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DENALI SALE GRAD RUNS THIRD IN 2008 PREAKNESS May 17, 2008
When Big Brown captured the second jewel of the 2008 Triple Crown, Macho Again, rallied to finish second finishing a half-length ahead of Denali Saratoga Sale graduate Icabad Crane in third.
Like Preakness winner Big Brown, Icabad Crane also came into the second jewel of the Triple Crown with just four lifetime starts; and again, like the Derby winner, he won his only outing at age two. Trainer Graham Motion, who stables at Fair Hill, Md. training center, just about an hour from Pimlico, shipped this son of Jump Start to Turfway for the Rushaway, part of the Lane's End (gr. II) undercard. Stablemate Adriano won the feature while Icabad Crane managed to be third in the supporting stakes. That set him up nicely for the Tesio win, where he defeated Mint Lane, who was second to Casino Drive in the Peter Pan (gr. II) on May 10 at Belmont.
He came into the Preakness as quite a longshot, but rewarded his connections with a third place effort, and a shot at the Belmont (gr. I). Sold by Denali for breeder Gallagher's Stud at the 2006 Saratoga August Yearling Sale for $65,000 Icabad Crane was resold at the 2007 Ocala Breeders' February 2YO Sale for $110,000 to another Denali client Earle I. Mack.
SWEET VENDETTA SLOPS UP BLACK-EYED SUSAN
Just as she did in her previous start, Sweet Vendetta took advantage of the off-track conditions, roaring through the muddy stretch at Pimlico Race Course to record a 1 1/2-length upset victory in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) May 16. Under a patient ride from Channing Hill, Sweet Vendetta saved ground for most of the 1 1/8 miles before angling out at the top of the lane to begin her late move. The 3-year-old Stephen Got Even filly collared a distracted Shes All Eltish inside the sixteenth pole, hitting the wire in front to earn her first graded stakes. Shes All Eltish, ridden by Garrett Gomez, led the field of eight into the stretch, but lugged in badly after drawing clear – perhaps costing the bay filly a win. After the race, Gomez said she was spooked by the starting gate, which was in plain view of the horses as they entered the stretch. As it was, Shes All Eltish held the place, three-quarters of a length in front of Seattle Smooth and Edgar Prado. The final time was 1:49:60 on a sealed track, the fifth fastest in 84 runnings of the Black-Eyed Susan. "The race unfolded exactly the way I figured it was going to," Hill said. "I figured I was going to be a little more off the pace than I was in her previous race. I think she’s enough filly to handle anything.” Co-owned and co-bred by former television star David Cassidy, Sweet Vendetta entered the race off a four-length win in the March 19 Andover Way Stakes at Aqueduct, which also happened to be on a sloppy track. Gary Contessa trains the bay filly. "She was training up a storm," Contessa said. "I know she’s a natural at this distance. She’s almost 17 hands and has that big loping stride. I thought this was a good fit here. When the heavens opened up last night that added more icing to the cake. We know she loves the mud, as well. This is what we’d envisioned.” Zayat Stables’ Sherine was the one to catch throughout the backstretch. The daughter of Precise End went a quarter in :23.65 and a half-mile in :47.62. Maren’s Meadow stalked the pace after bobbling at the break, with Sherine’s coupled entry-mate, Pious Ashley, and Shes All Eltish also close up. Betting favorite Bsharpsonata (5-2) was mid-pack, but it was clear that the two-time grade II winner was not moving her best. She wound up finishing last. Under the handling of Alan Garcia, Sherine continued to lead around the turn, getting six furlongs in 1:12.17. But as they approached the quarter-pole Pious Ashley moved up alongside and Shes All Eltish looped three-wide into contention. After taking a lead inside the three-sixteenths-pole, Shes All Eltish still was in command despite her stretch antics. Gomez steadied her enough to save a clear advantage in upper stretch, but Sweet Vendetta, coming with a four-wide explosion, ran down the leader just inside the sixteenth pole. “Garrett rode her perfectly," said Mary Wolfson, trainer of Shes All Eltish. "She’s done this to me three or four times where she opens up and kind of loses focus. She opened up at Gulfstream and then lost by a head. It doesn’t take much of anything to distract her.” Going off as the fifth choice at odds of 7-1, Sweet Vendetta paid $17.40, $8.40 and $5.20. The exacta with Shes All Eltish ($4.60, $3.40) returned $85.80, while the $2 trifecta with Seattle Smooth ($3.40) was worth $514.20. Highest Class, Pious Ashley, Sherine, Maren's Meadow and Bsharpsonata completed the order. One Step Ahead scratched. Sweet Vendetta is out of the Desert Wine mare Sand Pirate. She was bred in New York by Cassidy and Edward Lipton. Team Penney Racing purchased her for $30,000 at the Keeneland January 2007 Horses of All Ages sale. With the $120,000 win, the bay filly improved to 3-1-0 from seven starts with earnings of $206,596. A crowd of 18,407 braved sometimes inclement weather, wagering $9,119,254 on-track despite 23 fewer runners than a year ago on Preakness Eve at Old Hilltop. Six races were taken off the turf, resulting in a rash of scratches.
CASINO DRIVE WAITS FOR BELMONT
Aaron Cohen, racing manager for owner Earle I. Mack, knows his colt Icabad Crane may have trouble outlasting Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Big Brown if he runs his race in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico.
