Weekend Preview: Fatal Bullet and Hollywood Hit Battle For Title of Fastest Horse at Woodbine

What an exciting weekend ahead for trainer Scott Fairlie as he travels to Delaware Park with Milwaukee Appeal to take a shot at the G2 Delaware Handicap. The winner not only grabs a share of the $750 purse but also qualifies, via the Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge, for the Ladies' Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.

Milwaukee Appeal is hoping to make the most of her third start of the season


The four year-old daughter of Milwaukee Brew finished third in her first start of 2010 when trying the Shuvee at Belmont Park. That race was won by Funny Moon who is also entered in the DelCap. Last out, Milwaukee Appeal rated along the Woodbine rail, which can be a handful, and angled out late to finish second to old foe Tasty Temptation in the 1 1/16M Hill N Dale Stakes at Woodbine on June 20.

So the pattern through two 2010 starts is 3rd, 2nd and this time....?

To get the win, Milwaukee Appeal and jock Stewart Elliot must overcome Funny Moon and the Todd Pletcher trained Life At Ten. Woodbine fans know that Milwaukee Appeal can handle the ten furlong distance based on her excellent showing in the 2010 Queen's Plate when third to Eye of the Leopard beaten less than a length.

Milwaukee Appeal is chasing a $750K purse in the 1 1/4M G2 Delaware Handicap

P#	PP	Horse	Virtual Stable	A/S	Med	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1	Funny Moon (KY)		4/F	L	A Garcia	121	C Clement	7/2
2	2	Miss Singhsix (IRE)		5/M	L	J Valdivia, Jr.	118	M D Wolfson	5/1
3	3	Milwaukee Appeal (ON)		4/F	LA*	S Elliott	119	S H Fairlie	2/1
4	4	Million Seller (KY)		4/F	LA*	J Rose	114	H G Motion	15/1
5	5	Miss Match (ARG)		5/M	LA	B J Hernandez, Jr.	115	M R Matz	12/1
6	6	Life At Ten (KY)		5/M	LA*	J R Velazquez	122	T A Pletcher	8/5

Meanwhile at Woodbine, the polytrack is going to be on fire as Saturday's card features a pair of sprint stakes featuring three current track record holders.

The under card features a field of five racing six furlongs in the Colin Stakes. Madman Diaries, who was a nine length winner of the Victoria Stakes, is listed as the 1/2 morning line favourite. The Wesley Ward trained son on Bring The Heat holds the four and a half furlong record at Woodbine (51.13 set May 9, 2010) and will have to hold off Glory Game who was an impressive six length winner first out ripping through five furlongs in 58.13. Patrick Husbands gets the call on Glory Game for trainer Nick Gonzalez who is likely still smiling from his Queen's Plate victory with Big Red Mike.

Colin Stakes - Where are the Ontario-breds in this six furlong synthetic sprint?

P# PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1 Brock N Rock (FL) 2/G L D Clark 115 S Di Pasquale 10/1 2 2 Devilish Stunt (KY) 2/G L C Sutherland 117 S H Fairlie 9/2 3 3 Glory Game (NY) 2/G L P Husbands 117 N Gonzalez 3/1 4 4 Standup Comic (KY) 2/C L* J McAleney 115 S M Asmussen 15/1 5 5 Madman Diaries (FL) 2/G L J Sanchez 119 W A Ward 1/2

A pair of heavyweight contenders will flex their muscles in the Bold Venture Stakes. Hollywood Hit owns the six furlong (1:07.38) and seven furlong (1:20.07) track records at Woodbine. Sovereign Award winning horse of the year Fatal Bullet owns the six and a half furlong track record of 1:14.54. In the Bold Venture the galloping geldings will gun six and a half panels as they hurtle full throttle from gate to finish line in an attempt to earn bragging rights as the fastest horse at Woodbine.

The fast Fatal Bullet stood still long enough for me to snap a photo


It's worth noting that Hollywood Hit zipped an awesome workout on July 7th of five furlongs in 58 flat. To see the workout, click this link.

Is Hollywood Hit the fastest horse at Woodbine?


Bold Venture Stakes - Speed to burn as the Hitman tries to avoid a Fatal Bullet for 6.5 furlongs

P# PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1 Fatal Bullet (FL) 5/G L E R Da Silva 121 R Baker 8/5 2 2 Hollywood Hit (OK) 4/G L J McAleney 121 T Jordan 3/5 3 3 Major Marvel (KY) 4/G L E Ramsammy 117 L Silvera 15/1 4 4 Smokey Fire (ON) 5/G L E Wilson 119 S C Attard 9/2

Sunday's Woodbine card is a battle for turf supremacy as four of Woodbine's best turf conditioners, Roger Attfield (Turf 56.2 ITM% ), Mark Frostad (Turf 54.5 ITM% ), Malcom Pierce (Turf 30.8 ITM% ) and Mike Keogh (Turf 50 ITM% ) do battle with H. G Motion in the Dance Smartly Stakes. I won't give you stats on Motion but his work with Better Talk Now speaks for itself!

