Video Review: A Quintet of Quality at Woodbine

An amazing weekend of horse racing at Woodbine concluded with a win by Court Vision in the Woodbine Mile. Other big winners over the weekend included Redwood in the Northern Dancer, Miss Keller in the Canadian, New Normal in the Natalma and Pluck in the Summer stakes.

LongRun horse Seven on Friday shares a moment with Eurico Rosa da Silva


As you can imagine, I have a ridiculous number of photos from the weekend and plan to have those posted this evening. My photo editing received a welcome interruption last night in the form of the LongRun BBQ & Hoe Down, presented by the Krembil Foundation, to help raise funds and awareness for the Woodbine-based LongRun program that assists in providing a dignified retirement for thoroughbreds through fostering, rehabilitating and finding these racehorses permanent adoptive homes and alternative careers as pleasure horses or companion animals.

A fun night was had by all in attendance and it was good to see a generous group of owners, trainers, jockeys and business folks out to support the cause. For more information on the program, please visit the LongRun website.

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In lieu of my late-to-arrive photos, please enjoy the videos from this weekend's quintet of stakes races.

Court Vision wins the Woodbine Mile


Redwood wins the Northern Dancer Stakes


Miss Keller wins the Canadian Stakes


New Normal wins the Natalma


Pluck wins the Summer Stakes


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Congratulations to Rahy's Attorney who finished second in the Presidents Cup at Parx which was won by Violon Sacre. Blood-Horse.Com reports:

Ridden by Pablo Fragoso for owner Bernard Weill and trainer Patrick Biancone, 5-year-old Violon Sacre angled off the rail for running room mid-stretch and swept past his rivals to win by 1 1/2 lengths. He completed the 1 1/18-mile turf event in a solid 1:52.44 over firm going.

Rahy's Attorney, who shook loose to a clear advantage in the lane for jockey Stewart Elliott, could not hold off the winner and finished second. It was four lengths to the show horse, War Hoot, ridden by Jose Lezcano, who edged Pick Six by a neck. Just As Well, the 2-1 favorite in the field of seven veteran turf runners, finished fifth.

Violon Sacre was rank early after taking the lead before coming under a strong hold from Fragoso while racing third or fourth into the far turn. They bided their time along the inside well into the homestretch before a patient Fragoso eased Violon Sacre out for the final drive. Violon Sacre quickly passed pacesetter Sudden War and Pick Six and edged away from Rahy's Attorney late for a commanding victory.

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UPDATE: Entries for the KENT Stakes at Delaware Park are now available.

PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Grand Rapport (KY) R A Dominguez 118 G C Contessa
2 Interactif (KY) F Jara 122 T A Pletcher
3 Majestictroubadour (KY) A Delgado 116 K C Boniface
4 Lentenor (KY) J Valdivia, Jr. 116 M R Matz
5 Stormy Lord (ON) J McAleney 120 I Black
6 They Call Me Giant (KY) J Rose 118 K J Breen
7 Kara's Orientation (KY) E Ramsammy 116 S Chircop
8 Thunder Brew (FL) A R Napravnik 118 A Pecoraro
9 Workin for Hops (KY) B J Hernandez, Jr. 120 M Stidham

Woodbine-based horses made a successful invasion of Saratoga this summer and it seems the Canadian cavalry is now lining up a charge to Delaware for the Kent Stakes which will be run on Saturday September 25th. The race is for for three year-olds only and will be run at a distance of a mile and an eighth on the turf. To view the full nominations, click into the Delaware Park website.

Of the 32 horses nominated, there are three Woodbine-based shippers:

Kara's Orientation, who is owned by Max Berketa and Pinnacle Racing, and trained by Steven Chircop.

Trainer Steven Chircop and the talented Kara's Orientation


Miami Deco, the Breeders' Stakes winner trained by Brian Lynch for Jim and Susan Hill.

Miami Deco captures the Breeders' Stakes


Toronto Cup winner Stormy Lord, who is trained by Ian Black for Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farms.

Will Stormy Lord be making another walk to the winners circle this weekend?


Other notables nominated at Delaware are Aikenite, Colizeo, Dean's Kitten, Fantastico Roberto, Interactif, Lentenor, Northern Giant, Thunder Brew, Stately Victor, Workin For Hops and Brazilian Group 1 winner Uareoutlaw.

I cannot confirm that all three Woodbine shippers will make their way to Delaware for this event but what is interesting is that several of these Delaware nominated horses are also nominated in Saturday's Ontario Derby at Woodbine including, Audacity of Hope, Citrus Kid, Colizeo, Kara's Orientation, Stately Victor and Turf Melody.

Exhi, who has enjoyed past success at Woodbine, is also nominated for the Ontario Derby.

Exhi flies over the Woodbine polytrack


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As always, keep track of the latest goings on in the world of horse racing by clicking into TripleDeadHeat's Woodbine News page or join in on the conversation by following TripleDeadHeat on Twitter.