Stable Mail: A-Z (Part II)

TDN’s Racing Editor Steve Sherack takes a closer look at his stable mail account in this second installment of a continuing series. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveSherackTDN.

FAMOUS ALICE (f, 3, Kitten’s Joy): Punched home nicely to post a visually impressive debut win going six furlongs over the Hollywood grass Nov. 23, then reported home second-best as the chalk after mixing it up through hot fractions going down the hill in an optional claimer Jan. 19 (video). From the Tom Proctor barn.

FASCINATING (f, 3, Smart Strike): Hard to find a maiden with a better resume than her. Off since a rallying third while making her two-turn debut in the GI Chandelier S. at Santa Anita Sept. 28, Bodemeister’s little sister is yet to post a breeze for Baffert since Oct. 21.

FOOTSTEPSINBRONZE (IRE) (c, 3, Footstepsinthesand {GB}): Raced with a hot pace going down the hill in his Jan. 11 unveiling (video), and kept on battling in the stretch to come up only a half-length short. Promising runner for Simon Callaghan.

GAREN (c, 3, Street Cry {Ire}): Half-brother to Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) took a major step forward in his second career attempt with blinkers added, doing all of the heavy lifting dueling on the front end through hot fractions and staying on nicely in the stretch to finish a respectable fourth in a salty maiden at Santa Anita Jan. 18 (video). In great hands with Peter Miller.

INDIANAPOLIS (c, 3, Medaglia d’Oro): Baffert trainee took the overland route to get it right with a good-looking come-from-behind win at first asking at Hollywood Nov. 24, then beat up on three rivals with a sharp performance in the six-furlong San Pedro S. Jan. 20 (video), good for a 97 Beyer. Finishes like he’ll handle more distance. Next stop: GII San Vicente S. Feb. 16.

INTERRUPTED (f, 3, Broken Vow): Half-sister to millionaire Alternation hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with her speed figures, but this Pin Oak homebred was certainly visually impressive in a pair of explosive come-from-behind tallies over the Laurel sod Sept. 27 & Oct. 25 (video) last term. In steady training at Palm Meadows with Graham Motion.

IRISH WHISPER (f, 4, Langfuhr): Promising NY-bred returned to the races in style with a razor sharp wire-to-wire allowance win at the Big A Jan. 26, her first start since a dismal grass attempt at Saratoga last summer. Awfully nice filly from the Jeremiah Englehart barn when she brings her best.

KID LIGHTNING (c, 4, Lemon Drop Kid): Half-brother to champion Stevie Wonderboy had some trips when under the care of Kiaran McLaughlin last term. Transferred to Chad Brown, the chestnut rallied smartly from far back into slow fractions to finish a close third at 11-1 in a grassy optional claimer at Gulfstream Jan. 11 (video), good for a career high 80 Beyer. Plenty of potential for this lightly raced 4-year-old.

LA MADRINA (f, 3, Tapit): Anxiously awaiting this well-bred half-sister to Verrazano (More Than Ready)’s career debut. Emory Hamilton homebred is in steady training with Shug at Payson.

LENT (c, 4, Pulpit): Fort Larned’s little bro stepped up with a smart maiden win at second asking with Lasix added when stretched to a mile in an 11-horse field at Churchill Downs last June (video). Trained by Ian Wilkes, the lightly raced 4-year-old is back in training at Palm Meadows.

MEAN SEASON (c, 4, Henny Hughes): Picked up by Jake Ballis for $150k at the KEENOV sale and transferred to Hall of Famer Bill Mott following a debut win at Laurel in September, the chestnut looked like an absolute steal, rolling to a jaw-dropping eight-length win in an optional claimer at the Big A Dec. 22 (video), good for a gaudy 105 Beyer. Forced to miss a Jan. 18 start with a fever.

OUR AMAZING ROSE (f, 3, Yes It’s True): Hard-pressed to find a more impressive debut winner at Saratoga last summer than her (video). The Repole/Pletcher runner ran five furlongs in :57.68, good for a 91 Beyer; her stablemate, subsequent GII Saratoga Special S. hero Corfu (Malibu Moon), covered the same trip in :58.27 two races earlier that day. Starting to gear up at Palm Meadows for her sophomore debut.

Click here for Part I of this series.

Stable Mail: A-Z

TDN’s Racing Editor Steve Sherack takes a closer look at his stable mail account (A-D) in this first installment of a continuing series. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveSherackTDN.

