Woodbine Based Horses Invade And Conquer!

Three prominent Woodbine based horses - Fatal Bullet, Bear Now and Juliet's Spirit - were away from home Saturday competing At Turfway Park in Kentucky, and another Woodbine horse - Campfire Girl - was competing at Presque Isle in Erie, PA.

Local jockey, Eurico Rosa Da Silva, rode Fatal Bullet to an impressive track record of 1:08.03 in the six furlong Kentucky Cup Sprint earning a berth into the Breeder's Cup. Trained by Reade Baker, Fatal Bullet started quickly and was in the lead from the quarter pole setting ridiculous fractions of 21.71, 44.44 and 56.10 before opening up down the stretch to win by 7 3/4 lengths.

In the Kentucky Cup Distaff, Da Silva was out of the gate quickly on Bear Now and calmly followed the early lead of Devil House before sweeping by at the top of the stretch to win by a commanding 4 lengths. Also trained by Reade Baker, Bear Now's next outing will be in the Ladies Classic.

Both Fatal Bullet and Bear Now are owned by Bear Stables Ltd.

Juliet's Spirit, three for three for three going into the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, bobbled at the start then was quickly rushed into third by Shaun Bridgmohan before fading at the half, eventually finishing last. A disappointing result for the daughter of Exchange Rate, but one she should bounce back from. Earlier this year, Juliet's Spirit won the Ontario Debutante Stakes in strong fashion to win by a head over After The Applause and fellow Exchange Rate progeny C Karma. This competitive filly will be back to fight another day.

At Presque Isle, Campfire Girl was quick out of the gate for Gerry Olguin in the Presque Isle Debutante and rated well along the rail in third. As the two-year old fillies hit the top of the stretch, Campfire Girl took the lead and fought gamely down the lane only to be passed late by Sky Haven and Seven Seventythree to finish third. The fillies covered six furlongs in a brisk 1:10.03.

I hate to point a finger, but it seems that Woodbine shippers perform best with their local jocks along for company. Earlier this year, Southern Exchange went west without Jono Jones and replacement rider Garret Gomez struggled to rate the colt who eventually finished fourth. It would have been nice to see regular rider Jim McAleney on Juliet's Spirit yesterday rather than Bridgmohan. Not to take anything away from the excellent U.S. jockeys, but since shipping these young two year-olds can be nervy, perhaps a familiar touch would help come raceday. It would be great for the Woodbine colony to maintain some of these mounts, especially come Breeder's Cup weekend.

Southern Exchange breezed five furlongs in 59.40 at Woodbine yesterday.

Meanwhile in other BCC news, Curlin continued to show why he is the most dominant horse in North America handling a wet track at Belmont to capture the Jockey Club Gold Cup and become racings richest horse with $10,246,800 in earnings. All signs point to Curlin competing in the Classic provided he responds well to the ProRide surface at Santa Anita. Wanderin Boy finished second, smartly heading to the lead and keeping the mud out of his face holding on strong throughout the stretch. Mambo In Seattle loomed dangerous around the far turn but did not fire through the stretch.

One horse who showed she could handle the Santa Anita synthetic was Zenyatta who easily passed Hysterical Lady down the lane to win 1 1/16 Lady Secret Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths.

In the 1 mile 1/8 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita, Well Armed was an easy victor over Tiago and Albertus Maximus. Well Armed now joins stable mate Colonel John in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Anyone who thinks the Classic is going to be a match race between Curlin and Big Brown is sadly mistaken. There is no shortage of talent primed and ready for the big event and those horses with synthetic form might just hold a distinct advantage.

I will attempt a more thorough polycapping of the Santa Anita track before the Breeder's Cup.