Wednesday, July 14, 2004

DERBY HERO NORTH LIGHT BACKED FOR ST LEGER

St Leger
6-1 Let The Lion Roar, 7-1 Percussionist, Tycoon, 8-1 Duke Of Venice, (from 10-1)North Light, 12-1 Wolfe Tone, 14-1 Maraahel, 16-1 Pukka, 25-1 Five Dynasties

OTHER ANTE POST RACES

Totesport International
7-1 Unscrupulous, 10-1 St Andrews, 11-1 Polar Bear, New Seeker, 12-1 Alderney Race, Mandobi, Quito, 14-1 Court Masterpiece, Silk Fan, Zosima, Vortex, 16-1 Grizedale, Bahiano, Autumn Glory, Camp Commander, Ettrick Water, Peter Paul Rubens, Traytonic, 20-1 Bar

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
Evs Doyen, 6-1 Vallee Enchantee, 7-1 Gamut, Warrsan, 14-1 Powerscourt, 16-1 Bandari, 20-1 Phoenix Reach, 25-1 Brian Boru, Hard Buck, High Accolade, 33-1 Magistretti, Persian Majesty, Tycoon, 40-1 Bar

Sussex Stakes
5-2 Refuse To Bend, 5-1 Soviet Song, 6-1 Haafhd, 10-1 Antonius Pius, Bachelor Duke, Kalaman, Kheleyf, 16-1 Nayyir, Salford City, Salselon, Vespone, Yesterday, 20-1 Arakan, Le Vie Del Colori, Norse Dancer, Tillerman, 25-1 Brunel, Favourable Terms, Firebreak, Madid, Passing Glance, 33-1 Bar

William Hill Mile
8-1 Peeress, 10-1 Able Baker Charlie, Mandobi, 14-1 Court Masterpiece, Mine, Zosima, St Andrews, 16-1 Autumn Glory, Tahreeb, Pentecost, Ettrick Water, Mutafanen, St Petersburg, Unshakable, Flowerdrum, 20-1 Manaar, El Coto, Putra Kuantan, Amandus, Greenslades, Audience, 25-1 Bar

Vodafone Stewards Cup
10-1 Prince Aaron, Dazzling Bay, 12-1 Fantasy Believer, High Reach, Two Step Kid, 14-1 Coconut Penang, Material Witness, 16-1 Caribbean Coral, Fire Up The Band, Loyal Tycoon, Mutawaqed, Philharmonic, Pic Up Sticks, 20-1 True Knight, Fun To Ride, Pivotal Point, Plateau, Raccoon, Royal Storm, 25-1 Bar

Juddmonte International
7-2 Rakti, 7-2 Azamour, 9-2 Bago, 5-1 Refuse To Bend, 6-1 Warrsan, 12-1 Snow Ridge, Bachelor Duke, Bandari, 14-1 Kalaman, Powerscourt, 16-1 Ikhtyar, 20-1 Magistretti, Salford City

Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes
6-1 Balmont, Patavellian, 7-1 The Tatling, 8-1 Majestic Missile, 10-1 Antonius Pius, Boogie Street, 12-1 Avonbridge, Kheleyf, 14-1 Airwave, The Trader, 16-1 Fayr Jag, Moss Vale

Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe
4-1 Doyen, 8-1 Grey Swallow, North Light, 9-1 Bago, 12-1 Mubtaker, 14-1 Gamut, Ouija Board, Sulamani, Warrsan, 16-1 Prospect Park, Papineau, Latice, Vallee Enchantee, Valixir, 20-1 Powerscourt, 20-1 Blue Canari, Reefscape, 25-1 Fracassant, Lord Du Sud, Rule OF Law, Shirocco,

Breeders Cup Classic
4-1 Pleasantly Perfect, Smarty Jones, 8-1 Bago, Candy Ride, 12-1 Peace Rules, Southern Image, 14-1 Birdstone, 16-1 Seattle Fitz, Tizbud, 20-1 Grand Hombre, Dynever, 25-1 Newfoundland

2,000 Guineas
20-1 Echo Of Light, Iceman, Shamardal, 25-1 Belenus, Dubawi, 33-1 Democratic Deficit, Leo's Lucky Star, 40-1 Russian Blue, Captain Hurricane, Council Member

1,000 Guineas
16-1 Damson, 25-1 Intriguing, Whazzat, 33-1 Drama, Jewel In The Sand, Salsa Brava, 50-1 Soar

NORTH LIGHT HEADS 49 ENTRIES FOR ST LEGER

This figure is one up on last season and an increase of three on the number of entries in 2002 for this prestigious extended one mile six furlong contest.

