Hey Ladies! Cawaja Beach Is Back On Track

Unquestionably, 2009 has been the year of the filly. Rachel Alexandra is making headlines as she travels across the USA to take on both the boys and the girls. What you may not know is that Canada is experiencing a similar wealth of talent that suggests girl power is on the rise.

The story of the Canadian Triple Crown run has been the grit and determination of the filly Milwaukee Appeal. Trained by Scott Fairlie, the determined filly put away her rival Tasty Temptation in the Woodbine Oaks, a race deemed faster than the boys efforts in the Plate Trial won by Eye of the Leopard.

Despite having just two weeks rest, both Milwaukee Appeal and Tasty Temptation made the decision to run against the boys in the 1 1/4M Queen's Plate. While Tasty Temptation put in a solid effort in the Queen's Plate to finish fourth, a driven Milwaukee Appeal overcame traffic trouble to cross the line third in a tight finish with winner Eye of the Leopard and place horse Mr. Foricos Two U. "Around the turn I thought we had a chance to win but they weren't coming back," said Stewart Elliott, jockey for Milwaukee Appeal. "She ran a great race...she gave everything she had out there."

A few short weeks later, Milwaukee Appeal was back to take on the boys in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes raced on the dirt at 1M3/16 at Fort Erie. Elliott was back to ride Fairlie's filly and the pair fought gamely through the stretch against a fresh Gallant who won the race in a finish so close it took the stewards ten minutes to come to a decision.

Heartbreaker! Milwaukee Appeal loses the Prince of Wales by the width of a coin


However, if you had asked Fairlie last year who his best young Canadian-Bred filly was, the answer would have been Cawaja Beach. The undefeated Cawaja Beach won four races as a two year-old including three Stakes wins in the Shady Well, Nandi and Victorian Queen. Cawaja Beach improved off each effort saving her best work for last overcoming a seven-length deficit in a wide trip to nail Sans Sousi at the wire in a six furlong sprint. Unfortunately, Cawaja Beach came out of the race with an injury and had to be shelved ending her two year-old campaign.

Scott Fairlie, Mike and Cawaja Beach smile for the camera


Those unfamiliar with the Woodbine circuit might ask - who did she beat?

On July 13, 2008 Cawaja Beach contested the 5 1/2 furlong Shady Well Stakes and defeated Van Lear Rose and Koonunga Hill in the process. Van Lear Rose went on to be named Canada's Outstanding Two Year-Old filly after winning the Mazarine Stakes before finishing sixth in the Juvenile Fillies on Breeders' Cup day.

Cawaja Beach returned August 6th, 2008 to try the Nandi Stakes at six furlongs and put in another untested performance to defeat Koonunga Hill and Cataleenda. Koonunga Hill is a known commodity locally with wins on the turf and poly topped by a win in the Ice Water Stakes.

In her final start of 2008, Cawaja Beach raced from well off the pace in the six furlong Victorian Queen Stakes. Jockey Daniel David and the big filly were off the screen as the leaders posted quick fractions of 22.16 and 44.99 before heading into a memorable stretch run. With considerable patience, David untethered Cawaja Beach, tipped out to the centre of the track and ate up the poly to win by a length and a quarter. They made it look so easy and apparently it was as after the race a smiling David exclaimed, "I knew down the backstretch she was going to win." Sans Sousi finished second in that race and in May of this year, Sans Sousi won the Lady Angela Stakes over, you guessed it, Koonunga Hill.

Three consecutive Stakes wins for Cawaja Beach over fields containing multiple Stakes winners, including the eventual Sovereign Award winner Van Lear Rose.

The filly has been working up a storm of late as she prepares for her first start as a three year-old in the Passing Mood Stakes for Ontario-sired three year-old fillies on July 22. On July 6th, Cawaja Beach breezed five furlongs in 59.40 and a week later breezed in 1:00.40. In speaking with Fairlie on Wednesday, the top conditioner proudly exclaimed, "You don't see too many three year-old fillies that look like that...with a barrel like that," as he pointed into the stall at his muscular charge.

What follows is the remainder of our short, candid, interview.

TDH: How is Cawaja Beach doing following the injury?
SF: She came out of her last race with a very small lesion on her tendon. It was minor, but it was there, so we had to give her the time. We did stem cell therapy on her. It's where they culture bone marrow and then inject them into the injured site.

TDH: As a two year-old, would Cawaja Beach have been considered your top two year-old filly.

SF: As a two year old definitely. Milwaukee Appeal really improved immensely, but as a two year-old this filly (Cawaja Beach) was much better. She was never really tested. She won all her races very comfortably. All her races she won easy, she was never really set down.

Milwaukee Appeal enjoys some rest and relaxation after a successful triple crown run



TDH: I remember Cawaja Beach being a big closer, coming out of the clouds to win races.