ICABAD CRANE HEADING TO THE PREAKNESS “With so many horses backing off, and going with the knowledge that he has won over the track and will like the distance, we’ve decided to go ahead and enter him,” said Cohen. The 3-year-old son of Jump Start--Adorahy, by Rahy, posted a head victory over pace-setter Mint Lane in the Tesio, rallying from sixth to clear the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:50.83. Icabad Crane, who was bred in New York by Gallagher Stud, has three victories from four lifetime starts, with $125,400 in earnings. Cohen acknowledges the presence of Big Brown, who was impressive in his last two victories, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and the Florida Derby (gr. I). “If Big Brown runs back to the Derby or his lace race in Florida, I don’t think anyone can beat him,” said Cohen. “But based on the other horses running, I think we have a chance; and second- or third-place money in the Preakness isn’t bad.” Icabad Crane was purchased by Mack for $110,000 at the 2007 Ocala Breeders’ Sale Co. March selected sale of 2-year-olds in training. He is trained by H. Graham Motion and was ridden by Jeremy Rose in the Tesio. Cohen said a final decision hasn’t been made on who will ride Icabad Crane in the Preakness, but said it will probably be Rose. Motion stables many of his horses at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, where Cohen said Icabad Crane worked an easy five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 May 9. Cohen said Motion will probably ship Icabad Crane to Pimlico on the day of the Preakness. Cohen said Mack also entered Yorktown in the May 11 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-French Two Thousand Guineas (Fr-I), where the French-bred 3-year-old son of Red Ransom has drawn post position number five. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Yorktown has two wins from four career starts, with his last victory coming in an about 7 1/2-furlongs allowance race at Deauville March 14. Mack acquired Yorktown for $230,922 at the 2006 Deauville August yearling sale.
Whatever talent Casino Drive has will be on display Saturday at Belmont Park when the Kentucky-bred son of Mineshaft out of the dam Better Than Honour runs in the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, the local prep for the Belmont. Casino Drive is one of three Japanese-based horses sent to the U.S. by owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto. Spark Candle, a half-brother to the Grade 2 winner Harlington, and Champagne Squall, an Irish-bred son of Daylami, are the others. Spark Candle is also pointing to the Peter Pan, while Champagne Squall is likely to run in a turf maiden race next week. On Wednesday, Casino Drive worked a sharp five furlongs over the main track in company with his stablemates. Starting about seven lengths behind the pair, Casino Drive rallied up the duo's inside while completing five furlongs in 59.94 seconds. Spark Candle was timed in 1:01.94, while Champagne Squall's clocking was 1:01.11. "They did well," said Nobutaka Tada, managing director for Yamamoto. "We knew Casino Drive would do well; the other two did well, too. We are pleased with the three of them.'' The Belmont Stakes has been Casino Drive's target since he won his debut in Japan on Feb.o23 by 11 1/2 lengths. Yamamoto is the CEO of Tokyo's Fields Corp., which develops, designs, and manufactures video games and slot machines. "The owner is a big sportsman,'' Tada said. "He could run in big races in Japan, but he's bringing him here for the fans in America to attract many people to the races.'' Casino Drive was sent off at 1-5 in his debut, which was run at about 1 1/8 miles. He ran the distance in 1:54.40, easily beating 12 rivals. "He did it very easily, and others [in the race] won after that,'' Tada said. "I think it was a very competitive maiden. He just cruised. We don't know how good he is.'' Tada said Casino Drive will probably need the Peter Pan to have him ready for the Belmont. "We would like to see him after the race come back safe to the barn, healthy,'' Tada said. "We wish he could win, but more importantly he's safe and he's ready for the Belmont.'' Spark Candle, who is out of the champion mare Serena's Song and thus is a half-brother to Harlington, raced four times as a 2-year-old, winning once on turf. In his only dirt race, he was beaten nearly 19 lengths. "He didn't like to run that day,'' Tada said. "I don't think it's just because of the surface.'' Tada said Spark Candle, who has not raced since last December, was a "bit nervous'' when he arrived in New York, but he has settled down now. Kent Desormeaux, who won the Kentucky Derby aboard Big Brown, will ride Casino Drive in the Peter Pan. Jorge Chavez will ride Spark Candle. Casino Drive (Mineshaft), Champagne Squall (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) and Spark Candle (A.P. Indy), all owned by Japanese businessman Hidetoshi Yamamoto, cleared quarantine yesterday afternoon and were to be bedded down at Belmont Park by day’s end. The three horses arrived at Aqueduct at about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. A SHIN FORWARD CLOSES FOR SECOND IN THE NEW ZEALAND TROPHY A Shin Forward ($497,659) placed a closing second among 16 - beaten less than a length –in the Group 2 $1,019,275 New Zealand Trophy for three-year-olds going 1,600 meters (about a mile) on turf at Nakayama in Japan on Saturday, April 12. Six weeks earlier, the dark bay colt had placed second in the $730,769 Arlington Cup at that same turf distance at Hanshin in Japan, finishing behind rival that he subsequently beat by amost two lengths in the New Zealand Trophy. BEHINDATTHEBAR UP FRONT IN THE LEXINGTON Two weeks ago, Todd Pletcher was sitting on the outside of the Derby picture looking in. Still, when the dust cleared from the final weekends of prep racing at Keeneland Race Course, the venerable trainer could count not one, but three potential contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). ICABAD CRANE WAKES UP IN THE TESIO STAKES Launching a strong bid from between horses on the final turn, favored Icabad Crane ran down the front-running Mint Lane in the final sixteenth of a mile to register a head victory in the $100,000 Federico Tesio Stakes on opening weekend at Pimlico April 19. The triumph could provide trainer H. Graham Motion and owner Earle I. Mack with a prospect for the May 17 Preakness (gr. I) over the track. Making just his fourth lifetime start, the New York-bred Icabad Crane overcame an adventurous journey in