Who Will Be Crowned in Woodbine's Play The King?

Sunday's G2 Play The King S. at Woodbine provides a tough handicapping exercise that could reap great benefits for those punters that can find the right exotic play.

Will Field Commission earn his first win of 2010 in the Play The King?


Trainer Sid Attard sends out a trio of turfers as an uncoupled entry (Jungle Wave, Signature Red, and Smokey Fire) to take on a pair of champion sprinters (Field Commission and Fatal Bullet). The field is rounded out by the G3 Eclipse S winner Southdale and Eugene Melnyk's Porter's Gate. It's worth noting that Melnyk won Saturday's turf stake, the Ontario Colleen, with Barracks Road.

Woodbine's turf course is very firm at the moment and the temporary rail is set at 60 feet to protect the course for the upcoming Woodbine Mile and other events in the Fall turf championship series. There were three races on the turf on Saturday and there was a noticeable inside speed bias for front-runners that could get away on the lead. Both New Normal (click here for video and Barracks Road (click here for video) took advantage of the bias and shrewd handicappers were rewarded with 9-1 odds on the stakes score by Melnyk's filly. The third turf event was won by Sangore (click here for video) who was always within two lengths of the lead.

With that bias in mind, let's take a look at the field for Sunday's Play The King Stakes.

$200,000 Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT, Race 8, 4:35 p.m.), 3 & Up, 7 Furlongs (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Field Commission (ON), E Ramsammy, 121, D J Vella
2. Fatal Bullet (FL), E R Da Silva, 119, R Baker
3. Jungle Wave (KY), P Husbands, 121, S C Attard
4. Smokey Fire (ON), J C Jones, 119, S C Attard
5. Porter's Gate (KY), S Callaghan, 117, M Pierce
6. Signature Red (KY), C Sutherland, 123, S C Attard
7. Southdale (ON), J McAleney, 121, I Black

A closer look:

1. Field Commission (ON), E Ramsammy, 121, D J Vella 4-1
Champion sprinter Field Commission is winless in five starts this season. The five year-old son of Service Stripe had the unenviable task of chasing Hollywood Hit in a pair of races to open his campaign (2nd and 4th) before moving to the turf course. That first turf start of 2010 was a memorable one in the G3 Connaught Cup, going seven furlongs, as jock Eurico Rosa da Silva closed well to finish second just a length behind much improved Grand Adventure and in front of Jungle Wave.
In his next start, Field Commission would finish fourth as the favourite in the G2 Highlander won by Signature Red - a race run at just six furlongs. The versatile fella moved to a polytrack route his most recent start finishing third in the Seagram Cup to Sand Cove. Trainer Daniel Vella had Field Commission put in a 2F blowout work on Friday and the seven furlong distance of this extended sprint suits.

Field Commission loves the Woodbine grass


2. Fatal Bullet (FL), E R Da Silva, 119, R Baker 5-1
The five year-old son of Red Bullet is a devastating six furlong sprinter on the polytrack and his inclusion in this race is puzzling. Fatal Bullet finished off the board in his lone turf start and there are no recent turf works to mention. While leading jock Eurico Rosa da Silva retains the mount, apparently over the opportunity at other options here, this race does not seem to suit the resume of Canada's 2008 Horse of the Year. This is the only horse in the race seemingly capable of taking advantage of the speed bias, however, I'm looking elsewhere today but will note that Fatal Bullet will likely have the key turf-to-poly angle at play in his next start

Can Fatal Bullet steal the Play The King on the lead?


3. Jungle Wave (KY), P Husbands, 121, S C Attard 3-1
Like those listed above, Jungle Wave is winless in 2010 but don't let that discourage a wager on the returning champ of this event. Jungle Wave defeated Field Commission by three-quarters of a length in last year's Play The King and his improved with each start in 2010. Draw a line through a puzzling opener and you are left with three excellent efforts including a third in the G3 Connaught, third in the G2 Highlander and a trying second last out to the solid Utterly Cool. Jungle Wave has been in the money in seven of his nine starts over the E.P Taylor course and he appears to enjoy the firm going. Patrick Husbands gets the call.