SF: Just her last race, all her other races she was close to the place laying second or close to the lead or just off of it. She was never far out of it except for her last race.

TDH: Considering how well Cawaja Beach closed in that last race, two turns would not seem to be an issue.

SF: She was probably six or seven lengths behind the last horse and really wide on the turn. Our intentions were too run her long which was never going to be an issue but we were looking forward to trying two turns.

TDH: What are your plans for Milwaukee Appeal?

SF: She will get a break now. Probably about six weeks.

TDH: It was a heart breaking loss in the Prince of Wales and but for a little traffic trouble she could have won the Queen's Plate as well.

SF: She's an amazing filly. In the Prince of Wales she lost the bob. She got to the lead but her head was coming back and the other horse's head was coming down. It was the tightest photo that I've ever been in. It's just unfortunate. I've lost that way before but not by that small a margin.

***

While Woodbine racing fans wait for a chance to see Cawaja Beach back on the track, the filly's younger brother, Who's Big Daddy, has been turning heads recently winning the Clarendon Stakes. Also trained by Fairlie, Who's Big Daddy has won two of three career starts and will try the $150K Colin Stakes in his next start on July 18th.

2008 presented Woodbine with a bountiful crop of brilliant young fillies and there could be some highly competitive races in the fall if the ladies can stay healthy. Van Lear Rose won the silverware as a two year-old, Milwaukee Appeal developed exponentially to win the glory as a three year-old but on July 22, all eyes will be on the undefeated potential of Cawaja Beach.

Hindsight is $20/$20/$20

Those of us who have spent a day at the races are familiar with the two very distinct types of gambler's remorse.

The first type is reserved for a day spent betting to win on horses that finished up the track - or worse - standing along the fence at the end of the tenth race clutching a fistful of failed Pick 3 tickets - each one two/thirds "successful".

The second type of remorse belongs to those days where everything you touch turns to gold - but you wish it had turned to platinum. No matter how much money you wager on a 10-1 winner, you'll always wish you'd spent more. "Why," you'll argue with yourself, "Why did I not bet $20 to win instead of $10...."

Wednesday night at Woodbine I experienced the latter of these two evils. I went into the evening with a good tip from someone I'll call the Friendly Stranger...this is a friend who occasionally will email me with a blurb like, "Major Eddie G could likely route today on the front end" which is a strong indication to me that something positive is about to happen. The Friendly Stranger only calls with the good stuff. Despite not having even seen the Form yet, I immediately logged into my HPI account and advance wagered $10 win and show. The Major, at 9-1, led the whole way around the track only to be nipped at the wire by Highvale. The payoff? $8.30 to place, $6.00 to show.

"What about Win/Place" says the internal voice, "or why not across the board?"

Undaunted, I was happy with a small victory and was looking forward to wagering on a card, that due to a late dinner, I was only able to get tucked into from the fifth race onward. The key race this evening was the 7th race - The Victoriana Stakes, a six furlong sprint for two year old fillies, and it featured a favourite of mine - Cawaja Beach. Here's a horse I can key!

Immediately, I went to work on a mastermind Pick 3 ticket. Race five was a mess of ten maiden fillies with a lukewarm favourite. The sort of race that makes the "Bet All" button light up in gold - but I held back and sensibly threw out the favourite and then used four horses, including Keep Safe as it was being steered by Chantal Sutherland. Chantal rode brilliantly taking the maiden from ninth at the half to second by the top of the stretch and furiously scrubbed the rookie home at 8-1. Brilliant.

The sixth race is where I made my mistake. By this point, I had already wagered my Pick 3 and I was confident with leading rider Jim Mcaleney on the favourite (plus two other 'just in case' types.) So happy was I, that I didn't bother looking ahead to race eight following the sure thing that would be Cawaja Beach. Instead, I sat back and watched as Mcaleney surfed home on Foam to win by a length and a half. Two thirds of the way to my Pick 3 and the favourite in the final leg - not bad work, if I do say so myself.

It was at this point, that I looked at the eighth and final race on the card. This six furlong $12K claimer was stuffed to the brim with twelve horses that no one wanted to make the favourite. Exactly the sort of race that the "Bet All" button was invented for. Since I was so sure of my Pick 3, I wagered on a $1 late double of Cawaja Beach with ALL.

So, now we're at the Victoriana Stakes and I'm looking at Cawaja Beach and seeing dollar signs. Jockey Daniel David looks confident and I can't wait for the two-year olds to get in the gate and get going. Eurico Rosa Da Silva rushes Dash It Dreamer out of the gate and into a swift lead, pulling out a quarter in 22.16. In hot pursuit is Mcaleney on Stranger Things and Patrick Husbands on Minkredible. At the back of the pack, you'll find Daniel David choking Cawaja Beach with a very tight grip. At least you were able to find that until he disappeared from the screen entirely. This is not what you want to see in a six furlong sprint.

