Canadian Content: From Woodbine to the Breeders' Cup

With ticket prices soaring in the sports world, fans of horse racing have been treated to a cheap and cheerful summer by a variety of equine stars at Woodbine Racetrack.

Tickets to see the hapless Toronto Maple Leafs range from $34 to $400; the Raptors have nosebleed seats starting at $12, but fans that want to get up close and personal will spend well over $100.

To view the best of horse racing, Woodbine patrons were asked to cough up $0 admission. Parking, free. Those who want a spot near the finish line, mere yards from the infamous E.P. Taylor turf course, are asked to spend nothing more than the energy required to walk up to the rail.

Important race dates such as the Queen's Plate, Woodbine Mile and Pattison Canadian International were all well attended events. Fans who went to the track for the Breeders' Cup Win & You're In races held at Woodbine races were treated to a high-def viewing of many of the competitors in the 2009 Breeders' Cup.

Let's take a look at some of the Canadian connections in the Breeders' Cup, including many who made their name at beautiful Woodbine Racetrack. Pre-Entries for the 2009 Breeders' Cup, to be held November 6th and 7th, can be found here.

LADIES CLASSIC
Careless Jewel, Woodbine-based and Canadian-owned by Donver Stable (Donna and Vern Dubinsky of Sherwood Park, Alberta), is trained by Josie Carroll. Woodbine's own Robert Landry in the irons.

Click on the link to read a full and proper feature published earlier this month, with photos, of trainer Josie Carroll and Careless Jewel.

The curious Careless Jewel looks for a win on Breeders' Cup Friday



JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
Jungle Tale is a Woodbine-based runner, trained by Steve Asmussen who ran a determined second to Bay to Bay in the Natalma Stakes.

Bay to Bay captures the Natalma over Jungle Tale and Elusive Galaxy


In three turf starts, Jungle Tale has won once and boasts two place finishes beaten than a length in both. Last out in the Natalma, Jungle Tale was bested by an excellent local turfer and kept the favoured Elusive Galaxy (Ire) in check.

Please click on the link to view previous entries regarding Jungle Tale on Triple Dead Heat.

Jungle Tale runs a game second to Bay to Bay in the Natalma Stakes


JUVENILE FILLIES

Bickersons, bred in Ontario by Mississauga native Robert Harvey, has been racing lately in California. This Silver Deputy filly broke her maiden at Monmouth in July before going on to a pair of third-place Stakes finishes in the Spinaway at Saratoga and the OakLeaf at Santa Anita. Increasing Beyer figures suggests that Bickersons is an improving sort.

Bickersons chases home Hot Dixie Chick at Saratoga


Biofuel, is a Woodbine-based runner under the care of trainer Reade Baker. The promising two-year-old will be ridden by Queen's Plate winning jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva. Earlier this season, Biofuel captured the $250,000 Mazarine Stakes at Woodbine. If you throw out the lack lustre turf start in the G3 Natalma Stakes, there is much to like about the daughter of Stormin Fever.
Please click on the link to view entries regarding Biofuel on Triple Dead Heat.

The imposing Biofuel takes aim at the camera



JUVENILE TURF
Bridgetown owned by Eugene Melnyk, a native of Toronto, will be ridden by Woodbine's own Robert Landry.

Bridgetown defeated Becky's Kitten in the G3 Summer Stakes


Bridgetown, won the $300,000 Summer Stakes at Woodbine earlier this summer under a masterful ride by Landry. Lightly raced, the son of Speightstown was an impressive maiden winner at Saratoga over Billions Boy who went on to defeat Eskendereya - one who could be favoured in this event. Please click on the link to view entries regarding Bridgetown on Triple Dead Heat.

The beautiful Bridgetown graces the Woodbine walking ring


SPRINT
Fatal Bullet, Canadian-owned by Danny Dion's Bear Stables of Edmonton, Alberta, has a big shot in the BC Sprint. Trained by Reade Baker, the poly-proven prodigy will be ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva.

Fatal Bullet, including interviews with Eurico Da Silva and Reade Baker, winning the Phoenix at Keeneland


Fatal Bullet won automatic entry in the Sprint courtesy of a hard-fought victory over Cap't Candyman Can in the $250,000 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. That effort made up for an off performance on the dirt at Saratoga back in August when Fatal Bullet failed to fire in a race won by Fabulous Strike. The son of Red Bullet will look to improve on his second place finish in the 2008 BC Sprint won by Midnight Lute.

Square Eddie, an Ontario-bred by Kinghaven Farms, is Canadian-owned by J. Paul Reddam, a native of Windsor, Ontario. A Kentucky Derby contender earlier this year, Square Eddie has fought his way back from injury and is entered in both the $1-million Turf Sprint and the $2-million Sprint. Given the large field in the Turf Sprint, it is more likely we'll see Square Eddie on the main track.

Square Eddie, works 5F in 1:00.20, at Santa Anita on October 24, 2009



TURF
Red Rocks won the 2006 BC Turf for Canadian John P. Reddam. The multiple graded winning horse won notoriety for besting Curlin in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont.

Red Rocks beats Curlin in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont


CLASSIC
Einstein was purchased earlier this year by Frank Stronach for his Stronach Stables of Aurora, Ontario. The Brazilian-bred, by Spend A Buck, has proven himself at Santa Anita previously and the mart money could well be on Einstein in the Classic.

Einstein winning the Santa Anita Handicap with ease


Mine That Bird, co-bred in Kentucky by Peter Lamantia of Toronto, is the infamous find of former owner David Cotey. Originally purchased by Cotey for just $9,500, the gelding won several Stakes races at Woodbine including the Swynford and Grey. Mine That Bird went on to win Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Mine That Bird breaks his maiden at Woodbine in a claiming event


Mine That Bird was sold to Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine for $400,000 and under the guidance of trainer Chip Woolley, the former Woodbine gelding won the Kentucky Derby at long odds.

* * *

There was plenty to see and admire at Woodbine in 2009 for fans of thoroughbred racing. Best of luck to all the local connections in their quest to win Breeders' Cup glory.

Woodbine Win & You're In: Handicapping Saturday's Natalma and Summer Stakes

TGIF weekend warriors. The Breeders' Cup Win and You're In series descends on Woodbine this weekend where the turf will be firm, firm, firm as it hasn't rained in the Greater Toronto Area since August 30th. Yes, I'm aware that's about as prudent as announcing the pitcher is throwing a no-hitter in the seventh inning, but it's just the way it is.

Firm turf combined with a lot of high-class speed horses shipping in for the races could lead to some track records. (See yesterday's post for field listings. )

With perfect conditions for racing (firm turf, cool weather), I'll take a shot at handicapping Saturday's two Win & You're In events.

Field for the Natalma Stakes - 1M, E.P. Taylor Turf Course
1 Gitchee Goomie (NY)J R Leparoux 119 L Rice 7/2
2 Biofuel (KY) E R Da Silva 119 R Baker 10/1
3 Ernfold (ON) J McAleney 119 R Baker 8/1
4 Jungle Tale (FL)L Contreras 119 S M Asmussen 10/1
5 Show Me the Ring (ON)R A Dos Ramos 119 W Tharrenos 12/1
6 Elusive Galaxy (IRE) R Bejarano 119 G M Lyons 4/1
7 Mingun Miss (KY) M Moore 119 N Gonzalez 12/1
8 Redverse (KY) Jones 119 J Carroll 12/1
9 Bay to Bay (FL) D Clark 119 B A Lynch 5/2


1 Gitchee Goomie (NY)J R Leparoux 119 L Rice 7/2
The gloriously named Gitchee Goomie arrives from New York for Saratoga's leading trainer Linda Rice. The daughter of City Zip debuted successfully at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf at the Spa. I was in attendance that day and can vouch that the horse was in a bad way early but figured it out late to win convincingly. Julien Leparoux takes over for Alan Garcia who stays at Belmont to ride Rutherienne (Nobel Damsel Stakes) and Worstcasescenario (Matron.) Others in here have raced faster fractions, but a win is a win. In the super.

