Half Heaven ($86.20) wins Woodbine's River Memories off-the-turf by Rab Hagin

HALF HEAVEN #1

In the first non-turf effort of her career, David Cassidy's and Edward Lipton's New York homebred HALF HEAVEN pulled a shocker in Woodbine's River Memories Stakes for fillies and mares on the all-weather track, capturing that $91,872 (U.S.) Saturday co-feature as the 42.10-to-1 last choice among 12 starters. Originally scheduled for a one-turn turf mile, the event was switched to Woodbine's all-weather track at a two-turn mile and 70 yards under showery skies, for which the favorite at 1.50-to-1 was Financingavailable coming off three consecutive big-margin Woodbine wins -- the last two on the all-weather surface. Half Heaven, who only a week earlier had finished a tiring unplaced on yielding Belmont turf in New York Showcase Day's $150,000 Ticonderoga Handicap and was picking up two pounds off that effort, raced in fifth place within the tightly-bunched competitors for a half-mile. On the second turn, jockey Emile Ramsammy -- who was riding the four-year-old New York-bred filly for the first time in competition -- sent his mount between rivals to within a length and a half of Financingavailable with about 500 yards to go. Financingavailable responded by drawing away to a two-length advantage at mid-stretch, but Half Heaven refused to back off, getting up in the final strides to score by a neck over her five-year-old multiple stakes-winning rival, who placed 2-3/4 lengths ahead of the third-place finisher.

Half Heaven's first stakes victory and first stakes effort outside New York boosted her earnings by $53,622 (U.S.) to $246,461 and improved her record to 5 - 6 - 1 in 19 starts, which includes four stakes-placed efforts -- three seconds and one third -- on Belmont and Aqueduct turf in 2005-2006. The filly's Woodbine trainer, Arthur Silvera, had considered scratching her because she was untested on anything other than turf but could not reach co-owner Cassidy: "I was constantly trying to phone Mr. Cassidy to get the approval to scratch her, but I couldn't get a hold of him," Silvera recalled. "I just figured we should run.

"She was devouring some ground and really looked like she was making some headway," Silvera added. "I'm delighted. All the credit goes to Gary Contessa (New York Thoroughbred Breeders 2004 Trainer of the Year and Half Heaven's regular conditioner). I've only had this horse for seven days."

The 50th stakes winner sired by syndicated Canadian champion and New York-based stallion Regal Classic, Half Heaven is a half-sister to three-year-old 2006 Niagara Stakes winner Doll Baby, being the second of three offspring of racing age through 2005 -- all winners -- produced from seven-time winner Sand Pirate. The filly's breeder and co-owner, television and singing star Cassidy, has bred all of the registered offspring produced from Sand Pirate, a Desert Wine mare who is a half-sister to the dam of Grade 2-winning millionaire Continental Red ($1,363,788) and is a complete outcross (no inbreeding) through five generations. Sand Pirate descends from a strong California family and is herself an outcross to most of the popular North American sire lines, having no Northern Dancer, Raise a Native, or even Bold Ruler ancestry in her pedigree.

Half Heaven is the 23rd New York-bred winner of a 2006 stakes outside state-bred company -- following open Finger Lakes Juvenile winner LIGHTS OF BROADWAY by about nine minutes. The River Memories was the 33rd stakes event open to runners bred anywhere (exclusive of the New York Stallion Stakes series) won by a New York-bred this year -- scored in nine U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and Italy.

Photo: Adam Coglianese

ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD #9

Preceding and following New York Showcase Day 2006 by one day each were standout Belmont open company performances by New York-breds ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD (going a main track mile) and CHESTORIA (in the nine-furlong Miss Grillo for juvenile fillies on turf), bracketing a three-day span that highlighted most state-bred divisions and specialties. Of the seven winners of Showcase-featured stakes -- ORGANIZER, CERTIFIABLY CRAZY, FINLANDIA, GOLD AND ROSES, NO REASON, CHIEF'S LAKE, and GRAND MERGER -- plus the 14 placing second and third behind them (21 total), 13 were New York-conceived and/or by New York stallions, including the Empire Classic's first three finishers. Others were sired by outstanding out-of-state stallions. Breeders of the best runners on Showcase Day followed the same principles as successful breeders everywhere: They sought the best stallion match-ups available for the mares they had, and New York's stallion roster contributed significantly to those endeavors.

Current New York-based sires of Showcase-featured top-three finishers: Raffie's Majesty (Empire Classic winner Organizer), Tomorrows Cat (second-and-third-place Empire Classic finishers Carminooch and West Virginia; third-place Mohawk finisher Continental Reins), Regal Classic (Mohawk runner-up Classic Fran), Kelly Kip (Iroquois runner-up Great Lady K), Catienus (Maid of the Mist runner-up My Kitty).

Chestoria's impressive winning time (for a juvenile filly) in the Miss Grillo over yielding turf, 1:50.82 for a mile and an eighth, was 1-4/5 seconds faster -- about nine lengths -- than Belmont's Pilgrim Stakes over the same course and distance three races later and contested by 12 two-year-old males.

Hosting nine New York-bred three-year-old turf fillies in an overnight "nightcap" stakes concluding Showcase Day was the mile and a sixteenth Terreavigne, which LATITUDE FORTY won by a hard-fought head over 2006 Saratoga turf stakes winner Homerette, with previously stakes-placed Whateverwillbwillb (sired by Western Expression) placing third.

As for two-turn main track routers among New York-bred fillies and mares, that category includes the mare overwhelmingly expected to be the first-ever New York-bred favorite in a World Thoroughbred Championships Breeders' Cup event (November 4 at Churchill Downs): FLEET INDIAN in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff. The state-bred sprint division has spilled over into the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint, in which the only horse to register a Daily Racing Form Beyer speed figure above 120 at a sprint distance in 2005 or 2006, New York-bred COMMENTATOR, is expected to start. Also being pointed for the Sprint is the back-to-back winner of Showcase Day's six-furlong Hudson Handicap in 2004 and 2005 (and a graded sprint winner in 2006), FRIENDLY ISLAND.

Regarding state-bred main track milers, Accountforthegold's nine-length romp in Friday's open $50,000 N3X allowance/optional claiming feature over a sloppy sealed Belmont surface against a stakes-quality field produced the second-highest Bloodstock Research Information Services (BRIS) Class Rating (123.1) among all races last week -- and the highest on dirt. A homebred racing for Richard Simon's Whos Next Racing Team and bred by Sez Who Thoroughbreds (North) in Stillwater, Accountforthegold was slightly overlooked as the 4.50-to-1 third choice and only New York-bred among seven six-figure-earning starters that included three stakes winners and a graded winner. Under jockey Michael Luzzi for the third consecutive time in competition, the four-year-old led throughout and won under wraps, boosting his earnings to $325,588 and improving his record to 4 - 5 - 1 in 14 starts with his first victory since winning Finger Lakes' 2005 New York Derby by three lengths. Accountforthegold also has placed second twice and third once in stakes at Woodbine, where he finished a close runner-up in the Grade 2 Grey Breeders' Cup as a juvenile. The bay colt is conditioned by New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) 2004 Trainer of the Year Gary Contessa and is the first of two winners bred in New York by Sez Who Thoroughbreds from a mare that Simon had purchased for $55,000 at Keeneland's 2000 November sale.

At Meadowlands about four hours after Accountforthegold's Belmont romp, Mac Fehsenfeld's two-year-old Elusive Fox contested the six-furlong Comet Stakes rather than opt for Showcase Day's one-mile Sleepy Hollow the next day and placed second, becoming the 63rd New York-bred to win or place in a 2006 stakes outside state-bred company. This was the 100th top-three finish by a New York-bred in an open (to horses bred anywhere) stakes event in 2006. Elusive Fox, who had won his five-furlong Saratoga debut by 6-1/2 lengths, had been purchased by Fehsenfeld for $75,000 from his breeders, Dennis and Deborah Petrisak of Langpap Stable in Honeoye Falls, through Thomas J. Gallo Sales Agency at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's 2005 July selected yearling sale. The juvenile bay colt is the first offspring produced from the Petrisaks' homebred NYTB Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 2001, Shesastonecoldfox ($216,409).

New York Minute: The 64th New York-bred to win or place in a 2006 stakes outside state-bred company -- and the 21st New York-bred winner of an open (to horses bred anywhere) stakes in 2006 -- was Chestoria in Belmont's Miss Grillo less than 24 hours after Elusive Fox's runner-up effort in the Comet. Chestoria's victory was the 101st top-three finish by a New York-bred in a stakes event outside state-bred company in 2006.

Three-year-old front-running big-margin Belmont winners of restricted N2X allowances against their elders -- both races taken off the turf -- were the filly TOWERING ESCAPE ($107,420) going seven furlongs on Wednesday, October 18 and the colt OEDIPUS O'NEAL ($140,527) going a mile and an eighth on Friday, October 20. Towering Escape, Albert Fried Jr.'s homebred who had placed third in Finger Lakes' New York Oaks 44 days earlier, was the only three-year-old in her contest, which she won by three lengths at odds-on (.35-to-1) to improve her record to 3 - 1 - 3 in 10 starts. A 21-3/4-length winner of a restricted N1X off-the-turf muddy main track allowance mile at Belmont in July, the chestnut filly is the first offspring produced from Fried's multiple stakes-placed New York homebred Rapunzell ($146,133), who is a half-sister to outstanding Grade 1 sprinter-miler Affirmed Success ($2,285,315). Oedipus O'Neal, a co-topweighted son of Freud bred by Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin of Lakland North, LLC in Hudson, won by 5-3/4 as the 1.95-to-1 favorite among six starters, scoring his third victory in 10 outings (with three seconds) for Winter Park Partners (Anthony Grey of Winter Park, Florida). The bay colt has a pair of 6-1/2-length Saratoga turf wins -- as a 2005 juvenile and on August 26 in the eye-opening nine-furlong time of 1:47.49 -- and had placed a close second in Saratoga's August 6 New York Stallion Cab Calloway Stakes on grass.

Winning restricted N1X allowances on yielding turf at Belmont were three-year-old filly MADAME MUSIC going a mile on Thursday, October 19, three-year-old colt S. S. CRAFTY at a mile and a sixteenth on Showcase Day Saturday, and four-year-old filly CLASSIC EXPRESSION going a mile and a sixteenth on Sunday. Madame Music, William Bloom's and James Georgallas' homebred, cruised gate-to-wire by 4-1/2 lengths as the 4.10-to-1 third choice among nine, giving her Belmont grass wins at six and eight furlongs in seven starts, which includes back-to-back third-place efforts at Belmont and Saratoga in her most recent previous outings. S. S. Crafty, owned by the Race Day Stable of Mark Kerin of Green Polka Farms in West Hartford, Connecticut, broke from the ninth post among 12 as the 6.40-to-1 fourth choice and won by 2-1/2; he had a 5-1/4-length six-furlong maiden-breaking score on Belmont dirt in July. Classic Expression, Flying Zee Stable's (Carl Lizza Jr.) homebred son of Western Expression, was the 3.50-to-1 second choice among nine starters in a contest that saw homebred daughters of half-brothers (runner-up Arrowsofthequeen is by Western Expression's Grade 2-winning half-brother, King Cugat) run one-two.