And around the track they go, a half in a swift 44.99 and still no sign of Cawaja Beach. With nothing to look at, my imagination wanders to David sitting on her back and doing his best to distract the filly from racing, "Hey Beach, did you see that colt in Barn 3 checking you out?" while friends of David sprint onto the track and set up fake construction detour signs in an elaborate attempt to ruin my potential $167 Pick 3.

But wait...as the horses hit the far turn, announcer Dan Loiselle's voice perked up and he bellowed that Cawaja Beach was on the move. Surely it's too late now. Fifth at the top of the stretch, David worked his way into the middle of the track and took dead aim at the leaders. One by one, they all fell down as the long striding filly gobbled up racetrack as she won her third stakes of the season by a length and a quarter. My fingerprints were embedded in my armrest. What a ride. After the race, a jovial David said, "I knew down the backstretch she was going to win..."

How? How could he possibly have known he could win a race where the other horses must have looked like ants they were so far in front of him.

The win put me in a favouite position of all punters - courtesy of the "Bet All" button, I was going to win the late double. It was just a matter of how much - and I was not surprised to watch a 10-1 shot chase down a 22-1 shot in the stretch to turn a potential $170 double into a $77 winning ticket. Not bad.

Some money made and a successful night of wagering concluded, but as I drifted off to sleep the remorse came drifting in, "If you were so sure of the eight race longshot, why didn't you Pick 3 from the sixth race as well?"

And that was only one scenario. Those of you that follow the game could probably drive holes through the flaws in my wagering, but the important part is I enjoyed the night and the thrill of a serious ride courtesy of Daniel David and Cawaja Beach.

Turf Handicapping On A Woodbine Wednesday Night

In Tuesday's post, I promised to handicap this evening's Passing Mood Stakes at Woodbine. I went to bed dreaming up Pick 3 scenarios, but after reviewing the Form earlier this morning I have been cursing my promise thanks to the difficulty of the card.

Don't get me wrong - this is an excellent card of racing but not one designed for my economical form of handicapping. After all, I'm the guy who wagered less than $20 on a Pick Six! Tonight may be a good night to simply watch the equine athletes perform.

With the threat of rain, both turf races may move to the polytrack which throws all handicapping into further disarray. For what it's worth, I'll post my thoughts on the night's two turf events.

The second race features a full fourteen horse field (with two more on the AE list)travelling a mile on the turf for a purse of $49,100. Designated for three year olds and upward which have never won two races, the field is a mash up of colts and geldings with limited turf experience. With odds ranging from 3-1 (Captain Mark - the morning line fave) to 30-1 (Prattle - a 6YO gelding) there is sure to be a HUGE triactor payoff if you can sort out the variables.

Here's a few comments on possible horses to include:

Golden Glade (4-1)- Jono Jones rides this 5YO gelding who went a little too quick on the front end last time out and was nailed at the wire. Jones is an expert at rating, as proved in his excellent ride aboard Musketier in the Man O' War. Perhaps a rider switch will make the difference tonight. Third start of the season may be cause for celebration. Note the improving speed figures.

Koenigsberg (6-1) Patrick Husbands leads all Woodbine jockeys with 11 wins in 63 starts on the turf. His horse, Koenigsberg, has a bad case of seconditis placing four times in eleven starts. Tonight marks the third start on Woodbine turf for this 4YO son of Danizg. The first attempt was a tough $77K Allowance event won by the excellent Reservoir. Next out, Koenigsberg tried a front end approach at a difficult 1 1/4M giving way late in the stretch. Tonight's shorter 1M distance may prove more suitable.

Easterman (15-1) Emile Ramsammy rides this 5YO gelding who makes his third start of 2009 following a two-year layoff. A son of Smart Strike, there is grass pedigree to respect. A recent work of 5F in 1:00.20 suggests this one is ready.

On Wings of Trust (20-1) - A potential ship-in bomber from Fort Erie. Trainer Julia Carey has a record of two wins in three turf events this meet. Last out, jockey Steve Bahen fought to the lead and the 3YO gelding held on to win by a neck going a mile on the turf at Fort Erie. This is a big jump up in class, but maybe this one sticks around for third if allowed to travel alone up front.

Captain Mark (3-1) - The likely favourite had a rough trip last out when blocked twice in the stretch in the same settings as tonight's race. Golden Glade finished in front of Captain Mark in that race. No reason to expect less traffic trouble in this full field, so I will let the lukewarm favourite beat me.