Points Of Grace hopes to be looking back at her competition on Sunday


Another intriguing factor in the six horse field is that we'll be treated to horses bred in five different countries with Keogh's First Circle flying the flag for Canada. First Circle will have to get the better of returning Dance Smartly champion Points of Grace (KY). The 5-year-old daughter of Point Given was a five time winner in 2009 for Pierce and showed great affinity to the E.P Taylor turf course and won't mind if it rains.In her only 2010 start, Points of Grace faded to finish fourth in the Nassau Stakes and has trained well into this event.

Attfield sends out the forboding pair of Ave (GB) and Mekong Melody (IRE). Ave (GB) would appear to be the better of the pair with two third place finishes in graded events this season. The 4-year-old daughter of Danehill Dancer is a G2 winner in Ireland.

Will Magic Broomstick fly home first?


Mark Frostad sends out Magic Broomstick (KY) who won her last outing on June 18th going a mile on the turf course to beat the excellent Sugar Bay. That horse was a second place finisher on Wednesday night here at Woodbine.

Rounding out the field is Gypsy's Warning (SAF) who will have Jose Valdivia Jr in the irons. This consistent mare has six wins and five thirds from twelve lifetime starts. Last out Gypsy's Warning made her 2010 debut a winning one by capturing the G3 Eatontown Handicap at Monmouth Park by a nose.

G2 Dance Smartly Stakes - An Internationally Bred Affair 1 1/8M on the turf

PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer 1 Magic Broomstick (KY) 4/F L E Wilson 116 M R Frostad 2 Points of Grace (KY) 5/M L L Contreras 122 M Pierce 3 Ave (GB) 4/F L J R Velazquez 120 R L Attfield 4 First Circle (ON) 4/F L J McAleney 116 M Keogh 5 Gypsy's Warning (SAF) 5/M L J Valdivia, Jr. 125 H G Motion 6 Mekong Melody (IRE) 5/M P Husbands 118 R L Attfield

To round out an excellent Sunday card at Woodbine, conditioner Carolyn Costigan sends two home breds to battle in the Shady Well Stakes. Lassair is a full sister to Oaks winner Roan Inish. This is a bettor's race as twelve Ontario-breds take to the poly. The possible favourite, Roxy Gap, could come out of the widest starting position for the popular Melnyk/Casse/Fraser combo.

Shady Well Stakes - Twelve Ontario-Bred fillies travel five and a half furlongs on the poly

PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer 1 Seaman Harbor (ON) 2/F L L Contreras 116 H K Gensler 2 Miss Layla (ON) 2/F L1* G Olguin 116 M W Wright 3 Best Camper (ON) 2/F L O Moreno 116 D Cotey 4 I'm No Toy (ON) 2/F L E Wilson 116 N Gonzalez 5 Lassair (ON) 2/F L1 D Clark 116 C M Costigan 6 Lucky Be Me (ON) 2/F L R A Dos Ramos 118 W Tharrenos 7 Quinnderella (ON) 2/F L1 C Sutherland 116 D England 8 Lisvernane (ON) 2/F L1 R C Landry 116 C M Costigan 9 Flo's Henny (ON) 2/F E Ramsammy 116 I Black 10 Pass Partout (ON) 2/F L J McAleney 116 M J Doyle 11 Tree Pose (ON) 2/F L J C Jones 118 W Tharrenos 12 Roxy Gap (ON) 2/F L C Fraser 118 M E Casse

* * *
There was an interesting moment on Wednesday's Bet Night Live card at Woodbine following the fourth race as Sandy Hawley interviewed Chantal Sutherland. The jock had just completed a second place finish on the turf aboard Sugar Bay to the victorious Impossible Time...and Sutherland was visibly upset with herself.

Chantal Sutherland and Sugar Bay forced to go wide on Wednesday night


Sutherland is an excellent jockey with 60 wins in 308 starts (tied with Patrick Husbands with ten turf wins!) thus far and clearly holds herself to a high standard. When Hawley asked Sutherland to take the viewers through the trip, Sutherland advised that she felt she had taken a good line with Sugar Bay but when they turned into the stretch there was nowhere for her horse to go. With a deep breath, Sutherland went on to explain that she had to move to the outside to avoid clipping heels and felt the move cost her horse the race.

I wouldn't be betting against Chantal next time out aboard Sugar Bay...


I think Sutherland was being very hard on herself as the hole she was preparing to charge through closed in a heartbeat as two fillies in front of her came crashing together. As a result, Sutherland took Sugar Bay to the middle of the track and re-rallied to make up a lot of ground to finish second. It was an exhilharating finish to be sure.

