Turf Angels.com

Wildcat Heir Upsets Dash
by Emily Hufford

With urging by jockey Stewart Elliot, Wildcat Heir dug in gamely to hold off Midas Eyes by a neck in the Grade One Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash at Pimlico on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Forest Wildcat, who was fourth in the Phoenix Brreders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland prior to his win at Pimlico, is trained by Ben Perkins, Jr.

Clock Stopper rallied to finish third, and Gators N Bears was fourth. The popular Champali finished eighth and Shake You Down was last.

Wildcat Heir stopped the clock in 1:09.45 and paid $34 to win. He is out of the Pentilicus mare Penniless Heiress.

Weekend Stakes Recap
by Amelia Baldree

Saturday featured two important races at the tail-end of the year for the juveniles.

Declan's Moon won the Grade III Hollywood Prevue Stakes at Hollywood Park by two lengths over Bushwacker and Seize the Day. The race favorite was ridden by Victor Espinoza and is trained by Ron Ellis for Jay Em Ess Stable. The Maryland-bred Malibu Moon gelding remains undefeated in three lifetime starts. Prior to winning the Hollywood Prevue he defeated Roman's Ruler in the Grade II Del Mar Futurity. He has now earned $239,400. Trainer Ron Ellis says he is pointing to the Grade I Hollywood Futurity on December 18.

On the East Coast the big race was the Grade III Laurel Futurity at Pimlico. Favored Defer, ridden by Jerry Bailey, stalked the pace, and took the lead in midstretch to draw off under brisk urging. Shug McGaughey trains the son of Danzig for Ogden Mills Phipps. This is his second win in three lifetime starts. He won his maiden first time out at Belmont Park on October 2 and most recently finished second to John Servis-trained Rockport Harbor in the Grade III Nashua on November 2. His lifetime earnings stand at $108,900.

Sunday featured the Grade III Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. Wally's Choice, a Minnesota-bred 3-year-old bay gelding was a surprise winner at 33-1. The son of Quick Cut is trained by Michael E. Biehler for Joyce and Wally McNeil and Curtis A. Sampson. Wally's Choice was outrun early, and came up on the inside at the second turn and responded to jockey Luis Quinonez to win by one length. He paid $69.80, 28.40 and 9.40. Golden Glen was second and favored Cryptograph was third. Complete order of finish: Slew Slayer, Foreign Justice, Britt's Jules, Roarofvictory, Quintons Gold Rush, Gamblin, and Commander Buck. Mr. Jester stopped at the 3/4 and was eased through the stretch and finish. This was Wally's Choice's graded stakes debut and he now has career earnings of $228,090.

Awesome Again's Fee Increased
by Emily Hufford

The Friday before the Breeders' Cup at Adena Springs Farm in Kentucky, stallion manager Bill Drury was nervously contemplating the chances of Ghostzapper in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

"He's a real good horse," Drury kept saying, without even giving consideration to the other starter that Awesome Again had in the Breeders' Cup. A ten-year-old, Awesome Again has sired three crops of racing age. The first crop included Toccet, a grade one winner, and also Ghostzapper.

Now that Ghostzapper and also Wilko have won Breeders' Cup races, Awesome Again's

fee will be increased to $125,000 from $75,000. The son of Deputy Minister and out of Primal Force (making him a 1/2 brother to Macho Uno, who won the 2000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile), looks to be in excellent condition at Adena Springs. As a racehorse, Awesome Again won the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic (making him the only horse to win the Classic and sire a Classic winner) and the 1997 Queen's Plate in Canada.

Silver Charm to Japan
by Emily Hufford

Silver Charm, a ten-year-old son of Silver Buck, has been sold to Japan. The 1997 Kentucky Derby winner is the third Kentucky Derby winner in the past few years to be sent overseas. Charismatic and War Emblem, winners of the 1999 and 2002 Derbies, are both already in Japan, as is Captain Steve, winner of the 2001 Dubai World Cup. Silver Charm won the Dubai World Cup in 1998 by a head over Swain.

Silver Charm's intense popularity made him a fan attraction at Three Chimneys Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. The deal was finalized and Silver Charm is in quarantine already so that fans cannot go bid their farewells.

Bob and Beverly Lewis owned and raced Silver Charm throughout a career that spanned twenty-four races and saw twelve wins. Silver Charm retired with just under $7 million in earnings.

This year, he was represented by Preachinatthebar and Consecrate on the Triple Crown trail.