New York-bred open allowance winners at Finger Lakes on Thursday, Monday, and Tuesday, October 19, 23, and 24 were:

CAUGHT INTHE ZIP by 4-1/4 lengths for her second open allowance win in 32 days and improving her overall record to 3 - 3 - 6 in 13 starts, on Thursday; TALLY ME OUT (sired by Take Me Out) by 7-1/4 lengths at odds-on for her second big-margin win of 2006, on Monday; homebred FUNNY CONNECTION in a front-running performance for his second open allowance win in 43 days and third victory of 2006, and SNOWS GONE (sired by Gone for Real) by two lengths at near even money despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters and having to be checked for a sixteenth of a mile midway through the race -- both on Tuesday.

New York-bred restricted allowance winners at Finger Lakes on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, October 20, 21, and 23 were:

Homebred MIGHTY ANNIE R. (sired by Mighty Magee) by a front-running 4-3/4 lengths at odds-on "easily" under top weight for her second consecutive daylight-margin win in 15 days and fifth victory of 2006 and improving her open stakes-placed (in 2006) record to 10 - 2 - 4 in 17 starts with earnings of $127,870, and JACKIES DREAM (sired by Rizzi) by 5-1/4 lengths "under wraps late" after breaking from the fifth post among six starters for her second win in 48 days and third victory of 2006 and improving her overall record to 5 - 3 - 8 in 24 starts -- both on Friday; THUNDER RAIN (sired by Thunder Puddles) by three lengths "under wraps late" for his fifth win, on Saturday; YASTRZEMSKI by 2-1/4 lengths for his third daylight-margin win in 59 days and fifth daylight-margin victory since early May, on Monday.

New York-bred open claiming winners from Wednesday, October 18 through Tuesday, October 24 included:

Homebred WIND IN THE FOREST at Belmont with a $35,000 tag against fellow three-year-old fillies for her third win of 2006 in three lifetime efforts at 6-1/2 furlongs (longest distance she has ever raced, even though a $126,580-earning half-sibling was a router), PINT GLASS from last-to-first by two lengths among 11 starters at Laurel Park with a six-wide move for his second win of 2006 and one of three runners claimed out of his contest, and WARDSHIP from fifth-to-first under co-topweight at Suffolk Downs for his second win in 18 days and improving his record to 10 - 15 - 11 in 77 starts -- all on Wednesday; FIDDLERS FANCY by a front-running 5-1/2 lengths at Penn National to give her daylight-margin wins on both dirt and turf, homebred GEBB'S FLAG by 6-1/2 lengths as "much the best" for his sixth win, MAKE FAST from last-to-first under top weight among seven starters for her second consecutive win in two weeks and third career victory, and MT. CLASSIC by 5-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire for his third win -- all on Thursday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; TWO TURN HALO with a $30,000 tag at Belmont on disqualification after having led for three-quarters of a one-mile race and having to be steadied near the finish for her second win in 2006, TRUE BABU by 4-1/4 lengths at Louisiana Downs after breaking from the eighth post among 12 starters for her fourth daylight-margin win of 2006, LITTLE DAVID from fifth-to-first at almost even money for his second daylight-margin win in 46 days and third career victory, SUNSHINE RONDEVOU by a front-running three lengths under co-topweight of 124 pounds for her second consecutive daylight-margin win in 17 days and sixth career victory, homebred PHILLY FRENZY by a front-running 3-1/2 lengths for his second win in 32 days and improving his record to 3 - 3 - 4 in 15 starts, and TOWN GOSSIP (sired by Williamstown) from last-to-first among eight starters despite having to be checked hard at the quarter-pole -- all on Friday, and the last-named four at Finger Lakes; AERAS ($152,738) to improve his indestructible record to 7 - 14 - 11 in 52 starts, MY SALUTE TO YOU by 6-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire under co-topweight of 124 pounds for his second big-margin win in four weeks and seventh career victory, homebred LAST TRIAL from last-to-first by four lengths among eight starters for his second consecutive big-margin win in 16 days and third victory of 2006 and improving his overall record to 6 - 2 - 5 in 23 starts, homebred LEAP TO FAME (sired by Lycius) by 2-1/4 lengths under co-topweight for her second win in 25 days and third victory of 2006 despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters and having to be checked for about a sixteenth of a mile on the turn, and homebred MYGOLDENEXPRESSION (sired by Western Expression) from eighth-to-first among 10 starters despite having to be checked at the five-sixteenths pole for his second daylight-margin win in 64 days -- all at Finger Lakes on Saturday; homebred DEMOCRAT (sired by A. P Jet) by 7-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire "with something left" at the finish at Belmont with a $30,000 tag and odds-on for his second big-margin win of 2006, on Sunday; REAL TREASURE at Suffolk Downs for his second win by a length or more within a week, TOMMYS JET (sired by A. P Jet) in a front-running effort at Thistledown for her second win of 2006 and fifth career victory, QUILLEN'S POINT by 5-3/4 lengths "wrapped up late" for her second big-margin win of 2006, and MOSTVALUABLEPLAYER by 3-3/4 lengths gate-to-wire for his second daylight-margin win in two weeks and fourth daylight-margin victory since Memorial Day weekend -- all on Monday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; WANDA'S RAGE for her second consecutive win in 11 days and third victory of 2006 and claimed, homebred VICARISH in a front-running effort at almost even money for his second daylight-margin win in 2006, and RODEO RUNNER from the seventh post among nine starters for the second daylight-margin win of his career -- all three at Finger Lakes on Tuesday.

New York maiden-breakers from Wednesday, October 18 through Tuesday, October 24 included:

Homebred two-year-old colt SHIFTER by 4-1/2 lengths on turf in his third start, two-year-old filly ALL FIRED UP despite stumbling at the start and then being bumped, and CATHEDRAL LODGE (sired by Millions) by five lengths -- all at Belmont on Wednesday; two-year-old filly SUNSET COCKTAIL by 2-1/4 lengths in her second start, and ACADEMY ROYALE from sixth-to-first on turf -- both at Belmont -- and two-year-old colt URBAN PIONEER from fifth-to-first as the 75.60-to-1 last choice among eight starters, and SUNSET ISLAND by 8-1/4 lengths "ridden out" in her third start with blinkers on for the first time -- both at Laurel and the only New York-breds in their respective races -- and CAT DE JOUR (sired by Tomorrows Cat) by three lengths at Meadowlands at 32.30-to-1, CURIOUS PROSPECT (sired by Crusader Sword) gate-to-wire at Charles Town at odds-on, FAMOUS ARTIST by 3-1/4 lengths at odds-on at Hoosier Park with a three-wide move through the turn after breaking from the seventh post among eight starters, homebred two-year-old PLUNDER AND PILLAGE (sired by Catienus) leading gate-to-wire out of the eighth post among nine starters with blinkers on for the first time, homebred two-year-old filly KLASSIC KAYLA (sired by Regal Classic) in her second start, and BE HONEST (sired by Dig Zig) by a front-running 3-1/4 lengths -- all 10 on Thursday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; homebred two-year-old colt GOOD CARD by two lengths gate-to-wire at Belmont in his debut despite the fact that his jockey lost his whip in the stretch, SPEEDIE'S BAR by 3-1/2 lengths gate-to-wire, and PICOLLO (sired by Kingsboro) -- both at Mountaineer Park -- and homebred DOCTOR D. NICHOLAS (sired by Lycius) by a front-running 5-1/4 lengths, and KARAKORUM CHANCE by a front-running 4-3/4 lengths at odds-on -- all on Friday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; homebred two-year-old filly SAGAMOON by 2-1/2 lengths at odds-on at Belmont in her first effort at seven furlongs after having placed second in her two previous outings at 5-1/2 and six furlongs, homebred RAISE A PARTNER by daylight among 14 starters on Laurel turf in her first attempt at a mile and an eighth, INSTANT REPLAY by 2-1/2 lengths from 10th-to-first among 13 starters at Woodbine despite having to circle five-wide late on the turn, LOOKIN TO RUN (sired by Mighty Magee) by five lengths gate-to-wire "ridden out" as the 22.40-to-1 last choice among six starters, WHERE'S BELLA by 4-3/4 lengths "ridden out" from fifth-to-first among seven starters and the only debut runner in her contest, and TOUGHERNTHEREST by 3-3/4 lengths with blinkers on in her third start and the least-experienced runner in her contest -- all on Saturday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; two-year-old PREMIER PERFECTION in a front-running debut at Belmont, FLYING SAPPHO (sired by A. P Jet) by 3-1/2 lengths from seventh-to-first with a wide move after breaking from the ninth post among 11 starters on Belmont turf, and DAME IN GRAU by 3-3/4 lengths at 42.50-to-1 at Hoosier Park -- all on Sunday; homebred COLE CEE gate-to-wire at even money at Delaware Park following back-to-back second-place efforts during the previous six weeks, two-year-old filly MISTY PEARL (sired by Smokin Mel) by 6-3/4 lengths gate-to-wire at Philadelphia Park, SALLY IS A TROOPER from last-to-first after breaking from the outside post among six starters and despite ducking out at the start and having to be checked midway around the second turn, REALLY MAGESTIC (sired by Raffie's Majesty) by 10-3/4 lengths "ridden out" -- all on Monday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; FLIRT'S SHADOW by a front-running 3-1/4 lengths at Delaware Park, LION SONG at almost even-money at Philadelphia Park and breaking from the sixth post among seven starters, and homebred SUGAR SLAM by a front-running five lengths at Finger Lakes -- all on Tuesday.

Less than 24 hours after 68 New York-breds had contested eight stakes on Belmont's New York Showcase Saturday card, E El R Stable's CHESTORIA became the 21st New York-bred 2006 stakes winner outside state-bred competition in Belmont's mile and an eighth Miss Grillo Stakes for juvenile fillies on yielding turf. The stretch-running filly is now two-for-two on grass, having broken her maiden by nine lengths going a mile and a sixteenth on Belmont's lawn 16 days earlier, and her nine-furlong time over the Miss Grillo's soft-like sod was an impressive (for a juvenile filly) 1:50.82. An obvious distance-lover who relishes two turns, Chestoria has earned $76,030 in three starts and appears to have a world of opportunities awaiting her.

Well-respected as the 3.25-to-1 second choice among 10 starters as a result of her impressive state-bred maiden win, Chestoria was rated in sixth place for a half-mile by jockey Eibar Coa as the pace inadvertently was set by 8.50-to- fourth choice Sharp Susan, whose bridle rein broke. Chestoria swung wide coming out of the second turn into the stretch, quickly overtaking four rivals within a quarter-mile and gaining a decisive though not large margin entering the final furlong, where she extended her advantage to a length at the wire.

Jockey Coa, who has ridden Chestoria in all three of her starts (including an unplaced six-furlong debut on dirt at Belmont September 17) and had four winning rides on Belmont's Sunday card (three aboard juveniles; two aboard New York-breds), considers the dark bay filly something special on a lawn. "She's been very different since getting on the grass," Coa observed. She's really proved that she is special on the turf. She handled a lot of situations today -- between soft turf and having to face open company. Again, she was much the best. It's (Belmont turf course on Sunday) not very soft, but it is a tiring course."