Sir Michael Stoute's North Light proved a length and a half too powerful for Godolphin's Rule Of Law in the English Derby at Epsom on June 5, and then finished the half-length runner-up to Grey Swallow in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh 22 days later.

Rule Of Law is one of seven representatives from Godolphin, the Maktoum family's racing entity which has won this event on three occasions courtesy of Classic Cliche in 1995, Nedawi three years later and Mutafaweq in 1999.

Other possibles to carry the famous royal blue silks of Godolphin here include Duke Of Venice, who easily won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on June 18, when getting the better of Two Miles West by six lengths, and Punctilious, third in the Vodafone Oaks behind Ouija Board before also scoring at the Royal Meeting in the Ribblesdale Stakes by a length and a half from Sahool.

The Godolphin squad is completed by maiden winners Elmustanser and Into The Dark and the unraced pair of Iktibas and Rosberg.

The other powerhouse of international racing, Coolmore, has 16 entries trained by Aidan O'Brien, who accounts for all but three of the 19 Irish-trained entries.

The master of Ballydoyle tasted success with Milan in 2001 as well as Brian Boru last year.

Pick of his team this year could be Tycoon, who stayed on well to take third close home in the Irish Derby, Wolfe Tone, just the winner of a maiden at Galway last year but was referred to as a potential Derby horse for 2004 by winning rider Mick Kinane that day, Five Dynasties, who had an off day when eighth in the Irish Derby having won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot by four lengths from Elshadi, and All Too Beautiful, the seven-length runner-up in the Vodafone Oaks.

Acropolis, Agenda, Baraka, Book Of Kings, Cobra, Esperanto, Go For Gold, Mesopotamia, Mikado, Napoleon, Ovation and Two Miles West could also represent O'Brien.

The John Dunlop-trained Let The Lion Roar and Percussionist, trained by John Gosden, represent further Vodafone Derby/Irish Derby form. This pair finished third and fourth respectively at Espom and then filled fifth and 10th positions at the Curragh.

An intriguing entry from the Czech Republic is the Arslangirey Shavuyev-trained Darsalam, who has gone East having been well beaten in a couple of starts for Mark Johnston last season. The Desert King colt, a half-brother to the 1994 St Leger hero Moonax, has fared very well in the Czech Republic and won the Czech Derby on June 27 to follow up on his success in the Freudenau Derby at Vienna, Austria, on May 31.

Horses to have competed in the French Derby who could also line-up here include the John Gosden-trained Day Flight, who was only beaten a length in fourth behind winner Blue Canari, together with Reefscape (7th), Manyana (11th) and Top Seed (13th).

Other notable entries include Pukka, trained by Luca Cumani, and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Maraahel. The pair finished first and second in a handicap at Newbury in mid-May. Pukka subsequently ran ninth in the Vodafone Derby, while Maraahel found just Admiral a quarter length too powerful in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot on June 17. Stoute could also run Quiff, a staying-on third in the Ribblesdale Stakes.