Legendary Sunline Foals
by Amanda Saunders
The long-awaited first born of the legendary mare Sunline arrived early Monday morning at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand in the form of a smallish bay filly by seven-time Group 1 winner Rock Of Gibraltar. Farm manager Marcus Corban reports that the foaling went smoothly and both mare and foal are in good health.
A winner of over $11.3 million (in AUS funds, $8.4 million in the U.S.), Sunline is best known as the dual winner of five Group 1 races, including the Cox Plate, Doncaster Handicap, and Coolmore Classic, and has won a total of 27 Group races, 13 of which were Group 1. The 9-year-old daughter of Desert Sun was named Australian Horse Of The Year three consecutive times, New Zealand Horse Of The Year four consecutive times, and has a total of seventeen championship titles in her five-year career. Sunline will be bred back to Cambridge Stud's multiple group winner Zabeel.

Colonial Colony to Stewart
by Emily Hufford

Colonial Colony, a six-year-old son of Pleasant Colony, has been transferred from trainer Walter Binder to the barn of Dallas Stewart. After a 62 - 1 shocker in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs this summer, Colonial Colony was shipped to Del Mar for the Pacific Classic where he ran poorly. He was given a two month break at the farm following that race.

On Saturday at Churchill Downs, Colonial Colony had his first workout for Stewart, covering four furlongs in :52.60. He is being pointed towards a winter campaign.

Daydreaming, Brass Hat Score
by Emily Hufford

It was a big weekend at the small but friendly Hoosier Park, a ten-year-old racetrack that now hosts the Indiana Derby and Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks in the same weekend every fall. Both races attracted solid fields this year and saw two impressive winners.

In the Oaks, Stellar Jayne took on her nemesis from the Gazelle, Daydreaming, but the tables were turned as Daydreaming came hom in front with Capeside Lady hanging on for second and Stellar Jayne in third. Daydreaming is a three-year-old daughter of A.P. Indy trained by Shug McGaughey and owned by the Phipps Stable. John Velasquez was aboard for the win.

The Indiana Derby saw the return of Quintons Gold Rush against a highly competitive field that included Derby Trial Stakes winner Sir Shackelton and Illinois Derby winner Pollard's Vision, as well as stakes winners Suave and Perfect Moon. However, it was the forgotten Brass Hat who snatched the victory in the end. The three-year-old gelding by Prized broke his maiden earlier this year in the Rushaway Stakes and later won the Ohio Derby. Dismissed at ten-to-one by the bettors for the Indiana Derby, the William Bradely-trainee won nicely and proved his worth. Quinton's Gold Rush finished last in the nine horse field.

Eddington Wins Calder Derby
by Amelia Baldree and Emily Hufford

Eddington, a 3-year-old son of Unbridled, won his turf debut Saturday in the Grade III Calder Derby, the first graded stakes win of his career. Trained by Mark Hennig and ridden by Eibar Coa, Eddington was steadied early on in the race and worked his way through traffic to win by a head over 40-1 shot Bob's Proud Moment. Eddington paid $7.40 $4.40 and $3.20; there was a $166.60 exacta. His bankroll has increased to $614,560.

Earlier this year, Eddington was hyped to be a top Kentucky Derby prospect and finished third to Tapit in the Wood Memorial.

Stellar Jayne, Quinton's Gold Rush To Run This Weekend
by Emily Hufford

Stellar Jayne, who just won the Gazelle Handicap at Belmont Park, will start as the favorite in the Indiana Oaks on Friday night at Hoosier Park. Her competition includes Capeside Lady and Daydreaming in a field of nine.

Robby Albarado will ride Stellar Jayne for D. Wayne Lukas in the 1 1/16 mile contest.

Quinton's Gold Rush, unraced since a last place finish in this year's Kentucky Derby, will make his return to the races in the Indiana Derby the next day. The deep field includes Pollard's Vision, Sir Shackelton, Suave, and Brass Hat. The race carries a purse of $500,000.

Imperialism Returns
by Emily Hufford

Imperialism, who earlier this year was third in the Kentucky Derby, will make his first start since the Preakness Stakes on May 15 in Saturday's Super Derby (gr. II) at Louisiana Downs. The three-year-old gray son of Langfuhr will be the favorite in the 1 1/8 mile race and will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux. Imperialism is trained by Kristin Mulhall.

Also returning in the Super Derby is Borrego, who also ran in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The chestnut colt will have the services of Tyler Baze. Other contenders include Cryptograph, South Africa, Britt's Jules, and Mr. Jester.