2 Biofuel (KY) E R Da Silva 119 R Baker 10/1
Ignored at 42-1 last out in the Ontario Damsel, the daughter of Stormin Fever got up for fourth, just four lengths back of multiple Stakes winner FrannyFreud. The Reade Baker trainee debuts on the turf and will have Eurico Rosa da Silva in the irons. (Jim McAleney has chosen the other Baker entrant.) A recent bullet work of 1:00.40 tips this one as ready, but the lack of turf breeding and added distance leaves this one looking in tough.

3 Ernfold (ON) J McAleney 119 R Baker 8/1
Jimmy Mac chose to ride Ernfold in this event and there's certainly a lot of talent here. Beaten a nose first time out in a speedy sprint, Ernfold came back to win as the favourite going a mile and seventy yards. Her sire, Stormy Atlantic, is the stallion who provides us with the favourite in the Summer Stakes - Stormy Lord. Plenty of room for improvement here. I like the 8-1 odds and McAleney is quietly having another excellent campaign.

4 Jungle Tale (FL)L Contreras 119 S M Asmussen 10/1
Luis Contreras is another unheralded Woodbine jock doing a great job for the Asmussen barn. Contreras has 44 wins in just 223 starts. Jungle Tale clearly likes the Woodbine turf beaten a nose in her first turf try in a quick 1:09.40 before winning last out at seven furlongs. If there's a good early pace, Jungle Wave could be swinging through the trees from the back of the pack. Truth be told, the pace picture here is very muddled due to a lack of Form for most entrants.

5 Show Me the Ring (ON)R A Dos Ramos 119 W Tharrenos 12/1
SMTR won the Natalma prep impressively making up for a slow break and then cruising to the lead to win by a neck. The time was slow but the horse (and jock Richard Dos Ramos) dealt well with adversity. A win here would make three in a row. 12-1 odds seem about right.

6 Elusive Galaxy (IRE) R Bejarano 119 G M Lyons 4/1
Impressive shipper from Ireland broke her maiden at first asking at Leopardstown and recently finished third, beaten just two lengths, in a G2 seven furlong turf effort. The daughter of Elusive City adds first time lasix and drops five pounds for her North American debut. Rafael Bejerano picks up the mount. Tough ask for a young horse, but she certainly shows talent. Must include.

7 Mingun Miss (KY) M Moore 119 N Gonzalez 12/1
Nick Gonzalez trainee chased home Show Me The Ring in the Natalma prep. The times of her six furlong efforts on the poly look a fair bit slower than those posted by both Biofuel and Ernfold. Still, a decent first out turf effort and these young horses all have infinite room for growth. It would be a bit of a surprise.

8 Redverse (KY) Jones 119 J Carroll 12/1
Trainer Josie Carroll has had a fantastic campaign and her turf runners are in the money at a 59.3% clip. Jono Jones has the reputation of being a top turf jock at Woodbine and Redverse enters the race off a bullet work on the poly in 59.60. With three starts under her belt, Redverse has confusing Form. Off slow first out, the daughter of Menifee finished well back. Second start resulted in a quick 5 1/2 furlong win in 1:04.40. Last out, she disappointed with a one-paced effort in the Ontario Damsel. If the surface switch improves and Redverse runs to her excellent workout line, this 12-1 shot might mess up a few triactors.

9 Bay to Bay (FL) D Clark 119 B A Lynch 5/2
Brain Lynch says Bay to Bay is the best two year-old in his barn. Check out the breeding - Sire: Sligo Bay ( Sadler's Wells); Dam: Bala (With Approval.) Bay to Bay tried turf in her first career effort and walked out of the gate lurking 12 lengths back early. Jockey David Clark rallied the big filly up for third in that race with quick fractions of 22.60, 45, 56.60 and 1:09. Next out going seven furlongs on the poly, Bay to Bay started well and took the lead at the top of the stretch racing home an easy winner. My top choice.

Picks (and no, I haven't been drinking.):
1. Bay to Bay
2. Ernfold
3. Elusive Galaxy
4. Redverse

For the bottom of your superfecta: Gitchee Goomie and Biofuel.

Field for the Summer Stakes, 1M on the E.P Taylor Turf Course
1 Ruhtro (ON) C Fraser 122 M E Casse 4/1
2 Korvette Kid (KY) J McAleney 122 D J Vella 6/1
3 Personal Signal (KY)T Kabel 122 M O'Sullivan 20/1
4 Mobil Unit (ON) T Pizarro 122 M Keogh 12/1
5 Benestar (KY) P Husbands 122 D J Vella 12/1
6 Yesnabay (KY) A Smith 122 L Rivelli 8/1
7 Stormy Lord (ON) J Stein 122 I Black 5/2
8 Fantastico Roberto (IRE) C P DeCarlo 122 T A Pletcher 8/1
9 Becky's Kitten (KY) J R Leparoux 122 W A Ward 10/1
10 Bridgetown (FL) R C Landry 122 K G McPeek 10/1

1 Ruhtro (ON) C Fraser 122 M E Casse 4/1
Corey Fraser is on a hot streak picking up quality mounts for the Mark Casse barn. Fraser is a good turf jock in the money 39.5% of the time and has a live horse in Ruhtro. Inside post helps and this closer will enjoy trying to track down the field which has plenty of early pace. Last out Ruhtro was beaten by Stormy Lord in the prep for the Summer Stakes.

2 Korvette Kid (KY) J McAleney 122 D J Vella 6/1
Ruhtro broke his maiden going 6F on the turf in 1:10.20. Korvette Kid broke his maiden first out at 6F on the turf in 1:09.60. The son of Lemon Drop Kid has plenty of turf breeding and trainer Danny Vella is a respected turf conditioner. Korvette Kid worked a scintallating 5F in 58.80 on the turf September 6th. Jim McAleney is charged with harnessing the speed. Interesting.

3 Personal Signal (KY)T Kabel 122 M O'Sullivan 20/1
Todd Kabel appears to have chosen this one over a seemingly better Mobil Unit. The latter horse soundly defeated Personal Signal on August 3rd in a turf sprint. A recent route was a much better effort finishing third. Still a maiden, this is a tough race to get it started. Turf breeding is there (Sire: Mizzen Mast - Cozzene)but I'm looking elsewhere.

4 Mobil Unit (ON) T Pizarro 122 M Keogh 12/1
Tyler Pizarro takes over on Mobil Unit who sees his fourth different rider in what will be his fifth start. This one spent his first three efforts tackling local monster Whos Big Daddy always managing to stay within three lengths. Last out, Mobil Unit finally got away from that one and easily beat a field of maidens in a 6F turf sprint. The time of that race was 1:09.60...which is faster than what Ruhtro put up under the same conditions that same day. With a string of impressive works, 12-1 is looking very generous.