Winning conditioner Bruce Levine, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' (NYTB) 2005 Trainer of the Year, initially was concerned that the almost rein-less Sharp Susan might cause problems: "I was more worried about Mike Smith (aboard Sharp Susan), watching his filly. It looked like my horse was in a good spot. She really picked it up off the turn. We'll keep our fingers crossed. We'll probably go to the Selima ($125,000 guaranteed for two-year-old fillies, mile and a sixteenth, turf, at Laurel, Saturday, November 25 -- an event won in 2005 by NYTB dual champion J'ray and in 1988 by New York-bred future millionaire Capades), and then from there we will figure it out."

As for the rein-less Sharp Susan, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith managed to steer her outside of traffic when she inevitably tired, and two-time NYTB champion jockey Richard Migliore helped Smith pull up Sharp Susan without mishap after the race was over. Chestoria and Sharp Susan were the youngest fillies in the Miss Grillo, both having been foaled on May 6, 2004.

Purchased for $40,000 by Richard Balfour of E El R Stable and Springfield, New Jersey at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's 2006 May sale of two-year-olds in training in Timonium, Maryland, Chestoria was bred by Dr. Douglas Koch's Berkshire Stud in Pine Plains in partnership with Tom Tatham's Oak Cliff Breeders Inc. She was sold for $20,000 at Keeneland's 2005 September yearling sale before being pinhooked eight months later for double her yearling price. The latest stakes winner bred by the breeders of NYTB champions Private Emblem and Rhum is the second offspring and second New York-bred NYRA winner produced from R D Fille, who broke her maiden on turf as a four-year-old. R D Fille, a half-sister to Grade 2 turf record-setter and millionaire Talloires (who placed in Grade/Group 1 events in four countries on three continents), had been purchased by co-breeder Tatham of Houston, Texas for $130,000 at Keeneland's 1998 July selected yearling sale.

Chestoria is the 21st New York-bred winner of a 2006 stakes outside state-bred company, and the Miss Grillo was the 31st stakes event open to runners bred anywhere (exclusive of the New York Stallion Stakes series) won by a New York-bred this year.

Photo:Adam Coglianese

MACKLENIN

Pre-Halloween Friday the 13th and surrounding days featured older New York-breds that now seem better than ever, and the state-bred juvenile crop also continued to appear formidable, as veteran runners MACKLENIN, Dave, and Duke's Crossing plus two-year-old Five Towns all performed impressively in open allowance and stakes competition.

Paul Pompa Jr.'s four-year-old Macklenin ($200,274) advanced seamlessly into open Belmont allowance company on Friday, winning a N1X contest at six furlongs on drying-out "good" turf under top weight for his second consecutive victory and boosting his earnings over the $200K mark. Fifty-three days earlier, the chestnut colt had gone through his restricted N2X allowance condition with a gate-to-wire victory at 5-1/2 furlongs on Saratoga turf, and in May he had beaten open company on Belmont grass with a $35,000 claiming price while zipping six furlongs in 1:08.54. Now with a record of 6 - 3 - 2 in 25 starts, Macklenin (the fourth choice at 6.80-to-1) was one of two New York-breds finishing among the top three in that race -- the other being Barry Schwartz's homebred Bogota Bill ($160,210), who placed third as the 1.55-to-1 favorite among eight starters. Those two state-breds earned 70 percent of the contest's purse money and qualified for an additional $7,515 in owner, breeder, and stallion owner awards. Macklenin was bred by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' (NYTB) 2005 Breeder of the Year, Richard Simon's Sez Who Thoroughbreds, and was a $30,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton's 2003 Saratoga sale of preferred New York-bred yearlings. He is the first offspring produced from a half-sister to two stakes winners (including a Group 1 turf winner in France) and to the multiple graded-placed dam of 2005 Grade 1 Pimlico Special winner Eddington ($1,216,760), who won graded stakes on dirt and turf.

Partingglass Stable's five-year-old Dave ($344,037) registered his first open stakes-placing after rallying four-wide to take the lead in Meadowlands' mile and three-eighths John Henry Stakes on turf Friday evening, getting caught late to place second as the 6.30-to-1 second choice among eight wagering interests and nine starters. Now with a record of 5 - 9 - 2 in 28 starts, including wins in Saratoga's 2005 West Point and Belmont's 2006 Kingston Handicaps, the reliable gelding has proven to be a shrewd private purchase by Tom Gallo on behalf of Partingglass Stable earlier this year.

Waterford Stable's two-year-old Five Towns wore blinkers for the first time in Calder's $100,000 six-furlong Criterium Stakes on Saturday and recorded his second open stakes-placing in six weeks, finishing third among seven to bring his busy juvenile campaign record to 2 - 1 - 3 in eight starts. Two outings earlier, the chestnut colt had placed a close second in his first stakes start, Calder's off-the-turf Fasig-Tipton (Turf) Dash going five furlongs on a sloppy track. Five Towns races under the Waterford Stable banner of New Yorker Thomas Moore, which had purchased the New York-bred for $135,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's (OBS) 2006 February sale of two-year-olds in training.

Christopher Nupp's Duke's Crossing ($195,976) recorded his first top-three stakes finish on Saturday when he placed third among eight in Laurel's Maryland Million Starter Handicap at a mile and an eighth, advancing from last in the final three furlongs to put his record at 7 - 9 - 8 in 46 starts. The seven-year-old gelding has four wins in 2006 by margins totaling 13-1/2 lengths and on-the-board finishes (first through fourth) in 13 of his 14 starts this year.

New York Minute(s): Duke's Crossing was the 62nd New York-bred to finish in the top three in a stakes outside state-bred company in 2006, and his third-placing in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap was the 98th top-three finish by a New York-bred in an open (to horses bred anywhere) stakes event this year. Five Towns, who had placed second in his first stakes outing on September 2 at Calder, logged the 99th top-three stakes finish by a New York-bred outside state-bred company when he placed third in Calder's Criterium about two hours after the Maryland Million Starter. Dave became the 61st New York-bred to make the 2006 list of stakes horses outside state-bred company when he placed second in Meadowlands' John Henry the night before.

In addition to the aforementioned Macklenin, another recent New York-bred four-year-old open allowance winner was Domenic Dicenso's and Anthony Carnavale's J B OF THE SEA, who tallied by 2-1/4 lengths in a Suffolk Downs N1X contest for fillies and mares going a mile and 70 yards on Wednesday, October 11. Previously almost exclusively a sprinter, the dark bay filly was the 2.20-to-1 second choice among eight starters and advanced from sixth place approaching the second turn to gain command in the stretch and drew clear for her second consecutive big-margin win in 11 days. On September 30, J B of the Sea had won her first attempt at a mile with a 4-1/2-length romp, and her latest two-turn tally represented her sixth victory in 10 starts at Suffolk since mid-June, improving her overall record to 7 - 5 - 1 in 19 starts. A 3-1/4-length Finger Lakes debut winner in 2005, the daughter of pensioned New York stallion Scarlet Ibis was bred by Michael Spielman of Oyster Bay and is the first runner produced from two-time winner Jessperry, whom Spielman had purchased for $6,500 at the OBS 1998 April sale of two-year-olds. Jessperry is by Robyn Dancer and is a half-sister to stakes winner Angry Angel ($134,661), who won short and long and on dirt and turf.

New York-bred restricted N2X allowance/optional claiming ($30,000) winners at Belmont on Thursday and Friday, October 12-13 were three-year-old gelding RACELAND ($128,836) going a one-turn mile and three-year-old filly GIRL IN UNIFORM going six furlongs -- both on Thursday -- and four-year-old colt COOL DAYS ($141,730) going six furlongs on Friday. Raceland, Michael Martin's improving homebred, broke from the outside post among nine without blinkers for the first time and won by 4-1/2 lengths at odds-on (.90-to-1) following a 23.98 final quarter under a hand ride, improving his record to 3 - 5 - 1 in 11 NYRA starts this year. The relatively late-foaled (April 29, 2003) three-year-old is the second offspring and second winner produced from Martin's 2000 New York Stallion Park Avenue Stakes winner Laken ($209,655), being a half-brother to Martin's three-time winning multiple stakes-placed New York homebred Summerland ($119,991). Girl in Uniform, a $125,000 purchase at the OBS 2005 April sale of two-year-olds (through agent Joseph Brocklebank) by William Rickman of Rockville, Maryland, who races as Rickman Racing LLC, came off a 75-day layoff to lead throughout as the 9.70-to-1 fifth choice among nine fillies and mares. Bred by NYTB 2002 Breeder of the Year Patricia Purdy of Ivy League Farm in Ithaca, the half-sister to open stakes-placed winner Acceptable Venture ($235,786) has won three times at Belmont in six career starts and also has placed third at the Big Sandy. Cool Days, a homebred for the Burning Daylight Farms, Inc. of Arthur Watson Jr. of Charlottesville, Virginia (who breeds under the banner of Bright Dawn Farms Inc.), broke from the ninth post among 11 starters and advanced from next-to-last to nail a rail victory as the 17.80-to-1 sixth choice. The late-running sprinter also has won twice at Aqueduct and once at Delaware Park (by 6-1/4 lengths on Memorial Day) and has an overall record of 4 - 4 - 2 in 16 starts.

Big-margin winners of restricted N1X allowances going six furlongs at Belmont on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 13-14-15, were two-year-old CHIEF'S LAKE by 7-3/4 lengths on Friday, three-year-old filly WHISTLIN' by six lengths on Saturday, and three-year-old filly MT LANGFUHR by 3-1/2 lengths on Sunday. Chief's Lake, a $60,000 purchase by R. Bates Newton's Vinery Stables at Fasig-Tipton's 2005 Saratoga preferred sale of New York-bred yearlings, was odds-on (.75-to-1) as the youngest (foaled April 28, 2004) among six starters and scored his second consecutive big-margin Belmont win in 20 days. Whistlin', Ted Taylor's $38,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's 2005 May sale of two-year-olds, was coming off a big-margin Belmont score four weeks earlier and was favored at 1.95-to-1 among 10 for his second win in four starts over 10 weeks, which includes a runner-up debut and a bumped fourth-place effort. Mt Langfuhr, who since August has raced for trainer Gary Gullo in partnership with Donna Marie Provenzano's Flying P Stables and is a half-sister to graded winner John Little ($406,260), was the 8.80-to-1 fourth choice among nine wagering interests (10 starters) for her first victory in 14 months.

New York-bred open allowance or open handicap winners at Finger Lakes from Thursday, October 12 through Tuesday, October 17 were:

Three-year-old filly CLEVERLY REGAL in a front-running effort as the youngest starter in her contest and scoring her second consecutive daylight-margin win in 13 days, ACCEPTING from fifth-to-first by 11 lengths "easily" under top weight after breaking from the outside post among five starters and scoring her second consecutive big-margin open allowance win in 16 days while improving her overall record to 3 - 4 - 4 in 20 starts, and DANGEROUS DAN going gate-to-wire at even-money for his second consecutive win in 16 days and fourth daylight-margin victory (in eight career starts) by margins totaling 19-1/2 lengths over an 88-day span -- all on Thursday; homebred LONG LOST PAL for his second open win in seven weeks and fourth victory of 2006 in only nine starts, and homebred three-year-old filly FLY TO ME ($174,390) by 3-3/4 lengths "ridden out" at odds-on in the featured mile and a sixteenth Angel in the Night Handicap for fillies and mares to score her second consecutive big-margin open win in 24 days and third big-margin victory in 60 days and advancing her stakes-winning record to 5 - 3 - 2 in 12 starts -- both on Friday; homebred WHISPERING MALIBU from fifth-to-first by 2-1/4 lengths for his second consecutive win by more than two lengths in 30 days, in Tuesday's feature.