THE ST LEGER
Class A, Group One, Total Prize fund £400,000. Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2004, 1m 6f 132yds. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed Wednesday, July 7, entries revealed Wednesday, July 14 (49 entries). Forfeit stage Tuesday, August 24. £25,000 supplementary entry stage September 6. Five-day confirmation stage Monday, September 6. Final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and include the racing of Monday, July 12, 2004. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
0163- ACROPOLIS (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1 AGENDA (IRE) 3 Takashi Watanabe Aidan O'Brien IRE
0(3)-0211 ALBINUS 3 Kirsten Rausing Andrew Balding
112 ALL TOO BEAUTIFUL (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
36-221 ARCH REBEL (USA) 3 Pat Garvey Noel Meade IRE
0-1 BARAKA (IRE) 3 Dianne Nagle & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
16 BOOK OF KINGS (USA) 3 Sue Magnier,Michael Tabor & Sangster Family Aidan O'Brien IRE
331443 BUMPTIOUS 3 Beryl Lockey Mark Tompkins
31-30 COBRA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
0-215 CRYSTAL (IRE) 3 Con Wilson Brian Meehan
0-21111 DARSALAM (IRE) 3 Turan Stables Arslangirey Shavuyev CZE
114 DAY FLIGHT 3 Khalid Abdulla John Gosden
41 DOUBLE ASPECT (IRE) 3 The Celle Syndicate Incorporated Sir Michael Stoute
310-121 DUKE OF VENICE (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
21 ELMUSTANSER 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
5-154 ESPERANTO (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Sangster Family Aidan O'Brien IRE
14-3010 FIVE DYNASTIES (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
00-6131 FRANK SONATA 3 Adams, Flynn, Arnold Mick Quinlan
1-3 GO FOR GOLD (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3140 HAADEF 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden
HANAZAKARI 3 G B Partnership James Toller
IKTIBAS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1 INTO THE DARK 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
14-4444 ISIDORE BONHEUR (IRE) 3 Bill Gredley & Matthew Green Barry Hills
12-1335 LET THE LION ROAR 3 Neil Jones John Dunlop
33-103 LISS ARD (IRE) 3 John Joseph Murphy John Joseph Murphy IRE
63(1)-315 LORD MAYOR 3 John Greetham Sir Michael Stoute
1-510 MANYANA (IRE) 3 Sheikh Mohammed Marcus Tregoning
414-22 MARAAHEL (IRE) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
0201 MASSIF CENTRALE 3 Raymond Tooth David Elsworth
MESOPOTAMIA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
211-4 MIKADO 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
33 NAPOLEON (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
21-112 NORTH LIGHT (IRE) 3 Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
2-1 OVATION (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
32-1140 PERCUSSIONIST (IRE) 3 Sangster Family John Gosden
04(3)(1)-10 PUKKA (IRE) 3 Fittocks Stud Luca Cumani
113-131 PUNCTILIOUS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
521-0 QUARTINO 3 Dr Ornella Carlini Cozzi John Gosden
5-13 QUIFF 3 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
25-3110 REEFSCAPE 3 Khalid Abdulla Andre Fabre FR
(5)(1)- ROSBERG (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
113-224 RULE OF LAW (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
SCHUMANN 3 Sheikh Mohammed John Gosden
4-24032 TOP SEED (IRE) 3 John Livock Bloodstock Limited Mick Channon
12 TWO MILES WEST (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3215-3 TYCOON 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
0-60 VINTAGE FIZZ (IRE) 3 Mrs Paul Duffin Thomas Mullins IRE
1- WOLFE TONE (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

49 entries
19 Irish-trained entries
1 Czech-trained entry
1 French-trained entry


BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE ST LEGER

16 Entries
Aidan O'Brien IRE (2001 Milan, 2003 Brian Boru)
Acropolis
Agenda
All Too Beautiful
Baraka
Book Of Kings
Cobra
Esperanto
Five Dynasties
Go For Gold
Mesopotamia
Mikado
Napoleon
Ovation
Two Miles West
Tycoon
Wolfe Tone

7 Entries
Saeed bin Suroor (1995 Classic Cliche, 1998 Nedawi, 1999 Mutafaweq)
Duke Of Venice
Elmustanser
Iktibas
Into The Dark
Punctilious
Rosberg
Rule Of Law