In 2000, Tiznow won the Super Derby en route to a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Storm Cat to Stay at $500,000
by Emily Hufford

Storm Cat, twice the leading sire in the United States, will continue to have a $500,000 stud fee for the 2005 breeding season. The nineteen-year-old son of Storm Bird out of the Secretariat mare Terlingua has commanded that fee for three years.

Storm Cat yearlings have averaged nearly $2 million in the first 2 days of the Keeneland September Sale. Storm Cat sons, such as Forestry and Giant's Causeway, are also doing very well as sires at the sale.

Storm Cat stands at Overbrook Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Southern Image in May © Emily Hufford 2004

Southern Image Will Miss the Fall
by Emily Hufford

Southern Image, who was brilliant earlier this season with victories in the Malibu Stakes, Sunshine Millions, Santa Anita Handicap, and Pimlico Special, will not be able to start in the Breeders' Cup Classic due to a recurring foot injury that kept him out of training for most of the summer. Although he appears to be healed now, he has lost too much time to be ready for the year's biggest race for older horses.

Southern Image will be pointed for the 2005 Santa Anita Handicap with a fall campaign in mind. Southern Image last ran in the Stephen Foster Handicap in June at Churchill Downs where he lost by a head to Colonial Colony in the slop. He was one of the favorites, along with Pleasantly Perfect and Birdstone, for the Classic.

Smarty Jones Arrives at Three Chimneys
by Amanda Saunders

After one last trip down the home stretch at Philadelphia Park on Saturday in front of some 8,000 fans, Smarty Jones packed his bags and left his beloved home state for Kentucky on Monday, arriving early Monday morning. He will join the likes of Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm and Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant and try to carry on the traditions that such horses as Seattle Slew have set before him.

After retiring with what was considered chronic and severe bone bruising of all four fetlock joints, the three-year-old son of Elusive Quality was syndicated by owners Pat and Roy Chapman for about $48 million.

A winner of eight out of nine starts, Smarty Jones' resume includes the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby (G2), Count Fleet Stakes, Southwest Stakes, and the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes with a bankroll equalling an astounding $7,613,155. The popular champion finished second to Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes in his last race, his only loss.

Kicken Kris Wins Via DQ
by Emily Hufford

For the second straight year the prestigious Arlington Million (gr. I) was awarded on a disqualification. Last year, it was Storming Home who won the race but lost Gary Stevens at the wire, this year, Powerscourt was clear by 1 1/2 lengths and was taken down due to interference in the stretch.

Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Powerscourt (GB), looked to have drifted in towards the rail as he rallied in the stretch, causing Epalo to veer into Kicken Kris, who hit the rail then ran on to be second. Kicken Kris was awarded the victory, Powerscourt was placed fourth. Magistretti, who finished third, was moved to second, and Epalo was moved to third.

Kicken Kris is trained by Michael Matz. The son of Kris S was ridden by Kent Desormeaux.

Class Above Removed From Baffert's Barn
by Emily Hufford

Class Above, who won the 2003 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies, has been removed from the barn of Bob Baffert and transferred to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The three-year-old daughter of Quiet American worked four furlongs at Belmont Park in :47.63 on Tuesday.

Class Above is owned by Padua Stables. She ran on June 12 in the Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks at Hollywood Park, where she finished last. Before that she finished last in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Earlier this year she did win the Bourbonette Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Turfway Park.

Sir Shackleton Takes the West Virginia Derby
by Emily Hufford

Sir Shackleton, considered a second stringer in the barn of Nick Zito, defeated Pollard's Vision to win the grade three West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer on Saturday. Britt's Jules finished third and Avid Skier was fourth.

Sir Shackleton is a three-year-old son of Miswaki out of the Star de Naskra mare Naskra Colors.

Rockem Sockem and Line of Scrimage were scratched.

Eavesdropper Wins a Stake
by Emily Hufford

The popular Eavesdropper won the Harvey Arneault Memorial at Mountaineer on Saturday by a neck over Frankie R's Winner. The four-year-old son of Kingmambo has had a spotty racing career but has a loyal legion of fans who follow his every start.

Out of the Secretariat mare Weekend Surprise, Eavesdropper is a half brother to top sires A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, and Honor Grades. He is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and paid $11.40 to win.

Santa Catarina © Susie Raisher

Lewis Mares to Be Sold
by Emily Hufford

Bob and Beverly Lewis plan to see eighteen of their broodmares at the coming Keeneland November Sale. They will only retain three, one of which is Serena's Song, a multiple grade one winner.