the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds, closing from the back of the pack. After successfully threading his way through traffic for jockey Jeremy Rose, Icabad Crane was able to exploit an opening in upper stretch en route to his first stakes victory. The final time was 1:50.83 on a fast track. The winning Jump Start colt was coming off a third-place finish in Turfway Park's Rushaway over Polytrack March 22. Motion already has Adriano for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). “The Preakness is something Mr. Mack and Graham will discuss,” said assistant trainer Adrian Rolls. “This is only his fourth start, so this was a nice step up. He has a great disposition and is easy to train. You always hope to have good 3-year olds.” Mint Lane wrestled the lead from a rank Fast Talking soon after the start and the two showed the way around the clubhouse turn. With Mario Pino guiding the way on a moderate pace, Mint Lane had plenty left in the stretch after leaving Fast Talking behind and opening a daylight lead. Icabad Crane, after bumping and carrying out Fast Talking in the stretch, rallied three wide to collar the stubborn Mint Lane inside the eighth pole. He prevailed in a stiff drive. Deputyville, with Jose Espinoza aboard, ran on for third, three lengths behind the runner-up. Quarter-mile fractions for the opening six furlongs were soft -- :23.91, :48.49 and 1:13.32. Rose rode Icabad Crane for the first time in the Tesio. “My horse was great,” said Rose after his third win on the Pimlico card. “In the mornings he is lazy. When I worked him I couldn’t believe he was the horse everyone likes in the barn. He is a great horse to ride. I was impressed at how game he was when I had him in a couple of tight spots. Luckily it worked out for us. He’s a game little horse.” With his third lifetime win, Icabad Crane nearly doubled his earnings to $125,400 with the winning share of $60,000. Gallagher's Stud bred the dark bay or brown colt who is out of Adorahy, by Rahy. The winner beat New York breds in his first and second starts. Sent off as the 9-5 choice, Icabad Crane paid $5.80, $3.40 and $2.80. Motion made his Derby debut with Chilito 10 years ago and has saddled two Preakness starters—Bay Eagle (2001) and Equality (2002). Rose also earned stakes victories with Lexi Star (Geisha) and Ravalo (Allen’s Prospect) and just missed a sweep of Pimlico's four stakes by a length when Eddie C. was passed in deep stretch by Powerful Touch in the Jim McKay. “I love these kinds of days,” Rose said. Mint Lane, a Maria's Mon colt making his stakes debut for trainer James Jerkens, returned $5.40 and $3.80. “I could not have asked for any more,” said Pino of the runner-up. “When I asked him he gave me everything he had. I couldn’t believe he got passed because I had so much horse turning into the lane. Someone was really going to have to be running to beat us.” Deputyville, fifth most recently in the WinStar Derby for Gary Contessa, was $5.80 to show. Wonder Man finished fourth, followed by Fast Talking, Regal Solo, Cave's Valley and Indian Jump DENALI STUD 4TH LEADING YEARLING CONSIGNOR OF GSW Denali Stud has ranked 4th as the leading yearling consignor of Graded Stakes Winners. In 2007 Denali consigned yearlings, won 8 Graded Stakes. Those eight stakes winners averaged a price of $365,750. SPRING HOUSE SETS TABLE FOR DUBAI Spring House could be headed for Dubai next month after his handy 2 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) (VIDEO) on a slightly soft Santa Anita turf course Feb. 23. Never far off the leaders in the 1 1/2-mile marathon, Spring House surged to the lead mid-stretch for jockey Garrett Gomez and won with relative ease. Owned and co-bred by R.D. Hubbard, Spring House won for the second time in four starts at the distance for trainer Julio Canani, replicating his sharp victory in Oak Tree's Carleton F. Burke Handicap (gr. IIIT) last fall. After the race, Canani said a decision would be made soon on shipping the 6-year-old Spring House to Nad al Sheba, presumably for the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) at 2,400 meters on grass March 29. Defending San Luis Obispo winner Obrigado was scratched by Neil Drysdale because of the turf condition earlier in the day. That left Spring House, third most recently in the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IT) Dec. 8, as the solid favorite. "Good horses, I like to space their races a little bit, and I’m glad I passed the San Marcos (Jan. 19)," Canani said. "He’s probably going to Dubai. I hope to know something in about a week.” The Chesterhouse gelding was unhurried early as Porfido, soon overtaken by the Irish mare Sohgol, set out on a quick pace for the journey -- :47.33, :1:12.59 and 1:37.58. Porfido took the lead into the stretch with pressure from Sohgol, but the stalkers closed in quickly. Spring House got first run on his rivals and drew off smartly in deep stretch to win in 2:27.21 on a course upgraded to "firm" before the race following light showers earlier in the afternoon. Gomez took a look over his right shoulder as Spring House took command to make sure there was no immediate danger from any of his rivals and went on to victory with slight urging. “Those were legitimate fractions they were going up front and this course is soft right now," Gomez noted. "I was comfortable with where I was. I thought (Porfido) would go and I was glad when (Sohgol) went with him. My horse traveled beautifully for me the whole way. My main concern was keeping him out of trouble.” Church Service, the longest shot in the eight-horse field at 20-1, closed with authority under Martin Garcia to take the runner-up spot by three-quarters of a length over second choice On the Acorn. The dual grade II winner was a little late finding his best stride for Victor Espinoza in his first start since last May and had to settle for third, three parts of a length in front of Porfido. Spring House, among the leading turf stayers in Southern California since being transferred to Canani last summer, improved his record to 6-5-11 in 30 lifetime starts. The $90,000 winner's share in the 'Obispo increased the Kentucky bred's earnings to $544,284. He finished third in the Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT) and Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) prior to his win in the Burke. The winner paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.60, combining with Church Service ($15.80, $7.60) for a $2 exacta worth $92.20. The Great Britain-bred On the Acorn was $3.20 to show. Porfido was followed by Sohgol, Isipingo, Rocket Legs and Sudan, an Italian group I winner making his first United States for trainer Bobby Frankel. STRIKE THE DEAL NOMINATED TO THE $2-MILLION UAE DERBY