AE Cambridge Blue (12-1) - Brian Lynch owns and trains this 4YO gelding who arrives from California for his potential first start of the year. Lynch is a high-percentage trainer (36.4% win on turf/54.5% in the money on turf) in eleven turf starts this meet. A string of steady, if unspectacular, workouts show this one is being pointed to a full calendar of summer turf racing. IF Cambridge Blue gets in and IF there is a hot pace to run at, jockey David Clark may get his first turf win of the season.

PICKS:
1st - Golden Glade, Cambridge Blue (AE)
Underneath - All of the above.

The Passing Mood Stakes is for Ontario-Sired three year-old fillies, run at a distance of 7F on the turf course.

P# PP Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Cawaja Beach (ON) D J David 126 S H Fairlie 2/1
The undefeated heroine of the Shady Well, Nandi and Victorian Queen returns from injury for her first start of 2009. We know that she has beaten Sans Sousi, Koonunga Hill and Double Malt previously. We don't know if Cawaja Beach will handle the turf or the handicap of 126lbs first time out. Underrated jockey Daniel David returns which is a huge positive for the filly.


2 2 Executive Deed (ON) T Kabel 115 S C Attard 12/1

Todd Kabel is in the money on nearly 40% of turf starts. Trainer Sid Attard is in the money in 50% of his 20 turf starts, including six wins. The sire, Bold Executive, is 10% with turf debut starters. Last out, Executive Deed bombed to finish last in a 6 1/2F sprint won by Anne's Purse - Sans Sousi was second in that event. This horse has been beaten by many in this field previously and despite the above positives, it's a tall order.

3 3 Double Malt (ON) E R Da Silva 122 M Pierce 4/1
Double Malt is yet another first-time turfer who has faced many in this field before. Trainer Malcolm Pierce leads all Woodbine conditioners with seven turf wins this meet so he knows how to prepare a horse for such an event. Double Malt chased home a slow pace in the Bison City Stakes and should have plenty of speed to follow this evening. Three starts back in the La Lorgnette Stakes, Double Malt made up huge ground to finish fifth, beaten five lengths, in a field that included Hooh Why, Tasty Temptation and Milwaukee Appeal.

4 4 Lucky n' Bold (ON) S R Bahen 115 J P Le Blanc, Jr. 12/1
First time on the turf for this daughter of Bold n Flashy. The dam, Ocean Classic (Sky Classic), shows some potential for grass but this is a tough event. On the fringes.

5 5 Dancing Charm (ON) P Husbands 115 D Pleterski 10/1
Patrick Husbands rides this daughter of Dance To Destiny for the first time. The sire is a son of Mr. Prospector, out of Eclipse and Canadian champion Dance Smartly. Despite the dynamic turf potential, it's hard to overlook past performance lines detailing losses to both Sans Sousi and Double Malt.

6 6 Sans Sousi (ON) C Sutherland 122 M J Doyle 3/1
Chantal Sutherland rides for trainer Mike Doyle. Sans Sousi has been in the money in 10 of 12 starts with earnings of $265K. Three times, the daughter of Bold Executive has faced Cawaja Beach and all three times Cawaja Beach came away the victor. She has the benefit of four races under her belt coming into the race.

7 7 Koonunga Hill (ON) J C Jones 119 S Owens 6/1
Jono Jones aboard for trainer Steve Owens. Koonunga Hill has raced twice on turf with excellent results. The first turf try was a win in the 7F Ice Water Stakes. The second turf try was an excellent third place finish in the GIII Natalma Stakes won by C Karma over a soft turf course. There's a lot to like about this one - with the caveat that she has lost three starts to the undefeated Cawaja Beach.

IF this was on poly and IF this was the third start of the year for Cawaja Beach, I would happily key the Scott Fairlie filly in this event. However, that is simply not the case. As a fan of Cawaja Beach, I hope the filly airs but from a handicapping perspective you must look for a potential upset.

Box Cawaja Beach, Double Malt and Koonunga Hill in Exactors and Triactors.

Good luck to everybody (channeling my inner Eurico Rosa Da Silva) handiapping this evening's card. I will post photos from the Passing Mood States tomorrow afternoon.

Photo Essay: A G1 Afternoon At Gardiner Farms with Milwaukee Brew and Alphabet Soup

In January I paid a visit to Gardiner Farms to interview Dr. Michael Colterjohn, DVM for a Down The Stretch piece regarding the latest batch of Adena Spring stallions to arrive in Ontario.

In 2009, Gardiner Farms provided an Ontario home for Adena Springs stallions Sligo Bay and Silent Name as they entered the Ontario Sires Stakes stallions program for the first time. In 2010, Gardiner has welcomed four more Adena stallions including Milwaukee Brew, Alphabet Soup, Olmodavor and Giant Gizmo.

Flagship stallion Bold Executive has been named Canada’s leading sire on five occasions and his fellow Gardiner stallions Where’s The Ring and Trajectory finished the 2009 campaign as the 2nd and 3rd leading sires in Ontario.

