Off to the Races with Nick Costa
Photo credits: Woodbine (Canadian International logo)---Benoit Photos (Union Rags, Havre de Grace and Blind Luck)---Mathea Kelly (Rick Dutrow)
Hi everyone, we are at the mid-point of October and in a couple of weeks, little ghosts, ghouls and goblins will be ringing your doorbell looking for their treats. Whatever happened to the "trick" part of trick or treat? Anyways, the month of October has already been full of treats for horseplayers. The treats I'm speaking of were the final tune-ups for horses (and there are plenty of them) that are targeting the Breeders' Cup November 4th and 5th at Churchill Downs. Over the previous two weekends, many divisional prep races for both sexes were completed at Belmont, Hawthorne, Hoosier Park, Keeneland, Longchamp and Santa Anita. Today, our very own Woodbine shines its Breeders' Cup spotlight, offering a final opportunity for runners to move onto Louisville. Three "Win and Your In" Breeders' Cup challenge races highlight the race card, all on the turf. The $500,000 6 furlong Neartic Stakes, the $1,000,000 1 1/4 mile E.P. Taylor Stakes for the fillies and mares and the showcase race of the afternoon, the $1.5 million 1 1/2 mile Canadian International which attracted a record field of 16 horses. Last years International winner, JOSHUA TREE, is back to defend his title, but will campaign under a different trainer. Last year when the 3 year old scored at odds of 9-2, he was under the direction of Aidan O'Brien. However, the now 4 year old colt was sold earlier this year and goes into this years edition under the supervision of trainer Marco Botti. JOSHUA TREE recently exits a third-place finish behind subsequent Arc de Triomphe winner DANEDREAM in the Group I Grosser Preis von Baden. Also returning from last years running are the respective second and third place finishers, MORES WELLS and REDWOOD. The former is a world class traveler who now goes for top conditioner Michael Delzangles and enters this affair off a second place finish in his most recent outing. The latter has won over the course and distance when victorious in the 2010 G1 Northern Dancer and has been made the morning-line favorite at 4-1. The lone North American entry, 7 year old RAHYSTRADA, who finished fifth in this years Grade 1 Arlington Million, faces a difficult task against both the European invasion and strong locally based opponents. Canadians pin their best chances of winning on the duo of KARA'S ORIENTATION, who won the G2 Sky Classic over the Woodbine turf course back in August, and MUSKETIER, a mulitple graded stakes winner, who captured the G3 Singspeil Stakes over the course back in June. The rest of the Canadian based horses are, SIMMARD--LAUREATE CONDUCTOR--CELTIC CONVICTION and MIAMI DECO. French-based SARAH LYNX, will be looking to become the first filly or mare since Infamy in 1998 to win the Canadian International. TREASURE BEACH, from Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien's stable, is the 9-2 second choice on the morning line. The 3 year-old shipped over to capture the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes on yielding turf at Arlington Park on August 13th. He enters off a 14th place finish in the Group 1 Prix d’Arc de Triomphe after unexpectedly finding himself setting the pace. Colm O’Donoghue, who won last year's International aboard Joshua Tree, has the mount. Lightly raced 3 year old QUEST FOR PEACE, comes in off a two length win for trainer Luca Cumani in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot on October 1st over another Canadian International entrant ARTIC COSMOS, who made his 2011 debut in the Cumberland Lodge for conditioner John Gosden. The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred has recovered from a leg injury sustained while preparing for last year's International. Entrants BRONZE CANNON, a dual Group 2 winner and MIKHAIL GLINKA, a Group 3 winner, are both trained by Herman Brown.
RACE NOTE: In 1973, Secretariat won the final race of his career in the Canadian International. His win by 6 1/2 lengths is the largest winning margin in the race’s history.