MUSHKA POSSIBLE FOR KENTUCKY OAKS "She's been the trip - you got to be thinking about it," said Mott, who indicated he may look at the Fair Grounds races such as the Silverbulletday (Feb. 9) and Fair Grounds Oaks (March 8) for Mushka. Visit Mushka's webpage for the Kentucky Oaks THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT LEONNATUS ANTEAS Leonnatus Anteas is the second in this category for trainer-owner combo of Kevin Attard, and Knob Hill Stable and the Estate of Steve Stavro. The Stormy Atlantic colt was excellent in the last half of the year, beating good older horses in the Grade 3 Durham Cup and finishing second to a very tough True Metropolitan in the Grade 3 Autumn Stakes after a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF FOR MUSHKA
Locally based Joan Petrowski, who saddled Footprint, became the fourth female trainer to win the rich Canadian Derby. The victory was the third in a row for Footprint, a 3-year-old gelding by Gold Case--Prairie Music, by Affirmed. All three wins have come at Northlands. Stalking for the first half-mile of the 1 3/8-mile event, Footprint launched his bid along the inside to reach even terms with Gandolf, a Northern California invader ridden by Jake Barton, on the final turn. In a gritty fight through the lane, Footprint edged away late to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths. The final time was 2:19 3/5, well off the track record of 2:15 4/5 set by Slyly Gifted in 1986. Weather Warning, a son of Storm Cat who won the Manitoba Derby by four lengths, led early, posting fractions of :24 and :48 4/5 before fading. Footprint, tested severely by Gandolf, snatched the lead after completing six furlongs in 1:15 1/5. During his current streak, Footprint also won the 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths Aug. 4 and the one-mile Ky Alta Handicap by 5 1/2 lengths July 14. Overall, the chestnut has been out of the money just once in 13 starts while compiling a 5-5-2 record. His earnings stand at $339,205 after pulling down the $180,000 winner's share for owners Derek G. Milen Professional Corp., Page, Elwin and Viking Stable. J.D. Squires bred the winner in Kentucky. Footprint paid $4.80, $3.80 and $2.90 as the 7-5 favorite in the field of seven. Gandolf ($11, $4.40) finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of the show horse, Ookashada ($3), who was ridden by Pedro Alvarado. Two other California raiders, Amazin Blue and Rage Till Dawn, were next, with Greenwood Meadow and Weather Warning trailing. Sharp Susan paid $7.30 for WinStar Farm and IEAH Stables, who purchased the dark bay filly for $340,000 at the September 2005 Keeneland yearling sale. She was bred in Kentucky by WinStar. Desormeaux, who came into the day in second place for wins at the meet, guided Sharp Susan through a comfortable :23.95 opening quarter and continued to lead by a length-and-a-half after a :47.42 half-mile. As they straightened out for home, New Edition, who had been saving ground the whole way, came to challenge three-wide, while betting favorite Lady Attack appeared to be revving up for a big run in the middle of the racetrack. But after more determined urging by Desormeaux, Sharp Susan found more and crossed the wire one-and-a-half lengths in front. “I was ecstatic about the first quarter, because I think she is the kind of filly that, if she gets away, she is going to throw a :21 and change, and I would rather do that the last quarter than the first,” said Desormeaux. “Billy does a great job with his horses. He is confident in the paddock, so it allows me to be confident onboard. I get that great feeling from him, and I try to pass it through the reins to the horse. It was a great effort today.” New Edition gamely held for second, while Lady Attack, who flattened out in mid-stretch, took third. Christmas Kid finished fourth. The exacta (7-5) paid $53.50, while the trifecta (7-5-4) earned $166. The final time was 1:46.69. It was the meet-leading 14th win for Mott. “We took the blinkers off two races ago, and she settled better. I’ve got to give Kent a lot of credit. He’s got a good set of hands, and she rated well for him. As I said before, I think he understands pace. We’ll sit down and have a look at what we might want to do. DENALI STUD TOPS FASIG-TIPTON SARATOGA PERFERRED SALE "I'm certainly thrilled to have bred the sale topper," said Marlene Brody, owner of Gallagher's Stud. "I bred her grandmother, so it's nice to see her so appreciated." "She has fantastic conformation, great balance and presence," Gallagher's manager Mallory Mort said of the filly. "I love her stride and she has a great mind. From the first time she was out until the last time, she walked perfectly and stood up perfectly. She's just a very nice yearling." McMohn purchased the Posse colt, bred by Vivien Malloy's Edition Farm in Hyde Park, N.Y., on behalf of Saratoga Stable. "He looks just like Posse," McMahon said of the colt. "He's strong, has an excellent hip and a great shoulder, and we hope he's a very fast horse next year in the spring. He was the best colt in the sale." "He was very popular with the viewers this weekend, and there's a funny story behind his breeding," said Malloy. "I had the mare booked to Successful Appeal and just as we were about to put her on a van on the way to Kentucky, I found out the stallion had colic and breeding would be delayed. So we did some quick research and decided to go with Posse instead. The highest-priced yearling I'd sold up to this point was $140,000 for a Distinctive Pro yearling back in the '90's, so I am very excited." * During the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred Yearling Sale, Denali Stud was the POSSE COLT TOPS FASIG-TIPTON PREFERRED YEARLINGS OPENER
STRIKE THE DEAL WINS RICHMOND STAKES-G2 Thoroughbred Daily News 8/4/07
* Strike the Deal was sold by Denali Stud at the
SUMMER DOLDRUMS HEADING FOR VIRGINIA DERBY Bloodhorse.com 7/19/07
“He’s been pretty consistent,” Violette said of the son of Street Cry during a July 18 teleconference produced by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “He doesn’t need a lot of training, we’re just trying to keep him happy and sound and not lose any fitness. He’s not a showoff; he just gallops around the track like a good boy, and we’ve kept about a week between his breezes; hopefully, just enough to maintain fitness and sharpness.”