ABSTRACTION (c, 4, Pulpit): Lightly-raced My Meadowview Farm homebred disappeared following a troubled third (bumped start, checked clubhouse turn, wide move far turn, etc.) behind Code West in the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs last June (video). Was super impressive in his runaway Fair Grounds maiden win Mar. 13 and also overcame some adversity to annex the Federico Tesio S. as the heavy chalk at Pimlico Apr. 27; anxiously awaiting his return to the worktab.

ALL IN BLUE (c, 3, More Than Ready): Razor sharp debut winner at Belmont July 4 (video) failed to land a blow in either of his next two attempts in the GII Sanford S. July 21 or the GI Hopeful S. Sept. 2, both at the Spa. Starlight colorbearer may need a switch to grass to put it all together.

BAND OF JOY (h, 5, Bowman’s Band): Promising turf sprinter couldn’t have endured a worse trip before finishing up like a rocket (final eighth clocked in :10.84) when third in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Jan. 19 (video), his first attempt for Todd Pletcher after being purchased privately by Paul Pompa Jr. It would be an awfully quick turnaround, but he’s nominated for the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Feb. 1.

BARDSTOWN (r, 3, Stormy Atlantic): Highly-touted $400k KEEAPR graduate turned in a very promising rally to finish second in his six-furlong debut at Del Mar Aug. 25 (video) before hitting the sidelines. Looking forward to seeing this chestnut back in action as a sophomore; from the Bob Hess Jr. barn.

BEE BRAVE (GB) (f, 4, Rail Link {GB}): European invader stormed home powerfully from last off a lengthy layoff in her U.S. debut for trainer Simon Callaghan in a first-level Santa Anita allowance going a mile on the lawn Jan. 18 (video), her first attempt since posting a narrow debut win at Ayr back in August 2012. Stakes-quality runner.

CALISTOGA (f, 4, Speightstown): Couldn’t have been more impressive in a pair of powerful front-running tallies at Gulfstream last term Jan. 12 & Mar. 7. Slightly favored in a field of 13 in the GIII Eight Belles S. on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard (video), the chestnut was surprisingly placed toward the back of pack while racing on the outside after exiting from stall 13. She made a huge middle-move to reach contention while parked extremely wide on the far turn, and understandably ran out of gas late to finish a good fourth. Produced by a winning full-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Giacomo (Holy Bull) and a half-sister to MGISW Tiago (Pleasant Tap), the Donald Dizney colorbearer continues to train up a storm for Bill Mott at Payson Park.

CANDY BOY (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}): C R K Stable homebred finally put it all together at fourth asking with a powerful maiden win going two turns at Hollywood Nov. 22, then held on for runner-up honors behind champion Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) following a well-documented dramatic middle move in the GI CashCall Futurity Dec. 14 (video). Legit GI Kentucky Derby hopeful for John Sadler.

CANDY DANDY (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}): Immediately caught the eye with a jaw-dropping debut win over a salty group at Churchill Downs June 30 (video)--including subsequent GIII Sapling S. hero Dunkin Bend (Dunkirk) and recent GII Holy Bull S. runner-up Conquest Titan (Birdstone)--but failed to live up to the billing with a disappointing fifth as the even-money chalk in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 11. Had a chip removed since and has been training steadily for SteveAsmussen at the Fair Grounds.

CAN’THELPBELIEVING (IRE) (c, 3, Duke of Marmalade {Ire}): Turned in a serious late rally (final eighth in :11.58) to get the money going long at third asking with blinkers/Lasix added at Gulfstream Jan. 11 (video). Very promising grass runner for the always dangerous Graham Motion barn.

COACH INGE (c, 3, Big Brown): Nothing seemed to go right after an early bobble for this Repole/Pletcher representative as the 7-5 chalk in his seven-furlong Gulfstream unveiling Dec. 19 (video). Made a menacing sweeping move on the far turn before running out of gas in the stretch to finish a well-beaten fourth; should move forward nicely with that one under his belt.

CONSTITUTION (c, 3, Tapit): Had every right to pack it in after rushing up into hot fractions after missing the break, but battled on gamely in the stretch to earn his diploma at first asking going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 11 (video). Produced by a stakes-placed half-sister to GI Forego S. hero Emcee (Unbridled’s Song), the $400k FTSAUG graduate tops a very long list of promising sophomores for Pletcher.

DANCE WITH FATE (c, 3, Two Step Salsa): Along with colleague Brian DiDonato, I’ve been a big fan/supporter of the 2009 G2 Godolphin Mile hero’s first crop of runners. Trained by Peter Eurton, Dance With Fate showcased his ability with a pair of runner-up finishes at the top level last term, and he recently took his game to another level with a switch to grass, closing smartly into slow early fractions in an $80k optional tagger at Santa Anita Jan. 24 (video).