New York-bred restricted allowance winners at Finger Lakes on Friday and Saturday, October 13 and 14 were:

PRECISE STAR ($120,878) going gate-to-wire under top weight at odds-on for his second consecutive front-running allowance win in 20 days and fourth allowance victory of 2006 and improving his overall record to 6 - 1 - 0 in 10 starts, and SMART CHANCE in a front-running effort for his fourth win since July and improving his overall record to 5 - 1 - 2 in 11 starts -- both on Friday; SILENT ANNIE ($105,556) for her second win in five weeks and third victory in 2006 and improving her record to 6 - 9 - 3 in 44 starts while boosting her earnings into six figures, and homebred CITRINE by a front-running 3-1/2 lengths for her second big-margin win in 64 days and fourth daylight-margin victory of 2006 and improving her record to 5 - 1 - 2 in 16 starts -- both on Saturday.

New York-bred open claiming winners from Thursday, October 12 through Tuesday, October 17 included:

JUDY LINER S. from last-to-first among nine at Belmont with a $30,000 tag for her second win with a substantial tag at the Big Sandy since mid-summer after having taken 21 starts to break her maiden, SHIREE AMOUR at Thistledown despite breaking from the seventh post among eight starters and regaining her lost early lead in the final furlong to score her third win in 55 days and fourth victory by a length or more in 2006, homebred RADAR CAY (sired by Slice of Reality), LYCENSE TO WIN (sired by Lycius) by five lengths gate-to-wire and "ridden out" after breaking from the eighth post among nine starters for her second daylight-margin win in 34 days and fourth career victory, and REAL PRECISE for his second daylight-margin win in a week despite having to be checked at the top of the stretch -- all on Thursday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; homebred STORMY ORANGE (sired by Adonis) despite breaking from the outside post among 14 starters as the second New York-bred winner on Laurel's card and scoring her second turf victory since July, HELLO KARAKORUM ($159,567) in a dead heat at Mountaineer Park for her third win of 2006 and improving her overall record to 9 - 5 - 4 in 30 starts, SUCCESSFUL SECRETS by a front-running 2-3/4 lengths "ridden out" at odds-on from the outside post among seven starters for his second consecutive big-margin win in 15 days and third big-margin victory of 2006, GOGO LILLY for her fourth career win, SEEKING REDEMPTION from last-to-first among seven starters, and WANDA'S RAGE for her second win of 2006 -- all on Friday, and the last-named four at Finger Lakes; PRINCE O' PRANKS at Mountaineer Park for his second daylight-margin win in 45 days and fourth daylight-margin victory of 2006, SWEET SAMANTHA ($126,754) by 3-3/4 lengths gate-to-wire at Philadelphia Park for her second consecutive win by that margin in five weeks and third big-margin victory of 2006 and improving her stakes-winning record to 7 - 2 - 4 in 30 starts, TERA'S OPEN FORUM in a front-running effort at Woodlands at odds-on for his second consecutive daylight-margin win in 10 days and third daylight-margin victory of 2006, SWAY OF PASSION by 4-1/4 lengths "ridden out" in his first start following a 28-month layoff and scoring his fourth win in eight starts, homebred PERSONAL HALF MAST for her second win in 47 days and improving her record to 7 - 9 - 4 in 37 starts, and SEA THE TRUTH by 2-3/4 lengths from the ninth post among 10 starters for his fourth career victory -- all on Saturday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; SMOKE DIAMOND by a front-running 6-1/2 lengths at Belmont with a $30,000 tag for his second win of 2006 going a mile at the Big Sandy, IT'S THE RITZ (sired by Rizzi) by 5-3/4 lengths "ridden out" at odds-on at Delaware Park for his third big-margin win of 2006 to improve his record to 4 - 3 - 5 in 16 starts and one of two horses claimed out of the contest, TIMOPOCUS ($114,055) by 3-3/4 lengths at Philadelphia Park despite breaking last and being bumped at the start for his second consecutive big-margin win in 15 days and third big-margin victory of 2006 and improving his record to 4 - 9 - 8 in 46 starts, TODDLER ($434,909) by two lengths at Hoosier Park despite having to be checked at the head of the stretch for his sixth consecutive two-turn win (by margins totaling 27 lengths) since early July and improving his multiple and open stakes-winning record to 19 - 11 - 12 in 73 starts and one of two horses claimed, and TAP MACHINE ($127,998) by 3-3/4 lengths with a three-wide rally at Thistledown for her second win of 2006 and fifth career victory -- all on Sunday; DULCE DE LECHE ($195,441) by 6-3/4 lengths from last-to-first after breaking from the outside post among seven starters and surviving a six-wide trip to score his second consecutive big-margin win in 16 days and third big-margin victory of 2006 while improving his open stakes-winning record to 11 - 6 - 10 in 56 starts, NAOMI'S HOPE at odds-on and despite going five-wide on the first turn, BRIEF THE LADY from last-to-first among nine starters for her third win of 2006 and improving her overall record to 4 - 6 - 9 in 30 starts, and JUST BAGIN IT from seventh-to-first by almost two lengths under co-topweight for his second win in four weeks and fourth career victory -- all at Finger Lakes on Monday; KARAKORUM PATRIOT ($237,839) with a late close at Delaware Park to improve his stakes-placed record to 5 - 6 - 11 in 47 starts, COO COLD BIRD ($117,158) from fifth-to-first by three lengths under co-topweight of 124 pounds for her second win in 24 days and seventh career victory, IMPURE THOUGHTS by two lengths for his second daylight-margin win of 2006 despite racing six-wide most of the way after breaking from the seventh post among nine starters, homebred DISTINCTIVE JULIA despite racing five-wide on the turn for her third win by a length or more since late June, REASON TO BELIEVE by five lengths "under wraps late" for her second big-margin win in seven weeks and first two-turn victory, and RODEOACTIVE by 4-1/2 lengths gate-to-wire for his second front-running win in 45 days and improving his record to 6 - 2 - 5 in 25 starts -- all on Tuesday, and the last-named five at Finger Lakes.

New York-bred maiden-breakers from Thursday, October 12 through Tuesday, October 17 included:

IN THE SERVICE with a three-wide move going six furlongs after having placed second three starts earlier going a mile and an eighth at Saratoga, and two-year-old filly STREET SASS by a front-running 4-1/2 lengths in the third start and first route effort for the half-sister to New York-bred stakes winner Fourth and Six ($580,944) -- both at Belmont -- and TOSSED at almost even-money in a front-running effort, VALLEY COACH by 5-1/4 lengths, homebred two-year-old filly HOLLYS GIRL (sired by Kettle Won) by four lengths "ridden out" -- all on Thursday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; two-year-old filly GOLDEN DREAMER by 4-1/4 lengths in her debut at Belmont despite breaking from the ninth post among 10 starters, two-year-old CAR PHONE going gate-to-wire at Laurel at odds-on despite breaking from the outside post among nine starters and one of two juveniles claimed, homebred TOMORROWS TWIG (sired by Tomorrows Cat) at Retama Park under co-topweight despite breaking dead last among eight with a "hopped" start, and ANALYZE IT (sired by A. P Jet) by 4-1/2 lengths gate-to-wire at Northlands Park -- all on Friday; BATBOY (sired by Prime Timber) at Belmont at 66-to-1 in his third start and the least-experienced runner in his contest, homebred two-year-old filly MARY'S SAINT by 6-1/2 lengths in her debut at Delaware Park and claimed, SHIRLFIRE MISTY (sired by Crusader Sword) from sixth-to-first to win by daylight, and homebred MY SON SQUALL (sired by Squall Warning) from fifth-to-first to win by daylight after breaking from the fifth post among six starters -- all on Saturday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; two-year-old ZIP TO THE CITY by 2-1/2 lengths in his third start despite breaking from the 10th post among 12 starters, and CLEAR HEELS (sired by Crusader Sword) from fifth-to-first despite breaking from the outside post among 10 starters -- both at Belmont on Sunday; REAL TREASURE by 2-1/4 lengths at Suffolk Downs at even money, homebred I'M A MESS in a front-running effort from the outside post among seven starters at even money, and homebred SASSYBRAT by daylight despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters and running six-wide for about half the race -- all on Monday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; THE GOLDEN GAVEL (sired by Gold Fever) at odds-on from the four-path at Finger Lakes on Tuesday.

Funny Cide & Spite the Devil to hook up 4 years after '02 Sleepy Hollow by Rab Hagin

Photo:Adam Coglianese

FUNNY CIDE and SPITE THE DEVIL In the 2002 Sleepy Hollow

The first time Sackatoga Stable's Eclipse Champion FUNNY CIDE ($3,443,103) demonstrated the stretch-running competitiveness that eventually generated most of his eight stakes victories was in New York Showcase Day's 2002 Sleepy Hollow Stakes, when he hooked up with future graded winner and two-time Empire Classic winner SPITE THE DEVIL ($847,345). Now those two are expected to face off again for the first time in four years, with Funny Cide scheduled to compete in the $250,000 Empire Classic on Saturday, October 21 at the track where he scored his first two stakes victories -- Belmont Park.

Funny Cide is an Eclipse Champion, a three-time Grade 1 winner, and a two-time 2006 stakes winner; Hardwicke Stable's homebred graded-winning Spite the Devil has won the last two renewals of the Empire Classic and likewise is a 2006 stakes winner. The irony is that neither is likely to be favored for the one-turn mile and an eighth Classic, which Zabeel Racing's recently-acquired multiple graded winner, WEST VIRGINIA ($982,338), is approaching in top form with the prospect of becoming the 18th New York-bred millionaire for finishing first, second, or third.

In addition to six-year-old rivals Funny Cide and Spite the Devil, five-year-old West Virginia probably will face another formidable foe in Fox Ridge Farm's four-year-old NAUGHTY NEW YORKER ($517,135), whose 2006 stakes victories include an almost two-length tally over West Virginia in Belmont's one-turn mile General Douglas MacArthur Handicap. West Virginia is better beyond the MacArthur mile distance and was conceding six pounds in his September 13 placing behind Naughty New Yorker, who in 2005 became the first ever to win the shortest (seven-furlong Mike Lee) and longest (nine-furlong Albany) legs of The OTBs' Big Apple Triple. In addition to the MacArthur, Naughty New Yorker also has won Saratoga's 2006 Noble Nashua Stakes for New York-breds, which was his second stakes victory at the Empire Classic distance of a mile and an eighth.

Another looming threat in the Empire Classic is Majesty Stud's homebred 2005 Classic runner-up, four-year-old ORGANIZER ($242,771), who placed second to Spite the Devil in Belmont's mile and a sixteenth Evan Shipman Handicap in July and third in the MacArthur and is expected to improve at nine furlongs. Organizer's sire, New York Thoroughbred Breeders 1998 Champion Three-Year-Old Male and state-based stallion Raffie's Majesty, was at his best at a mile and a quarter, at which distance he almost won Saratoga's Grade 1 Travers Stakes.