5 Benestar (KY) P Husbands 122 D J Vella 12/1
Danny Vella sends out Benestar for owner Alvin Wong. After failing to hold first out against Ruhtro in the above mentioned 6F sprint, Benestar came back with a big effort Aug 28th to finish third beaten less than a length after stumbling at the start and encountering traffic trouble. Leading rider Patrick Husbands (53% in the money on turf) retains the mount. Another 12-1 shot looking very lively.

6 Yesnabay (KY) A Smith 122 L Rivelli 8/1
Brit-shipper adds lasix and drops from carrying 129lbs to 122lbs for this event. "Missed break" in both starts overseas and there's two much speed in here to make that mistake again. The son of Grand Slam has plenty to do to win here. Barring a sparkling pre-race appearance, this one is on the fringes at best.

7 Stormy Lord (ON) J Stein 122 I Black 5/2
Woodbine's equine Rodney Dangerfield gets no respect. In three starts, Stormy Lord has never been less than 10-1, winning twice, but now appears as the 5-2 morning-line favourite. Last out, the son of Stormy Atlantic was an easy winner of the Summer Stakes prep and a Sep 13 workout of 47.60 on the poly suggests this one is sharp and ready. Justin Stein retains the mount.

8 Fantastico Roberto (IRE) C P DeCarlo 122 T A Pletcher 8/1
Chirs De Carlo gets the mount on Irish-bred, Italian invader Fantastico Roberto. This one dominated in Italy before arrving at Arlington Park under new owners Team Valor International to finish third in the Spectacular Bid on poly. The winner of that event, Dixie Band, recently continued his perfect record winning the G3 Arlington-Washington Futurity. Fantastico Roberto adds Lasix and gets back onto the the turf where he is undefeated.

9 Becky's Kitten (KY) J R Leparoux 122 W A Ward 10/1
Wesley Ward sends out Becky's Kitten for a second consecutive turf start. Last out, this cat clawed out a neck win at Saratoga under Leparoux who is here for this event. Turf breeding throughout on this one who had a good polytrack work in 1:00.40 on September 14th. Before that last win, BK had three lacklustre starts. Hard to tell what this one really has in the tank, but the switch to turf certainly helped.

10 Bridgetown (FL) R C Landry 122 K G McPeek 10/1
Bridgetown finished second first time out at Churchill Downs on June 27th and immediately went back on the shelf. The son of Speightstown showed up at Saratoga on August 14th and rocketed through fractions of 21.60, 44.80, 56 to win a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint in 1:02. The second place finisher in that event, Billions Boy, broke his maiden next out on the turf. Bridgetown has put up faster fractions than all others here, though it remains to be seen if it will carry over a mile. Rob Landry takes over for Robbie Albarado.

Picks:
1. Fantastico Roberto
2. Korvette Kid
3. Stormy Lord
4. Bridgetown
For the bottom of your superfecta: Benestar, Mobil Unit, Becky's Kitten

Woodbine Mile: Rahy's Attorney Looks To Defend His Title

Score it "one all" in the Woodbine Win and You're In weekend where Woodbine talent is taking on all comers from across North America and overseas.

In the G3 Natalma Stakes, Brian Lynch trained Bay to Bay was an impressive winner defeating another Woodbine-based horse in Steve Asmussen's Jungle Tale. Jockey David Clark worked hard down the lane for the win. Odd-on favourite Elusive Galaxy (IRE), just arrived from Leopardstown, was in front early but faded deep in the stretch for jockey Rafael Bejerano.

In the G3 Summer Stakes, speedy invader Bridgetown stalked the early pace under a beautiful ride by Woodbine-based jockey Rob Landry before surging to the lead in the stretch to win handily. Becky's Kitten and Fantastico Roberto were flying late to pick up the pieces under jockeys Julien Leparoux and Chris DeCarlo.

Jockey Rob Landry gave Bridgetown a dynamite ride to win the Summer Stakes


A determined Bay To Bay fought off Jungle Tale to win the Natalma Stakes


Considering the ride by Landry, a biased Triple Dead Heat says this tie goes to Woodbine.

Sunday's Woodbine card features three top turf events including the Canadian Stakes where Forever Together is preparing for the Breeders' Cup; the Northern Dancer stakes where Marchfield and Champs Elysees will battle a tough group of turfers; and the feature million-dollar Woodbine Mile which will see Rahy's Attorney defend his crown against Ventura and Ferneley.

Picks for the Woodbine Mile:

1. Rahy's Attorney
Last out Rahy's Attorney reached above and beyond his comfort zone stretching out to a mile and three eighths on a course he didn't handle on the day. This afternoon, Rahy's Attorney cuts back to his preferred mile distance and looks sharp off a pair of fast four furlong flings. Jockey Slade Callaghan has the chore of wearing down the other speed along the backstretch, while maintaining enough gas to hold off Ventura late.

2. Ventura
The five-year-old mare tried but failed to catch Rahy's Attorney in this event last season. Garrett Gomez returns to ride Ventura in an attempt to exact a bit of revenge over her old rival. Trainer Brian Lynch has been handling Ventura on behalf of Robert Frankel and a recent work of 5F in 59.60 over the Woodbine poly proves that the five-month layoff will not be a factor here today. The game of cat and mouse for positioning should be fun to watch as Gomez will not want to let Callaghan get too far ahead turning into the stretch.

3. Bribon
Last out, Bribon easily handled a field of optional claimers at Saratoga over a mile distance on the turf. The win gives grass credibility to a horse that has run up a string of impressive Beyer figures on the dirt, including an impressive win in the G1 Met Mile. Can Bribon maintain that form against Graded turf horses? Jockey Alan Garcia gets the call and he will have plenty of speed to chase down the stretch.

A full report, with photos, of the entire weekend will be posted following today's card.

Woodbine Mile Post Positions Announced as Win & You're In Weekend at Woodbine Approaches

Exciting times on the Woodbine backstretch this morning as visiting horses in unfamiliar saddlecloths prepare for the upcoming Win & You're In weekend.

Irish shipper Elusive Galaxy will be a top contender in Saturday's Natalma Stakes


On Saturday, the two-year-olds take centre stage racing a mile on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course with nine fillies contesting the G3 Natalma Stakes and ten boys battling in the G3 Summer Stakes.

Field for the Natalma Stakes
1 Gitchee Goomie (NY)J R Leparoux 119 L Rice 7/2
2 Biofuel (KY) E R Da Silva 119 R Baker 10/1
3 Ernfold (ON) J McAleney 119 R Baker 8/1
4 Jungle Tale (FL)L Contreras 119 S M Asmussen 10/1
5 Show Me the Ring (ON)R A Dos Ramos 119 W Tharrenos 12/1
6 Elusive Galaxy (IRE) R Bejarano 119 G M Lyons 4/1
7 Mingun Miss (KY) M Moore 119 N Gonzalez 12/1
8 Redverse (KY) Jones 119 J Carroll 12/1
9 Bay to Bay (FL) D Clark 119 B A Lynch 5/2

Field for the Summer Stakes
1 Ruhtro (ON) C Fraser 122 M E Casse 4/1
2 Korvette Kid (KY) J McAleney 122 D J Vella 6/1
3 Personal Signal (KY)T Kabel 122 M O'Sullivan 20/1
4 Mobil Unit (ON) T Pizarro 122 M Keogh 12/1
5 Benestar (KY) P Husbands 122 D J Vella 12/1
6 Yesnabay (KY) A Smith 122 L Rivelli 8/1
7 Stormy Lord (ON) J Stein 122 I Black 5/2
8 Fantastico Roberto (IRE) C P DeCarlo 122 T A Pletcher 8/1
9 Becky's Kitten (KY) J R Leparoux 122 W A Ward 10/1
10 Bridgetown (FL) R C Landry 122 K G McPeek 10/1

Mark Casse's Ruthro is ready to rush in Saturday's Summer Stakes


Sunday's card features the $1M Woodbine Mile as defending champion Rahy's Attorney puts his crown on the line against Ventura, Bribon, Ferneley and a host of others tough milers.