5 Entries

John Gosden (1996 Shantou)
Day Flight
Haadef
Percussionist
Quartino
Schumann

Sir Michael Stoute
Double Aspect
Lord Mayor
Maraahel
North Light
Quiff

1 Entry
Andrew Balding
Albinus

Mick Channon
Top Seed

Luca Cumani (1984 Commanche Run)
Pukka

John Dunlop (1986 Moon Madness, 1997 Silver Patriarch, 2000 Millenary)
Let The Lion Roar

David Elsworth
Massif Centrale

Andre Fabre FR (1991 Toulon)
Reefscape

Barry Hills (1994 Moonax)
Isidore Bonheur

Noel Meade IRE
Arch Rebel

Brian Meehan
Crystal

Thomas Mullins IRE
Vintage Fizz

John Joseph Murphy IRE
Liss Ard

Mick Quinlan
Frank Sonata

Arslangirey Shavuyev CZE
Darsalam

James Toller
Hanazakari

Mark Tompkins (1993 Bob's Return)
Bumptious

Marcus Tregoning
Manyana

ROAD TO THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

The historic Delaware Handicap at 1 ¼ miles is a major event for the Nextel Distaff Division. Top contenders expected in Sunday's wide-open renewal include Joseph Allen's ROAR EMOTION, Puglisi Stable's MISTY SIXES and Linda Vetter and Richard and Yvette Wire's California invader SUMMER WIND DANCER.

Roar Emotion disappointed her connections finishing last of six in the Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 12, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin may have found the answer to that dull performance. The dark bay 4-year-old daughter of Roar has since gone through the routine 'myectomy' throat surgery procedure performed for breathing problems.

Roar Emotion won the Demoiselle Stakes as a 2-year-old in only her third start and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico in a limited 3-year-old campaign last year. She was impressive winning the Sabin Handicap at Gulfstream early this year and finished a game third in the Shuvee Handicap at Belmont, beaten only a half-length for it all by Storm Flag Flying, prior to the Fleure de Lis.

Misty Sixes will have a 'home field' advantage in the race and bids to remain perfect in four starts this year. Trained by Steve Klesaris, the 6-year-old mare by Summer Squall was a $40,000 claim at Aqueduct late in 2002 and won minor stakes at Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park last year.

Klesaris obviously had the Delaware Handicap targeted for this started her campaign winning a one-mile allowance test by 10 ½ lengths on May 1 at Delaware. She has gone on to capture the Summer King Stakes a 1 1/16 miles and the Obeah Handicap at 1 1/8 miles by 2 ¼ lengths last out on June 19, local preps for the track's signature event.

Summer Wind Dancer is a 4-year-old roan/gray daughter of Siberian Summer and was scratched out of Sunday's Milady Breeders' Cup (see below) for the cross-country trip to this race. Trained by Jeff Mullins, the California homebred won the Hawthorne Handicap at Hollywood Park last out on June 6.

Other possible starters in the Delaware Handicap include C. Steven Duncker's CLOAK OF VAGUENESS, G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.'s FIRCROFT , War Eagle Farm's FIRECARD , Shah Stable's GO ON BABY , Centaur Farm's REDOUBLED MISS and Mrs. Henry T. Rathbun's SHINY SHEET.

The Leonard Richards at 1 1/16 miles promises to be an entertaining affair with listed probable Dodge Classic Division starters including Edgewood Stable's POLLARD'S VISION , Joe Allen's ECCLESIASTIC, Bob and Beverly Lewis' COURAGEOUS ACT and Team Valor's TIGER HUNT.

Todd Pletcher trains Pollard's Vision and has taken over the care of Tiger Hunt. Pollard's Vision emerged as a player in the 3-year-old division this spring when winning the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne in a romp before trailing in 17th of 18 behind Smarty Jones in the Kentucky Derby. Pollard's Vision is a Carson City colt and came back to finish second in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 12 in his lone start since the Derby.

Tiger Hunt finished fourth in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita last fall for trainer Elliott Walden. The son of Kris S. finished fourth on a 'sloppy' track in the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn Park in April in his only start this year before joining the powerful Pletcher stable team.

ROAD TO THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHIPS

A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC - POWERED BY DODGE


July 18 - $250,000 Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.