DANZA (c, 3 Street Boss): An eye-catching rallying third from along the fence in his second career start when last seen in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 11 (video), the Eclipse colorbearer is currently on the comeback trail at Palm Meadows.

NY Watch List

TDN’s Racing Editor and handicapper Steve Sherack reveals his latest list of horses-to-watch on the NYRA circuit. Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveSherackTDN

ANTONE SUAVEY: Finally broke through with a maiden win at ninth asking, and following a troubled start at $20k, outran his 19-1 odds with a very respectable fourth-place finish at $16k on quick notice. Hard to dismiss at a price versus a similar bunch of grass sprinters.

BALANCE THE BOOKS: Flashed plenty of potential on the grass as a juvenile--including a strong third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita--and just never looked comfortable in a pair of Triple Crown preps on the Poly earlier this spring. Got back on track on the lawn with a rallying third after being compromised by a slow early pace in the Solar Splendor S. at Belmont July 13. Loves the grass course at the Spa (won the GII With Anticipation S. as a maiden last term); GII National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame S. Aug. 9 seems like a perfect fit.

BILL OF RIGHTS: Claimed by Steve Asmussen for $20k off Eoin Harty back in April, the full brother to Colonel John never fired in a $30k maiden claimer after a stumbling beginning in his first attempt for his new connections at Churchill June 16. Returned to $20k, the bay exploded with second-time Lasix, running away to an impressive front-running tally over the Belmont grass July 13, good for a career high 70 Beyer. Can handle a bump up the ladder for sharp barn.

MAGNIFICENT SHIRL: Continues to pile up excuses in each of her three starts since transferring to the Michelle Nihei barn. Up against it while trailing a field of six in the seven-furlong Diamondrella S. through easy fractions of :23.64 and :46.88, and veered in sharply once finally uncorking in the stretch. Ran much better than that fourth-place finish looks on paper.

MENTOR CANE: A debut second behind the talented Flashback (Tapit) at Hollywood in December, the son of Mizzen Mast fired fresh off the bench with a visually impressive five-length graduation at Belmont July 6, good for a 97 Beyer. Geared down late after flashing :44.66 speed to boot; very promising sophomore for the relocated Shirreffs barn.

SHARPANDWITTY: New York-bred needed 11 tries to exit the maiden ranks, but ran a big one against open company in her first attempt against winners after getting bumped at the break. Did all of the heavy lifting on the front end with company that day, and reported home a clear-cut second at 10-1. Has longshot appeal for low-profile connections.

SUPREME COMMANDER: Made a solid middle-move from the back of the pack while racing very wide in his unveiling behind the impressive Touchofstarquality at Belmont July 6. Son of the lawnmower Perfect Sting should move forward nicely with that well-beaten fourth-place finish under his belt for the very patient John Shirreffs.

YOU SO SMART: Not exactly Rosie Napravnik’s shining moment aboard this New York-bred last time. Making her grass/route debuts and receiving first-time Lasix for the dangerous Maker barn, the daughter of Jade Hunter was bumped at the break, and was hard-held in fifth through a very easy half mile in :50.96. The 8-1 shot remained all dressed up with nowhere to run throughout the stretch until finally finding some room late to finish fifth, beaten only 1 3/4 lengths. Will be very tough with a clean trip next time.

Click here to see who made the July 1 NY Watch List.

NY Watch List

TDN’s Racing Editor and handicapper Steve Sherack reveals his first horses-to-watch list for the upcoming action at Belmont and Saratoga this summer.

BOURBON TWIST: Visually impressive debut winner at Saratoga last summer has disappointed in a pair of paceless races since returning from the shelf in April, including a May 19 effort over a saturated Belmont turf course. New York-bred from the Chad Brown barn can get back on track with the proper set-up.

CAPO BASTONE: Unlike Pletcher stablemate Forty Tales, he was unable to overcome the speed-favoring strip on the GI Belmont S. undercard in the GII Woody Stephens S. Training well for a switch to grass--4f in :49.21 BEL (IT) June 23 and 4f in :49.20 BEL (IT) June 30--and certainly has the pedigree/proper running style [Street Boss half-brother to GIII Regret S. runner-up C J’s Leelee (Mizzen Mast)] to take to the green stuff. Best two races have come over the Del Mar Polytrack and Churchill main track, which both play kindly to grass types.

CAPTAIN GAUGHEN: His overall record isn’t pretty, but this son of Disco Rico has really stepped up his game since kicking off his sophomore campaign with a runaway maiden win at eighth asking against older horses May 24. Left himself a little bit too much to do after racing in 12th for most of the way in the New York Stallion Spectacular Bid S. June 30, and held his own with a strong second-place finish behind the back-classy West Hills Giant. Never been better.