Ventura went for a spin on the Woodbine poly this morning preparing for Sunday's Woodbine Mile


Post Positions for the Woodbine Mile with morning line odds.

PP/Horse/Odds
1 Sand Cove (Odds: 20-1)
2 Sterwins (Odds: 8-1)
3 Ferneley (Odds: 8-1)
4 Field Commission (Odds: 12-1)
5 Bribon (Odds: 5-2)
6 Daylight Express (Odds: 30-1)
7 Grand Adventure (Odds: 30-1)
8 Rahy’s Attorney (Odds: 9-2)
9 Ventura (Odds: 7-2)
10 Jungle Wave (Odds: 6-1)

Ferneley feeling fine for the Woodbine Mile


Sunday's undercard also has two additional turf Stakes events. The G2 Canadian Stakes and the G1 Northern Dancer Stakes.

The Northern Dancer is a particularly competitive mile and a half event as locals Marlang and Marchfield will bang heads with veteran turf warriors Champs Elysees, Just As Well, Marsh Side and Quijano. Musketier, Medjool, Cobotown Ron and Solitaire round out a tough ten-horse field.

Mike Matz sends out Princess Haya in the Canadian Stakes to take on the brilliant five-year-old mare Forever Together and Ontario-bred Dance to My Tune in a difficult seven horse field. Much Obliged, She's The Umpire, Points of Grace and Lomaki round out the group who will travel a mile and an eighth on the E.P Taylor turf course.

Champs Elysees was busy digging for carrots when I stopped by this morning. On Sunday, the champ hopes to be dining on a floral blanket.


A host of ship-in trainers will be represented this weekend including Linda Rice, Todd Pletcher, Wes Ward, Ken McPeek, Peter Schiergen and Robert Frankel.
Bay to Bay will be trying the Natalma Stakes


As well, we'll see an influx of import jockeys such as Julien Leparoux, Rafael Bejerano, Chris DeCarlo, Alan Garcia, Andrasch Starke and Garrett Gomez.

The photogenic Ginger Brew lives next door to Ventura currently under the care of Brian Lynch at Woodbine


It will be interesting to watch our local Woodbine talent match up against some very tough competition shipping in from across the continent and overseas.

I'll be posting more photos and a few picks for the events over the course of the weekend. For more photos, news and video be sure to check out the official Woodbine Mile website.

Photo Essay: Bridgetown and Bay to Bay Win Their Way In to the Breeders' Cup

Forgive me for looking ahead at the Woodbine Stakes schedule. It's just that after being treated to a weekend of turf royalty this past weekend, I cannot help but sneak a peak towards the contenders for the Pattison Canadian International.

Less than a month away on SATURDAY October 17th, Woodbine patrons will be treated to three Breeders' Cup Win & You're In races.

$500,000 NEARCTIC STAKES - Saturday, October 17 (Gr. 2, Turf) WAYI

$1,000,000 E.P. TAYLOR STAKES - Saturday, October 17 (Gr. 1, Turf)WAYI

$2,000,000 PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL - Saturday, October 17 (Gr. 1, Turf) WAYI

Google Alerts have been filling up my email Inbox with a variety of potential contenders for the Grade One turf event that always draws a talented group of horses from across the world. Below you'll find a few links to stories of some of the horses likely to be at Woodbine next month.

Jukebox Jury could be on his way to the Canadian International according to Sep. 20 Racing Post article.

Trainer Mark Casse states Marchfield to run in Canadian International according to Sep. 22nd Bill Tallon article.

Buccellati pointed at Canadian International states Sep. 19 UKPA story.

Jambalaya, who won the 2007 Arlington Million last out, made a victorious return to racing at Woodbine on Fri. Sep 18th.

Racing Post reported on Sep. 16th that Ask will be asked to skip the Arc de Triomphe and win the Canadian International.

Sep. 9 Irish Times article reports Casual Conquest MIGHT be headed to Canadian International.

Locals Musketier and Spice Route also pointed to the Canadian International by trainer Roger Attfield.

No doubt even more contenders will be discussed over the coming weeks. I'll do my best to keep you posted - not only for the International, but also for the Nearctic and the E.P Taylor Stakes.

* * *

While Ventura, Just as Well, Princess Haya, Bridgetown and Bay to Bay were the big winners this weekend, I did snap quite a few photos of other talented individuals as well.

Michelle Rainford guided Scott Fairlie's Put Upon to a neat win on the undercard


Saratoga maiden breaker Gitchee Goomie makes her way to the paddock for the Natalama Stakes


Biofuel stares down the camera


Julien Leparoux strolls through the garden to Gitchee Goomie


Rafael Bejerano gets some last minute instructions about shipper Elusive Galaxy


Elusive Galaxy gets some last minute instructions about shipper Rafael Bejerano


Trainer Brian Lynch advises David Clark to lean in during the stretch run


Jono Jones guides Redverse to the track


Everyone is smiling in this photo as Luis Contreras prepares Jungle Tale for battle


Bejerano and Elusive Galaxy parade for the Woodbine patrons


A victorious Bay to Bay bathes by the by


Benestar looked gorgeous in the walking ring ahead of the Summer Stakes


Bridgetown believes he's even more beautiful than Benestar


Assistant trainer Skip Bowen takes Stormy Lord for a walk


Fantastico Roberto gets low to the ground like a middle linebacker preparing to tackle some tough two-year-olds


So fanstico let's take another look!


Do not adjust your sets. Yes, that's Todd Kabel in the tartan silks of Eastland Partners 2008.


Jimmy Mac aboard the super fast Korvette Kid



Jockey Ariel Smith makes a rare Woodbine appearance aboard Yesnabay


Chris DeCarlo was in town to ride Fantastico Roberto. If you squint, you can just make out Becky's Kitten sticking her tongue out at her competitor. Talk about gamesmanship.


Julien Leparoux sitting tall aboard the cheeky Becky's Kitten


A fantastic ride by Rob Landry as Bridgetown wins the Summer Stakes. Becky's Kitten sneaks in along the rail...


The lovely Elissa Blowe gets the details from Landry


Bridgetown shows off his snazzy new blanket


It was a tremendous Win and You're In weekend at Woodbine. Absolutely incredible to see so many current and future stars of racing grace the backstretch dazzling us with their morning gallops.

Thanks for the memories Ventura. Good luck in the Filly and Mare Sprint

Catch her if you can...Ventura out for a gallop on a gloomy morning


* * *

This Sunday Woodbine will see the return of Queen's Plate winner Eye of the Leopard in the Ontario Derby


More on the Ontario Derby and other Woodbine news later this week.

BC 2009: And if you don't know, now you know. (Or maybe you don't)

There are varied opinions across the racing community on who to bet in the Breeders' Cup races starting with Friday's Marathon and ending with Saturday's Classic. The ongoing debate regarding Santa Anita's synthetic Pro-Ride surface leaves even the experts reeling in the head game that is near-dirt handicapping.