July 17 - $100,000 Long Branch Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 3yos.

ROAD TO THE JOHN DEERE BREEDERS' CUP TURF

July 17 - $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont Park. Rum at 1 3/8 miles on turf for 3 & up.

July 18 - $100,000 Lexington Stakes at Belmont Park. Run at 1 ¼ miles on turf for 3-year-olds.

July 18 - $150,000 Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park. Run at 1 ½ miles on turf for 3yos & up.

July 17 - $150,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Breeders' Cup at Delaware Park. Run at 1 3/8 miles on turf for 3-year-olds & up

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF - PRESENTED BY NEXTEL

July 18 - $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park. Run at 1 ¼ miles for fillies & mares.

July 17 - $500,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies.

ROAD TO THE BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

July 18 - Irish Oaks at The Curragh. Run at 1 ½ miles on turf for fillies & mares.

MAJOR STAKES RECAP - July 10-11

Race:

$750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), 3-year-olds7 up, 1 ¼ miles

Track: Hollywood Park

Finishing Order:

1-TOTAL IMPACT (CHI), 2-OLMAVADOR, 3-EVEN THE SCORE

Margins:
1 ¼, half, 4

Also ran: YESSIRGENERALSIR, ROYAL MORO, GIFT OF THE EAGLE, CONTINENTAL RED
Winning Connections:
Owner: Sultan Mohammed Saud al Kabeer; Trainer: Laura DeSeroux; Jockey: Mike Smith

Time: 2:00 3/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Saturday's renewal of the prestigious Hollywood Gold Cup lacked star power, but was very entertaining with Sultan al Saud Kabeer's 6-year-old Chilean-bred TOTAL IMPACT (CHI) driving to a 1 ¼ length victory under jockey Mike Smith in the mile-and-a-quarter test. Wertheimer Family's 5 -year-old homebred OLMODAVOR made a good bid to finish second for trainer Richard Mandella with Ro Parra's 6-year-old EVEN THE SCORE a half-length back in third as the 7-to-10 favorite. Total Impact stalked the pace set by Jim Jackson's Texas shipper YESSIRGENERALSIR on the way to his first victory since capturing the 2003 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood for trainer Laura DeSeroux. The son of Stuka came into the Gold Cup after finishing third in the Mervyn LeRoy and second in the Californian, both races won by Even The Score. The first three to finish in the Gold Cup could meet again in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22 where the water by the seaside will be deeper. Gerald A. Ford's 6-year-old Pleasantly Perfect, winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - at Santa Anita, continues to train well for his expected return to competition for Mandella. Winner of the Dubai World Cup on March 27 in his last start, the son of Pleasant Colony is being pointed for the San Diego Handicap on Aug. 1 as a prep race for the Pacific Classic. Also expected for that race is Kaegle Brothers and partners' 4-year-old SOUTHERN IMAGE , winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and Pimlico Special earlier this season. Trainer Michael Mackowsky was forced to take the son of Halo's Image out of consideration for Saturday's Gold Cup because of a nagging sore foot.

Race: $400,000 Swaps Breeder5s' Cup (G2), 3-year-lds, 1 1/8 miles
Track: Hollywood Park

Finishing Order:

1-ROCK HARD TEN, 2-SUAVE, 3-BOOMZEEBOOM

Margins: 3 ¾, 3, 2 ½

Also ran: CAPITANO, BRANDS HATCH, BEAR IN THE WOODS

Winning Connections:
Owner: Madeleine Paulson and Ernie Moody; Trainer: Jason Orman; Jockey Corey Nakatani