Jungle Wave defends his crown in the Play The King


4. Smokey Fire (ON), J C Jones, 119, S C Attard 7-2
The five year-old son of Smoke Glacken returned from a long layoff to win the Bold Venture S. on the polytrack at Woodbine on July 17th. Next out the Sid Attard trained gelding travelled to Saratoga for the G1 Vanderbilt finishing last over a surface the horse clearly did not enjoy. For his third start of 2010, Smokey Fire moves to yet another surface but this time it's one the horse has proven form on with a win and a trio of place finishes in four starts. The concern here being that the four turf starts do not match the calibre of competition of this group. A recent bullet work on the poly in 1:00 (best of 80) leaves me thinking this is the second entrant that might be better suited to a poly sprint. Turf-to-poly angle to be in play next time out.

Smokey Fire returns to his favoured Woodbine on Sunday


5. Porter's Gate (KY), S Callaghan, 117, M Pierce 20-1
The Melnyk entrant opens at 20-1 and deservedly so off a campaign that includes two wins, a second and a third from six starts against either N3X Allowance or claiming competition. The four year-old son of Victory Gallop is a turf specialist with no apparent preferred distance though he hasn't won since opening his campaign with a pair of wins at 5.5F at the Fair Grounds. Hard to recommend but those searching for a long shot might want to take a closer look at his last race, a third place finish behind Utterly Cool and Jungle Wave at 6.5F on the turf, to gauge this guy's chances at seven furlongs this afternoon.

Utterly Cool defeats Jungle Wave and Porter's Gate in the prep for the Play The King


6. Signature Red (KY), C Sutherland, 123, S C Attard 5-2
The lukewarm favourite enters this race off a pair of victories including a rousing finish to defeat Heros Reward in the G2 Highlander on Queen's Plate Day. The four year-old has only three lifetime starts on the turf but has won his last two tries over the E.P Taylor course, earning back-to-back 100+ Beyer figures - and both those wins came on firm going. Signature Red has been freshened since the Highlander win and his form shows a steady stream of workouts. The only cause for concern is that the Highlander victory is the only "class" victory of reference and it came on an excruciatingly hot day early in the campaign. If Field Commission and Jungle Wave have improved in the interim then this could be a susceptible favourite. Chantal Sutherland retains the mount.

Signature Red hopes to sign off on a graded victory this afternoon


7. Southdale (ON), J McAleney, 121, I Black 8-1
*Extreme bias alert* - I am a huge fan of Southdale. Having followed this guy through his 2009 Queen's Plate trail, which was derailed by injury, I have thoroughly enjoyed his adventurous 2010 return to the races which includes a six furlong win, a G3 win in the 8.5F Eclipse Stakes and a third place finish in the 10F G3 Dominion Day Handicap behind Hold Me Back and Pool Play. In his most recent start, Southdale tried the turf for the first time finishing third in the 9F G2 Nijinksy S won by Windwards Islands. The turf was yielding on that day and I believe that Southdale will enjoy the firmer going this afternoon. If you must have proof of that statement, then check out the 5F work in 58 and 3 over firm going on the training turf course on August 15th. Southdale has won at sprint distances previously and the son of Street Cry will have no fitness issues based on his recent races.

Southdale to make a splash in the Play The King?


The Picks

1. Signature Red
2. Southdale
3. Field Commission

Ultimately, I will be boxing the top two in an exactor and keying them in triactors over Field Commission and Jungle Wave.

* * *

Check back tomorrow for photos and videos from stakes events at Woodbine and a recap of a multitude of graded races across the continent including the incredible finish in the Travers Stakes won by Afleet Express over Fly Down.

Don't forget that Rachel Alexandra and Life At Ten do battle this afternoon in the tenth race (5:56PM EST) at Saratoga in the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes. Also, Woodbine's Milwaukee Appeal takes on Queen Martha and Just Jenda in the G2 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park in Race 11 (5:43PM).

* * *

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

Photo Essay: Blind Luck, The Ladykiller and Dirty Pictures from Saratoga

When I travelled to Saratoga last year it was all about seeing the phenom that was Rachel Alexandra. The then three year-old Rachel Alexandra had thrilled racing fans by dominating her division, taking on the boys and meeting new challenges while racing at a variety of tracks.

Blind Luck gets up late to win the Alabama


Little did I expect that on this year's trip to Saratoga, I would fall for another young filly who maybe hasn't dominated her division but has found the gumption to win at multiple tracks, over multiple surfaces, while racing at a variety of distances. Yes, Blind Luck - the late rallying winner of the Alabama Stakes - earned my respect on Saturday with a phenomenal performance closing on slow fractions that would have provided an excuse for lesser horses.