Some of the mares that the Lewises will sell include Renaissance Lady, a three-year-old filly out of Storm Beauty, as well as Storm Beauty herself, and also Santa Catarina.

Santa Catarina raced for Bob Baffert for two seasons before retirement. The daughter of Unbridled is in foal to A.P. Indy. She finished second in the 2003 Kentucky Oaks and retired to Denali Stud this year.

Lemon Drop Kid's First Winner
by Amelia Baldree

Lemon Drop Kid had his first winner today, Lemon Bar, a two-year-old colt out of the Storm Bird mare Moon Tide. Owned and bred by Stonerside Stable LLC, Lemon Bar is trained by Patrick Byrne. He was the first U.S. starter for Lemon Drop Kid, who's first foals are 2-year-olds this year. Lemon Bar debuted in a 5 1/2 furlong maiden special weight on the dirt at Churchill Downs on June 19, 2004 where he finished 2nd by 1 1/2 lengths to Robert Holthus' Proper Carson. Today, Lemon Bar won a maiden special weight at one mile on the dirt at Arlington Park. Going off as the race favorite, Lemon Bar dueld with Real Dandy until taking off at the top of the stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:38.19. Lemon Bar paid $4.60 $3.20 and $2.40 for the win and increased his personal bankroll to $24,680.

Lemon Drop Kid stands for $50,000 at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. He was an Eclipse Award winner of $3,245,370 and a Grade I winner at 2, 3 and 4.

Danzig at Claiborne Farm © Emily Hufford 2004

Danzig Pensioned
by Emily Hufford

Leading sire Danzig, who tops the charts with 181 stakes winners, the most of any living stallion, has been pensioned. The twenty-seven-year-old son of Northern Dancer has been at Claiborne Farm for twenty-three years and has led the sire list three times.

Danzig was able to impregnate twenty-five mares this year, despite the fact that he has difficulty mounting and is going blind.

Danzig has sired 105 graded stakes winners and 21 champions. He is a sire of sires: his offspring includes Pine Bluff, Chief's Crown, and Danehill.

Pollard's Vision Sees the Light
by Emily Hufford

One of the top three-year-old colts this spring, Pollard's Vision, broke through the slop with another win, this time in the Leonard Richards Stakes (gr. III) at Delaware Park. The bay son of Carson City won by two lengths to secure his first victory since the Illinois Derby in April.

The half-blind colt, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, was last seen finishing second in the Ohio Derby (gr. II), and before that he was 17th (second to last) in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Jerry Bailey was aloft for Sunday's win.

Pollard's Vision is owned by Edgewood Farm. Britt's Jules finished second and Pies Prospect third.

A Hot Summer Wind
by Emily Hufford

Trainer Jeff Mullins is very hot. After securing the training title at Hollywood Park on Sunday, he won the Delaware Handicap (gr. II) with Summer Wind Dancer. He also scored a win in the Claiming Crown.

Summer Wind Dancer did enter the race favored off of a win in the Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park, and stakes winner Roar Emotion finished second as the third choice.

Summer Wind Dancer is a four-year-old gray daugher of Siberian Summer and was ridden by Victor Espinoza. She was originally entered to run in the Milady Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood, but was scratched from that race, which went to Star Parade.

Four In A Row for Yearly Report
by Emily Hufford

Yearly Report exudes class, as can be witnessed if one watches the replay of her latest stakes win, and fourth in a row, the Delaware Oaks (gr. II). The bay California-bred daughter of General Meeting has also won the San Ysabel Stakes, the Melair Stakes, and the Black Eyed Susan Stakes this year.

Bob Baffert trains Yearly Report for her breeders Golden Eagle Farm. Jerry Bailey flew in to Delaware to ride her in the race, and came away a one-length winner over Ender's Sister. It was another eight lengths back to A Lulu Ofa Menifee in third.

Yearly Report will now be pointed to the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Racecourse. Her only career defeat came in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes last fall, giving her a record of five wins and one second in six starts.

Secretariat Statue Unveiled
by Laura Ferguson

At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, a new statue of Secretariat was unveiled, with Penny Chenery, Ron Turcotte, Bill Nack, Eddie Maple, Jim Gaffney and others in attendance. The unveiling, hosted by Donna Barton Brothers, took place in a tent that was packed by a crowd of fans eager to do Big Red homage. T-shirts and hats honoring the chestnut star were in abundance, and cameras were everywhere.