Here are some things I've learned in the past few weeks about Pro-Ride:

1. Speed Holds - Except when it doesn't

Brad Free's excellent "Changing Pro-Ride middles picture" column in the DRF Breeders' Cup Advance offers some excellent statistical information, including:

- 6 of 8 Pro-Ride races in the 2008 BC were won by a top three choice.
- More than half the sprints (46 of 84) at the Fall meet have been won by horses within two lengths of the lead at first call.
- Free goes on to advise that in ROUTE races speed is holding well. (At least in the latter half of the meet.)

However, my blogging buddy Equispace ran his own study of the 2008 Breeders' Cup that dictated a preference to closers:

F&M Sprint: Ventura, Post 12, First Call: 11 (Closer)
Juvenile Fillies: Stardom Bound, Post 10, First Call: 12 (Closer)
Ladies Classic: Zenyatta, Post 1, First Call: 8 (Closer)
Marathon: Muhannak (Ire), Post 5, First Call: 4 (Stalker)
Dirt Mile: Albertus Maximus, Post 7, First Call: 10 (Closer)
Juvenile: Midshipman, Post 11, First Call: 2 (Stalker)
Sprint: Midnight Lute, Post 4, First Call: 8 (Closer)
Classic: Raven's Pass, Post 8, First Call: 10 (Closer)

VERDICT? Well, I guess they're both right. Free's numbers are correct. Spaceman's numbers are correct. Statistically speaking, pace-pressing types are successful at Santa Anita but maybe that doesn't matter in events with horses of this quality.

2. Turfers have advantage over dirt horses on synthetics. Don't they?

Steven Crist is offering up "Five Solid Spots To Beat Chalk" as he reviews the Saturday card. However, his view of the Classic offers the following:
"The American horses with synthetic-track experience look evenly matched on their best days without having shown anything special, so it might be a good spot to try those trying the surface for the first time. It would be heartening to see the good dirt 3-year-olds Summer Bird and Quality Road run well, but recent history suggests they're less likely to handle the surface than grass runners such as Twice Over, Rip Van Winkle, and Gio Ponti."

Let's all nod our heads in agreement. Turf to poly - that's the angle right?

However - Some two weeks ago, Jeremy Plonk offered up an outstanding piece debunking the widely held thought that turf-to-poly is an advantage. Decrees Plonk, "After a study of more than 7,300 all-weather surface starters from 60 of the most well-known barns throughout North America, I have found absolutely no factual proof that horses who move from turf racing to all-weather surface racing are any better off than those who switch from the dirt."

VERDICT: Plonk's numbers are satisfying and one has to respect the time put into the study. However, if even renowned handicappers such as Crist see merit of the turf-to-poly then are the statistics just damned lies?

3. Racing on Pro-Ride will make lesser horses better - or make better horses worse?

Jay Cronley's humourous look at handicapping the #BC09 offers thanks that the turf races are still on turf while cautiously admitting, "Lots of good horses with short program odds are running on synthetics for the first time. Lots of good horses with short program odds are off two-month layoffs." To be fair, Cronley doesn't flat out state against playing the favourites in his piece, but those that read him often (as i do - and he's brilliant) know he's not a fan of the plastic.

Bill Finley reviews the card race-by-race but after clearly identifying Mastery as class of the field in the opening Marathon, Finley hedges just words later by writing, "Father Time finished behind Mastery in each of his past two starts but has the advantage of having won over a synthetic surface."

VERDICT: The crux of what I'm trying to point out with this post is that we're really all just guessing as to how a horse is going to race on the Pro-Ride surface. Not even the experts can come to a consensus.

Trainer Bob Baffert tossed his hat into the ring this week offering up the following comments on the Pro-Ride surface, "The track's a year older and they're keeping a lot of water on it. It's very fair at the moment and it's playing a bit like dirt, so that's good. It's certainly different to last year, so I think the Americans will have a good chance. Last year there was a real anti-speed bias, but it's not the same now. The dirt horses will have a better chance than they did last year."

Great. So after spending a week marking up my DRF to highlight all the horses with form and breeding geared to synthetics, I can toss it all out the window as Pro-Ride is now dirt. It's enough to make a grown man cry.

As a Woodbine homer, I can personally attest to watching our own polytrack speed up during the course of the card. Some Wednesday nights, by the third race lone speed would be absolutely deadly - near impossible to catch.

As well, I've spent weekends at Woodbine where jockeys steered their steeds home more than six-wide through the stretch just to avoid a dead rail, only to see the course change moods, and form, before the tenth and final race and start welcoming rail huggers.

So, what can be done about wagering on the temperamental synthetic surface? I'll offer the advice I hope I can follow myself:

1. Bet on Form holding - regardless of the surface. Grade/Group One wins must be respected.
2. Respect the closers. Is there a race on the card that's crying for pace to chase?
3. A fresh horse should have an advantage. In general, the European horses are more lightly raced and will be coming into these races fresh. That, more so than turf-to-poly, is the angle that wins at this time of year.

My goal over the two cards will be to bet exactors. With abundant TV coverage, the ability to observe the horses in the paddock will be key. Further, track trends can change. An exactor bet can factor in the mood of the course. Multi-race tickets deny the paddock-watchers their built-in advantage and tickets will get expensive as it is difficult to toss out horses sight unseen.

To offer up picks following the above advice seems frivolous. However, I'll do a bit of name-dropping to have something to hang my hat on when "Away They Go..."

Marathon
1. Mastery (GB) - Group One winner is the class of the field.
2. Nite Lite - Lightly raced Pletcher entrant picks his spots well.
3. Cloudy's Knight - Another lightly raced horse and a G1 win in his pocket

Juvenile Fillies Turf
1. Lillie Langtry - on paper (and on turf) looks likely.
2. Jungle Tale - Proven over a tough Woodbine turf course.

Juvenile Fillies
1. Connie and Michael - What a wonderful debut
2. Blind Luck - Luck had nothing to go with that last effort

Filly and Mare Turf
1. Midday - three-year-old has bested older horses in a Group 1 previously. Victory in the Goodwood over Rainbow View was excellent. RV was 2nd in the G1 EP Taylor at Woodbine. She fits.

Filly and Mare Sprint
1. Ventura - Two wins and two losses this year. The losses are by a nose and a head. She is a fantastic horse. The Woodbine Mile win was visually stunning.

2. Seventh Street - Must respect multiple Grade 1 winner from the Godolphin Stable. Rajeeeeeev in the irons a bonus.

Ladies Classic

There's only one horse I want to see win this race. Some races you just sit back and enjoy the ride. Go get 'em Rob Landry!

No doubt there will be several articles in the weeks ahead tearing apart the statistics of the 2009 Breeders' Cup. Those who are looking forward to a return to dirt at Churchill in 2010 best not forget that the same handicapping nightmares will still exist. Just in the opposite direction. Can poly-based horses win on the dirt? Can European turfers fare as well on CD dirt as they do on SA Pro-Ride? Be careful what you wish for handicappers!

Enjoy your 2009 Breeders Cup. I'll be back with more thoughts, picks and fun on Saturday.

Preview: Picking Winners From The 2009 Sovereign Award Finalists

Those of you hanging onto your New Year's Resolutions by a thread might feel differently but it certainly seems like January is flying by at warp speed.

Rachel Alexandra was crowned Horse of the Year on Monday evening and in two short weeks, Canada's best will be honoured at the 35th Annual Sovereign Awards.