Below is a look at the full Canadian International field from the rail out:
PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Odds
1. Sarah Lynx (IRE), Christophe Soumillon, John Hammond, 15-1
2. Arctic Cosmos (KY), William Buck, John Gosden, 6-1
3. Musketier (GER), John Velazquez, Roger Attfield, 15-1
4. Simmard (KY), Patrick Husbands, Roger Attfield, 15-1
5. Quest for Peace (IRE), Kieren Fallon, Luca Cumani, 8-1
6. Mores Wells (GB), Sebastien Maillot, Mikel Delzangles, 15-1
7. Joshua Tree (IRE), Adam Kirby, Marco Botti, 5-1
8. Celtic Conviction (CAN), Emile Ramsammy, Michael Doyle, 30-1
9. Rahystrada (KY), Julien Leparoux, Byron Hughes, 12-1
10. Redwood (GB), Michael Hills, Charles Hughes, 4-1
11. Laureate Conductor (KY), Luis Contreras, Michael De Paulo, 30-1
12. Mikhail Glinka (IRE), Bernard Fayd'Herbe, Herman Brown, 30-1
13. Treasure Beach (GB), Colm O'Donoghue, Aidan O'Brien, 9-2
14. Kara's Orientation (KY), Joel Rosario, Steven Chircop, 30-1
15. Bronze Cannon (KY), Thomas Queally, Herman Brown. 20-1
16. Miami Deco (CAN), Corey Nakatani, Brian Lynch, 30-1
Win Selection: ARTIC COSMOS
The E.P. Taylor is shaping up with a deep field of eleven that is led by a pair of 3 year old fillies, 3-1 morning line favorite DREAM PEACE for trainer Robert Collet and ADVENTURE SEEKER, for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre. The former won the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette in her last start at Deauville in August and is 4-for-9 lifetime, while the latter filly won going 10 furlongs last out at Lonchamp. ADVENTURE SEEKER will be ridden by Chistophe Soumillon who teamed with Royer-Dupre to win last years edition with Reggane. The lone U.S.based entrant DYNA WALTZ, has placed in several graded stakes this year for trainer Jonathan Sheppard. The duo of MEKONG MELODY and MISS KELLER for trainer Roger Attfield, both call Wodbine their home. MISS KELLER won the local grade II Canadian last year before finishing second in the Taylor. MEKONG MELODY is winless in 2011, however, the Woodbine turf course is the site of her biggest win, the 2010 Dance Smartly. SEA OF HEARTBREAK, with Garret Gomez aboard, enters off a 1 1/2 mile score in the Group 2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu back on October 1st. Other European invaders include I'M A DREAMER, who won a Group 3 event at Newmarket in May--Australian-bred MAHBOOBA, a Group I winner in South Africa--STRAWBERRYDAIQUIRI, Group I-placed in her most recent start-- and LAUGHING, entering off a two-race win streak in Ireland.
E.P. TAYLOR FIELD
PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Odds
1. Kinky Afro (IRE), Hills, Moore S, 30-1
2. Mahbooba (AUS), Spencer, de Kock M, 9-2
3. I'm A Dreamer (IRE), Buick, Simcock D, 8-1
4. Strawberrydaiquiri (GB), Dwyer, Meehan B, 6-1
5. Mekong Melody (IRE), Husbands, Attfield R, 20-1
6. Laughing (IRE), Rosario, O'Brien C,15-1
7. Adventure Seeker (FR), Soumillon, De Royer-Dupre A,10-1
8. Dyna Waltz (GB), Leparoux, J Sheppard, 8-1
9. Dream Peace (IRE), Mosse, Collet R, 3-1
10. Sea of Heartbreak (IRE), Gomez, Charlton R, 4-1
11. Miss Keller (IRE), Velazquez, Attfield R,12-1
Win Selection: DREAM PEACE
The Nearctic drew a field of thirteen and is led by BATED BREATH, who just missed by a nose to Dream Ahead in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock September 3. That runner returned to defeat three-time TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova in Longchamp’s group I Prix de la Foret. BATED BREATH, a 4-year-old who will ridden by Garrett Gomez, is 5-for-12 lifetime and will look for his first career group/graded stakes score in the Nearctic. RIGHT ONE, who won the Grade 3 Jaipur Stakes at seven furlongs on July 16 at Belmont Park, will offer stiff opposition. He enters off his third-place finish behind Turallure in the Woodbine Mile on September 18 in his most recent start for trainer Chistophe Clement. Two horses entered in the field are very familiar with the Woodbine turf course, 2008 Canadian Horse of the Year and champion sprinter FATAL BULLET and multiple Grade 2 winner SIGNATURE RED.
NEARCTIC FIELD
PP. Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Odds
1. Fiddler's Patriot (NY), Velazquez, Weaver G, 6-1
2. Grand Adventure (KY), Husbands, Frostad M, 15-1
3. Bewitched (IRE), Rosario, O'Brien C, 8-1
4. Fatal Bullet (FL), Wison, Baker R, 15-1
5. Riding The River (KY), Dos Ramos, Cotey D, 15-1
6. Signature Red (KY), Contreras, Attard S, 10-1
7. Right One (FR), Leparoux, Clement C, 4-1
8, Gypsy Ring, (ON), Stein, Buttigieg P, 15-1
9, Jenny's So Great (ON), Campbell, de Gannes G, 20-1
10. Regally Ready (KY), Nakatani, Asmussen S, 8-1
11. Bated Breath (GB), Gomez, Charlton R, 3-1
12. Hitchens (IRE), Spencer, Barron D, 20-1
13. Yield Bogey (KY), Da Silva, Kelly P, 20-1
Win Selection: BATED BREATH
MUST SEE:
As mentioned above, one of those Breeders' Cup prep races was the G1 Champagne Stakes, which was run last Saturday, October 8th at Belmont Park. It was won by UNION RAGS, who is trained by Michael Matz (BARBARO). You watch a thousand races and you just never see anything like this performance. So much trouble, but he handled it all so well. The colt (saddlecloth number 6) was bothered at the start and caught in between horses in the long run down the backstretch. On the turn, UNION RAGS had to wait for room. And then, when it looked like he was clear, he got behind a wall of horses and had to wait for another 200 yards. Once in the stretch, it looked like jockey Javier Castellano was going to try to split horses to get running room. Instead, he waited some more and finally sent UNION RAGS outside for a clear run, and the horse won easily by 5 lengths. Of course now, off that race, UNION RAGS heads to the Breeders' Cup as the favorite for the B.C. Juvenile.