Time: 1:47 2/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Madeliene Paulson and Ernie Moody's 3-year-old ROCK HARD TEN made his much anticipated return to competition after the Visa Triple Crown in Saturday's Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park and didn't disappoint as the 3-to-5 favorite. Jockey Corey Nakatani was aboard the big Kris S. colt for his first start since finishing fifth in the Belmont Stakes as they drew off to win by 3 ¾ lengths. Jay Em Ess Stable's Kentucky invader SUAVE finished second as John Karubian and partners' BOOMZEEBOOM finished third in the field of six after setting a moderate pace in the 1 1/8 miles test. Rock Hard Ten, homebred by co-owner Paulson, was making only the sixth start of his career in the Swaps and had finished second to Smarty Jones in the Preakness Stakes prior to the Belmont. Trainer Jason Orman was not specific about what might be next for Rock Hard Ten, but indicated that the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28 would be an option considered.
Race: $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles
Track: Belmont Park
Finishing Order: 1-MEDALLIST, 2-THE CLIFF'S EDGE, 3-SIR SHACKLETON

Margins: 3 ¾, ½, 14 ½

Also ran: GOLDEN LOOK, PREACHINATTHEBAR, SHANIKO

Winning Connections:
Owner: Robert N. Clay; Trainer: Allen Jerkens; Jockey: Jorge Chavez

Time: 1:40 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Robert N. Clay's MEDALLIST went to the front early in Sunday's Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park, opening up an eight-length lead at the top of the stretch under jockey Jorge Chavez. The Allen Jerkens-trained son of Touch Gold coasted home a 3 ¾ lengths winner in the field of six 3-year-olds. Robert V. La Penta's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner THE CLIFF'S EDGE won the battle for second over Tracy Farmer's
SIR SHACKLETON , the other half of trainer Nick Zito's 3-to-5 entry. Medallist was making his first start since a brilliant score in the Withers Mile at Aqueduct on May 1 and appears to have quite a future. Jerkens will look to try the homebred around two turns with no specific plan. Zito was quite pleased with The Cliff's Edge's performance in his first start since finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby and will point him next for the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Race: $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3), 3-year-olds, 1 ¼ miles on turf
Track: Colonial Downs
Finishing Order: 1-KITTEN"S JOY, 2-ARTIE SCHILLER, 3-PRINCE ARCH
Margins: 2 ¾, 4 ¾, 12 ¾
Also ran: LIPAN, CLASS CONCERN, JANE'S LUCK, IRISH LADDIE, NO PLACE LIKE IT
Winning Connections:
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey; Trainer: Dale Romans; Jockey: Edgar Prado

Time: 2:01 1/5 (firm)

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf - If there was any lingering doubt about the leading 3-year-old turf runner in America this season, Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred KITTEN'S JOY put that to rest in the Virginia Derby Saturday at Colonial Downs. Trained by Dale Romans, Kitten's Joy rallied through the stretch under jockey Edgar Prado to win the mile-and-a-quarter test by 2 ¾ lengths over Timber Bay Farm and Mrs. Thomas Walsh's New York shipper ARTIE SCHILLER . Raymond Cottrell, Sr.'s PRINCE ARCH finished third, 4 ¾ lengths behind Artie Schiller. Kitten's Joy appeared unbeatable since being switched to turf in New York last fall, winning five straight, including stakes victories in the Tropical Park Derby at Calder, Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park and American Turf at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend. The chestnut colt by El Prado suffered his first and only loss on grass when beaten a head last out in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill by Prince Arch.

Race: $250,000 Milady Breeders' Cup (G1), fillies & mares, 1 1/16 miles
Track: Hollywood Park

Finishing Order: 1-STAR PARADE (ARG), 2-QUERO QUERO, 3-PESCI

Margins: 3 /2, head, 2

Also ran: VICTORY ENCOUNTER, TANGLE (IRE)

Winning Connections:
Owner: Gary Tanaka; Trainer: Darrell Vienna; Jockey: Victor Espinoza

Time: 1:41 4/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel - Gary Tanaka's 5-year-old STAR PARADE (ARG) has been competitive with the best in the California filly and mare ranks over the last two seasons, including a victory over Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Adoration in the Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in early December. Sunday, the daughter of Parade Marshal was back in the Hollywood winner's circle after a near wire-to-wire victory in the Milady Breeders' Cup. Old Friends Inc.'s QUERO QUERO finished 3 ½ lengths back in second with Joe Pesci and partners' PESCI a head further back in third in the field of five. Star Parade, third in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood in her previous start, set a moderate pace under jockey Victor Espinoza and responded gamely when briefly challenged by Quero Quero. Tom Mankiewicz' VICTORY ENCOUNTER had won the Vanity but finished a non-threatening fourth as the 2-1 favorite in the Milady.