That said, it was a very honest bit of question and answer and Hawley commiserated by saying he'd been in that same position many times himself. Unfortunately, I do not have video of the interview, but you can watch the race yourself and see if you think Sugar Bay would have been a winner. I'm adding Sugar Bay to my watch list and we'll see if Sutherland and her filly can exact a bit of race riding revenge and get to the winners circle next time out.

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As always, you can keep track of the latest goings on in the world of horse racing by clicking into my Woodbine News page. Check now for the latest news regarding Gus Schickendanz' homebred Marlang and his trip to Hollywood Park to contest the Sunset Handicap or to catch the latest scoop on the jockey drama at Fort Erie!

Woodbine News and Notes - Careless Jewel, Milwaukee Appeal and the return of Fatal Bullet

Friday kicked off a weekend of first steps for horses hoping to gallop along the Queen's Plate trail at Woodbine. Patrons participating in the Queen's Plate Fantasy Challenge anxiously await the appearance of Giant's Tomb, Hotep, Joey's Best, Mobilizer and Captain Canuck on Saturday as well as Who's Big Daddy and Mobthewarrior who will storm out of the gate on Sunday.

On Friday D's Legend Storm beat Doctor Jack to the wire in a five and half furlong event that also featured It's Time Bear, Arepeatee and Abruptly. The field left the gate in perfect symmetry as Iwillgotothemoon assumed the lead carving out a quarter in 22.57.

Doctor Jack and It's Time Bear stalked with some urgency both making a move on the far turn to try and track down the leader. D's Legend Storm moved in behind that pair and began a move of his own and looked full of energy turning into the stretch.

Deep in the stretch Doctor Jack and It's Time Bear finally caught up with the pacesetter but it was D's Legend Storm who found an extra gear and leaped into the lead under Eurico Rosa da Silva crossing the wire a length and a half in front. Doctor Jack held on for place and the gelding Pantastic closed very strongly and galloped out well in front for jockey David Garcia - -perhaps Pantastic is a Canadian-bred worth putting into your watch list. The race was run in a time of 1:03.71.

D's Legend Storm scores a smart win in Woodbine's 7th race


In Friday's first race, a six and a half furlong claiming event, General Staff started well but failed to fire in the stretch finishing third behind Florida-bred winner You Have No Idea. Though General Staff went off as the favourite, the horse is likely to move off my list of Queen's Plate Contenders when I shuffle the list following the results of this weekend.

Roger Attfield sent out a nice filly in the closing race on Friday as Jacally rallied along the rail to break her maiden for the Harlequin Ranches. The three-year-old Ontario-bred filly crossed the wire in 1:24.76 in the seven furlong MSW.

Jacally breaks her maiden with a purpose


As noted in Thursday's post, there are plenty of reasons to keep an eye on Woodbine including the aforementioned Queen's Plate contenders and the return of Southdale.

However, Sunday's card is also looking very strong as Plate contenders Mobil Unit and Kid Canuck are entered in Race 6 and Who's Big Daddy and Mobthewarrior are entered in Race 10. Click the links to see the entries.

Sunday's feature promises to be a scintillating sprint as Fatal Bullet and Hollywood Hit square off in the seven furlong Vigil Stakes. Fatal Bullet, Canada’s Horse of the Year and Top Sprinter in 2008, makes his 2010 debut following a sixth-place finish in his final race of 2009, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Check out this cool feature on Fatal Bullet courtesy of TVG


Hollywood Hit won the six furlong Jacques Cartier Stakes April 11th and worked hard to hold off Field Commission who is entered here. Trainer Terry Jordan returns from suspension to saddle Hollywood Hit. Bill Tallon reported the following for the Daily Racing Form:

"He won, but it didn't really please me," said Jordan, who watched the Jacques Cartier from his home in Vancouver. "I think he's better than that, personally."

Hollywood Hit has worked just once since the Jacques Cartier, rattling off three furlongs in a bullet 33.60 seconds here Monday in a move which the clockers termed breezing.

"He wasn't supposed to go that fast," said Jordan. "He's a difficult horse to ride. Once he gets going, he's hard to stop."

Jordan does not seemed overly concerned about the Vigil's seven furlongs, noting that Hollywood Hit won in his lone attempt at the distance here last July.

"I don't think it matters," said Jordan.

Kent Desormeaux will be at Woodbine to ride Together Indy - winner of the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland - in the Vigil. This is a tough seven-horse field and if the track plays fast on Sunday we could be in for a track record.