I shared this video with my horse trainer, Wendy Wolff , and her response was "I can't believe this horse is a 2 yr old. He handled that traffic better than most seasoned horses. With that kind of brain and talent this colt is on to great things. Thanks for sharing...gave me goosebumps"
FORT ERIE RACING:
The curtain is slowly closing on the live racing season at Fort Erie. Just a reminder, the last all quarter-horse racing program concludes on Saturday, October 22nd. There will be a mixed thoroughbreds/quarter-horses race card today (16th) as well as Monday, October 24th. The final four race cards will be held Saturday through Tuesday, October 29th through November 1st. Come on out and enjoy.
We have a new leader on top of the jockey standings, Kirk Johnson is his name. Johnson, with 52 victories, has overtaken Krista Carignan (who recently has been sidelined) and heads into the final days with a narrow 3 win lead over closest pursuer, Chris Griffith. Rider Real Simard is also in the hunt for the top spot with 48 wins. On the trainer side of the ledger, Ross Armata has opened up a 6 win advantage over Layne Giliforte. Last years top trainer, Nick Gonzales has moved into a third place tie with Martin Drexler.
NOTE: Jockey Francine Villeneuve is just 4 wins shy of 1000 career wins. Lets hope that Franny can get it done before closing day.
JOCKEYS--Wins
Kirk Johnson--52
Chris Griffith--49
*Krista Carignan--49
Real Simard--48
Betty Jo Williams--40
*sidelined
TRAINERS--Wins
Ross Armata--24
Layne Giliforte--18
Nick Gonzales--17
Martin Drexler--17
Jennifer Davis--15
GOOD GRACE:
Less than three weeks before the Breeders' Cup World Championships, HAVRE DE GRACE maintains her position atop the NTRA Thoroughbred Poll. The four-year-old filly has been the top rated thoroughbred since she defeated males in the Woodward Handicap at Saratoga on September 3. Owned by Fox Hill Farm and trained by Larry Jones, HAVRE DE GRACE is stabled at Keeneland until the Breeders' Cup next month at Churchill Downs. Owner Rick Porter has indicated that the filly will start in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. TIZWAY is second in the poll. The six-year-old is also expected to start in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Another expected Breeders' Cup Classic starter, FLAT OUT, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup has moved up into third place. The versatile 5 year old ACCLAMATION, a winner on both turf and synthetic surfaces, has advanced into fourth spot. Rounding out the top five is GAME ON DUDE.
LUCK FOR SALE:
Champion filly BLIND LUCK will be put in the sales ring next month. The four-year-old who was voted the 2010 Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old filly will be offered at the November Breeding Stock Sale on November 7th. In 22 career starts, BLIND LUCK won 13 races, including six Grade 1 stakes. BLIND LUCK has been withdrawn from consideration for next month's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. The four-year-old finished last in the Lady's Secret Stakes on October 1 at Santa Anita after being eased the final furlong.
TRICKY DICKY:
Veteran trainer Rick Dutrow, has been banned from training thoroughbreds by the State of New York for at least 10 years. The decision was handed Wednesday, October 12th by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.The board ruled that Dutrow's training license be revoked and he cannot reapply for 10 years. Dutrow, who saddled BIG BROWN to win the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was cited for having various rules violations in many jurisdictions and suspended or fined almost every year since 2000 for medication violations.
Initially, a lifetime ban for Dutrow with a $50,000 fine was recommended. The board voted Wednesday to reduce the ban from permanent to 10 years with a $50,000 penalty. The ban will begin Tuesday, October 18 unless Dutrow appeals and seeks a stay of the decision.
To view Dutrow's lengthy list of violations, click on the link below:
COMING UP:
In our next issue of Equine Niagara News (October 30th), I will look at my top five horses for each of the Breeders' Cup races.