Blind Luck surges from the back of the pack


Blind Luck raced from last position early under Joel Rosario, sitting just behind heavily favored Devil May Care, while Acting Happy led the field through fractions of 24.03, 49.45 and 1:14.81.

Blind Luck returns to the winners circle


Havre de Grace made her move on the turn to gain the lead and Devil May Care charged up alongside but seemed to lack the extra gear of previous races. As Devil May Care faltered, Rosario urged Blind Luck five-wide and rallied past Havre de Grace to win in the final strides.

Devil May Care wins the Triple Tiara series

It was an eye-catching victory and one that earned the filly a great deal of applause on her return to the winners circle. Despite the victory, it was Devil May Care who would capture the Betfair TVG Triple Tiara series with 14 points, earning 10 points for her victory in the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and two points for starting in that race and in the Alabama. Champagne d’Oro and Blind Luck, winners of the Acorn and Alabama, tied for second with 11 points. Betfair TVG will make $30,000 worth of donations to three charities selected by the owner of Devil May Care.

Although Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta continue to garner much of the press, let's not forget about the excellent Blind Luck who now has five Grade I wins to her credit and, unlike a certain other California girl, did so while making her fourth trip outside of California this season.

I'll take nine wins in thirteen interesting and challenging starts over an undefeated yawner campaign any day of the week.

Blind Luck wins the Alabama Stakes


* * *

And now, on with the photos! Saturday's Saratoga crowd was revved up for a great day of racing.

Everybody dance now


My recent trips to New York have proven that I'm a bit of a lady killer. It's not what you think...earlier this year I went to Belmont Park to see Careless Jewel and Milwaukee Appeal compete in the Shuvee and the Josie Carroll filly, Careless Jewel, scratched.

Looking ahead at the Saratoga stakes schedule, I decided I would make my annual trip to Saratoga in time to watch Biofuel and Roan Inish compete in the Alabama Stakes. Neither filly made the race, though I'm happy to report that in my absence Biofuel won the Belle Mahone at Woodbine and Roan Inish is recovering nicely from injury.

I wasn't too bummed out about the Alabama though as I knew that Mark Casse and Roger Attfield would be sending Exclusive Love and No Explaining to post in Sunday's Lake Placid Stakes. In fact, this past week I wrote an article for the Saratogian outlining Woodbine success at the Spa.

Torrential rain kept Exclusive Love from competing in the off-the-turf Lake Placid


And, wouldn't you know it, a downpour on Sunday knocked the Lake Placid off the turf and both Woodbine-based horses were scratched. So, if any New York based trainers would like some assistance icing troublesome Woodbine shippers in future stakes events, simply provide me with round-trip airfare including accommodations. You'll find my email address in the top-left corner of this page.

No Explaining doesn't like it when it's raining


Of course, there was a little bit of Canadian content at Saratoga over the weekend. Debbie England sent out Woolly Bear to a fourth place finish in the Yaddo Stakes won by Meriweather Jessica.

Woodbine-based Woolly Bear in the Saratoga paddock


Forgive the lesser quality of some of these photos as I was trying out a smaller digital camera this weekend.

Woolly Bear heads to the track


Here's a horse who won some races at Woodbine!

Remember Bear's Rocket? This fella competed at the Spa over the weekend


Careless Jewel was at Saratoga...in spirit


Even though I missed out on seeing some horses there was still plenty to do at Saratoga. You really have to admire the tailgating atmosphere in the backyard and there's plenty of entertainment for the kids.

I remember collecting autographs when I was a kid. It's part of the reason I'm such a big fan of the game now. Saratoga makes it easy to fall in love with horse racing.


Sign it on the line


The other great thing about going to Saratoga are the people that you meet (when you're walking down the street, the people that you meet each day.) I won't bore you with all the name dropping but I met just about every prominent writer in the business. Here's a couple of my favourite personalities.

Ernie Munick was not signing autographs


The Hulk probably would have signed an autograph, brutha


Equidaily's Seth Merrow smiling like he has the Pick Six locked!


At any rate, I wasn't keeping score but it was great to meet some new folks and get back in touch with old friends


On Sunday, torrential rain pushed the races off the turf and turned the track into a sloppy mess. Fittingly, Sunday was also Umbrella Day at Saratoga and boy was that a prophetic giveaway. If NYRA ever organizes Hard Hat Day, I'd recommend staying home and watching on TV.

Umbrellas for everyone!


