Dave Braddy-trained four-year-old filly, who brought a five-race win streak into the race, was last seen capturing the Sunshine Millions Distaff at Gulfstream Park. Marty Wolfson was represented by 4-5 favorite Thank U Philippe (Proud Accolade) in Sunday's $55,000 American Dreamer S., which was held over a "sloppy" track as a heavy shower passed through, but it was Stride Rite Racing Stable's BERNIE THE MAESTRO (Bernstein) who prevailed for Milt Wolfson, splashing wire-to-wire in the one-mile event for three-year-olds. Florida Stallion Stakes Round One next weekend The $75,000 Dr. Fager and $75,000 Desert Vixen divisions of Calder's unique Florida Stallion Stakes series for two-year-olds gets underway next Saturday (Aug. 7) with the first round at six furlongs. Harold Queen's homebred LITTLE DRAMA (Burning Roma) will likely be a short-priced favorite in the Dr. Fager for trainer David Fawkes after the half-brother to four-year-old millionaire Big Drama (Montbrook) romped home an easy 9 1/2-length winner of the $100,000 Frank Gomez Memorial on July 10. Big Drama swept the three "open" divisions of the FSS series in 2008 for Queen and Fawkes. Fred Brei's Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Stanley Gold were well-represented in last year's Stallion Stakes series as homebred Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) swept the "open" divisions and will have the likely choice in the Desert Vixen this year with homebred filly AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of Course) after she worked hard to capture the $100,000 J J’sdream S. on July 10. HORSES TO WATCH Saturday (7/24) 1ST -- EVIL QUEEN (Hear No Evil) was away slowly again as she was in her debut, but this time came flying late to just miss as she finished second by a diminishing half-length. Juveniles from this stable move forward with each experience. 4TH -- NOFASHIONSENSE (Sweetsouthernsaint) was left hopelessly behind early in her career debut as rider nearly pulled her up to get control, but straightened out in the turn and made a very big run in the stretch for the place. Sunday (7/25) 4TH -- DEVILISH LADY (Sweetsouthernsaint) was taken back to last early and finished an even third behind an un-challenged, wire-to-wire winner. She should appreciate a distance longer than the five-furlong trip of this race.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