Undeterred by so-so lighting and no air conditioning, the crowd stood quietly, listening as those closest to Secretariat told stories about him and how he impacted their lives. Even those who are no longer here - Eddie Sweat, Lucien Laurin - were remembered. In the background, just above the curtains, flat screen tvs showed Secretariat's races.

As the curtains dropped, a blinding light came from so many flashes going off. The connections of Secretariat stayed afterwards for a 3 hour autograph session. The tent will eventually be removed, and replaced by a brick walkway and trees, similar to the surroundings of the statue of Man o'War just outside the park. It was a privilege to attend, and photographs don't do it justice - you expect Secretariat to move. The sculptor, Edward Bogucki, did an amazing job of capturing him. It was a privilege to be there.

Holt Eased, Streak Snapped
by Emily Hufford

Stonerside Stables' Holt, a son of Mr. Prospector who races in Argentina, was riding a three-race winning streak when he pulled up lame in the Premio Dusky at Palermo. He was sold to Argentina last year to stand at stud and was a maiden at the time, but entered training after covering 90 mares and was undefeated since. It is likely that Holt, who is a half brother to 1998 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Keeper Hill, will return to retirement.

Travers Stakes (G1) winner Ten Most Wanted may return from a brief retirement as early as November following a new discovery of stem cell treatment. The four-year-old son of Deputy Commander out of the Criminal Type mare, Wanted Again, tore a ligament in his right foreleg during his 6 3/4 win over Colonial Colony in the National Jockey Club Handicap (G3) earlier this year.

According to several veterinarians from around the country, Ten Most Wanted was said to make a full recovery and return to racing. So in order to speed up the healing process, the colt's leg was given a stem cell treatment where fatty tissue was taken from his hindquarters and after the stem cells from the tissue were separated, it was then injected into the injured ligament.

Trainer Wally Dollase informed the Daily Racing Form that the decision whether or not to officially retire Ten Most Wanted will be made in November after the colt has had six months rest. Ten Most Wanted was a runner-up last year for Champion Three-Year-Old honors after winning the Travers Stakes (G1), Illinois Derby (G2), and Super Derby (G2). He has won five of thirteen career starts with three seconds and one third with $1,718,460 in earnings.

“Alias Pecos Bill” is a fanciful tale of Wild West stories, based on legend and the rich history of the Pacific Northwest.

The first chapter begins with a prose poem, then the book really gets started with an old rancher telling tales about his great-great grandfather Pecos Bill. You’ll read about gunfights, bank robbers and renegade gangs racing across the open plains.

“Alias Pecos Bill”, a steal at $13.95, can be found via the Internet at Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com. Search by author under William D. Vens, or by the book title. Enjoy!

The self-published book is printed by Four Seasons Publishers. For orders, please contact Frank Hudak at (321) 632-2932.

The Cliff's Edge Scratched from the Preakness Stakes, Funny Cide Also Out
by Emily Hufford

The Preakness Stakes lost a major contender on Friday when The Cliff's Edge was officially declared out due to an abscess in his right front hoof. The Nick Zito trainee was obviously sore on Thursday, and his condition had not improved by Friday morning. Zito called the press conference to make the announcement at 8:30.

The Cliff's Edge finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby (gr I) despite losing both front shoes in the race. He was the second choice that day. The injury should not affect his racing career.

Only ten horses will go postward in tomorrow's Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Cown.

In Pimlico Special (gr. I) news, last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide was scratched from the race by trainer Barcalay Tagg, who cited the heat in Maryland as the reason. Funny Cide is famous for his dislike of warm weather. He ran poorly in the Haskell Invitational and the Breeders' Cup Classic, both in the heat.

Funny Cide Works Towards Pimlico Special, Ten Most Wanted Out
by Emily Hufford

Last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide worked six furlongs Wednesday at Belmont Park in preparation for a run at the Pimlico Special Handicap (G1). The race, held at Pimlico the day before the Preakness Stakes this year (May 14), is expected to draw Santa Anita Handicap winner Southern Image.

Barcalay Tagg trains Funny Cide, who zipped the distance in 1:11.93, the fastest of four works that day. Also working on Belmont's tab was the stakes winning Dynever, who went five furlongs in 1:01.93.

One horse who will not make the Pimlico Special this year is Ten Most Wanted, last year's Travers Stakes (G1) winner. The four year old colt was coming up to the race off of a victory in the National Jockey Club Handicap (G3) in April. Wally Dollase, the colt's trainer, said he isn't sure how severe the injury is, but that the Pimlico Special is definitely out. Ten Most Wanted has earned $1,718,460 in thirteen races.

2004 News Archives