Race: $112,600 Poker Handicap (G3), 3-year-olds & up, one mile on turf
Track: Belmont Park
Finishing Order: 1-CHISTINE'S OUTLAW, 2-MILLENIUM DRAGON (GB), 3-SILVER TREE
Margins: Neck, 2 ½, 1
Also ran: MEGOMAN, CHILLY ROOSTER, BURNING ROMA, PROVINCETOWN, PISCES, MULTIPLE CHOICE
Winning Connections:
Owner: R.C. Hill Stable; Trainer: George Weaver, Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan
Time: 1:32 2/5 (firm)

Road to the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile - R. C. Hill Stable's 4-year-old CHRISTINE'S OUTLAW is making a highly successful transition from turf to dirt and was very game winning Saturday's Poker Handicap at Belmont Park by a neck under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. George Weaver trains the Wild Again colt, a solid but inconsistent performer in main track stakes last year and early this season. Prior to the Poker, Christine's Outlaw finished second going seven furlongs in his career debut on turf at Belmont in early June and came back to win a 'three other than' allowance on June 20. Christine's Outlaw was a generous 13-to-1 in the Poker and held off Darley Stable's 5-year-old MILLENNIUM DRAGON (GB) , the 2-to-1 favorite for trainer Kiaran McLaughln. Millennium Dragon had finished second in the Dixie Stakes at Pimlico and Manhattan Handicap in his two previous starts. Weaver indicated that Christine's Outlaw was likely to start next in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga on Travers Day, Aug. 28.

Race: $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G3), 3-year-olds & up, six furlongs
Track: Calder Race Course
Finishing Order: 1-CHAMPALI, 2-CLOCK STOPPER, 3-BUILT UP

Margins: Nose, neck, neck
Also ran: MY COUSIN MATT, TWILIGHT ROAD, VALID VIDEO, GOLD DOLLAR, LOVE THAT MOON, ALOHA BOLD, SUPER FUSE
Winning Connections: Owner: Lloyd Madison Farms' Trainer: Greg Foley; Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Time: 1:10 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - Trainer Greg Foley said early in the week that Lloyd Madison Farm's 4-year-old CHAMPALI is the best horse he's ever had. The son of Glitterman didn't let him down Saturday at Calder Race Course as he held on for a game nose victory over Overbrook Farm's CLOCK STOPPER in the Smile Sprint Handicap. Jockey Jerry Bailey was aboard Champali for the first time in the rich dash, a highlight of the track's annual 'Summit of Speed' program. Champali took a narrow lead early but had to turn back a bold bid from Raymond Susi's Calder-based 6-year-old BUILT UP in the upper stretch before holding off Clock Stopper and jockey Pat Day in a four-horse photo finish. Built Up was only a neck behind Clock Stopper with Richard Englader's New York invader MY COUSIN MATT another neck back in fourth in the field of 10. Champali had won the Aristides Handicap impressively in his last start at Churchill Downs and the Smile was his third straight victory. Foley indicated he planned one more start for Champali before the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but had not determined where or when his final prep would come. Clock Stopper, also shipping in from Churchill Downs, ran a huge race for trainer Dallas Stewart as the 9-to-5 favorite. The 4-year-old Gilded Time gelding was making his third start this year and appears bound for the Breeders' Cup as well. He won the Perryville Stakes last fall at Keeneland with Champali third. The Smile Sprint lost a major contender when trainer Todd Pletcher was forced to scratch Kenneth English and Alan Braun's 4-year-old Alke, who would have likely been the favorite in his first start since finishing second in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes on March 2. Padua Stable's Cajun Beat, winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint for trainer Steve Margolis, finished fourth in the Golden Shaheen. The 4-year-old is due to return from his layoff at Padua Farm in Ocala soon, and will be sent to trainer Bobby Frankel at Belmont Park to begin his Breeders' Cup defense campaign.