Post / Horse / Jockey / Trainer

1 / Grazettes Landing / Corey Fraser / Mark Casse

2 / Field Commission / Patrick Husbands / Dan Vella

3 / Hollywood Hit / Jim McAleney / Terry Jordan

4 / Fatal Bullet / Eurico Rosa da Silva / Reade Baker

5 / Awesome Rhythm / Tyler Pizarro / John Ross

6 / Together Indy / Kent Desormeaux / George Weaver

7 / Signature Red / Chantal Sutherland / Sid Attard

* * *
The NYRA News Wire reports that Woodbine-based mares Careless Jewel and Milwaukee Appeal are on their way to Belmont to make their 2010 debut in the Shuvee.

Careless Jewel, impressive winner of last year’s Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga Race Course, could make her 4-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Shuvee at Belmont Park on Saturday, May 15.

“We are currently pointing for the race,” trainer Josie Carroll said Friday. “She’s going to work on Sunday [at Woodbine], probably five furlongs, and we will then make a final decision.”

The daughter of Tapit, owned by Donver Stable, posted an 11-length victory in the Alabama, representing the third-largest margin of victory in the historic race, which has been run 129 times. The largest Alabama margin of victory was in 1875 when Olitipa, owned by August Belmont, won by 20 lengths.

Originally expected to make her yearly debut in the Grade 2 La Troienne at Churchill Downs on Friday, April 30, Careless Jewel had a minor setback that caused her to miss three days of training.

“We had to fix something on her foot, nothing major,” Carroll said. “Other than that, she has been doing really well.”

The same NYRA report noted:

In addition to Careless Jewel and Seattle Smooth, also expected for the Grade 2, $150,000 Shuvee, according to NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, are Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely’s Funny Moon, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, Eugene George’s Milwaukee Appeal, who has not started since a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Gazelle at Aqueduct in November, and Blue Star Stable’s Lady Alexander, who exits a fifth-place finish in the Wayward Lass Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on February 27. Byrnes also named Derby Lane Farm’s Dr. Zic, Fernando Abreu’s Granted Tiger, Claiborne Farm’s Haka and Live Oak Plantation’s Sheikh’s Serenade as possible for the race.

* * *

A few notable works of Queen's Plate contenders, some of whom race this weekend.

* Empire Rising breezed 4F in 48.20 on May 6 on the Woodbine poly. Rank 4/33.

* King of the Swamp worked 5F in 1:03.20 handily on May 6 on the Woodbine poly. Rank 35/41.

* Silent Running worked 3F in 35.20 handily on May 6 on the Woodbine poly. Rank 1/14.

* Mobilizer breezed 2F in 24.60 on the Woodbine poly on May 7. Rank 2/4

* Mobil Unit breezed 2f in 26 on the Woodbine dirt on May 7. Rank 6/9.

* Hollinger breezed 6F in 1:11.60 on the Woodbine poly on May 7. Rank 1/6

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I plan to be at Woodbine on Saturday. You can follow my updates on Twitter and I will no doubt have plenty of photos in an upcoming post. Have a great weekend and don't forget that Mother's Day is on Sunday. Happy Mother's Day!

All Eyes On Woodbine for the G2 Sky Classic Stakes: Preview, Photos and Picks Inside

Sunday marks the running of the Grade Two $250K Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine. This 1 3/8M turf spectacular is sure to be a thriller featuring four entrants from the Nijinsky Stakes won by Rahy's Attorney. Returning to tackle the multiple graded Stakes winning son of Crown Attorney are Champs Elysees, Marchfield and Catch the Luck. Free past performance charts for the Sky Classic Stakes are being offered by Equibase.

Rahy's Attorney Tries For The Hat Trick on Sunday


P# Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 Catch the Luck (ON) E R Da Silva 115 M R Frostad 15/1
2 Champs Elysees (GB) T Kabel 115 R J Frankel 4/1
3 Marlang (ON) R A Dos Ramos 115 D England 8/1
4 Cool Gator (ON) E Wilson 115 I Black 15/1
5 Rahy's Attorney (ON)S Callaghan 123 I Black 9/5
6 Medjool (KY) C Fraser 115 M E Casse 15/1
7 Marchfield (ON)P Husbands 121 M E Casse 2/1
8 Woodbourne (ON) S P Husbands 115 M E Casse 15/1

I visited the three main contenders on shedrow Saturday morning and found them all to be in good spirits. Champs Elysees was happy to have a little attention and when I commented to his trainer Brian Lynch that Champs seems to like having his picture taken, Lynch laughed, "He should do. He gets it taken often enough!" Lynch went to say that the GI winner has been training well and is ready for this event.

Champs Elysees shows us his good side


Rahy's Attorney was frisky in his stall and obviously looking forward to his morning gallop. Assistant trainer Jeff Bowen commented on the high-cruising speed of the five-year-old and believes that despite the multiple pace setters entered in the race, that at some point Rahy's Attorney will make the lead.