In 2010 there will be 23 stakes races specifically for Ontario-bred horses, and with slots-driven purses rising, the calibre of racing at Woodbine is only getting better.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and I managed to snap a few photos of some of the stallions.

In 1996, Woodbine patrons watched in shock as Alphabet Soup defeated Cigar to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The big white horse has sired 37 stakes winners including G1 winners Our New Recruit and Alphabet Kisses.

Alphabet snuffed out Cigar to win the Breeders' Cup Classic at Woodbine


Alphabet Soup camouflaged by snowy surroundings


Woodbine racing fans are no strangers to Milwaukee Brew. The G1 Santa Anita Handicap winner provided back-to-back Woodbine Oaks winners in Ginger Brew and 2009 Sovereign Award winner Milwaukee Appeal.

Milwaukee Brew under a sky of blue


Oaks winner Milwaukee Appeal


Olmodavor, sire of Woodbine stakes winner High Mist, was a star for trainer Richard Mandella during his racing career hitting the board in 14 of 15 career starts and earning more than $700K.

Olmodavor liked the attention


Philanthropist entered stud in 2007 and his first foals are 2-year-olds as of 2010. The son of Kris S won the Queens County Handicap at Aqueduct in a career that saw six wins from 18 starts.

Philanthropist on the prowl


Where's The Ring entered stud in 2005 and has been providing Woodbine punters with a reason to highlight his name in the Form ever since. His progeny include Stakes winners Cawaja Beach and Who's Big Daddy.

Where's The Ring? He's right here...


Just looking for mints...


Milwaukee Bree knows it was a lot warmer in Florida but his kids like it here in Ontario


Milwaukee Brew finishes powerfully to win the Santa Anita Handicap


Sligo Bay won the Hollywood Turf Cup to earn G1 credentials. His progeny include G2 winner Bourbon Bay and Natalma Stakes winner Bay to Bay.

Sligo Bay is a frisky fellow


Sligo Bay's daughter Bay to Bay gets a bath after winning the Natalma at Woodbine


Sligo Bay and Laffit Pincay winning the Hollywood Turf Cup in a thrilling finish


TripleDeadHeat favourite Cawaja Beach enjoying her retirement out in the snow with a few of the mares.

Cawaja Beach was in the midst of this pack of mares but she was too busy to come and say hello


Cawaja Beach back in her Woodbine days with trainer Scott Fairlie


Giant Gizmo enters stud in 2010. The song of Giant's Causeway won the Lone Star Park Handicap at Lone Star and a memorably sloppy edition of the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill over Better Than Bonds and Wanderin Boy.

Giant Gizmo slops to victory at Churchill


Giant Gizmo wasn't afraid of the bright light


Colterjohn is proud of this stable of stallions and believes they can help bring the Ontario Sire Stakes program to the next level.

“We’re just trying to stay ahead of the game in this program,” stated Colterjohn. “That’s why we went out and got horses like Trajectory, Where’s the Ring and Peaks and Valleys- - that’s why we could make a deal with Frank Stronach and bring up Sligo Bay and Silent Name last year.”

With all six Adena stallions registered in the Ontario Sire Stakes program, there will soon come a time when Woodbine races are bubbling over with home brew of the Milwaukee variety.

“Bold Executive offspring won’t be able to freewheel on the front. The changing dynamics are going to pull the Ontario program forward,” stated Colterjohn. “Now that we have Alphabet Soup and Milwaukee Brew up here, it will raise the bar higher and move the program up in little steps.”

Alphabet Soup is now part of a bright Ontario racing program


Ultimately, Colterjohn wants the Ontario program to become the gold standard of racing, but at a price that the people of Ontario can afford to pay.

“The program needs for folks to be able to have some fun without going broke,” said Colterjohn. “We need to make this the number one racing jurisdiction in every capacity, not just for the big fields in the International or E.P Taylor. We want to have people turning on our racing in Australia and Ireland to watch the Queen’s Plate, because in that race there are four or five Canadian bred horses that people are excited to watch.”

You can count this writer among the many who will be very excited to see the "Brew Crew" make their mark in Ontario.

Look Out Saratoga - Canadian Ladies Are On Their Way!

Across the blogosphere racing fans are lauding the brilliance of two American fillies. Everyone is talking about Rachel and Zenyatta. Rightly so, they're both fantastic horses. However, at Woodbine, the locals talk about Milwaukee Appeal who bravely took on the boys in two of the Canadian Triple Crown races finishing third in the Queen's Plate and missing by a sliver in the Prince of Wales.