There was a little more Canadiana on Sunday as Eugene Melnyk won a race with Hillswick


Hillswick surges to the lead through the slop


Jockey Kent Desormeaux is squeaky clean following the win


I was feeling a little homesick, so I went inside to catch up on Woodbine racing


And now for the promised dirty photos...

Blegghghh


Ewwwww...


Argghghghgh


Messy messy messy


Splish splash


(Sorry to disappoint. But this is a family site!)

Here's a little more Canadiana as a drenched TripleDeadHeat gives race calling tips to Tom Durkin


Jim's Applemartini drinks up the Saratoga slop


It's Tea Time glides to the finish to win the Lake Placid


I had a great trip and I'm already looking forward to next year. If you haven't been to Saratoga then start planning now. Every weekend is a lively one in Saratoga and this weekend's Travers featuring A Little Warm and the showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Life at Ten in the Personal Ensign will make for great racing.

Lucky Saratogians get another glimpse of Rachel Alexandra this weekend


* * *

With the Saratoga photo review completed, future posts will return to Woodbine-based reporting. (Though I do have a review of Nick Eave's speech at the Jockey Club Round Table to post in the near future.)

The Woodbine weekend is shaping up nicely as No Explaining and Exclusive Love, who both scratched from Saratoga's Lake Placid, will try the Ontario Colleen against a tough field that includes Hunter's Tiger Paw and Jenny's So Great.

Even better, Sunday's G2 Play The King stakes features one of my local faves, Southdale, taking on six others in a seven furlong turf sprint. Trainer Sid Attard will send out three tough turfers including Jungle Wave, Smokey Fire and Signature Red. Field Commission, Fatal Bullet and Porter's Gate round out a highly competitive field.

Southdale will be piloted by Jim McAleney this weekend in the absence of the injured Emma-Jayne Wilson. All reports say that Emma is recovering well and I can't imagine anything keeping the competitive jock away from the track. Hurry back healthy Emma!

Southdale and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson on the Woodbine backstretch


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

The Field for the 75th Edition of the Prince of Wales

The draw for Sunday's 75th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes was held this afternoon and a field of eight is confirmed for the event. The race is contested on dirt over a distance of a mile and three sixteenths and is the second leg of the multi-surface Canadian Triple Crown which commences with the Queen's Plate run at ten furlongs on polytrack and ends with the Breeders' Stakes tried at twelve furlongs on the turf.

Big Red Mike plans to pose for more photos on Sunday at Fort Erie


The Field for the 2010 Prince of Wales Stakes
PP/Horse/Jockey/Trainer/Morning Line
1 - Mobthewarrior - Emile Ramsammy – Greg DeGannes – 6-1
2 - Captain Canuck – Eibar Coa – Josie Carroll – 20-1
3 - Hotep – Patrick Husbands – Mark Frostad – 5/2
4 - Big Red Mike – Eurico Rosa da Silva – Nick Gonzalez – 6/5
5 - Golden Moka – Anthony Stephen – Brian Lynch – 15-1
6 - Mobil Unit – David Clark – Mike Keogh – 8-1
*7 - Dark Cloud Dancer – Justin Stein – Mark Frostad – 10-1
8 - Who We Gunna Call – Gerry Olguin – Tino Attard – 20-1
*Note that Dark Cloud Dancer is cross-entered in Saturday's Toronto Cup at Woodbine. (See below)

Big Red Mike was the gutsy wire-to-wire winner of the 2010 Queen's Plate and should be well suited to the dirt track and distance of the Prince of Wales. While much was made of the lack of pace in the Queen's Plate there appear to be two speed influences that could make Big Red Mike's life difficult on Sunday. Captain Canuck has been training at Fort Erie for the Prince of Wales and recently notched a sharp bullet work (5F in 59.80) over the surface and has shown previous front-running form. The second speed influence is Ontario-bred, but Panama raced, Golden Moka who is 3-for-3 with modest earnings of $12,135. Golden Moka worked seven furlongs at Fort Erie this past Sunday in 1:25.20.

The mysterious Golden Moka could offer a caffeinated pace in the Prince of Wales


Sam-Son Farms Hotep chased Big Red Mike for ten furlongs in the Queen's Plate but could not close when asked. The Mark Frostad trainee raced four times on the Fair Grounds dirt over the winter with mixed results against top company in the Risen Star and Louisana Derby. A shorter distance should suit the full brother of 2009 Plate winner Eye of the Leopard.

Mobthewarrior, Mobil Unit, Who We Gunna Call and Dark Cloud Dancer round out the compact field.