The ding-dong battle between Funny Cide and Spite the Devil in the 2002 Sleepy Hollow -- with future Grade 2 winner Go Rockin' Robin finishing third -- became a benchmark for that one-turn mile event, which is arguably North America's most accurate indicator of future success among all state-bred restricted juvenile stakes. The 2005 Sleepy Hollow winner, Purdedel Stable's future Grade 2 victor Sharp Humor ($456,410), was the fourth winner of the Sleepy Hollow's last 10 renewals to subsequently capture a Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes and the eighth to win or place in a graded event. The 1996 Sleepy Hollow winner, Kashatreya, later won two Grade 2 stakes; 2003 Sleepy Hollow winner Friends Lake won the 2004 Grade 1 Florida Derby; the 2004 Sleepy Hollow runner-up was Naughty New Yorker.

Few graded juvenile stakes -- including Grade 1 events -- boast as impressive a resume as the Sleepy Hollow. After four years, Funny Cide and Spite the Devil might once again duke it out head-to-head down Belmont's stretch on New York Showcase Day, but this time they can expect company.

60 NY-breds have won or placed in 2006 stakes outside state-bred ranks by Rab Hagin

Photo:Adam Coglianese

FLEET INDIAN #2

Over the busy Columbus Day-enhanced October 4-10 racing week (during which 27 of Belmont's 57 races -- five open -- were won by New York-breds), the count of state-breds that have won or placed in 2006 stakes outside state-bred company reached 60, but Eclipse Champion candidate FLEET INDIAN ($1,704,513) was the highlight. Paul Saylor's big five-year-old mare is now training for the $2-million guaranteed Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs on November 4 and after that is scheduled to go into Keeneland's November breeding stock sale. Her performance in Belmont's Grade 1 Beldame on Saturday earned her the highest BRIS speed rating (104) for any filly or mare during October 2-8 stakes competition and the overall second-highest BRIS class rating (125.8) -- ranking slightly behind Bernardini's Jockey Club Gold Cup performance on the same card.

"Fleet Indian showed us she doesn't need the lead to run a big race," understated her two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, Todd Pletcher, following the Beldame, for which three out of four Daily Racing Form handicappers had picked Fleet Indian not to win, with one predicting her out of the money.

The 57th New York-bred to win or place in an open (to horses bred anywhere) 2006 stakes was Candy Stables' homebred SCARY BOB ($232,717) in Delaware Park's six-furlong Delaware Certified Stakes barely a quarter of an hour after Fleet Indian's Beldame victory. The 58th and 59th New York-breds to win or place in open 2006 stakes were Lewis and Isabelle Gammon's Cool Paradigm and Jonathan Kaufman's homebred Mudder in Law, who placed second and third, respectively, in the open Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies Stakes less than a half-hour after the Delaware Certified. Cool Paradigm, who came out of the 11th post among 12 starters, had broken her maiden by 4-1/4 lengths at Belmont 27 days earlier, and Mudder in Law had won her debut at Monmouth Park 29 days prior to the Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies.

Just over five hours following the Finger Lakes event, another New York homebred juvenile filly, Michael and Patricia Palenscar's My Dear Annie, became the 60th New York-bred to win or place in a 2006 open stakes when she finished second in Meadowlands' mile and 70 yards Salem County on turf. My Dear Annie is still a maiden, but she had placed a close second in a mile and a sixteenth restricted maiden special on Saratoga turf on August 25 and third in a Belmont off-the-turf sloppy track maiden special mile against fellow state-bred fillies on September 15.

New York Minute: My Dear Annie's runner-up performance in the Salem County was the 96th top-three finish by a New York-bred in a stakes outside state-bred competition in 2006.

New York-bred juveniles also made a (literally) favorable impression at Keeneland, winning a maiden special there on opening Friday (see New York-bred maiden-breakers below) and capturing a $52,000 non-winners-of-two allowance on Saturday, which Dogwood Stable's $250,000 Keeneland April two-year-old sales purchase, ADMIRAL BIRD, took under co-topweight. Admiral Bird had narrowly won his debut, a mile and a sixteenth restricted maiden special on Saratoga turf on August 10, and 22 days later had placed second outside state-bred company -- beaten only a nose -- in Saratoga's With Anticipation on turf at that same distance. Bred by and foaled at Dr. Douglas Koch's Berkshire Stud in Pine Plains and a $50,000 Keeneland 2005 September sales yearling, the dark bay colt was 1.60-to-1 among seven going a mile and a sixteenth on turf and was the second favored New York-bred Keeneland juvenile winner in two days.

Restricted maiden specials for New York-bred juveniles at Saratoga and Belmont this year are starting to look like increasingly prestigious contests.

Other New York-bred open winners were Herbert and Carol Schwartz's homebred PAY ATTENTION ($318,362) in a Belmont starter handicap (Sunday), Oak Cliff Stable's homebred SYMPHONY OF PSALMS ($120,419) in an open N2X Belmont turf allowance (Monday), and Don Ladd's TERA'S OPEN FORUM in Woodlands' featured non-winners-of-two allowance (Wednesday, October 4). Pay Attention, a multiple stakes-placed performer with six wins on his resume, has been claimed four times in 2006 but has been back with the Schwartz couple (and their trainer son, Scott, who bred the five-year-old son of Take Me Out) since early August. Pay Attention scored his latest victory by 2-1/2 lengths going gate-to-wire at a one-turn mile and a sixteenth as the 3.25-to-1 second choice among eight starters that had competed with claiming tags of $25,000 or less sometime during 2004-2006. Symphony of Psalms, a five-year-old mare who like the aforementioned Admiral Bird was bred by Berkshire Stud -- in partnership with her current owner, Tom Tatham's Oak Cliff Stable -- and is a half-sister to New York Thoroughbred Breeders champions Private Emblem and Rhum, clearly is on a roll. Going six furlongs and a mile on Belmont and Saratoga turf this summer, the blossoming bay had exhausted her restricted N1X and N2X conditions, and following a 46-day mini-break was sent above her condition level by Hall of Fame trainer Robert Fra nkel, competing at a grassy mile and a sixteenth. Symphony of Psalms was the top-weighted 2.25-to-1 second choice among eight starters and rallied wide to extend her current winning streak to three in a row, improving her overall record to 4 - 1 - 1 in 12 starts, which includes a two-length victory in France in 2004. Three-year-old Tera's Open Forum has been claimed three times since early June even though he has started only seven times, and he was odds-on (.90-to-1) among six wagering interests and seven starters in his front-running victory at 5-1/2 furlongs, which he scored by a length and a half. The chestnut son of Open Forum was bred by H. M. Reilly and is the first offspring produced from Terawatt, a daughter of Gold Fever and a half-sister to stakes winners in North America and England.

Restricted N2X allowance winners at Belmont during October 4-8 were three-year-old gelding RED ZIPPER on Wednesday, four-year-old filly MORNING GALLOP on Friday, three-year-old gelding STARCASTIC on Saturday, and four-year-old gelding STORM N LIGHTNING on Sunday -- the last-named three all in $30,000 optional claiming contests but competing without tags. Red Zipper, a May-foaled sophomore who races for Jeffrey Tucker of New York City and Stone Bridge Farm in Saratoga Springs, was the youngest among 10 -- three-year-olds and up -- in his mile and a sixteenth turf effort and scored his third win of 2006 and second victory in 60 days. A maiden-breaker on Aqueduct's inner dirt track last February, the versatile chestnut was bred by Nancy Harris and John Allen and had been purchased by Tucker for $40,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's (OBS) 2005 April sale of two-year-olds in training. Morning Gallop ($125,811), whom owner Alan Brodsky had purchased for $100,000 Fasig-Tipton's 2003 Saratoga select yearling sale from the filly's breeder, John Hettinger's Akindale Farm (Eaton Sales, agent), scored by 2-1/4 lengths as the 29.25-to-1 sixth choice among nine starters in her one-turn mile effort. The victory boosted her earnings into six figures and improved the record of the half-sister to two six-figure-earning stakes fillies (including $248,997-earning stakes winner Wake Up Kiss), to 3 - 3 - 3 in 15 starts. Unbeaten Starcastic, a homebred owned by Michael Joseph Cascio's So MADCAPT Stable and Anna Cascio, is three-for-three over a 50-day span, winning his 5-1/2-furlong Saratoga debut by 10-1/2 lengths, scoring a sloppy track Belmont mile victory (September 15), and tallying by 4-1/4 on Saturday at a mile and a sixteenth. Favored at 1.50-to-1 among 11 starters despite breaking from the ninth post, the second offspring and second New York-bred winner produced from multiple stakes winner Maragold Princess ($322,900) was the only runner in his contest with fewer than six previous starts. Another homebred, Albert Fried Jr.'s Storm N Lightning ($128,458), went gate-to-wire under top weight from the seventh post among 10 starters to win his six-furlong turf outing by two lengths in 1:09.14 as the 14.70-to-1 seventh choice, scoring his second turf sprint victory in 52 days. The blossoming speedster is the first offspring produced from Fried's New York homebred stakes-placed Light the Lamp, who won on both dirt (routing) and turf and is out of Arabic, whom Fried had purchased for $37,000 at Keeneland's 1991 November sale.

Restricted N1X allowance winners at Belmont during October 4-8 were three-year-old SIGH YOU (Wednesday), six-year-old DIXIE BAGHDAD (Thursday), four-year-old filly LEGS BENEDICT (Friday), three-year-olds READY ENOUGH and R CLEAR VICTORY (both Saturday), three-year-old colt LETHAL MISSILE and three-year-old filly LATITUDE FORTY (both Sunday), and two-year-old filly CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC (Monday). Sigh You, purchased by Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm, Inc. for $85,000 at the OBS 2005 March sale of two-year-olds, romped by 4-1/4 lengths on the front end of his six-furlong grass effort, in which the gelding clocked 1:08.71 for his second six-furlong turf tally of 2006 at Belmont. Dixie Baghdad, essentially a homebred gelding who races for Melanie DiSanto's Summit View Farm of Greenwich and Joseph D'Agostino's Sportsmen Stable of Amsterdam, scored his second six-furlong turf victory at Belmont in 89 days by catching the odds-on favorite near the wire. Legs Benedict, a homebred for the same Purdedel Stable (Dr. Patricia Staskowski Purdy of Ivy League Farm in Ithaca and Chicago real estate developer Edwin Edelberg) that campaigns New York-bred Grade 2 winner Sharp Humor, went gate-to-wire to win her six-furlong turf contest by two lengths in 1:09.62. Ready Enough, purchased by Peter Sr. and Eloise Canzone of New York City for $55,000 at OBS in April of 2005, raced without blinkers following a fruitless three-start hooded experiment and advanced from last among 10 going a mile and a sixteenth on turf, scoring his second 2006 grass victory. R Clear Victory, a $100,000 purchase by Chris Jean's Coastal Racing Stable of Pearl River, Louisiana at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's 2005 May sale of two-year-olds, broke from the outside post among nine going a mile and a sixteenth and now has back-to-back grass wins at Belmont and Lone Star Park. Lethal Missile, purchased by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey for $70,000 at the OBS 2005 June sale of two-year-olds, has scored consecutive big-margin Belmont wins just 16 days apart at six furlongs (by 11-3/4 lengths) and a mile and a sixteenth, winning his latter effort by 4-3/4 lengths. Latitude Forty, a homebred for Paul Hoffman's and Donene Honnold's Dee Zee Stable, in her latest three starts (all turf) has broken her maiden by 2-1/4 lengths at Belmont, placed third in Saratoga's restricted Irish Linnet Stakes, and scored a front-running three-length victory going a mile and a sixteenth. Favored Crosstown Traffic (1.15-to-1), purchased for $50,000 by Joseph Petruska's Starview Stable of Montvale, New Jersey at the OBS February sale of two-year-olds, hit the starting gate before rallying for her second six-furlong win in four starts, which includes a third-placing in Belmont's September 24 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes.