Violette said Summer Doldrums, winner of the June 16 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT), would ship to Colonial at 10:00 p.m. July 18 to “get there at the crack of dawn on Thursday.” The trainer was not worried by the morning-line odds on his starter.
“As long as the check is cashable, I’m not worried,” he said. “Summer Doldrums can’t read the newspaper, he’s not going to know what the odds are, so as long as he gives us his A-effort, that’s all that matters.”
A bigger concern for Violette is the four-pound weight allowance Summer Doldrums will give to several contenders, including Todd Pletcher trainee Circular Quey, the 5-2 morning line favorite. Carrying 120, Summer Doldrums is the co-highweight in the field along with Inca King and Duveen.
“The weight is a bit of a concern, but when they’re giving away $1 million, let the best horse win,” Violette said. * Summer Doldrums was sold by Denali Stud at the
A.P. XCELLENT PUTS OUT AN EXTORDINARY EFFORT IN A.P. Xcellent set the pace coming off the final turn of the Hollywood Gold Cup-G1, but Lava Man fought back to get a head in front by mid-stretch. The two challengers battled it out to the wire, but in the end it was Lava Man and Corey Nakatani by a nose, while setting a new track record for Hollywood's Cushion Track at 1 1/4 mile in 2:03 1/5 * A.P. Xcellent was foaled and raised at Denali Stud After falling just short in a prep race on June 3, the connections of Leonnatus Anteas believe last year’s Canadian champion two-year-old will deliver a top effort in the $1-million Queen’s Plate Stakes, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown on Sunday at Woodbine. In three juvenile starts, Leonnatus Anteas registered an undefeated season in sweeping the Vandal Stakes, the Cup and Saucer Stakes, and the Coronation Futurity, a 1 1/8-mile race he won by 1 ½ lengths on the Polytrack at Woodbine. This year’s Queen’s Plate will be the first North American classic ever contested on a synthetic surface. Trainer Kevin Attard had all but written off the Queen’s Plate as a possibility when the Stormy Atlantic colt was slow to recover from injury after the Coronation. But Attard said Leonnatus Anteas returned to training in March and thrived. He will try to become Canada’s second straight two-year-old champion to win the Queen’s Plate at three after Edenwold accomplished that feat last year. “Everytime this horse worked, he progressed further,” Attard said. Named after one of Alexander the Great’s bodyguards, Leonnatus Anteas suffered his first career defeat when he came up a nose short to Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk in a June 3 allowance/optional claiming race at seven furlongs. While Attard hopes Leonnatus Anteas will be fit enough to return to his winning ways in Sunday’s 1 1/4 –mile test for three-year-olds foald in Canada. Jiggs Coz will try to extend his win streak to four. The gray or roan Cozzene colt closed 2006 with a win in the Display Stakes and enters off victories this season in the Queenston and Plate Trial Stakes on the Woobine Polytrack.
“I think hi can improve off that effort,” Sid Attard said. “Actually, this horse improves five lengths every time he runs.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher will ship in Peachtree Stable’s Twilight Meteor, a two-time stakes winner. The Smart Strike colt won last year’s Woodford Reserve Bourbon Stakes on the Polytrack at Keenland Race Course and this year’s Hallandale Beach Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf.
HARLINGTON NOMINATED FOR SUBRUBAN HANDICAP Invasor, the defending Horse of the Year, heads a list of 16 nominations for Belmont Park's $400,000 Suburban Handicap (gr.1) on June 30, a race the Argentine-bred horse won in 2006
Also on the nomination list released by New York Racing Association stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes is Corinthian, the 2007 Metropolitian Handicap (gr.1) winner. Others are A.P. Arrow, Evening Attire, Fairbanks, Harlington, Hesanoldsalt, Jazil, Lawyer Ron, Malibu Moonshire, Papi Chullo, Political Force, Student Council, Sun King, Tasteyville, and Wandering Boy. * Harlington was sold by Denali Stud
SUMMER DOLDRUMS: LEADING NORTH AMERICAN Fresh off his win in the Colonial Turf Cup (gr.IIIT), Summer Doldrums is the leading three-year-old turf horse in North America. With a record of 4 wins in 10 starts, the Street Cry colt's victories include the Whirlaway Stakes and an 8 1/2 length allowance win at Aqueduct. The Richard Violette Jr. trainee has brought his lifetime earnings to $631,716 for Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence. Summer Doldrums next start may be in the $1 million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) the second leg of the Jacob's Investments Grand Slam of Grass.
' LEO' MAKES 2007 DEBUT Leonnatus Anteas, Canada’s reigning two-year-old champion and the early 5-1 second favourite for the 2007 Queen’s Plate, finished a strong second in his much-anticipated seasonal debut, Sunday at Woodbine. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk, a veteran stakes campaigner, edged the sophomore, who was gaining late only to fall short a nose to the six-year-old in the seven-furlong allowance race. The final time was 1:23.29. Ok Nothanksforaskn was third. Trainer Kevin Attard sees some potential in the chestnut after his seasonal debut. “It was his first time against older horses that are already seasoned. I think he’s going to move so far ahead off of this race.” ‘Leo’ won three key stakes races from three starts over three different surfaces en route to his juvenile championship. Victories in the Coronation Futurity, Cup & Saucer and the Vandal Stakes last year made him in the obvious choice. Attard has to make a decision with the son of Stormy Atlantic shortly because the 148th Plate is set for June 24. “Hopefully, he comes out of this race in good order,” Attard said. “He seems to have cooled out good. He came back to the saddling area well. I think three weeks from now, we’ll be there. That’s obviously the race we want to win.”