Milwaukee Appeal, appealing, in the Woodbine walking ring


In two week's time, America may get a chance to see the best three year-old filly Canada has to offer in the Alabama Stakes held at Saratoga on August 22nd. According to a report filed by Bill Tallon, the Scott Fairlie trained filly could also be joined by Stakes winning filly Tasty Temptation.

Milwaukee Appeal and Tasty Temptation have developed quite a rivalry dating back to the Woodbine Oaks when Tasty Temptation got left at the gate but made a big move around the far turn to finish second best.

Tasty Temptation was late to the Oaks party


Both fillies tried the Queen's Plate just two week's later and the public thought enough of their chances to see them both go to post at odds of 5-1. Milwaukee Appeal's regular rider, Stewart Elliott, shipped in to steer the daughter of Milwaukee Brew while Tasty Temptation had the benefit of Woodbine's top jock Patrick Husbands. Milwaukee Appeal broke alertly and immediately found a good position. Tasty Temptation, out of the 11 hole, broke well but was caught up in a group of horses and forced to race wide as the field passed in front of the grandstand for the first time. Husbands moved forward with the Mark Casse trained filly and found a comfortable spot six horses behind the leaders. Elliott kept Milwaukee Appeal under a hold in fourth stalking the front-running Mr. Foricos Two U with Mike Smith in the irons.

Approaching the far turn, Husbands pushed Tasty Temptation up to the leaders and side-by-side with Milwaukee Appeal. As Smith tried in vain to maintain a diminishing lead over the fast-approaching Eye of the Leopard, the two fillies resumed a determined battle just two lengths behind the front pair. Deep in the lane, the fillies reached the tail of Eye of the Leopard and ever-so-briefly it appeared there might be a chance both fillies would run on. However, Eurico Rosa da Silva dug in with his big colt and burst forward. Milwaukee Appeal, spurred by the movement, chased Eye of the Leopard through the wire in third place and galloped out in tandem with the winner. A tiring Mr Foricos Two U held for second with the two fillies just in their shadows. It was a remarkable performance for both ladies.

Milwaukee Appeal chilling out on shedrow


Fairlie sent Milwaukee Appeal to Fort Erie to try the Prince of Wales Stakes. This time the filly easily put away her Queens Plate rivals Eye of the Leopard and Mr. Foricos Two U, but was denied the silverware by the narrowest of margins when Gallant somehow nosed her out at the wire. Since that race on July 12th, the filly has been chilling out on shedrow.

A cruel photo finish for Milwaukee Appeal


While Milwaukee Appeal was taking on the boys Triple Crown races, Tasty Temptation returned to the Triple Tiara scene and scored her first Stakes win in the Wonder Where Stakes going a mile and a quarter on a spongy Woodbine turf course. The Medaglio D'Oro filly once again used an off-the-pace approach and nailed First Circle at the wire with the favourite Miss Blakely a quiet fifth. It wasn't just a change of surface for the gray filly, there was also a change of equipment. “Today, with no blinkers on, I was on a different horse,” said jockey Patrick Husbands following the race.

Tasty Temptation enjoyed her first taste of the Stakes winners circle


The Alabama Stakes is an altogether different kind of test for Canada's lovely ladies. Both have proved they can meet the classic ten-furlong distance, but now they must take on American-breds in a tough Grade One event. Milwaukee Appeal proved her mettle on the dirt at Fort Erie, but Tasty Temptation has yet to make a statement on the dirt.

Should Rachel Alexandra choose the Alabama, one of five races she is nominated to, the battle might well be for place. However, the race within the race for the Canadian-bred beauties will certainly be a barnstormer.

A NYRA press release issued today lists the following as possible starters:

"At this point, probables for the 129th running of the Grade 1 Alabama for 3-year-old fillies going 1¼ miles include Westrock Stables’ Lake George winner Be Fair, Donver Stable’s Careless Jewel, Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely, III’s Funny Moon, C.E.C. Farms’ Milwaukee Appeal, Woodford Racing LLC’s Tasty Temptation and Arnold Zechter’s Wynning Ride. Bon Jovi Girl, Gozzip Girl, and Sweet and Flawless are questionable."

* * *

As a side note in Tallon's column, it was noted that Cawaja Beach has been retired. Cawaja Beach was a favourite of this blog and though she only raced five times, I've written about her repeatedly. The filly won three Stakes races as a two year-old (Shady Well, Nandi and Victorian Queen) and won her last outing of 2008 in nail-biting fashion.

After attempting a return on the Woodbine turf on July 22nd, Cawaja Beach has been retired due to a sesamoid fracture. She will be missed on the track, but I'm already looking forward to her offspring.

Scott Fairlie, Mike the groom and the exciting Cawaja Beach

Photo Essay: Ladies Night At Woodbine

It was an unofficial ladies night at Woodbine Racetrack on Wednesday as an appreciative evening crowd was treated to two excellent races for fillies and mares including the Passing Mood Stakes won by Double Malt and a $72K Allowance sprint won by Edamame. There's a good bean.

