Catching Up

After taking a couple days off from writing about current horse racing events to post about Alex Brown's Barbaro book and the urgent help needed for six ex-racehorses in BC, I am anxious to get back in the swing of things.

And to plug this one last time - there are several tabs at the top of this page, underneath the TripleDeadHeat logo that UPDATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY with all the latest racing news. Click on the SnowBirds tab to view Entries and Results of Woodbine-based trainers. Click on the Woodbine News tab to read industry important news as well as any blurbs that references Woodbine or its athletes.

The following list of items were all posted instantly during the week.

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If you haven't turned on your computer/radio/television in the past 24 hours then you may not be aware that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are set to meet in the $5M Apple Blossom Handicap on FRIDAY April 9th at Oaklawn Park.

Given that this race falls just days before my birthday, I can't think of a better present someone might want to give me...

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Bettors looking to give themselves an early birthday present might want to get stuck into the Kentucky Derby Futures Pool currently on offer.

"The record payoff for a $2 future wager was $188 for Funny Cide in the first pool in 2003. Five of the last 11 Derby winners have been field horses at one time or another in at least one futures pool, including three who were field horses in all three pools: Charismatic (1999), War Emblem (2002), and Mine That Bird (2009)."

Taking a quick look at the field below, Vale of York stands out as he defeated Lookin' At Lucky in the BC Juvenile.

Others that offer value include Remsen winner Buddy's Saint and the Todd Pletcher trainee Super Saver who has already won at Churchill Downs.

2010 KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER POOL 1 (Feb. 12-14)

1. Aikenite - 30-1
2. American Lion - 20-1
3. Buddy's Saint - 12-1
4. Concord Point - 30-1
5. Conveyance - 12-1
6. Dave in Dixie - 20-1
7. Drosselmeyer - 20-1
8. Dryfly - 20-1
9. Dublin - 15-1
10. Eskendereya - 20-1
11. Jackson Bend - 12-1
12. Lookin At Lucky - 8-1
13. Make Music For Me - 50-1
14. Maximus Ruler - 50-1
15. Noble's Promise - 15-1
16. Ron the Greek - 30-1
17. Rule - 12-1
18. Stay Put - 50-1
19. Super Saver - 15-1
20. Tiz Chrome - 20-1
21. Uptowncharlybrown - 50-1
22. Vale of York - 30-1
23. William's Kitten - 30-1
24. All other 3-year-olds - 5-2

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The $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) goes February 14th at Santa Anita. Fourteen four-year-old fillies are entered in the 1M 1/8 Valentine's Day event on the Pro-Ride.

Hunch bettors might want to take a chance on the Ontario-bred Pretty Katherine or the Chantal Sutherland steered Pretty Unusual to gagnant La Canada. Valentine obsessed value seekers could take a punt on Floating Heart to set their hearts all a flutter.

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Woodbine announced its 2010 Stakes Schedule with a few important changes.

The $1M Queen's Plate will be contested on Sunday July 4th, it's first July date since 1996.

A "Win & You're In Weekend" on Sep. 18/19 will feature the Summer and Natalma Stakes on Saturday and the $1M Woodbine Mile on the Sunday.

Woodbine's richest race, the G1, $2 million Pattison Canadian International, is set for Saturday, October 16 on a brilliant card that includes the $1M G1 E.P. Taylor Stakes and the $500K G1 Nearctic Stakes.

There's plenty of reasons to visit Woodbine weekly, but the above races are destination events. American friends - now is the time to start planning a Fourth of July weekend in Toronto!

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The ever-updating WEGReplays Youtube Channel has added the 1964 Queen's Plate to its list of race replays.

Currently on offer are all of the Canadian International and Queen's Plate races from the year 2000 onward.

Northern Dancer wins the 1964 Queen's Plate


Please keep 'em coming!

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I was saddened to read about the passing of Woodbine track photographer Michael Francis Donnelly Burns - the only photographer to have won three Eclipse Awards for outstanding photography in North America.

Burns won a record seven Sovereign Awards for Outstanding Photography, the most recent coming in 2009. As a sports photographer for the past seven decades, Burns work took on many roles including the official photographer for the Canadian government at five Olympics, as well as covering several PanAm and Commonwealth Games.

The talented photographer has covered the National Hockey League, curling, motor sports and many others over a lengthy award-filled career.

Burns made a significant donation of over 30,000 negatives to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Capturing over 30 different sports from the late 1940's onward, these photos are available for viewing on a section of the Hall's website - The Michael Burns Photography Collection.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen, and children, daughters Mary-Ellen and Patricia, and son Michael, brothers Andrew and John (predeceased by his sister Anne), as well as son-in-law Jonathan Gee and granddaughters Katherine and Alexandria.

Donations can be made c/o Dr. A. Simone, Canadian Food for Children Organization, 40 King George Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1L3.

I encourage everyone to take some time to view The Burns Collection, it really is an impressive walk through sports history.

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Readers following my list of 2010 Queen's Plate Contenders may be interested to know about the following workouts:

* Big Red Mike worked 3F in 38.60 on the dirt at Palm Meadows Training Centre this morning.

* Dixie Trouper worked 3F in 36.60 over Santa Anita Pro-Ride on Feb 9th.

* Forever Awesome worked 4F in 47.40 on the Palm Meadows turf on Feb 8th. This was a bullet work, best of 31 on the day.

* Hotep worked a bullet of 5F in 1:00 at the Fair Grounds Feb 13th over the dirt.

* Giant's Tomb is entered Feb 15th at Fair Grounds. Check the SnowBirds tab under Mark Frostad for details.

* Vicar Street worked 3F in 36:40 at Ocala Training centre Feb 13th on the all weather track

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Finally, I have joined up for two Kentucky Derby Pools and encourage you to sign up and play along.

First - Teresa has created a "Road To The Roses" pool on her excellent blog Brooklyn Backstretch. Please visit her site and follow the instructional post to sign up. This contest is open to all competitors - blogger or not.

Secondly, WinStar Farm has launched their own unique Kentucky Derby Pool that offers several unique prizes. The contest is only open to U.S residents unless you're tricky with computers.

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Have a great weekend everyone. I'll be back with race video and highlights on Monday.