LEONNATUS ANTEAS PREPS FOR QUEEN’S PLATE
Leonnatus Anteas, undefeated in three starts at 2, will be facing older rivals while competing under third-level allowance conditions in an $80,000 optional claimer at seven furlongs. Trainer Kevin Attard said he wanted to race him this weekend, and had the Sunday race not gone he had a potential alternative at Fort Erie. “Had he not run, I’d have had to work him anyways,” said Attard, who trains Leonnatus Anteas for Knob Hill Stable and the Estate of Steve Stavro. “He’s definitely going to get a lot more out of this race than any work.” If all goes well, then Sunday’s race will lead Leonnatus Anteas straight to the $1 million Queen’s Plate, a 1 ¼ mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds here June 24. “It gives me three weeks to the Plate,” said Attard. “I don’t plan on running him again in between, so I’m hoping we get a good race out of it and it sets us up.” Jono Jones retains the mount on Leonnatus Anteas and also will ride his stablemate Alezzandro in Sunday’s 1 1/8 mile Plate Trial.
TWILIGHT METEOR, LEONNATUS ANTEAS EARLY Two highly regarded three-time winners, one based in the United States, the other in Canada, are the early favorites for the 2007 Queen's Plate. SUMMER DOLDRUMS CAPTURES $70,000 WHRILAWAY STAKES Summer Doldrums took th shortest way around, posting a mild upset as odds-on Lawrence the Roman (Point Given) struggled home fifth of six. . . . Summer Doldrums began to pull clear from that rival in upper stretch and ran away late. "He was pretty impressive. He's a handy little horse," said trainer Rick Violette Jr. from Florida, where he saddled dream Rush to her GIII Old Hate S. success. The conditioner indicates the Mar. 10 GIII Gotham S. is the next on the agenda for the winner.
LEONNATUS ANTEAS NAMED CHAMPION Leonnatus Anteas did it all in 2006 for Knob Hill Stable and the estate of the late Steve Stavro. The chestnut Stormy Atlantic colt scored over three surfaces, the inner dirt track in the Vandal Stakes, the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in the Cup, and Saucer Stakes and the Coronation Futurity, aguably the country's most important juvenile colt event, over Polytrack. The Kevin Attard-trainee also won at the three different distances. (2006 Stats: 3-3-0-0 $367,086) * Leonnatus Anteas was sold by Denali Stud for
Late in 2005, Roy and Belinda Strudwicke, who operate Ballygallon Stud in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland came calling yesterday at Keeneland, going to an even $2 million for the five-year-old mare Saree (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) from Craig and Holly Bandoroff's Denali Stud. Herself a Grade III-placed runner in Canada, Saree a 17,000gns TATOCT yearling and selling here in foal to Kingmambo, has seen her page take off this year owing to the on-track performances of her 3/4-sister Alexandrova (Ire)(Sadler's Wells). That Coolmore runner won both the G1 English Oaks and the G1 Irish Oaks as well as the G1 Yorkshire Oaks, and was most reacently third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. For their part, the Strudwickes fell in love with Saree. "I thought physically, she's a lovely mare", Belinda Strudwicke said. "Obviously, the family's strong. She's got Alexandrova over there. The family seems to be going the right way. To me, she's just a love prospective broodmare. We'll most probably leave her here. We'll look at Aragorn maybe covering her, but I don't know about that yet. She could go back to Ireland in a year's time."
BLOOD-HORSE INSIDER'S GUIDE 'A' LISTER Denali Stud checked in as the fifth-highest consignor by gross at the 2005 sale, selling 139 yearlings for $17,995,500, an average of $129,464. The highest price yearling Denali sold was a Storm Cat-Serena’s Song colt that fetched $3.5 million from John Ferguson. Now named Colourful Score, the colt was the forth-highest-priced colt and is the seventh of nine foals produced from champion Serena’s Song. Denali has had success in the past consigning Serena’s Song’s offspring for Bob and Beverly Lewis. Stakes winners Harlington, Sophisticat, and Serena’s Tune all passed through the Keeneland sales ring as yearlings and bought $2.8 million, $3.4 million, and $1 million, respectively. The highest priced filly sold by Denali was a Kingmambo-Escena yearling that bought $2.7 million from Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation. Now named Queenofalldiamonds, she was co-second highest priced filly of the sale and is the second named foal out of the champion race mare. Denali consigned 2006 grade II stakes winners Harlington, and Sharp Lisa as well as grade/ group III winners Gouldings Green and Common World at the past September sales. $1.6 MILLION DOLLAR BABY; EMPIRE MAKER - SLUICE FILLY (TDN 08/10/06) Empire In The Making.... Bidding started off slowly on hip 146, but interest on the daughter of Empire Maker picked up quickly as Egyptian businessman Ahmed Zayat and representatives of Darley, sitting just across the aisle from each other in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion, engaged in a spirited bidding duel. Zayat wound up the winner for the beautiful bay with a final bid of $1.6 million at yesterday’s finall session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearlings. Zayat, a relative newcomer to the sport, never hesitated during the bidding and, asked if he was surprised by the price, said, "I went for it, right?" Zayat said the yearling will be sent to Bill Mott, who already has plenty of experience with the family after training the yearling’s stakes-winning dam Sluice (Seeking The Gold). Sluice is a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Lakeway (Seattle Slew). "I trained the mother–it’s a great family; the second damn was a real tough race horse,: Mott said. :Sometimes the daughters of those kind of mares are good producers." The yearling herself also impressed Mott. "I thought she was a lovely filly–obviously the best filly in the sale." Asked to compare the youngster to her mother, Mott said, "She’s bigger and scopier at this point. I think she’s actually an improvement, physically, on her mother – I think she probably got a little bit of scope from Empire Maker." A Consignor’s Dream.... It s always fun when it works, said Craig Bandoroffafter watching his Denali-consigned filly sell for $1.6 million. She s a lovely filly," he said of the yearling. We brought her up here, kind of hoping that she’d be one of the queen bees, and so the plan worked. In this business, plans don t always work, so when it happens, it s special. The plan worked to perfection for the yearling s breeder Diane Snowden, who with her husband Guy, purchased Sluice for $1.5 million as a yearling at the 1999Keeneland July sale. Mrs. Snowden and I did the mating and foaled her, and we’re really excited to get a first foal to look like that, Bandoroff said. Explaining the choice of Empire Maker to cover Sluice, Bandoroff added, My theory was that until a mare shows you what she s got, I didn’t want to put a great big stud fee in her. I like Empire Maker, Ilove his pedigree. So we went to him. We went to Mineshaft [this year] on the same theory. Now I ll step her up and breed to a big stud fee. Sluice has a weanling colt by Fusaichi Pegasus and is currently in foal to Mineshaft. Diane Snowden was thrilled with the sale. A beautiful, beautiful animal; it s hard to part with her, Snowden admitted. While the Snowdens do race many of the horses they breed, she explained, We sell horses that we feel are important enough to make a statement. This one actually made 1.6 million statements. Denali Stud graduate DAVID JUNIOR wins the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. at Sandown Park Saturday, defeating a field that included Group 1 winners Ouija Board (GB) and Aussie Rules!