Chantal Sutherland Poses in the Woodbine Paddock


On hand was Woodbine's strong contingent of female jocks including Krista Carignan, Catherine O'Brien, Melanie Pinto, Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Anyone concerned about the male-to-female ratio at the racetrack needs to make a visit to Woodbine on a Wednesday as the grandstand was filled with beautiful racing fans. Especially appealing was the appearance of Down The Stretch editor Eleanor LeBlanc who was at Woodbine to celebrate the birthday of the ageless Peter Gross.

(What follows is a photo review of the evening. As always, you can enlarge a photo by double-left clicking on the photo. To return to the blog, click on your computer's "Back" button.)


Twitterin' Melanie Pinto sends a message to her fans


Fourteen horses contested Wednesday's second race going a mile on the turf. If there's one thing to know about Woodbine turf handicapping, it's to find out which horse Jono Jones is riding and then take a second and third look.

Sincerely A to Z struts his stuff in the paddock


Chantal Sutherland wears her sunglasses Corey Hart style aboard Night Chapel


Slade Callaghan does his best Sean Penn impression leading No More Lakes to the track


Emma-Jayne Wilson's got her game face on!


Prince of Wales winner Corey Fraser and Majestic Tribute



Jeff Bratt making his Pepsi Pick of the Night


Sandy Hawley searches for a pun amongst the fourteen horse field.


Although Hawley hoped that Captain Mark would lead the field, there was a chance that On Wings of Trust might fly home in front. In the end, it was Jono Jones who was Golden (Glade.)


The feature race of the evening was the Passing Mood stakes which marked the return of undefeated Cawaja Beach. A host of brilliant Ontario-Bred fillies graced the paddock before taking to the turf.

Double Malt stretches her legs. A smiling groom is a good sign!


Mike Doyle, conditioner for Sans Sousi, dishes out pre-race instructions to Chantal Sutherland


Trainer Scott Fairlie gives Daniel David a leg up on Cawaja Beach


Todd Kabel and Executive Deed head to the track and then to the lead!


Lucky n ' Bold was bold to the top of the stretch but came away unlucky


Double Malt streaks to the wire ahead of Executive Deed


Cawaja Beach returns a beaten fourth after a mild rally in the stretch. Not to worry, she'll be back in the winners circle soon.


Eurico Rosa Da Silva and Malcolm Pierce congratulate Double Malt for a driving win


Emma-Jayne Wilson signs autographs for the kids


Night falls at Woodbine


Todd Kabel yuks it up with Renee Kierans after a win aboard Wookin to Run


The field heads out to race under a blue-black sky


Tyler Pizarro ushers Ushuaia out of the paddock


Catherine O'Brien's smile lights up a dark night


The post-parade for the $72K Allowance sprint won by Edamame


Following the race, Eurico Rosa Da Silva explains the winning ride to a captive audience


All in all, a brilliant Wednesday evening. Summer nights at Woodbine provide a quality card of racing in patio-weather conditions. Hope to see you there next Wednesday!

Benburb and Thornfield to Old Friends and the Adena Stallion who is Brewing Synthetic Stars

Saturday's eighth race at Arlington Park was the $150,000 Arlington Oaks. The race was won by Peach Brew, a daughter of Milwaukee Brew. The Adena Springs stallion is providing handicappers with many reasons to highlight their copy of the Form lately, especially as it applies to polytrack. Woodbine locals will nod their heads approvingly considering the recent success of Ginger Brew and Milwaukee Appeal. Val's Foolish Pleasure blog posted on the subject of Milwaukee Brew recently and the entry is well worth a click.

However, what really caught my eye in the Arlington Oaks was the impressive showing of Sweet and Flawless, who's trip was anything but. The filly was fractious in the gate, came out sideways and simply refused to settle. Racing sixth and last to the 3/4 mark of the race, jockey Junior Alvarado was having a difficult time settling his mount. Ten lengths back, Alvarado began to make a move heading into the far turn and was charging like gangbusters turning into the stretch only for Sweet and Flawless to turn her head toward the grandstand and swing wide into the lane.

Alvarado persevered and his filly responded with a determined late run closing to earn the place money, beaten just half a length. It was an impressive result considering the troubled trip. Whenever a horse can make repeated moves, it's worth noting.

If you keep a virtual stable, Sweet and Flawless should be on your watch list.

***

Woodbine's Wednesday night card features eight entertaining races including two turf events, one of which is the Passing Mood Stakes.

The Passing Mood marks the return of the brilliant Cawaja Beach who will take on old foes, and fellow Stakes winners, Sans Sousi and Koonunga Hill. Hot trainer Malcolm Pierce has entered South Ocean Stakes winner Double Malt bringing further quality to this talented seven horse field.