New York-bred open allowance/overnight handicap winners at Finger Lakes from Thursday, October 5 through Tuesday, October 10 were:

Homebred MIGHTY ANNIE R. (sired by Mighty Magee) in a front-running daylight-margin effort in the overnight handicap feature for her fourth win of 2006 and improving her recently open stakes-placed record to 9 - 2 - 4 in 16 starts with six-figure earnings of $114,610, on Thursday; homebred REQUESTFORPROPOSAL by a front-running two lengths "ridden out" for his second consecutive open allowance win in 10 days and third victory of 2006 despite being the least-experience runner in the race, on Friday; and MAGESTIC HEART (sired by Deputy Cat) with a five-wide move on the turn for his second win in five weeks, on Tuesday.

New York-bred restricted allowance winners at Finger Lakes from Thursday, October 5 through Tuesday, October 10 were:

BROCCO VALLEY by 7-1/2 lengths gate-to-wire "ridden out" under top weight of 124 pounds at odds-on despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters and scoring his third consecutive win in 39 days and fifth career victory in 15 starts, and homebred VIVA JULIA (sired by Williamstown) for her fourth allowance win in five starts over an 86-day span and her fifth victory overall -- both on Thursday; homebred STAR OF ROME to improve his record to 6 - 3 - 6 in 30 starts, on Saturday; homebred DAZZLE ME DARLIN (sired by Western Expression) with a five-wide turn move to improve her record to 4 - 4 - 4 in 20 starts, on Monday; and WATRALSOUTHERNCURE ($147,395) by 4-3/4 lengths "ridden out" at odds-on for his third daylight-margin win in 78 days and improving his record to 9 - 6 - 8 in 40 starts, on Tuesday.

New York-bred open claiming winners from Wednesday, October 4 through Tuesday, October 10 included:

PSYCHOTIC REACTION (sired by Freud) from seventh-to-first with a four-wide rally at Belmont for his second win of 2006 and third career victory along with two runner-up efforts in seven starts, on Wednesday; DASTARD LEE going from seventh-to-first at Charles Town despite breaking from the outside post among eight starters to score his second win in 36 days and third career victory, IAM A DIXIECHIC by 7-1/4 lengths for her second big-margin win in 44 days and fourth career victory, STREAKING WOMAN ($104,550) from last-to-first by four lengths to boost her earnings into six figures and improve her indestructible record to 11 - 12 - 19 in 109 starts, MAKE FAST from the outside post among eight starters, and homebred LAST TRIAL by 2-1/4 lengths for his second win of 2006 and improving his record to 5 - 2 - 5 in 22 starts -- all on Thursday, and the last-named four at Finger Lakes; homebred MY LITTLE BEAN in a front-running effort at Belmont under top weight at near even-money for her second consecutive daylight-margin win in 23 days, RB'S GLITTER ($162,214) at Mountaineer Park despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters and stalking five-wide for his second win in 75 days and fourth career victory, RYAN'S GLORY (sired by Ormsby) in a front-running performance at odds-on for her second win of 2006, ALLISON'S PRINCESS in a front-running effort for her third consecutive win in 25 days and seventh career victory in two years, and MOSTVALUABLEPLAYER for his third daylight-margin win of 2006 -- all on Friday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; homebred MASTER BEN (sired by King's Grant) by 14 lengths under co-topweight with a $35,000 tag going about two miles on turf for his second consecutive win in 59 days and fifth career victory and the first of two New York-bred winners on Delaware Park's card, KEEN ISABELLA (sired by River Keen) for her second daylight-margin win of 2006 and improving her record to 3 - 7 - 6 in 29 starts, CAPTAIN DEAN ($107,406) for his second win in 40 days and improving his record to 9 - 8 - 12 in 77 starts, RUN ALONG SONNY ($138,996) by three lengths "ridden out" for his second consecutive big-margin win in 19 days and third victory of 2006 and improving his overall record to 5 - 6 - 4 in 30 starts, STRIDER'S COMET ($184,369) with a five-wide move for his third win in 62 days and improving his overall record to 14 - 7 - 5 in 50 starts, and DIVINE COMEDY for her third win of 2006 -- all on Saturday, and the last-named five at Finger Lakes; SIAMESE CAT (sired by Tomorrows Cat) by a front-running 5-1/2 lengths at Philadelphia Park for her second win in 62 days, and homebred GALLANT SOLDIER at Mountaineer Park for his fifth career win -- both on Sunday; SONATA GOLD (sired by Goldminers Gold) by seven lengths at Suffolk Downs despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters for her third career win, GATES AVENUE ($175,945) for his second daylight-margin win of 2006 and improving his record to 8 - 4 - 6 in 36 starts, homebred REGAL BOBETTE (sired by Regal Classic) by 4-1/4 lengths with a six-wide move and "clearly best" in his second win of 2006 and fourth career victory, and STAGE THREE ($182,913) in a front-running effort for his third win in 80 days and improving his overall record to 16 - 14 - 6 in 61 starts -- all on Monday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; and HERESHEIS by 2-1/4 lengths in her first effort at 5-1/2 furlongs despite having to be checked at the five-sixteenths pole, DARBY BOOK for his second win of 2006 and third career victory, TACTICAL PRINCE by 3-1/2 lengths gate-to-wire from the four-path as "clearly best", and MATT'S A MILLION (sired by Millions) from sixth-to-first by 4-1/4 lengths for his second big-margin win of 2006 despite breaking dead last among 10 starters -- all at Finger Lakes on Tuesday.

New York-bred maiden-breakers from Wednesday, October 4 through Tuesday, October 10 included:

Homebred SALT AND PEPPER (sired by Gone for Real) by 2-1/2 lengths at 37.50-to-1 with a four-wide rally and off a 101-day layoff with blinkers off, and homebred DIXIELAND SQUALL with a four-wide turn move after breaking from the seventh post among eight starters and finally starting to emulate her graded-winning half-sister Queen of Wilshire -- both at Belmont -- and SECRET CHATTER by 6-1/2 lengths at Great Lakes Downs despite an awkward start -- all on Wednesday; two-year-old CHASING THE CROWN by a front-running 2-1/4 lengths after break ing from the eighth post among 10 starters in his third start, and I'M SO BRAVE (sired by Raffie's Majesty) by 2-1/2 lengths after breaking from the seventh post among eight starters -- both at Belmont -- and two-year-old filly CAUSE I LIKE IT at Laurel Park in her third start despite having to be steadied leaving the backstretch, REAL PRECISE despite breaking from the outside post among eight starters, and HIPPY HIPPY RED by a front-running 2-1/2 lengths at odds-on -- all on Thursday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; two-year-old WHAT A TALE by 4-1/4 lengths at Keeneland in his second start despite breaking from the ninth post among 12 starters and racing four-wide and looking well worth his $750,000 purchase price at Keeneland's 2006 April sale of two-year-olds in training, May-foaled two-year-old filly CHESTORIA by nine lengths "under wraps" in her second start and first turf outing, and homebred two-year-old filly WESTERN SWEEP (sired by Western Expression) two weeks after having placed second in her debut -- both at Belmont -- and J'S THUNDER EXPRES (sired by Western Expression) from last-to-first, and homebred APPLE OF HIS EYE (sired by Western Expression) by a front-running 4-1/4 lengths -- all on Friday, and the last-named two at Finger Lakes; two-year-old CAPTAIN RAUCOUS at Woodbine following second-place efforts in his first two starts and claimed for the U.S. equivalent of $42,156, homebred STRIKEUPTHEBLUES (sired by Take Me Out) by 3-1/4 lengths on Belmont turf at odds-on, and homebred SQUALL'S QUEEN (sired by Squall Warning) in her debut at Finger Lakes -- all on Saturday; two-year-old filly TWISTAWAY (first winner from first crop sired by Wheelaway) by 5-3/4 lengths at odds-on in her second start and looking well worth her $160,000 purchase price at the OBS 2006 March sale of two-year-olds in training, two-year-old KARAKORUM COBRA in a front-running daylight-margin performance with blinkers on in his second start despite breaking dead last from the outside post among 10 starters, and homebred TRULY WICKED on turf -- all at Belmont -- and GO RYAN GO (sired by Comeonmom) from seventh-to-first at Thistledown, homebred DAYBEFOREHER B'DAY by 11-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire and "ridden out" from the outside post among seven starters at odds-on, homebred TAKE CHARGE (sired by Take Me Out) by 4-1/2 lengths despite having to be checked at the seven-eighths pole, and homebred MOM'S WISH (sired by Preacherman) from seventh-to-first -- all on Monday, and the last-named three at Finger Lakes; and May-foaled two-year-old filly BELL OF BRASS by 5-1/4 lengths at Suffolk Downs 13 days after having placed second in her debut and despite breaking from the outside post among seven starters, DOUBLE BELLE (sired by Ormsby) by a front-running seven lengths at Penn National, and homebred VOIR DIRE (sired by Key Contender) by 4-1/2 lengths "ridden out" at Finger Lakes -- all on Tuesday.

Fleet Indian wins 8th straight in G1 Beldame - NY-breds win 2 stakes by Rab Hagin

Photo:Adam Coglianese

FLEET INDIAN #2

Paul Saylor's New York-bred FLEET INDIAN extended North America's longest current win streak to eight in Belmont's Grade 1 Beldame Stakes for fillies and mares on Saturday, and 16 minutes later Candy Stables' homebred SCARY BOB became 2006's 20th NY-bred stakes winner outside state-bred competition in the Delaware Certified Stakes. Neither five-year-old was a surprise, though for Fleet Indian it was probably her gamest stakes effort to date and established her as the undisputed leader of the older distaff division.

Odds-on (.90-to-1) among a stellar six-starter field -- five Grade 1 winners and one Grade 2 winner coming off two Grade 1 runner-up efforts -- Fleet Indian broke dead last in the one-turn mile and an eighth event and raced close behind three pace-contesting rivals through three-quarters in 1:10.36. Jockey Jose Santos had no choice but to take her four-wide around Belmont's never-ending turn, and within a quarter-mile the big dark bay mare was in front with a mile fraction of 1:35.56, which is somewhat faster than Fleet Indian's typical cruising speed. Right on cue to capitalize on the favorable pace scenario was arguably the most talented filly from the 2002 crop, 3.15-to-1 second choice Balletto, who got to within the New York-bred's throatlatch but could not get by, as Fleet Indian hit the wire in 1:48.69 -- fastest Beldame in five years. There was a seven-length gap back to third-place finisher Round Pound.