However, before I take a walk through the list of Sovereign Award finalists there are plenty of interesting entries involving Woodbine-based trainers and horses over the coming week.

Of note, Josie Carroll sends out three year-old maiden Capote Ruler on Saturday January 23rd at the Fair Grounds. Click here for the entries.

Later that day, Good and Lucky - a seven year-old gelding owned in part by Carroll - will try the $75K Louisiana Handicap going 1 1/6M on the turf. Two horses that played a big part in the Kentucky Derby trail last year, FRIESAN FIRE and GENERAL QUARTERS, are in the mix and should draw a lot of attention from the bettors. Click here for the entries.

Mark Casse has an interesting Eugene Melnyk homebred by the name of Carlton Beach lined up Friday at Tampa Bay Downs. This $20K MSW features ten three year-olds going 1 1/16M on the turf. Casse has Dream Commander in the same event. Click here for the entries.

Philadelphia Park punters searching for an angle in Friday's Daily Double can take a shot on a pair of Ontario-breds. In the first race, 3YO filly Sharp N Flashy bred by Chiefswood Stable is a solid 8/5 favourite. In the second leg, Scott Fairlie sends out 4YO filly Forcefully who was bred by Kinghaven Farms. Click here for the entries.

If you get lucky, you can put your winnings on Ted Coker Ontario-bred Heart of Cold in Saturday's eighth race at Philly Park.

Mark Frostad and Malcolm Pierce will be very busy with stakes events on Saturday at the Fair Grounds.

Frostad sends out the Sam-Son Farms stalwart Grand Adventure in the F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes sprinting six furlongs against six other entrants. Grand Adventure will have his hands full with the Steve Asmussen trained Sok Sok. Click here for the entries.

Grand Adventure in his Woodbine stall earlier this year



Pierce pitches Pin Oak Stable's Get Rich Quick into the $100K G3 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap against just six foes in a winnable 1 1/16M Turf test. The Darley Stable owned Tybalt will offer resistance. Click here for the entries.

Mommie Whiz will try her best to capture the $75K Dr. A. B. Leggio Memorial Stakes for Pierce in a hectic 5 1/2 furlong sprint on the turf. Woodbine stakes winning filly Juliet's Spirit is one of twelve entered in this difficult dash. Click here for the entries.

In case you missed it in Monday's post, Roger Attfield sends out a pair of runners - Society's Chairman and Simmard - in an ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING $100,000 at Gulfstream on January 22nd. This 1 1/8M turf tilt features a full ten-horse field including the Mark Casse conditioned Sterwins.

G3 Connaught Cup winner Sterwins returns at Gulfstream on January 22nd


Rob Landry will get the call on Simmard. This impressive race features Bittel Road and Yate's Black Cat in what should be a highly competitive field. Click on the link to see the entries.

Attfield also sends out Ontario-bred Impossible Time to take on another Ontario-bred Manitoba Miss on January 21st at Gulfstream. Click on the link to see the entries.

All of these races are available for wagering at HorseplayerInteractive.

***

And now back to regularly scheduled Sovereign Award preview.

The Jockey Club of Canada announced the finalists for the 2009 edition of the Sovereign Awards on Monday afternoon. The awards will be presented at the 35th annual Sovereign Awards dinner to be held Jan. 29 at the Ultra Supper Club in Toronto. Ultra is located at 314 Queen Street West.

It's not too late to get tickets to the event. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling the Jockey Club of Canada, (416) 675-7756 or by email at jockeyclub@bellnet.ca.

Attire for the evening is listed as, "Elegantly Casual", which has kept me busy stitching the rips in my jeans back together for the past few nights.

On with the review. The finalists are:

Champion 2-Year-Old Female
Bay to Bay
Biofuel
Franny Freud
Negligee

This category should belong to Biofuel. The Reade Baker trainee surprised the punters with a win in the G3 Mazarine at 23-1 and then headed off to the Breeders' Cup nearly pulling out a miraculous win. With a ferocious stretch run, Biofuel was charging down the centre of the track only to be bounced by fellow nominee Negligee in what the Form comments note as being "Bumped soundly 1/8".

It's the only time I've ever seen jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva without his trademark smile. Watch the race for yourself and see if you think Biofuel was robbed. At least one Eclipse Award voter thought so as the Stormin Fever filly earned a single Eclipse vote for Champion Two-Year-Old Female.

Biofuel bumped in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies


Brian Lynch sent out the excellent Sligo Bay filly Bay to Bay for two wins in four starts never missing the board while winning $172K. Her impressive victory in the G3 Natalma over Jungle Tale was one of the highlights of the turf season.

Bay to Bay's a beauty



Franny Freud won four of six starts in 2009 and earnings of $308K. One of those wins was a half length decision over Negligee in the Ontario Debutante Stakes

Negligee is in with a shout in this category. The Northern Afleet filly beat eventual BC Juvenile winner She Be Wild in the G1 Alcibiad at Keeneland before the infamous right turn at the 1/8 pole in the BC Juvenile. Had Negligee kept focus, there might have been a photo finish with Biofuel.

Champion 2-Year-Old Male
Bear Tough Guy
Ghost Fleet
Hollinger

This category should be a walk for Robert and Harvey Wortzman's Hollinger. Undefeated in four starts, the Attfield trainee banked $366K while winning both the Cup & Saucer and Coronation Futurity.

Bear Stables Ltd owns lightly raced Bear Tough Guy who won both his races by a neck. The maiden breaker was an impressive mile on the turf at 12-1 followed by a thrilling victory in the G3 Grey Stakes over Korvette Kid and Mobthewarrior. The latter came back to win the Frost King handily.

Ghost Fleet went three for six in an eventful campaign winning the Vandal and Swynford stakes then weakened late to finish fourth in the Coronation Futurity won by Hollinger.

*The voters did not make much of Hastings Park-based gelding Huitzilopochtli five wins in six starts. The only loss occurred over a sloppy track. Modest winnings of $128K and plenty of room for improvement in 2010.

Champion 3-Year-Old Female
Hooh Why
Milwaukee Appeal
Tasty Temptation

Before you ask, Careless Jewel was not eligible as she had not raced the required number of times in Canada.

I love Milwaukee Appeal for this award. The daughter of Milwaukee Brew was tenacious in all nine of her starts finishing in the money eight times. Her two wins came in the Star Shoot Stakes followed soon after by a smashing run in the Oaks with Stewart Elliott in the irons.

Milwaukee Appeal chilling out on shedrow



Two weeks after the Oaks win, Milwaukee Appeal took on the boys in the Queen's Plate and missed by a neck with a brave stretch run. In the second leg of the Triple Crown, Milwaukee Appeal was denied by the narrowest of margins at Fort Erie in the Prince of Wales Stakes.

A cruel photo finish for Milwaukee Appeal



A month later she chased home Careless Jewel in the G1 Alabama at Saratoga.

Scott Fairlie did an excellent job with this filly and it was a treat to watch her face a new challenge in nearly every start.

Hooh Why earned $452K over eight races including an awesome G1 victory in the Ashland over the likes of Stardom Bound and Gozzip Girl. In May, Hooh Why sizzled a 95 Beyer defeating both Tasty Temptation and Milwaukee Appeal. Her ambitious campaign which included trips to five different tracks is certainly worthy of this award.