Rahy's Attorney poses with his biggest fan


Marchfield was making up ground deep in the stretch last out against Rahy's Attorney in the Nijinsky Stakes. This time around trainer Mark Casse has entered two additional horses, Medjool and Woodbourne, to force a quick pace. Marchfield is a compact horse with an explosive kick in the stretch and will certainly be charging hard down the lane.

Marchfield plans on marching to victory in Sunday's Sky Classic Stakes


* * *

(And now for a proper preview)

Rahy's Attorney has done little wrong in three starts in 2009. In his season opener, Rahy's Attorney set a pulsing pace in the 1 1/16M GIII Connaught Cup carrying 126 pounds. Travelling one mile on the turf course, Rahy's 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.

In his next start, Rahy's Attorney exacted a measure of revenge by defeating Sterwins in the GII King Edward Handicap at a distance of a mile and an eighth. Callaghan stole 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 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.

Marchfield got close to Rahy's Attorney last out and will appreciate the added distance


For an encore, the Ian Black trained gelding took on multiple graded winners Champs Elysees and Marchfield in the mile and a quarter GII Nijinsky. A soft turf course ensured there would be no track record this time, but Rahy's Attorney was equally impressive muscling the lead away from French Beret after a slow quarter then opening up a five-length lead by the half. As Callaghan led his charge through the stretch, still maintaining a five-length lead, Marchfield and Champs Elysees chased in vain but could not make up meaningful ground resigned to finish second and third respectively.

Champs Elysees will be dangerous on Sunday with a race under his belt


The Sky Classic Stakes offers yet another new challenge for Rahy's Attorney as he opens up a notch progressing to 1 3/8M on what will likely be a soft turf course.

Rahy's Attorney defeated Marchfield and Champs Elysees to win the Nijinsky


Several of these horses are using the Sky Classic as a springboard to other events. Rahy's Attorney is preparing to defend his title in the Woodbine Mile, while Champs Elysees and Marchfield look towards the Northern Dancer and/or The Canadian International. Marchfield's trainer Mark Casse has entered two other runners in the event including turf maiden Medjool and the speedy Woodbourne who will serve as a rabbit to keep Rahy's Attorney honest. Woodbourne is a five-time turf winner and is on a two-race win streak albeit in upper claiming events at Woodbine.

Eurico Rosa Da Silva will need a lot of luck with Catch The Luck


Let's take a look at the field.

1 Catch the Luck (ON) E R Da Silva 115 M R Frostad 15/1
Catch the Luck makes his eighth start of the meet on Sunday having finished in the money five times with two wins. In his first victory, a 1 1/16M allowance tilt on the poly, CTL outfinished Cool Gator to take the spoils. The second victory was a 1 1/8M optional claiming event that came off the turf and CTL rallied impressively from ten lengths back to score over Medjool. However, this turf maiden is in against a very tough group of turf vets and will be lucky to catch a piece on the fringes.

2 Champs Elysees (GB) T Kabel 115 R J Frankel 4/1

Todd Kabel gets the call on Champs Elysees replacing Alan Garcia. That's not the downgrade that non-Woodbine punters think it might be. Kabel is an accomplished journeyman with 8 wins in 41 turf mounts this meet and is in the money with 34.1% of his mounts on the lawn. Last out, Champs Elysees tried the GII Nijinsky off a three-month layoff and valiantly chased home Rahy's Attorney and Marchfield. The added distance and the recent 5F breeze in 1:00.40 work in his favour. Expect to see the son of Danehill closing late.

3 Marlang (ON) R A Dos Ramos 115 D England 8/1

Marlang peaked last August winning the 1 1/2M third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown on the turf and then doubled up in the GIII Saranac at Saratoga. Marlang tried for a hat trick in the GI Canadian International and kept the pace until the half before fading. Champs Elysees, entered here, finished third in the International. The son of top turf sire Langfuhr has had just two starts in 2009 and has yet to notch a win. His most recent effort was a fading fourth in the Seagram Cup on the polytrack. Considering the distance and multiple front-end runners in here, it's hard to see Marlang repeating August glory.

4 Cool Gator (ON) E Wilson 115 I Black 15/1

Ian Black sends out Cool Gator for his first try on the Woodbine turf course. Two previous turf tries at Gulfstream resulted in one third place showing against allowance competition. Since joining Black's barn in May from Joe Orseno, Cool Gator has raced four times and finished less than five lengths back of Marchfield in two of those events. Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson has taken this cool customer to the winners circle previously but the horse does seem up against it here. Expect Wilson to get this one up for a piece on the fringes.