Race: $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G2), fillies & mares, six furlongs
Track: Calder Race Course
Finishing Order: 1-EMA BOVARY (CHI), 2-BEAR FAN, 3-LADY TAK
Margins: 2, 3 ¾, 2
Also ran: MARY MURPHY, PUXA SACO, HARMONY LODGE
Winning Connections:
Owner: Richard T. Beal, Jr. & Lana Ramsey-Borg; Trainer: Larry Ross; Jockey: Roberto Gonzalez
Time:
1:10 4/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - Early in the week, trainer Todd Pletcher called the field of six fillies and mares drawn for Saturday's Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder Race Course the "Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint." Peter Fan and Wesley Ward's 5-year-old mare BEAR FAN , riding a four stakes win streak, was made the 4-to-5 favorite under John R. Velazquez. Impressive winner of the Genuine Risk and Vagrancy handicaps at Belmont Park in her last two starts, Bear Fan gained a narrow lead in the upper stretch, but was no match for Richard T. Beal, Jr. and Lana Ramsey-Borg's EMA BOVARY (CHI) in the final furlong. Trained by Larry Ross, 5-year-old Ema Bovary invaded from Golden Gate Fields as the third choice and drew clear to win by two lengths under regular jockey Roberto Gonzalez. Bear Fan finished a clear second with Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's 4-year-old filly LADY TAK finishing 3 ¾ lengths back in third after dueling through the first half-mile in 44 seconds.. Eugene and Laura Melnyk's 6-year-old HARMONY LODGE never threatened and finished sixth under Jerry Bailey. Ema Bovary, purchased privately for $65,000 early in her 3-year-old season in Chile, had a nine-race win streak broken in her last start, finishing second in the Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 5 with a rough trip on the rail. Ross indicated the daughter of Edgy Diplomat (Deputy Minister) would be given some time off before a fall campaign. While not altogether ruling out supplementing (20 per cent) to the Breeders' Cup, he said that the Princess Rooney "was her Breeders' Cup." Wesley Ward, co-owner, breeder and trainer of Bear Fan has said that he is pointing Bear Fan to the Breeders' Cup Sprint and the Pine Bluff mare's performance Saturday would hardly discourage that program.

Race: $150,000 A Gleam Invitational (G2), fillies & mares, seven furlongs
Track: Hollywood Park
Finishing Order: 1-DREAM OF SUMMER, 2-TUCKED AWAY, 3-ELUSIVE DIVA
Margins: 3 ½, neck, 1
Also ran: COCONUT GIRL, STORMICA, ELLOLUV
Winning Connections:
Owner: James Weigel, 2-Juan Garcia; Jockey: Mike Smith

Time: 1:21 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - James Weigel's 5-year-old homebred mare DREAM OF SUMMER made an auspicious stakes debut Saturday in the A Gleam Invitational at Hollywood Park, scoring by 3 ½ lengths over Nico Niernberg's TUCKED AWAY . Branch and Koenecny's ELUSIVE DIVA finished third in the seven-furlong test as J. Paul Reddam's 4-year-old filly ELLOLUV finished last, six of six as the 9-to-5 favorite in her first start in six months for trainer Craig Dollase. Elloluv finished a game second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel at Santa Anita last fall and finished up the track as the 6-to-5 favorite in the La Brea Handicap in late December. Dream of Summer had won four of five previous starts on the main track, punctuated by an unfortunate attempt on turf last summer. Trained by Juan Garcia, the California-bred daughter of Siberian Summer was making only her second start this season and appears to have quite a future.

MARKET RASEN PROVIDES FREE FOOD AND LUXURY ACCOMMODATION FOR STABLE STAFF

Pip Adams, Racecourse Manager at Market Rasen, explains: "We are very much aware of the work untaken by stable staff, and believe that good food and cosy surroundings help towards creating a healthier working environment."

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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