For a preview of the Prince of Wales entrants including interviews with Mike Keogh regarding Mobil Unit and Greg De Gannes charge Mobthewarrior, please click here.

For more information on the Prince of Wales Stakes visit the Fort Erie Race Track website or add Fort Erie Race Track as a friend on Facebook.

To catch up on coverage of the 2009 Prince of Wales Stakes won by Gallant, please click into my posts entitled, Photo Essay: Photo Finish Decides Thrilling Prince of Wales Stakes and Photo Essay: Prince of Wales Festivities (Part 2).

* * *

While Sunday's Prince of Wales is the showcase race this weekend, the Saturday card at Woodbine promises an exciting day of turf racing as a pair of prominent Ian Black runners switch surfaces with D's Wando (as noted earlier this week at TDH) and Southdale using the popular poly to turf angle to try the Toronto Cup and Nijinsky Stakes respectively. Also of note in the Toronto Cup is the inclusion of Queen's Plate entrant and possible Prince of Wales starter Dark Cloud Dancer.

D's Wando has shown an affinity to the grass


Toronto Cup - One And One Eighth Miles. (Turf)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 D's Wando (ON) 3/C L C Sutherland 117 I Black
2 Born to Act (ON) 3/C L R C Landry 115 M R Frostad
3 Tir Chonaill (KY) 3/C L1* E Wilson 115 C M Costigan
4 Dark Cloud Dancer (ON) 3/C L P Husbands 115 M R Frostad
5 Stormy Lord (ON) 3/G L J McAleney 115 I Black
6 Kara's Orientation (KY) 3/C L E Ramsammy 120 S Chircop
7 Woodland Flute (ON) 3/G L O Moreno 115 M Keogh

The handsome Southdale has only recently worked over the weeds and tries a tough Nijinsky field that incudes barnmate, and track record holder at this distance, Rahy's Attorney


G2 Nijinsky Stakes - One And One Eighth Miles. (Turf)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer
1 Spice Route (GB) 6/G L J C Jones 121 R L Attfield
2 Grand Adventure (KY) 4/C L P Husbands 123 M R Frostad
3 Utterly Cool (ON) 4/G L R A Dos Ramos 117 S C Attard
4 Windward Islands (KY) 6/G L P Husbands 117 M R Frostad
5 Southdale (ON) 4/C L E Wilson 121 I Black
6 Tierra Del Tigre (KY) 4/C L D Clark 117 G Cox
7 Cobotown Ron (ON) 6/G L J Stein 117 A M Delmas
8 Rahy's Attorney (ON) 6/G L R C Landry 121 I Black

* * *

Bill Tallon wrote a very thorough article this morning for the DRF entitled, Woodbine stars eye Saratoga stakes.

In short, the following Woodbine-based horses are on their way to Saratoga:

Reade Baker's Biofuel will attempt the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and possibly the G1 Alabama.

Biofuel will be getting the Spa treatment in the Coaching Club American Oaks


Carolyn Costigan is preparing Woodbine Oaks winner Roan Inish for the G1 Alabama.

Smile! You're going to Saratoga!


Audre Cappuccitti's speedy fellow Essence Hit Man will try the G2 Amsterdam

A shootout at the Spa should favour Essence Hit Man in the G2 Amsterdam


Brian Lynch will send travel friendly Bay to Bay to Saratoga for the G2 Lake George.

Bay to Bay will jump into the Lake (George)


Roger Attfield duo Perfect Shirl and No Explaining will battle Bay to Bay in the G2 Lake George that is shaping up to be waterlogged with Woodbine talent

Don't call me Shirley


No Explaining won't be making any excuses in Saratoga


Mark Casse will send five horses to Saratoga: Barracks Road (Hattie Moseley), Exclusive Love (G2 Lake George), Pool Play (G1 Whitney or an Allowance), So Elite (G2 Jim Dandy or Curlin), and Tasty Temptation (G1 Ruffian).

Barracks Road will soon be on the highway to New York


Pool Play will make an allowance if the Whitney comes up tough


So Elite believes he's better than the competition in the Jim Dandy


Keep a lookout for Tasty Tempation in the G1 Ruffian


For what it's worth, I'll be in Saratoga for the August 21st weekend that features the G1 Alabama Stakes and hopefully a pair of top local fillies in Biofuel and Roan Inish.

Perhaps I'll meet you here in August!


* * *

Keep track of the latest goings on in the world of horse racing by clicking into TripleDeadHeat's Woodbine News page.