5 Rahy's Attorney (ON)S Callaghan 123 I Black 9/5

Rahy's Attorney has developed into one of the best turf horses on the continent. He's not as well known as Gio Ponti, but he's frighteningly consistent (22-9-3-4). The big gelding is so respected that multiple rabbits are entered to keep the pace upfront honest. The only problem with that approach is that last time out Rahy ate the rabbit for dinner and had extra energy in the stretch. Trainer Ian Black isn't bothered. "I don't know why everybody thinks that this horse needs the lead," said Black. "He never used to have the lead. It's just when there's no pace, he's been in front." Regardless, this race is a real test but should Rahy's Attorney come out on top he deserves all the attention that Gio Ponti currently claims.

6 Medjool (KY) C Fraser 115 M E Casse 15/1

A four-year-old colt by Monarchos, Medjool has three third place finishes in six starts this year. Last out, Medjool tried the lead in a mile and a quarter turf allowance and held on encouragingly to finish fifth three lengths back. Back on December 26, 2008 MedJool tried the GIII Sir Beaufort Stakes at Santa Anita and finished a closing second to Gio Ponti in a race taken off the turf. Since that event, Medjool has struggled to regain that form and looks to be outmatched here.

7 Marchfield (ON)P Husbands 121 M E Casse 2/1

Woodbine's leading rider Patrick Hubands gets the call on five-year-old Marchfield. Since arriving at Woodbine in June, Marchfield was a closing second in the GIII Eclipse; won the GIII Dominion Day Handicap impressively at a mile and a quarter dialing up a 102 speed figure; and last out closed from 12 lengths back to finish second to a cruising Rahy's Attorney. With Marlang and Woodbourne applying pressure to Rahy's Attorney on the front end, there will be plenty of pace for Husbands to chase down the lane.

8 Woodbourne (ON) S P Husbands 115 M E Casse 15/1
Woodbourne boasts back-to-back wins on the E.P. Taylor turf course...against claiming competition. The son of Danzig is a cool customer hitting the board in eight of thirteen lifetime starts. On August 16, 2008 Woodbourne sprinted 6 1/2 F on the turf in 1:16 and held off Catch The Luck in the process proving he does have the speed to test. However, maintaining that speed, at this level, for a 1 3/8M is a big ask. Simon Husbands knows his way around the Woodbine turf and will be sure to keep the pace honest aboard Woodbourne for his stablemate Marchfield.

Jockey Slade Callaghan has the difficult task of measuring the pace with Rahy's Attorney who is content to rate or lead the pack. Marchfield and Champs Elysees are fresh and ready to chase the leaders home in the long, gruelling Woodbine stretch. I would expect a blanket finish here with Rahy's Attorney keeping a head in front for the victory. A safe play of boxing the above trio in your exotics should provide a modest return.

* * *
What an incredible day for Woodbine horse people at Saratoga on Saturday. Trainer Josie Carroll sent out Kentucky-bred Careless Jewel in the Alabama Stakes versus Scott Fairlie's Milwaukee Appeal and Canadian-Bred Wynning Ride. Though Milwaukee Appeal went off as the favourite, jockey Rob Landry would find the wire 11 lengths in front of Fairlie's filly in an impressive romp. Milwaukee Appeal dug in valiantly to finish second.

Rob Landry guides Careless Jewel to victory in the Alabama Stakes


A NYRA press release provided the following quotes.

Josie Carroll, winning trainer, Careless Jewel (No. 5): “She’s been a filly that’s been on the lead, but she’s been starting to relax more and more and we thought that if she had to[sit off the pace], she could, and fortunately we were right. There was a lot of jostling in there and I got really concerned – I thought she was going to get dropped into that first turn and I think Robert [Landry, jockey] did a great job with her. He got her outside and got her settled. I think knowing the horse was a huge advantage today. He got her to settle beautifully. We had looked in this direction if we jumped up and ran well in Delaware. The one thing about this filly, she’s made the lead and she’s kicked on. I think it’s very special when a horse can make pace and kick on. That gave us a lot of confidence in her. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Robert Landry, winning jockey, Careless Jewel (No. 5): “She’s a great filly and I give a lot of credit Josie (Carroll, Trainer) and I appreciate the owners for giving me the opportunity to ride her in such a big race. I’ve had a lot of confidence in her and she had a couple pre-race antics but when they can overcome that and win the way she did; she’s a special filly.”

With regard to “pre-race antics”: “You don’t want to see horses doing that because they do take something out of themselves but she showed up and did her job when it counted and I’m really proud of her. She acts up a little bit. I think the crowd had something to do with it. She’s not used to this many people which is great because I’m sure the Breeder’s Cup will have a bunch of people and hopefully she can end up there.”

About the trip: “I had a pretty good start. After the first turn I got squeezed out pretty good into the first turn. I was trying to get her back off that horse and I couldn’t really get her back quick enough so I had to check her pretty hard into the first turn. After that the trip was pretty uneventful. When I asked her, she responded. It takes a good horse to overcome what she did today.”