It was Fleet Indian's fastest nine-furlong time ever, her first top-three finish in any stakes at Belmont, and her first stakes victory at one turn, and she became the first winner of Belmont's Grade 1 Beldame and Personal Ensign (August 25) since Eclipse Champion Beautiful Pleasure in 1999. The mare's seventh stakes victory and fifth graded tally in 2006 increased her earnings by $360,000 to $1,704,513 (see New York-bred Millionaires Club) and advanced her record to 13 wins and one third-placing in 18 starts.

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who set a new single-season earnings record as a result of Fleet Indian's Beldame victory, knew the long-striding mare was good -- and wanted to find out how good: "She has been so dominant. What we were hoping to find out today -- which will help us in the Breeders' Cup (November 4 at Churchill Downs) -- is that she can sit off horses and dig in. She showed that today. We figured she wasn't going to get beyond the lead. She seems to adapt to it real well. She sat behind those horses and took dirt. It looked like she might be getting late when that other filly (Balletto) was getting to her, but she dug back in and galloped out strong."

Santos, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders 2003 Jockey of the Year, acknowledged that the Beldame had not set up as easily as Fleet Indian's earlier stakes victories, but asserted that she was clearly the best: "I looked in the (Daily) Racing Form and saw a lot of speed. My filly has such a long stride, and she wants to be close to the pace. She didn't break that well today because she lunged leaving the gate. But by the quarter-pole, I was in good shape. It looked like Balletto was going to go by her, but we could go once more around, and I don't think she was going to go by her. The way the race was shaping up, it was a lot better for a closer like Balletto, but I will say that this filly will overpower this group. She's got the heart of a lion."

Balletto's jockey, Javier Castellano, concurred that the Beldame had set up ideally for his Grade 1-winning mount: "The race set up perfect for her, because she runs from behind. She gave me everything she had today. I think the winner picked it up a little when she saw me coming. She took off a little more, which cost me the race. My filly gave a good effort and ran her race today."

Fleet Indian's Beldame victory qualified her owner, Atlanta investment banker Saylor, for the maximum $20,000 owner award, and her breeders, Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin of Lakland North, LLC in Hudson (where Fleet Indian was foaled), for the maximum $10,000 breeder award. Saylor also was a part-owner of 2005 Eclipse Champion Older Female Ashado ($3,931,440), who had won the 2005 Beldame in the time of 1:48.88.

A $40,000 yearling at Fasig-Tipton's 2002 Saratoga New York-bred preferred sale and a $230,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2003 March sale of two-year-olds in training, Fleet Indian initially had raced for Stan Fulton before being purchased by Saylor for $290,000 at Keeneland's 2006 January sale. The daughter of Indian Charlie is the third offspring and third winner produced from now-deceased Hustleeta, who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Cherokee Wonder ($284,010 and dam of graded winner and $969,886-earner Cherokee's Boy) and to the winning dam of multiple stakes winner Annika Lass ($221,795). Lakland Farm had purchased Hustleeta for $39,000 at Keeneland's 2000 November sale when she was carrying Fleet Indian.

Scary Bob scores second black-type victory in Delaware Certified Stakes by Rab Hagin

Photo: Stephanie Van Minos/Tom Cooley

SCARY BOB winning last month at Finger Lakes

Barely a quarter-hour after Fleet Indian's tally, another March-foaled New York-bred from the 2001 crop, Candy Stables' homebred SCARY BOB, was unintimidated by a scintillating early pace in Delaware Park's six-furlong Delaware Certified Stakes and scored his third consecutive win and first stakes victory since 2003. Well-respected as the 1.80-to-1 second choice among six starters, the consistent gelding drafted behind a 21.72 opening quarter-mile set by third choice Rainbow Inthestorm before taking command and then holding off the challenge of 1.40-to-1 favorite Tartlet, who has scored four wins in 2006. It was Scary Bob's first outing under jockey Joseph Rocco, who also rode Candy Stables' homebred winner (not a New York-bred) of the Delaware Certified Distaff Stakes two races earlier, and he was the second New York homebred five-year-old winner on Delaware Park's Saturday card.

Coming off back-to-back six-furlong Finger Lakes allowance wins by big margins during August, Scary Bob boosted his earnings to $232,717 for his first stakes victory since capturing Aqueduct's unrestricted Maria's Mon on the inner track as a 2003 juvenile, improving his record to 7 - 5 - 7 in 24 starts. Following the chestnut five-year-old's second August tally 43 days prior to the Delaware Certified, trainer Chris Englehart had given him a couple of sharp half-mile workouts at Finger Lakes, including a 46-4/5 "bullet" drill on Saturday, September 30. Bred by the CandyLand Farm of Herbert and Ellen Moelis of Middletown, Delaware in partnership with Donald Jones, Scary Bob races under the banner of the Moelis' Candy Stables, for which he also has won at Belmont, Aqueduct (twice), and Finger Lakes. The New York-bred has placed in five other stakes, including three unrestricted events at Aqueduct (twice) and Meadowlands and a third-place effort in the 2005 Delaware Certified, which was won by Magical Gem (third in the 2006 renewal).

Scary Bob is from the first and only New York-conceived crop sired by New York-bred Lucky Roberto, who won Saratoga's Grade 1 Hopeful in 1998 but did not get the New York-Bred Champion Juvenile Male title for that year (Incurable Optimist received the honor). Lucky Roberto stood at Gus Schoenborn Jr.'s Contemporary Stallions in Coxsackie prior to being sold to South African interests.

Candy Stables/CandyLand Farm also bred and raced Scary Bob's dam, Hallow Wean, by Clever Trick, and he is the first of two winners produced from that mare. Hallow Wean is a half-sister to stakes winners Five Star Deputy ($274,364) and Time to Dream ($112,540) and is out of stakes winner Five Star Night ($116,958).

Scary Bob is the 20th New York-bred to win a stakes outside state-bred competition in 2006, and the Delaware Certified was the 30th stakes event open to horses bred anywhere (not counting the New York Stallion Stakes series) to be captured by a New York-bred this year. The Beldame, won by Fleet Indian minutes earlier, was the 29th. Those 30 stakes victories have been scored in New York, California, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Arkansas, South Carolina, Manitoba (Canada), and Ontario (Canada).

3yos and 2yos are latest NY-bred standouts by Rab Hagin

Photo: Adam Coglianese

REWRITE

The latest New York-bred stakes winner, Amherst Stable's homebred REWRITE, was the least-experienced among 10 state-bred three-year-old fillies in Belmont's Irish Actress Stakes on turf on Wednesday, September 27, and she was followed three days later by new state-bred juvenile stakes-placed performers Whatdreamsrmadeof and Templeton in Kentucky and Washington, respectively. On that same Saturday (September 30) at Belmont, New York-bred three-year-old FEROCIOUS FIRES stayed unbeaten with his fourth victory and first open company score, and the previous Thursday (September 28), New York-bred four-year-old filly Carlow registered her first stakes-placing outside state-bred company in Belmont's Numbered Account.

With New York Showcase Day looming on October 21, the talent pool for that day's seven six-figure stakes events at Belmont suddenly appears to be overflowing. The aforementioned five New York-breds are possible candidates for the Ticonderoga Handicap (mile and an eighth on turf, fillies and mares), Maid of the Mist Stakes (mile, two-year-old fillies), Sleepy Hollow Stakes (mile, two-year-olds), Hudson Handicap (six furlongs, three-year-olds and Up), and Iroquois Handicap (seven furlongs, fillies and mares).

Rewrite ($120,158), who gained her first black-type in the mile and a sixteenth Irish Actress, was taken off Lasix when trainer Christophe Clement noticed she had not been sweating sufficiently in her previous outing -- a disappointing sixth-placed performance in Saratoga's August 13 Irish Linnet Stakes. The chestnut filly made an eye-opening stretch move to win the mile and a sixteenth Irish Actress and now has four turf wins in her five grass starts and six efforts overall.

Whatdreamsrmadeof, a $65,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June sale of two-year-olds in training, had won her August 28 six-furlong Saratoga debut by 9-1/2 lengths for Ronald Peltz but raced for Clinton and Susan Atkins in Turfway Park's $100,000 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes on Saturday. Favored at 2.30-to-1 among 10 starters in the one-mile event, she angled in early but trailed five rivals with a quarter-mile to go and had to be checked briefly before closing on the outside -- gaining 2-3/4 lengths on the front-running winner in the final furlong -- to place second. The promising daughter of Arkansas Derby winner Graeme Hall was bred by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders 2005 Breeder of the Year, Richard Simon's Sez Who Thoroughbreds, and is a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning filly Ladyecho ($381,186). Whatdreamsrmadeof's dam, Eastern Ruckus (by Eastern Echo), is a half-sister to record-setting three-time stakes winner Gold Star Deputy ($416,188) and had been purchased by Simon's New Dawn Stud for $40,000 at Keeneland's 2000 November sale.

New York Minute: Whatdreamsrmadeof was the 55th New York-bred to win or place (second or third) in a stakes outside state-bred company in 2006; her runner-up effort in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies was the 90th top-three finish by a New York-bred in an open (to horses bred anywhere) 2006 stakes event.

Rodney Orr's New York-bred Templeton clearly moves up as the distances stretch out, but he was overlooked as the 13.60-to-1 sixth choice among eight starters in Emerald Downs' $99,000 Gottstein Futurity at a mile and a sixteenth on Saturday, in which he placed third. The son of multiple Grade 2 winner Exploit had broken his maiden going 6-1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs on August 11 and had finished a surprising (at 48.10-to-1) fourth among 12 in that track's one-mile Washington Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Lads Stakes on September 2. Bred by Eaton and Thorne, Inc. and a $15,000 weanling purchase at Keeneland's 2004 November sale, Templeton is the fourth starter and fourth winner produced from Unbridled Bird, an Unbridled mare that Eaton and Thorne had purchased for $135,000 at Keeneland's 1997 November sale. Unbridled Bird is a half-sister to three-time stakes winner Billie Osage ($350,900), graded-placed 12-time winner Wild Dancer ($209,532), and to the winning dam of stakes winner Devil's Brew ($142,575).

New York Minute: Templeton was the 56th New York-bred to win or place (second or third) in a stakes outside state-bred company in 2006; his third-placing in the Gottstein Futurity was the 91st top-three finish by a New York-bred in an open (to horses bred anywhere) 2006 stakes event.

Also placing third in a stakes outside state-bred company was Seahorse Stable's New York homebred Carlow ($233,418), who closed well on the outside after trailing last among six for three quarters in Belmont's one-mile Numbered Account Stakes on Thursday for fillies and mares that had not won an open stakes. The 13.40-to-1 last choice, the four-year-old daughter of the late New York-based sire Forever Silver races for Dr. Cary Shapoff of Fairfield, Connecticut under the Seahorse Stable banner. She has won Finger Lakes' 2006 Susan B. Anthony Handicap and 2005 New York Oaks and Niagara Stakes and also has placed second in Belmont's 2005 Colonial Minstrel Stakes and third among state-breds in Belmont's Schenectady Stakes on September 17, compiling a 6 - 2 - 7 record in 25 starts.