Tasty Temptation saved the best for last by winning the Wonder Where Stakes at 1 1/4M on the turf. The Medaglia d'Oro filly spent much of the 2009 campaign in tough against her fellow nominees, but it would appear this roan has much room for improvement.

Tasty Temptation enjoyed her first taste of the Stakes winners circle


Champion 3-Year-Old Male
Awesome Rhythm
El Brujo
Eye of the Leopard

This category is wide open. Eye of the Leopard has $786,340 in earnings thanks to his dramatic Queen's Plate victory. After a third place finish in the Prince of Wales, the colt did not enjoy his 1 1/2M jaunt on the E.P Taylor turf in the Breeders and his campaign fizzled out with a sixth place finish in the Ontario Derby.

Click on the link for a Queen's Plate report entitled Photo Essay: Eye of the Leopard Wins The Queen's Plate

Sprinter El Brujo's pair of G3 wins in Kentucky might earn the Candy Ride gelding the nod here. The sprinter tried his best to keep pace in the distance races of the Triple Crown but his forte is obviously speed.

El Brujo wins the G3 Perryville at Keeneland


Awesome Rhythm won three stakes events in a row early in the season including the Wando, Marine and Victoria Park. In his last start of the campaign, Awesome Rhythm failed to hold on in the G2 Autumn at Woodbine against older horses. A win there might have pushed him into the lead for this award.

I'll give the nod to El Brujo.

Champion Older Female
Ginger Brew
Serenading
Smart Surprise

I have a soft spot for Ginger Brew. The Oaks winner in 2008 won only one race in 2009 but it was a ferocious wire-to-wire route of the Belle Mahone which earned a 98 Beyer rating. Narrow losses to Serenading and Points of Grace in the Maple Leaf and Dance Smartly Stakes point to the obvious class of this daughter of Milwaukee Brew.

The photogenic Ginger Brew lived next door to Ventura briefly under the care of Brian Lynch at Woodbine


Serenading charged into the Sovereign picture with a resounding three length win in the G2 Fall City Handicap at Churchill Downs to complete her 2009 CV. In the money four times in six starts with earnings of $251K, the Josie Carroll charge is in tough against her stablemate.

Smart Surprise won $341K under the guidance of Carrol with wins in the Hendrie, Hill N Dale and Ontario Matron. The consistent Smart Strike mare was in the money in seven of eight starts and is my pick for this award.

Champion Older Male
Ice Bear
Marchfield
Palladio

Marchfield won this award in 2008 and was enjoying a brilliant Woodbine campaign (two wins, two seconds in four Graded events) when jockey Patrick Husbands was forced to pull up the horse after hearing something snap during the stretch run in the Northern Dancer Stakes.

Marchfield kept busy reading about his Stakes wins in Down The Stretch


Now retired, the five-year-old won the G2 Sky Classic stakes keeping eventual Canadian International winner Champs Elysees in his wake.

Chantal Sutherland and Ice Bear teamed up to win three races in 2009 including the G3 Eclipse over Marchfield. With earnings of $296K, the five year-old roan gelding is well known and well backed by the Woodbine faithful going to the post as the favourite in four of seven starts. Ice Bear kept fellow nominee Palladio behind him in the final two starts of 2009.

Chantal Sutherland absolutely beaming aboard Ice Bear.


Palladio won two Stakes races for Roger Attfield in 2009, first the G3 Seagram Cup and in his final race of the year the G2 Autumn Stakes. In five Woodbine starts, the seven-year-old never finished more than four lengths from the winner.

Champion Female Turf Horse
Lady Shakespeare
Much Obliged
Points of Grace

Points of Grace won five races in nine starts in 2009 including a smashing success in the G2 Dance Smartly over Ginger Brew which earned a 100 Beyer rating. The daughter of Point Given ended her campaign with an impressive win in the River Memories over a soft turf course. Earnings of $363K best the bunch here.

Lady Shakespeare won four races on the trot at Woodbine defeating older foes twice along the way. The Attfield charge won the Colleen in exciting fashion driving from tenth to first under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Pin Oak Stables Much Obliged raced four times in 2009 with three wins and a third to show for her efforts. The third place effort came in the G2 Canadian against Princess Haya and the brilliant Forever Together.

Champion Male Turf Horse
Champs Elysees
Marchfield
Rahy’s Attorney

I've written about Champs Elysees, Marchfield and Rahy's Attorney throughout the 2009 meet.

Champs Elysees was resplendent winning the Canadian International to retire on top of his game. My review of the International noted how lucky fans were to see a horse of this calibre racing so late into his career to which one commenter replied, "What's shocking about Champs Elysees racing at 6 is not just his $3M in earnings, but that he's about the best bred horse presently racing at any age." I couldn't agree more, check out the pedigree.

Champs Elysees was busy digging for carrots when I stopped by on this morning.


Rahy's Attorney set the pace through five consecutive graded races winning twice including a grudge match win over Sterwins in the King Edward and a powerful victory over Champs Elysees on a soft turf course in the 1 1/4M Nijinksky.
What I love about Rahy's Attorney is that he's a local horse who throws it down each and every start and has taken on some of the best horses in the world.

Trained by Ian Black, Rahy's Attorney led throughout in his opening race of 2009 in the GIII Connaught Cup and set a wicked pace despite carrying 126 pounds. Travelling one mile on the turf course, the son of Crown Attorney raced through fractions of 46.94 and 1:10.28 for jockey Slade Callaghan only to be caught at the wire by Sterwins in a track record time of 1:38.99.

Move the gate back an eighth of a mile next out for the GII King Edward and Callaghan took his charge to the lead once again hitting the markers in 47.83 and 1:10.35 before being challenged by the multiple graded stakes winner Sterwins at the top of the stretch. This time, Callaghan and Rahy's Attorney would not be passed as the big horse refused to be headed and sped through the wire in a track record time of 1:44.73. It was a record that had stood for fourteen years, the previous record of 1:45.20 being set by Bold Ruritana on June 18, 1995.

You can't catch me! Rahy's Attorney on the lead


At the end of July, Rahy's Attorney then faced both his fellow nominees in the GII Nijinksy Stakes and cruised through the 1 1/4M event with ease to win by two lengths, After the race, trainer Ian Black offered the following accolades for Rahy's Attorney, "I'm in awe of the horse. He's wonderful. He loves to race. He loves to win. He has so much desire and a great mind. I'm honored to be around him." You can read my full report here entitled, Rahy's Attorney Lays Down The Law.

Marchfield is the mystery horse of the trio. Injured while at the top of his game during the Northern Dancer, with a quartet of 100+ Beyers under his belt, the son of A.P. Indy will be well missed by racing fans. This horse was just coming into his own.

Magnificent Marchfield can win on any surface

All three of these horses are deserving of the award. Any one of them could take home Horse of the Year honours.

Champion Male Sprinter
El Brujo
Field Commission
Hollywood Hit

I was hoping to see the under rated Bogue Chitto make the list here but have no complaints about the excellent trio on show. Bogue Chitto won't win any awards, but fans of the versatile sprinter can click on the link to read my piece about The Remarkable Climb of Bogue Chitto

El Bruno comes is a potential winner in the three-year-old category and looms large here.

Field Commission won $560K over eight races (two wins, three seconds and a show) and won the important G2 Nearctic. The versatile fellow stretched out well in the Woodbine mile finishing sixth just four lenghts back of the winner Ventura.