FOREVER FOR ALWAYS: Frost Giant filly took a major step forward with a switch to grass to outrun her 19-1 odds with a solid third-place finish at the Big A Apr. 5. Can fire fresh off the bench versus state-breds for low-profile outfit.

GO ON MURT (IRE): Euro-import ran a big fifth after racing a bit headstrong early and enduring a wide trip in a key heat while making his U.S. bow at Belmont June 2, then flashed good speed and stayed on stubbornly in the stretch when just tagged for second on the turn back to seven furlongs June 27. Third try will be the charm versus a similar bunch of $35k beatens.

IRISH WHISPER: New York-bred looked like a future stakes horse while beating up on a big field in her unveiling at Belmont May 5, then had plenty of excuses (lunged at break/wide trip) when a well-beaten sixth after making a solid middle-move in her first attempt versus winners as the heavy favorite June 12. Langfuhr filly deserves another chance.

RED SUPREME: Made up some nice ground after getting a bit roughed up at the start in his grassy unveiling at Gulfstream for Tom Bush to finish a quietly good fourth at 63-1, then switched to the Mike Miceli barn to place a rallying fourth after receiving somewhat of a questionable ride most recently May 4. Waiting patiently for his return.

SUNLOVER: Needed six tries to exit the maiden ranks last term, but really turned it on nicely late in the year, capped by a solid third-place finish at 30-1 in the Super Mario S. at Belmont Nov. 23. Transferred to trainer Eddie Kenneally for his sophomore season, the GoldMark colorbearer never got a chance to run while a nightmare fifth--beaten only two lengths--going six furlongs on the Belmont lawn June 23. Should take a nice step forward with that one under his belt.

TOWN EXTENSION: Fipke homebred showed some promise at two, but has failed to take the next step forward with a pair of disappointing efforts over wet tracks this term. A switch to grass may be all that this son of Speightstown from the extended family of Warning Zone and We Can Seek (Chi) needs to finally put it all together.

YOUR LION EYES: From the dangerous Michael Mareina barn, this Lion Heart filly flashed some potential while making her debut in a grassy $25k maiden claimer. Last of 12 after missing the break, the 4-year-old came alive in the stretch to report home an educational sixth, beaten only 4 3/4 lengths. Looking good.

Pair of Matz Juveniles Hit the Ground Running...

--Steve Sherack

For a trainer connecting with only roughly 6 percent of his first-time starters (stat courtesy DRF Formulator from a 50-horse sample), Michael Matz sure has unleashed a couple of promising juveniles this summer.

Union Rags (c, 2, Dixie Union--Tempo, by Gone West) was the first to catch the eye at Delaware Park July 12 (TDN Video). Given a 7-1 chance in his unveiling, the bay settled nicely in seventh through an opening quarter in :22.08. With Julian Pimentel aboard, he immediately quickened when asked the question and gamely split horses while rallying on the turn for home. Continuing to roll while riding the rail, the March foal was guided off the fence for his stretch run, and quickly inhaled the leader, striding away in style to score by a decisive 1 3/4 lengths. The final time for the five-furlong affair was :58.25, good for a 65 Beyer.

Four of the eight also-rans from that contest have returned to action so far, including a pair of next out winners. Angel’s Tune (High Cotton), sixth as the even-money favorite in his unveiling for Todd Pletcher, successfully stretched to a route maiden special win at Delaware Aug. 9. Fifth-place finisher High Heat (Latent Heat) resurfaced with a sharp wire-to-wire maiden special weight victory at Delaware Aug. 1. Eighth-place finisher Noon Time Shots (Capture The Gold) returned to place a distant second in a Jersey-bred maiden special at Monmouth July 25. Freddie One Bite (Forest Wildcat), 3 1/2 lengths behind Union Rags in third, repeated that performance in High Heat’s aforementioned maiden win.

Union Rags has registered a trio of smart breezes since sporting the cap and gown. He returned to Matz’s Fair Hill base with a four-furlong move in :52 July 26, then posted a five-furlong bullet in 1:01.60 at the tranquil Maryland training center Aug. 2. Shipped to Saratoga, he has continued to train smartly, firing a best-of-44 four-furlong bullet in :47.66 Aug. 9.

Michael Matz/Equi-Photo

Bred in Kentucky by Phyllis M. Wyeth, Union Rags was re-acquired by his breeder for $390,000 earlier this year as a FTFFEB juvenile after zipping an eighth in :10 1/5 (breeze video). The full-brother to the stakes-placed Geefour previously brought $145,000 as a FTSAUG yearling.