Scott Fairlie, trainer of favored runner-up Milwaukee Appeal (No. 8): "She ran huge. She had the perfect trip. She was second-best today. Coming down the stretch, I was hoping she would hold on for second. I was very happy with her. She’ll go back home and see what happens from here."

John Velazquez, jockey aboard runner-up Milwaukee Appeal (No. 8): “It was a good race, a perfect trip. She ran a great race, it was just that [Careless Jewel] was better.”

Congratulations to all the Woodbine connections for their efforts in the Alabama Stakes. There is plenty of talent up here in Rexdale, ON and it's great when Woodbine locals travel and take the spoils.

***

As you might imagine, I took plenty of photos on my backstretch trip on Saturday and will post a photo essay on Monday including shots from workouts at sunrise until my final yawn at 10AM.

Post-Time for today's Sky Classic Stakes is 4:38PM.

The Road to Alabama Starts at Woodbine and Ends at Saratoga

Woodbine is well represented in Saturday's 129th running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter.

PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer Odds
1 Sweet and Flawless (IRE)Ramon Dominguez 121 Eric Reed 20-1
2 Wynning Ride (CAN)Kent Desormeaux 121 Bob Baffert 6-1
3 Funny Moon ((KY)Alan Garcia 121 Christophe Clement 4-1
4 Don’t Forget Gil (NY)Rajiv Maragh 121 Mark Henning 6-1
5 Careless Jewel (KY)Robert Landry 120 Josie Carroll 5-2
6 Be Fair (FLA)Julien Leparoux 121 D. Wayne Lukas 8-1
7 Casanova Move (VA)Jose Lezcano 121 Todd Pletcher 8-1
8 Milwaukee Appeal (CAN)John Velazquez 121 Scott Fairlie 9-2

Local connections include Winsong Farms Canadian-bred Wynning Ride who raced in the Woodbine Oaks on June 7th finishing fourth to Milwaukee Appeal. Kentucky-bred Careless Jewel, owned by the Donver Stable, is trained by Woodbine's Josie Carroll and will be ridden by Rob Landry. Scott Fairlie sends out Oaks winning filly Milwaukee Appeal rounding out a little bit of Canadiana at Saratoga.

Much of the field arrives out of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks won by Funny Moon. Second through fourth place finishers, Don’t Forget Gil, Wynning Ride and Casanova Move all return to run in the Alabama.

Funny Moon wins the Coaching Club American Oaks



PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer Odds
1 Sweet and Flawless (IRE)Ramon Dominguez 121 Eric Reed 20-1

This is a horse whose races fail to live up to her name. On July 18th in the Arlington Oaks, the filly had a brutal trip which prompted me to post the following note in my blog:

"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."

Since the narrow loss to Peach Brew, Sweet And Flawless has been on my watch list with only one workout to report of 5F in 1:02 3/5. I would assume that trainer Eric Reed has been working hard to settle the the filly who has BRISnet liner notes such as "Unruly", "Steadied" and "Missed Break, driving" from races prior to the Oaks.

It is worth noting that she has the best late pace figure in the the last outing of all horses racing today. (Milwaukee Appeal is next best.) With favoured inside positioning and a jockey upgrade to Ramon Dominguez, there is much to like about this 20-1 shot.

2 Wynning Ride (CAN)Kent Desormeaux 121 Bob Baffert 6-1
The Canadian-bred got caught inside of a fast runner last out in the CCA Oaks hitting 3/4 in a pacey 1:10.76 for a mile and a quarter. Jockey Kent Desormeaux returns and will likely find himself stalking a front-running Careless Jewel who is less likely to quit. Recent workouts at the Spa are promising and the fresh filly could grow from the most recent experience.

3 Funny Moon ((KY)Alan Garcia 121 Christophe Clement 4-1
Funny Moon overcame trip difficulties to race last-to-first to win the CCA Oaks which was set up nicely for her with the fast pace. Racing wide throughout, jockey Alan Garcia straightened the filly out mid-stretch and overcame a tiring field to win by a neck. Funny Moon aired out in the slop at Belmont should the conditions come up wet and if you draw a line through a poor Acorn showing there's much to like.

4 Don’t Forget Gil (NY)Rajiv Maragh 121 Mark Henning 6-1
This Mark Hennig filly takes on her fifth graded event in a row though she hasn't won since the beginning of that string in the Florida Oaks. In her most recent outing in the CCA Oaks, DFG found a second gear late in the stretch and rallied to pass Wynning Ride for place. DFG went into the CCA Oaks off a two-month layoff and recent workouts suggest the daughter of Kafwain is ready to improve.