Field Commission with a commanding charge over Bogue Chitto and Jungle Wave to win the Nearctic


Trainer Terry Jordan had an awesome Woodbine meet spending the better part of the year with a near 50% win rate. Jordan's Hollywood Hit was favoured in his last four starts of 2009 winning each and every one including wins over El Brujo and Bogue Chitto. The three-year-old took on older horses and won both times. In his final outing of 2009, Hollywood Hit tested positive for Acepromazine while setting a track record in the King Corie Stakes and the eventual suspension denied the horse a shot at the Breeders' Cup.

Champion Female Sprinter
Carem Crescent
Smart Surprise
Tribal Belle

Eugene Melnyks' Carem Crescent won $352K in 2009 while winning four of six races. The daughter of Distorted Humour defeated Milwaukee Appeal by a neck in her final start to win the Jammed Lovely.

Eurico Rosa Da Silva was thrilled to get the call aboard Carem Crescent


Smart Surprise looks a likely winner as Older Female but I'm looking elsewhere here.

Tribal Belle - another Terry Jordan sprinter - was incredible in 2009 winning five of six starts. The lone miss was a third place finish trying seven furlongs on the turf finishing third.
In the other five starts, Tribal Belle demanded the lead and refused to let it go. A ten length romp in June led to a freshening that saw the filly return to win the G3 Seaway. In her final race, Tribal Belle won the Bessarabian by a neck over Silver Z and fellow nominee Smart Surprise.

Outstanding Breeder
Adena Springs
Eugene Melnyk
Minshall Farms

The three names listed above provide a wealth of talent for us racing fans to enjoy. I'll follow the money-earned trail to Melnyk on this one, but just look at the horses from these top breeders.

Adena Springs bred horses such as Ginger Brew, Just Rushing and Miss Blakely wowed the Woodbine faithful.

Eugene Melnyk provided names like Sterwins, Carem Crescent, Marchfield and Mullins Beach who helped gather more than $3.6M in earnings.

Minshall Farms Field Commision did the brunt of the work along with fellow Minshall-bred horses Stuck in Traffic and Dance For Us.

Outstanding Trainer
Roger Attfield
Mark Casse
Malcolm Pierce

Mark Casse won the most races (72) and had nine Stakes wins. His showcase horse, Marchfield, had a brilliant final campaign at Woodbine cut short by injury.

Roger Attfield won 52 races and an awesome 14 Stakes victories. His showcase horse, Hollinger,is a lock for two-year-old honours and a potential winner of Horse of the Year.

Malcolm Pierce won 39 races and 13 Stakes wins from the likes of Points of Grace, Sterwins, and El Brujo. Pierce could be in for a very big night if El Brujo swayed the voters as Points of Grace should be a sure winner in her category.

Malcolm Pierce surveys the morning workouts at Woodbine


A tough category that will likely go to Roger Attfield. (Don't bet against Roger if there's a trophy on the line.)

Outstanding Owner in Canada
Bear Stables
Juddmonte Farms
Melnyk Racing Stables

No offence to either Juddmonte Farms or Melnyk Racing Stables, but when it comes to Outstanding Owner, I'll vote the one that earned his nickname BY WINNING A FIGHT WITH A BEAR.

Dion's NTRA Profile reads as follows:
He named his racing stable after himself as he is nicknamed “Bear,” a moniker he picked up in Quebec. “When I was lifting the big logs out in the bush, I'd growl like a bear. To this day nobody calls me Danny,” he said … Many of his horses have names with "Bear," an animal he knows better than most persons. “Oh yeah, I've run into one before,” he said. “Back in Quebec, I was out in the bush growling like a bear, and guess I got this very large old guy pretty ticked off. He came right up to me growling back and attacked me. All I had was my saw and a little six-inch copper tree in my hand. I ran and that big bear started chasing me. I was very lucky that my boss was around and he had a rifle in the truck. So he shot him, we brought him back to camp, the Indians cooked him up, and I ate him!”

To read my pretend interview with Dion, check out my December 2008 post entitled How Danny "Bear" Dion Got His Nickname - The Lighter Side of the Sovereigns.

Dion does have a talented stable of bears including Bear's Hard Ten, Bear Tough Guy, Bearcatt and...err...Fatal Bullet - who many will admit is a bear to battle in a sprint.

In all fairness, Melnyk's horses did extremely well at Woodbine this meet (See the Breeders comments above) and the folks at Juddmonte Farms sent Champs Elysees and Ventura to Woodbine for a successful stretch. The smart money might be on Melnyk - the rest of us vote Bear.

Here I am at the 2008 Sovereign Awards trying not to look terrified


Outstanding Jockey
Eurico Rosa DaSilva
Patrick Husbands
Chantal Sutherland

Patrick Husbands wins and wins and wins. In fact, this year he captured his 2000th win at Woodbine. With 188 victories for the meet and more than $9M in earnings, the Brampton resident is remarkably consistent. Husbands has mastered the timing on when to make the "swoop" for the lead. His 20 stakes victories are best of the bunch. Husbands worked hard for this award and he deserves to have his picture taken once again.

Husbands surges to the lead for his 2000th career win aboard Grazettes Landing


Eurico Rosa da Silva came oh so close to winning a Breeders' Cup event with Biofuel. Earlier in the year, the buoyant Brazilian won the Queen's Plate with Eye of the Leopard. 129 victories, 17 stakes wins and $7M in earnings is nothing to sneeze at. Eurico is a talented rider and there is no ceiling on what he can accomplish at Woodbine.

Eurico Rosa Da Silva gets mobbed by fans following his Queen's Plate win


Chantal Sutherland keeps getting better. Sutherland's composure and patience are impressive. As a handicapper, I put a little "+" beside her horse in the Form because she has the ability to coax a little extra out of each mount. The experience she gains riding against the best of the best in California is paying huge dividends at Woodbine and she might take down Husbands in 2010. 158 wins, 12 Stakes wins and $7M in earnings.

Anyone can take a pretty photo of jockey Chantal Sutherland. Triple Dead Heat is proud to present, "The Lighter Side of Chantal"


Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Omar Moreno
Tyrone Nelson
Melanie Pinto

Omar Moreno arrived at Woodbine from out West and proceeded to make a very good impression. 48 wins from 480 starts and more than $1M in earnings should be enough to get the young jock the award. You can read all about Moreno's fast rise from jockey school at Olds College to the winners circle at Northlands Park and his eventual journey to Woodbine in a story by TheHorses.Com.

Tyrone Nelson and Melanie Pinto lost their bug over the summer and likely don't have enough stats to compete with Moreno. Regardless both jocks had solid seasons worthy of this nomination. Pinto in particular had a knack for bringing home the longshots.

Jockey Melanie Pinto Tweeted on a regular basis during the Fort Erie meet.


Outstanding Broodmare
Destroy
Pico Teneriffe
Rahy’s Hope

Eugene Melnyk's Pico Teneriffe, daughter of Red Ransom is the dam of the outstanding Marchfield who is listed prominently in categories above.

Destroy is the dam of two-year-old male finalist Ghost Fleet.

Rahy's Hope is the dam of the much mentioned above Rahy's Attorney. This lifetime achievement award seems destined for Rahy's Hope thanks to the infamous million-dollar 2008 Woodbine Mile victory by Rahy's Attorney.

While there may be disagreement over who should win these awards, there is no denying that 2009 brought a deluge of talent to the thoroughbred racing game at Woodbine. If you don't agree with my picks, by all means check out the Sovereign Awards Voter Info Package and sift through the stats to make your own conclusions.