Union Rags’s dam Tempo showed some talent in her shortened career. Trained by Bill Mott, she made her debut worth the wait at the age of three with a 4 1/2-length win in a Calder maiden in December. Sidelined thereafter, the chestnut finally returned to action as 5-year-old with a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream in February. She concluded her three-race career the following month with a second-place finish in an Aqueduct allowance behind Quiet Dance (Quiet American), who later produced Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado).

Next up to take the spotlight for the Kentucky Derby winning trainer was And Why Not (f, 2, Street Cry {Ire}--Alchemist, by A.P. Indy) at Saratoga Aug. 7 (TDN Video).

Outsprinted in seventh through a sizzling opening quarter in :21.73 after breaking alertly over a drying out speed-favoring surface, the 7-1 chance made a flashy move to reach contention on the turn for home. Ridden by Julien Leparoux, she hit the front in the stretch and kept on finding more, drawing off to graduate at first asking by a good looking 5 1/2 lengths. And Why Not stopped the clock for 6 1/2 furlongs over a “good” track in 1:19.71. She earned a 64 Beyer in the victory.



And Why Not/Adam Coglianese

 Bred in Kentucky by Helen Groves, Helen Alexander and D.D. Matz, she was purchased by Helen Groves for $775,000 at last year’s FTSAUG sale to dissolve the partnership (TDN Sales Coverage). Out of the very solid graded-stakes placed mare Alchemist, And Why Not is a granddaughter of GI Go For Wand H. heroine and GI Test S. runner-up Aldiza (Storm Cat).

On the Radar...

--Steve Sherack

TDN’s Steve Sherack reveals a trio of recent also-rans that should be on your radar.

Finale, from the first crop of 2007 GI Florida Derby hero Scat Daddy, stamped himself as one to keep a close eye on following an encouraging debut third at Belmont Park May 5 (TDN Video).

Trailing the field of six by 12 lengths at the first call after hitting the gate at the start and completely blowing the break, the juvenile came alive on the turn for home gamely splitting horses to race in fourth. Still with plenty left to do at the top of the lane, he was guided to the outside by Cornelio Velasquez, and finished with good energy to place third, beaten only 3 1/2 lengths behind first-out winner Francesco Rules (Roman Ruler). The final time for the five-furlong event over a drying out muddy track was :58 2/5.

Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Finale was the highest-priced weanling colt by Scat Daddy to go through the ring in 2009 when selling for $175,000 at the Keeneland November sale. The half-brother to GIII West Virginia Derby hero Bright One (Dance Brightly) is trained by Todd Pletcher.

The future also looks bright for Glen Hill Farm’s Marketing Mix (Medaglia d’Oro), most recently a strong second behind the talented Roxy Gap (Indian Charlie) in Woodbine’s Fury S. for Ontario-breds Apr. 30 (TDN Video). The sophomore filly found her best stride too late in the seven-furlong affair after trailing the compact field of four through easy fractions, and reported home 3/4 of a length behind the victress, who enjoyed first run.


Roxy Gap holds off Marketing Mix in the Fury S. at Woodbine
WEG/Michael Burns photography

Marketing Mix, a $150,000 KEESEP yearling graduate, galloped out after the wire like a horse dying to go two turns, and based on her pedigree out of a Kris S. mare, turf should be right up her alley as well. (Note: Marketing Mix's second dam Nimble Mind {Lyphard} was multiple graded stakes placed on the infield).

Marketing Mix previously annexed a Keeneland maiden special weight in impressive fashion over the Polytrack, flying late from 11th to get up by a head Apr. 10 (TDN Video); she was sixth in her unveiling over the Gulfstream dirt Mar. 13.

The dark bay has returned to training at Tom Proctor’s Churchill base following her big effort in Canada, covering four furlongs over the spinach in :52 May 12.

Parting Words (Artie Schiller), an eye-catching last-to-first allowance winner over the Gulfstream lawn in February, should move forward nicely off a respectable third-place finish in the GIII Appalachian S. at Keeneland Apr. 21 (TDN Video).

The dark bay filly, owned by Lael Stables and trained by Barclay Tagg, was a handful for Julien Leparoux throughout while racing toward the back along the inside, fighting the rider for most of the way before riding the rail in the stretch to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind the brilliant Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}). Parting Words has shown in her two career victories that she prefers being on the outside, and still ran pretty well against a very deep group in the Appalachian despite her reluctance to settle early.

With three workouts at Belmont Park since, it won’t be long before seeing Parting Words back in the entries.