Sanford Goldfarb et al's New York homebred Ferocious Fires ($112,800) showed why he is still undefeated (four-for-four) when he faced open company for the first time in a seven-furlong N1X Belmont allowance on Saturday as the youngest (foaled May 7, 2003) and least-experienced among nine starters, three-year-olds and up. Favored at 1.10-to-1, the three-year-old colt broke from the eighth post and immediately contested the pace from the outside, gaining the lead off a half-mile fraction in 45.16. In mid-stretch, second choice Mister Supremo (3.40-to-1) -- coming off consecutive sprint wins at Belmont three weeks earlier and at Saratoga in August -- pushed his head in front, but Ferocious Fires regained command in the final furlong to keep his perfect streak intact. Owned by his breeder, Goldfarb, in partnership with Ira Davis, Michael Glassberg, and William Vidro, the colt is by Grade 1 winner Lite the Fuse -- also sire of Ferocious Won, winner of the first two 2006 legs of The OTBs' Big Apple Triple (Mike Lee Stakes and New York Derby). Ferocious Fires is the second offspring and second six-figure-earner produced from six-time winner Flag On the Gate, by Key to the Flag, being a full brother to another Goldfarb homebred allowance winner at Belmont in 2006, Frank's Fuse. Although the son of two sprinters, Ferocious Fires' pedigree has noticeable routing influences: 1) he is distantly inbred (4 x 5) to classic winner and sire Tom Rolfe; 2) his dam is inbred 4 x 4 to stamina sire Princequillo; 3) his dosage profile is a relatively long-winded 6-7-6-2-1.

Regarding routers, R and P Racing Stables Inc.'s New York-bred SHOALIHS TALE ($148,414) showed his stamina in a mile and a quarter Thistledown starter allowance on Monday, October 2, leading most of the way to score by a length and a half for his third 2006 daylight-margin win. Now with eight route victories, the six-year-old gelding was bred by Emma Bell of Sickle Pond Farm in Stillwater and had been a $30,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton's 2001 Saratoga sale of preferred yearlings, to which he had been consigned by Thomas J. and Nadine Gallo, agent.

Beating their elders by two-to-four-length margins in restricted N1X allowances at Belmont were three-year-old filly LICK THE SPOON going a mile on Thursday, three-year-old colt COUTH ($111,435) going a mile and an eighth on turf on Friday, and three-year-old gelding TOUGH TO FOLLOW going 5-1/2 furlongs on Saturday. Lick the Spoon, essentially a homebred Lycius filly owned by Donna Janis and bred by the B. E. Stables of Steve Belkin -- both of Massachusetts -- got her second consecutive win in 22 days and third 2006 victory (one of them on turf) with an eighth-to-first four-length tally. She and runner-up Behrdine were the two youngest among nine starters in the race -- both having been foaled on May 28, 2003. Couth, Dan Gerrity's homebred lawn-lover, went gate-to-wire in his 2-3/4-length victory as the 2.95-to-1 second choice among nine wagering interests and 10 starters, improving his record to 2 - 4 - 4 in 14 starts. Tough to Follow, who races for Michael Iavarone's IEAH Stables, Sanford Robbins LLC, James Russo, and Anthony Arpino and was bred by Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin of Lakland North, LLC in Hudson, now has three wins and three seconds in eight career starts -- all in 2006.

New York-bred open allowance winners at Finger Lakes on Thursday and Friday, September 28-29, were:

Homebred BEHRLY MINE by 5-1/2 lengths for her second open allowance win in 44 days and third career victory, on Thursday; WICKED SORCERESS as the youngest starter (foaled May 31, 2003) in her contest and the only three-year-old filly among the first three finishers for her second win of 2006, on Friday.

New York-bred restricted allowance winners at Finger Lakes on Thursday, Saturday, and Monday, September 28 and 30 and October 2, were:

WATRALLADYGENEVIEVE for her fifth win despite breaking from the fifth post among six starters, on Thursday; ONE EL OF A LADY by two lengths for her third win of 2006 and fourth career victory, on Saturday; homebred CALCULATOR ($224,907) by 2-1/4 lengths with a five-wide move under co-topweight after breaking from the outside post among seven starters and scoring his second consecutive win in 15 days and third victory of 2006 while advancing his record to 5 - 6 - 11 in 43 starts, on Monday.

New York-bred open claiming winners from Thursday, September 28 through Tuesday, October 3 included:

TIME FOR KARAKORUM in a front-running performance for her fifth win, ALAKI'S JET (sired by A. P Jet) by a front-running 5-3/4 lengths for his fifth win, SOLID GOLD VICTORY for her third daylight-margin win of 2006 and first victory in a sprint (six furlongs), SINGLE EDGE ($100,212) by 6-1/4 lengths at odds-on despite racing five-wide most of the way to boost his earnings into six figures while improving his record to 9 - 8 - 1 in 29 starts and claimed, and SUCCESSFUL SECRETS by 3-1/2 lengths for his second big-margin win of 2006 and first victory on a wet track -- all at Finger Lakes on Thursday; SCAT EM by 3-1/4 lengths at Charles Town at 34-to-1 for his second big-margin win of 2006, WHICHBUSHDOUPREFER (sired by Key Contender) by almost two lengths with blinkers on and breaking from the sixth post among seven starters, homebred GONE FOR RAINBOWS (sired by Gone for Real) by 5-1/2 lengths as "clearly best" despite being bumped at the start for her second win of 2006 and claimed from her breeder, JET'S ROLE (sired by A. P Jet) despite going five-wide on the turn for his second win in 52 days and third career victory, and BRUSHME ON ($193,258) for her second daylight-margin win in nine weeks to improve her stakes-placed record to 6 - 2 - 6 in 24 starts and claimed -- all on Friday, and the last-named four at Finger Lakes; homebred MEET MY BUDDY from seventh-to-first at Meadowlands in 1:39.21 for a mile and 70 yards on turf for his second win of 2006 and third career victory, TIMOPOCUS ($108,355) by 2-3/4 lengths from seventh-to-first at Philadelphia Park after breaking from the outside post among seven starters for his second win of 2006 and improving his record to 3 - 9 - 8 in 45 starts, J B OF THE SEA by 4-1/2 lengths in her first effort at a mile and fifth win of 2006 and improving her record to 6 - 5 - 1 in 18 starts, WARDSHIP by 2-1/4 lengths despite breaking dead last among eight starters and improving his record to 9 - 15 - 11 in 75 starts, and DONNA'S GEM by 2-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire for her seventh career win -- the last-named three all at Suffolk Downs -- and DULCE DE LECHE ($190,341) by four lengths despite breaking dead last among eight for his second big-margin win of 2006 and improving his open stakes-winning record to 10 - 6 - 10 in 55 starts, NO I CAN'T ($148,247) in a front-running effort to improve his indestructible record to 13 - 12 - 16 in 75 starts, MINAVILLE ($101,913) from seventh-to-first to boost his earnings into six figures and improve his record to 3 - 12 - 13 in 61 starts, NIFTY GAL by 4-3/4 lengths at odds-on despite breaking from the seventh post among eight starters for her second big-margin win of 2006 and fifth career victory, and FAIR PROSPECT ($124,137) by 7-3/4 lengths gate-to-wire for her second consecutive win in 26 days following a year's layoff and improving her career record to 8 - 6 - 3 in 25 starts -- all on Saturday, and the last-named five at Finger Lakes; homebred HIGHER INCENTIVE (sired by Freud) by 4-3/4 lengths at Turfway Park for her second big-margin win, on Sunday; homebred WITCH WAYS WEST (sired by Western Expression) by 5-3/4 lengths for his second win by two or more lengths, and homebred SILVER AND GLORY (sired by Silver Music) for his second win in 57 days despite being bumped hard on both sides while breaking next-to-last from the ninth post among 11 starters -- both at Finger Lakes on Monday; homebred CONTENDERS EMOTION (sired by Key Contender) from eighth-to-first with a four-wide move at Meadowlands to score her second turf win of 2006 and third career victory while boosting her earnings into six figures at $103,010, MRS. SMOOTH MOVES for her fifth career win, SUNSHINE RONDEVOU for her fifth career win, BIANCA DIVA for her third win in eight weeks and claimed, and GOLD YANKEE from ninth-to-first for his second win of 2006 -- all on Tuesday, and the last-named four at Finger Lakes.

New York-bred maiden-breakers from Wednesday, September 27 through Tuesday, October 3 included:

Homebred two-year-old LAWRENCE THE ROMAN by 4-1/4 lengths in his debut while racing three wide, and two-year-old BURN ONE TURN ONE with blinkers off in his second start on turf -- both at Belmont on Wednesday; homebred two-year-old filly SAX IN THE CITY (sired by Western Expression) in her debut with an impressive 1:10.39 clocking for six furlongs on turf, and homebred HEIGHTS by 3-3/4 lengths gate-to-wire on turf in his first effort at a mile and an eighth and with blinkers on -- both at Belmont on Thursday -- and homebred LOGICAL LADDIE (sired by Aristotle) from sixth-to-first at Finger Lakes on Thursday; two-year-old filly NORDBERG by 5-1/2 lengths at near even-money, and homebred ARROWSOFTHEQUEEN by 5-1/4 lengths in her three-year-old debut and first turf outing and looking like a half-sister to three stakes winners (though none on turf) -- both at Belmont on Friday -- and STRANGLEHOLD by 3-1/4 lengths, CLEVERLY REGAL by a front-running nine lengths, and CRAFTY DRIVE going gate-to-wire despite racing four-wide most of the way at odds-on from the 10th post among 12 starters -- all three at Finger Lakes on Friday; EXECUTIVE SEARCH (sired by Regal Classic) by 4-3/4 lengths with a five-wide move after breaking from the outside post among eight starters, and two-year-old LUNATRICK by a front-running two lengths with blinkers off -- both at Belmont on Saturday -- and ROCKIN SARAH (sired by Rock and Roll) by 4-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire in her debut at Finger Lakes on Saturday; two-year-old filly MIXED DOUBLES (sired by Ormsby) by 4-1/2 lengths on a muddy track in her first effort at seven furlongs, and homebred I WON'T DANCE by a daylight margin despite breaking dead last among 10 from the eighth post and getting knocked around at the start -- both at Belmont on Sunday -- and KIP KIP HOORAY (sired by Kelly Kip) by five lengths gate-to-wire "easily" in his debut at Mountaineer Park, AFTER SUE by a front-running 2-1/4 lengths at Charles Town, and homebred SHEREALLY CAN CAN (sired by Gone for Real) by 11 lengths at odds-on at Philadelphia Park following back-to-back second-place efforts in August and September -- all on Sunday; homebred APPEALING SPIKE by almost two lengths under co-topweight of 124 pounds, homebred DEVAN'S RAINBOW by 9-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire "ridden out" at odds-on to advance her never-unplaced record to 1 - 1 - 2 in four starts and claimed, and JUDGE JOHN B. by 11-1/4 lengths from last-to-first among six starters for his second win in 44 days and third daylight-margin victory of 2006 -- all three at Finger Lakes on Monday; CRAFTY IMAGE by 4-1/4 lengths gate-to-wire, at Finger Lakes on Tuesday.

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