David Junior caused an upset when winning his first Group 1, besting a deep field in the Champion S. last October, but was the crowd’s second choice this time. The chestnut was given a break after his Champion score, and there were no cobwebs in evidence on his return in the Mar. 25 G1 Dubai Duty Free, where he produced a scintillating display to easily beat The Tin Man. Connections were left flat after his European comeback at the Royal meeting, but, given the needed pace this time, he was able to conserve his energy before unwinding widest of all in the straight. Striking the front at the furlong marker, he avoided the scrimmaging in the main pack which hampered Ouija Board and Notnowcato, and was beyond reach at the wire.
Trainer Brian Meehan said, “He’s a wonderful horse and I suppose you’ve got to say the pace in the Prince of Wales’s caught him out. Michael Tebbutt did a marvelous job on Royal Alchemist and did what we required and all credit to my team, who’ve worked hard and produced the horse pretty quick from Ascot.”
“David Junior has shown what he’s really made of,” Spencer told England’s Press Association. “It’s brilliant.” Trainer Brian Meehan is considering Roldvale Ltd.’s David Junior for the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-G1) on August 22 at York with an eye on the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.
Congratulations to his connections, as well as his breeder and the staff at Arthur Appleton’s Bridlewood Farm.
Gouldings Green earns first stakes win in Alysheba (05/05/06)
Gouldings Green, the third-place finisher in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) last month, registered his first stakes in the $114,500 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs.
The five-year-old Charismatic horse collared 2005 Queen’s Plate Stakes winner Wild Desert at the top of the lane and maintained a short advantage the length of the stretch for a head victory as the 1.50-to-1 favorite under jockey Corey Lanerie. Trained by Anthony Reinstedler for Melnyk Racing Stable, Gouldings Green covered the 11⁄16 miles in 1:42.37 over a fast track.
“I felt like the horse really fit this race well,” Reinstedler said. “He’d never won a stakes race and I felt like he deserved a shot and he got it done today. Corey put him in striking position and had enough to put the other horse away.”
Gouldings Green is a $260,000 Keeneland September Denali Graduate.
Sharp Lisa goes wire-to-wire in Santa Barbara Handicap
Sharp Lisa and jockey Corey Nakatani grabbed the early lead and dictated a slow pace Saturday as the Dixieland Band filly held on late for a nose decision over Eternal Melody (NZ) in the $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park, run at 11⁄4-miles on the turf course. Owned by J. Paul Reddam, Suarez Racing, and Mark Schlesinger, the four-year-old Dixieland Band filly ran her first ten career races on dirt. Last year, she won both the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) and Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) on Santa Anita’s main track.
“This filly has tremendous heart,” Nakatani said after they held off the late run of Eternal Melody in a nose-bobbing finish. “In the Santa Ana she was a little green. Today Doug really had her spot-on, nice and fresh.” “This filly is so gutsy and has so much heart and she showed it today. I’m just glad we hit the wire at the right moment,”O’Neill said.
Grade 1 winner Sharp Lisa stays on turf for Santa Barbara
Denali sales graduate Sharp Lisa will attempt to regain her winning form on Saturday at Santa Anita Park when she meets six rivals in the $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap (G2), a 11⁄4-mile turf race for fillies and mares four years old and older. Owned by J. Paul Reddam, Suarez Racing, and Mark Schlesinger, the four-year-old Dixieland Band filly raced exclusively on dirt in her first ten career starts, including wins in both the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) and Santa Ynez takes (G2) at Santa Anita in 2005.
Sharp Lisa failed to find the winner’s circle in four starts on the main track following the Las Virgenes, so trainer Doug O’Neill decided to try her on the turf in the 11⁄8-mile Santa Ana Handicap (G2) on March 26. Sharp Lisa finished fourth to Silver Cup (Ire), beaten three-quarters of a length, encouraging O’Neill to stay on the turf. “We’re excited about Sharp Lisa running Saturday,” O’Neill said. “Off her last race, I’d say she’s equally as good on grass as she is on the dirt, so we decided to try her again on the turf.” The Santa Barbara will be Sharp Lisa’s first attempt at 11⁄4 miles on any surface and she will be challenged by several entrants who have won at the distance. (Thoroughbred Times Today (04/21/06)
Skeleton Crew Win's Hansel Stakes Skeleton Crew (Elusive Quality - Hail Ho Silver) winner of the $50,000 Hansel Stakes at Turfway on 3/25. Bred by Gary Finder and sold for $60,000 to Edwin Anthony in our 2004 Keeneland September consignment.