P# PP Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Cawaja Beach (ON) D J David 126 S H Fairlie 2/1
2 2 Executive Deed (ON) T Kabel 115 S C Attard 12/1
3 3 Double Malt (ON) E R Da Silva 122 M Pierce 4/1
4 4 Lucky n' Bold (ON) S R Bahen 115 J P Le Blanc, Jr. 12/1
5 5 Dancing Charm (ON) P Husbands 115 D Pleterski 10/1
6 6 Sans Sousi (ON) C Sutherland 122 M J Doyle 3/1
7 7 Koonunga Hill (ON) J C Jones 119 S Owens 6/1

The Ontario-Bred fillies will travel seven furlongs on the Turf for a purse of $125,000. A full handicapping review of this event will be posted later this evening.

Teresa, of Brooklyn Backstretch blog, who posted recently on the subject of horses and hockey players will be happy to know that Kovalchuk is entered in race four. At 4-1 on the morning line, the Mike De Paulo horse has a good chance at scoring in this rare 1 1/4M event. The feline friendly Brooklyn Backstretch may find herself at odds in wagering on this event as One Thievin Cat will try to steal this one at odds of 10-1.

***

I would like to thank everyone who took time to comment on my recent posting about the retirement of Boule d'Or. Initially posted here at Triple Dead Heat, the blog was then published again on the Blood-Horse website. Click the link above to read the full post.

Boule d'Or is on his way to Old Friends Equine in Kentucky and hopefully not lost in the story was the fact that Canadian stars Benburb and Thornfield are also making their way to the Old Friends facility.

Benburb was Canada's horse of the year in 1992 after winning the Prince of Wales Stakes, followed by a memorable victory over A.P Indy in the Molson Million.

Benburb defeats A.P. Indy and Alydeed in the 1992 Molson Million


Thornfield was Canada's horse of the year in 1999, a season in which the brilliant turfer took the Canadian International as the longest shot in the field.

Thornfield defeats Courteous in the 1999 G1 Canadian International


Congratulations to these former Knob Hill Stable stars who provided Woodbine fans with two very memorable moments. May they both enjoy a mint-filled retirement.

Sovereign Awards Preview - Will Down The Stretch Sweep Media Categories?

It's an exciting time for Down The Stretch as our fearless editor, Peter Gross, has been nominated for a Sovereign Award in both media categories.
The awards will be handed out Friday night during a black tie affair, and I hope to snap a few photos while awkwardly tugging at my tux.


Triple Dead Heat nominated for Blogger Most In Need Of A Tan?

For convenience, I've linked Peter's articles in the the writing categories:

OUTSTANDING NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
George Williams, Ace Is Tops For King, Winnipeg Free Press, May 16, 2008

Beverley Smith, Race For Life, The Globe and Mail, October 4, 2008

Peter Gross, Lloyd Duffy Still Bringing In The Winners, Down The Stretch, October 20, 2008


OUTSTANDING FEATURE STORY
Chris Lomon, The Coldwater Kid’s Kind Deed, The Game, March 2008

Peter Gross, How Many Horses Can One Man Save , Down The Stretch, August 8, 2008


Perry Lefko, Remembering The King of Handicapping, Canadian Thoroughbred Magazine, June 2008

* * *

In other categories, I've linked some highlights of the nominees as per their appearance on the track or in Triple Dead Heat. The nominees are as follows:

Champion two-year-old filly
Cawaja Beach
Laragh
Van Lear Rose

Champion two-year-old male
Mine That Bird
Southern Exchange
Utterly Cool

Champion three-year-old filly:
Authenicat
Ginger Brew
Sugar Bay

Champion three-year-old male
Fatal Bullet
Marlang
Not Bourbon


Champion older female
Against the Sky
Akronism
Bear Now

Champion older male
Ice Bear
Marchfield
Spaghetti Mouse

Champion turf female
Callwood Dancer (Ire)
Sugar Bay
Sealy Hill


Champion male turf horse
Marlang
Rahy's Attorney
Seaside Retreat


Champion sprinter
Akronism
Disfunction
Fatal Bullet


Outstanding broodmare
Forty Gran
Kathie's Colleen
May Time

Outstanding breeder
Adena Springs
Gardiner Farms Ltd.
Eugene Melnyk

Outstanding owner
Bear Stables
Stronach Stables
Tucci Stables

Outstanding trainer
Roger Attfield
Mark Casse
Terry Jordan

Outstanding apprentice jockey
Catherine O'Brien
Melaine Pinto
Janine Stianson

Outstanding jockey
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Patrick Husbands
Jim McAleney

Best of luck to all the nominees and congratulations on a successful 2008.