5 Careless Jewel (KY)Robert Landry 120 Josie Carroll 5-2
Josie Carroll is having a solid Woodbine meet with earnings of $1,485,265 (103-23-15-22). Jockey Rob Landry is on a hot streak having won four races last Sunday at Woodbine and has been the rider for the Tapit filly in all but her first start. Since teaming up, Landry and Careless Jewel are a perfect 3for3 including two wins at Woodbine and a stunning 7 1/4 length victory in the Delaware Oaks. Careless Jewel has been training up a storm and the only question that remains is can she graduate to the mile and a quarter distance. In an August 19th NYRA press release, Carroll stated: “You know, obviously, never having gone it… is a big unknown for her,” said Carroll. “When we first stepped up from sprinting to go a mile and a sixteenth, we thought this filly would stretch out. She proved herself then, and now it’s just kind of another test, really. Until she does it, we don’t know for sure.”
She's proven on dirt. She's beautifully bred. However, she won't have the lead to herself if Wynning Ride and Be Fair decide to make a race of it.

6 Be Fair (FLA)Julien Leparoux 121 D. Wayne Lukas 8-1
The Alabama marks the seventh consecutive graded event for Be Fair. Unlike Funny Moon, Be Fair actually performed well in the G1 Acorn finishing fifth, beaten less than five lengths, on a muddy Belmont track. Last out, Be Fair romped in the slop to win the G3 Lake George going a mile and an eighth at Saratoga. Julien Leparoux will ride for D. Wayne Lukas.

7 Casanova Move (VA)Jose Lezcano 121 Todd Pletcher 8-1
Casanova Move made quite a move late in the stretch of the CCA Oaks to steal second away from Wynning Ride. The daughter of turf sire Langfuhr showed impressive stamina following a hot pace throughout. She has been close-but-no-cigar in a string of graded events against nemesis Justwhistledixie. Despite a willingness to come on again last out, Funny Moon's race was much more visually appealing and with nothing impressive on the workout line it's a guessing game if she's going to improve.

8 Milwaukee Appeal (CAN)John Velazquez 121 Scott Fairlie 9-2
A rider change from Stewart Elliott to Velazquez is interesting. Fairlie sends his big filly back into the mix against fillies after two in a row against the boys on the Canadian Triple Crown trail. That fact should not be discounted lightly. Milwaukee Appeal won the Woodbine Oaks with ease and came within a half-length of winning the Queen's Plate at the classic distance over the boys with just two-weeks rest. A heartbreaking loss in the Prince of Wales by a fingernail proved she has skills on the dirt and a near-bullet work of 5F in 59.1 at Saratoga tells you she is ready.

Despite the absence of Rachel Alexandra, this is a very accomplished field. I like Milwaukee Appeal to capture this event just holding off a late charging Funny Moon and Sweet And Flawless. (Keep an eye on Sweet And Flawless in the post parade!)

Milwaukee Appeal won the Woodbine Oaks, can she win the Alabama?


* * *

Woodbine fans will be treated to a re-match of the Nijinsky Stakes between Rahy's Attorney, Marchfield and Champs Elysees on Sunday in the G2 Sky Classic Stakes. A full preview of that event will be posted here at Triple Dead Heat in advance of the event. (Hopefully Saturday night, at the very least by Sunday at noon.)

Saturday's feature is the $125,000 ETERNAL SEARCH STAKES which features a small five-horse field of three year-old Ontario sired fillies.
P# Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 Dancing Charm (ON) E Ramsammy 115 D Pleterski 4/1
2 Lunar Linda (ON) C Fraser 115 I Black 7/2
3 Double Malt (ON) E R Da Silva 119 M Pierce 7/5
4 Moonlit Beauty (ON) C Sutherland 115 J P Le Blanc, Jr. 8/1
5 Cataleenda (ON) T Kabel 115 N McKnight 10/1

Malcolm Pierce sends out Double Malt as the 7-5 favourite but will face stiff competition from Ian Black's Lunar Linda. Pierce and Black have won their fair share of Stakes events this meet.

On Sunday, the under card for the Sky Classic Stakes feature is the Belle Geste Stakes for fillies 3YO and upwards foaled in Ontario.

P# HorseJockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 Glitter Rox (ON) 5/M L G Olguin 121 I Black 9/5
2 Mullins Beach (ON) 3/F L E R Da Silva 116 M Pierce 7/2
3 Dance to My Tune (ON) 5/M L P Husbands 117 M E Casse 9/2
4 Saskawea (ON) 5/M L T Kabel 121 S Attard 2/1
5 Hello Maggie May (ON) 4/F L C Sutherland 119 R L Attfield 8/1

This should be quite the battle as trainers Black, Pierce and Roger Attfield have all done well in turf events this meet and Sid Attard and Mark Casse are no slouches either. Glitter Rox won after a long layoff last out in a short field and is named the 9-5 morning line choice.

Enjoy your Friday night everyone and best of luck to all the the Woodbine connections in Saturday's Alabama Stakes. Check back in on the weekend for a full preview of the Sky Classic Stakes.