Congratulations to the crew at Bridlewood Farm, breeder of David Junior, impressive winner of the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free. David Junior was a Denali Stud September Sale Graduate. David Junior Named Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in England
Congratulations on Denali sale graduate David Junior (Pleasant Tap), who was named champion three-year-old colt in England (9 1/2-11f). David Junior was an RNA from Keenland November 2002 and later sold as a two-year-old for $175,000 at Fasig-Tipton Calder 2004 .
Beverly Lewis’s 14 year-old mare produced her eighth foal, delivering a colt by Storm Cat at Denali Stud. Both mother and son are doing fine. “He’s typical of her foals,” said Bandoroff. “He has more size and more leg than some of her Storm Cats, but he is very pretty and has lots of quality.” Serena’s Song has resided at Denali since the beginning of her broodmare career. According to Bandoroff, it is a pleasure to work with her, and not just because she has proved so valuable. “With her, everything is text-book perfect,” he said. “She’s only had two covers once in her life, every other year she has caught on one cover.” He added, “She’s good to work around, but she’s no pussycat. She can be pretty nasty for about 72 hours after she foals, she is very protective.” In addition to Harlington, the latest addition to the family is a 1/2 to to MSW Serena's Tune (Mr. Prospector) and SP Arbitrate (Deputy Minister); and a full to G1SW Sophisticat and GSW Grand Reward. Serena’s Song will be bred back to Storm Cat. Harlington Wins Stakes Debut in Gulfstream Park Handicap Harlington the four-year-old son of Unbridled out of champion Serena’s Song showed off his emerging talent in the handicap division with a neck victory in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2). It’s No Joke dictated the lead under the guidance of Mark Guidry, with the favorite Suave pressing the pace and 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Funny Cide stalking three wide from third. Harlington, rating in fifth, bided his time as John Velazquez maintained a light hold in the early going. Making a bold move on the inside nearing the far turn, Harlington shot to the lead into the stretch and held off a late run from Argentine Group 1 winner Contante (Arg) to prevail. Trainer Todd Pletcher touched on Harlington’s abilities after Saturday’s race. “I don’t think he’s ever been to the lead that soon,” he said. “He didn’t know what to do when he got there. It’s just a sign of how enormously talented he is that he’s able to race like this without totally focusing. He’s come a long way, but he’s still not battle tested.” Harlington Wins Second Race in a Row to Raise His Record to 4 For 5 Harlington (c, 4, Unbridled—Serena’s Song), a $2.8-million purchase by Eugene Melnyk from Denali at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale and a Kentucky Derby prospect until being sidelined by an ankle injury last winter, continued his comeback with a victory in Wednesday’s $37,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park. Denali Stud was a Top 10 Leading Consignor by gross at the Keeneland January Mixed Sale, selling 54 horses for $2,068,000. Highlights include: 3rd Leading Consignor - Session 1 Hip #22 05 SLEW CITY SLICKER yearling sold for $170,000 (Session 1) Hip #283 MEADOW DREAM mare sold for $525,000 (Session 1) Hip #335 PITBULLETTE mare sold for $250,000 (Session 1)
Denali Stud was a Leading Consignor by gross at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, selling 97 horses for $10,196,700 Highlights include: Leading Consignor by Gross - Session 4 Leading Consignor by Gross - Session 12 Hip # 532 CLASSIC ELEGANCE mare sold for $975,000 (Session 2) Hip #601 HOME COURT mare sold for $1,400,000 (Session 2) Denali Stud was a Top 5 Leading Consignor at the Keeneland September Sale by gross, selling $17,995,500 Highlights include: Hip # 74 STORM CAT - SERENA'S SONG colt for $3,500,000 (session topper) Hip #205 KINGMAMBO - ESCENA filly for $2,700,000 (highest priced filly in session 1) Hip #836 MR. GREELEY - DREAMS OF SUCCESS colt for $1,000,000 (session topper) ****************************************************** Through August 28, 2005 -- 13 Stakes Winning Graduates and 18 Stakes-Placed Horses! ********************************************** July 23 - COOL CONDUCTOR ($630,046) wire-to-wire in the Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) to win by over 3 lengths. Trainer Ralph Nicks hopes to send him out next in the Arlington Million (gr. IT). ********************************************** July 16, as reported in TB MarketWatch Denali ranks among the top five yearling consignors 1998-2002 with $63,397,000 in gross yearling sales. ********************************************** Through June 19, 2005 -- 8 Stakes Winning Graduates and 5 Stakes-Placed Horses! ********************************************** June 15 - CONSTITUTION RIVER (Storm Cat-Exing) $1,750,000 sales graduate won maiden special weight at Churchill Downs for owner Eugene Melnyk and trainer Tony Reinstedler! ********************************************** Denali Stud, 2nd leading consignor of 2004 Graded Stakes winners at U.S. Auctions ! Lion Tamer-G1, Private Emblem-G3, Randaroo-G3 ********************************************** *Denali Stud is now accepting entries to the Keeneland January Mixed Sale* Please contact Craig Bandoroff or Christine Hosier at 859-987-6212 ********************************************** Denali-raised GRAND REWARD-G2 (Storm Cat - Serena's Song) won the $490,000 Oaklawn H.-G2 on April 9. Congratulations to owners Mrs. Robert Lewis, Michael Tabor, and Susan Magnier. ********************************************** Denali September sales graduate, COOL CONDUCTOR-G2 stepped up and took the $200,000 Dixie S.-G2 at Pimlico on May 21. Congratulations to owner David Garner. ********************************************** Denali sales graduate, SHARP LISA-G1, outgunned Memorette to earn her first Grade I win in the Las Virgenes S.-G1 on February 12. Congratulations to owners Reddam, Suarez Racing Inc & Schlesinger. **********************************************
SERENA'S SONG delivered a chestnut colt by A.P. Indy on March 4.
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