The Herringswell Jingle (Thank You Jane Motion, PS: Where's Dad?)

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Priscilla Graham's Hat Trick; 2010 Upon Us

Naturally, fresh out of Turf Melody's win in the $200,000 Springboard Mile, minds begin to wonder. Anytime a 2-year-old wins a race, whether a maiden, allowance ,or stakes minds of the connections start to imagine. Imagine the possibilities.

Two days after her Maria's Mon juvenile captured his first stakes, first time starter Dandy Waltz (Tale Of The Cat) broke his maiden at Penn National. The stocky-chestnut won the right way traveling 6-furlongs in the Tuesday night Maiden Special Weight.

Dandy Waltz arrived at Fair Hill in mid-October and never looked back from there. The 2-year-old never missed a scheduled breeze and had impressed since his arrival. The win earned Dandy Waltz $20,400.

Like clockwork, just three days after his stable mate's win, and five days after Turf Melody's Oklahoma triumph, Noah's Dream returned to the races.

With one June run under his belt, the Pulpit juvenile ran like he needed the race and more distance in his Delaware debut.

Away from the races for nearly six months, the bay colt inhaled his Philadelphia Park rivals to win impressively by more than eight lengths.

Both maiden winners were ridden by Joe Rocco Jr. Turf Melody was ridden by Jeremy Rose. While all three shared the same common denominator...The Pink silks of Priscilla Graham.

Not to be outdone by the colts, Apple Charlotte, a 2-year-old Smart Strike filly for Jack Swain dazzled in her second career start winning by more than 5-lengths at Tampa Bay Downs. Apple Charlotte, or "Manzanita", labeled by her groom has us all excited.

Coolcullen Times (pictured above) recently joined the stable at Fair Hill. An Irish-bred 3-year-old, was a three time winner in his homeland. The July Tattersalls purchase is owned by Hickory Tree Stables, who also owned Rebellion and the stakes-winning filly Leamington. The dashing colt topped the sales.

With 2010 upon us, we enter the final ten days of a successful 2009. Although we are not ready to call it a year, with still a handful of runners scheduled to head towards the starting gate. Into the final week-and-a-half, Herringswell Stables is one of just ten training organizations to have over 100 winners and more than $5,000,000 in purse money.

Jane and Marcus Motion looking cold while enjoying the snow.

Fun fun fun

Turf Melody Makes The Trek Worth It

Turf Melody made the trip from Fair Hill to Churchill Downs, like many Herringswell runners have throughout the Fall meeting at the Louisville track. Unlike the others, the 2-year-old used the Churchill as a pit-stop.

After training at the site of the Kentucky Derby for three days, the Maria's Mon colt ventured off to Remington Park in Oklahoma for the $200,000 Springboard Mile. He arrived at his final destination and took to the track on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. On Sunday night he became a stakes winner.

Sent off at 4-1, Jeremy Rose settled Turf Melody in ninth early on the two leaders moved swiftly enough in :23 and 46.40. As they approached the turn, Rose began to ask the three-time winner and he responded with a game stretch run that was good enough to nose-out Man Chester Man at the wire.

"The horse ran a game race, I didn't know if was going to get there in time,” Rose said. “We kept driving and my horse kept digging. I still think my horse wants to go further. It was a good race."

Turf Melody is owned by Priscilla Graham.

Top Winter Meets Only Weeks Away...

Nine stalls are locked in by Herringswell colored cross bars at Santa Anita. 20 (as of the moment) are secured at Palm Meadows. Both winter getaway locations are spots where the best of the best go when the northern temperature drops.

On the west coast, at "The Great Race Place", nine serious bullets fill out the barn.

2-year-old fillies, Zilva and Smart Seattle have resumed training after their efforts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Fillies Turf respectively.

Cherokee Artist (pictured), who has not raced since capturing the Presque Isle Mile in September, plans to make a return to the races during the Santa Anita meeting. Yorktown, an unlucky fourth in a third-level allowance also remains out west.

Fresh off her win in the Starine Stakes at Hollywood, California-bred Saucey Evening (bottom) will point towards Sunshine Millions day on January 30.

Smart Bid also comes out of a stake win. The 3-year-old Smart Strike colt looks to run in either the Grade I Malibu on December 27 or the Grade III Sir Beaufort on the same day. Smart Bid's half-brother is Deal Making. Deal Making, a 4-year-old Empire Maker gelding also will call California his winter home.

Three-year-olds Gustavian and Snowmaster round out the barn. The duo both tallied wins at the recently completed Keeneland fall meet

Of the 20 stalls at Palm Meadows, eleven are filled with 2-year-olds. Winners Cat Park, Check The Label, Peace Fire and Vamos A Ver lead the Florida string of Juveniles.

The lone runner at a Florida track up to this point is Shehashighhopes. The High Yield three-year-old comfortably broke her maiden at Calder in a Maiden Claiming $25,000.

The Gulfstream Park meeting begins Sunday January 3.

Refrigerated Sauce(y)

The Times Square Ball dropped to ring in 2009. Then Barack Obama was sworn in as America's first African American president. Quality Road won the Florida Derby. Hal Wiggins' Rachel Alexandra began to dominate. Keeneland opened. Mine That Bird stunned in the Kentucky Derby. Rachel beat the Calvin Borel-less Mine That Bird in the Preakness. Summer Bird emerged in the Belmont. Then SHE won the Haskell. Bullsbay won the Whitney. Shared Account, Sumo, Silver Reunion & Leamington made their first stakes wins, Saratoga stakes wins. Bullsbay ran third in the Woodward. Cherokee Artist won the PID Mile. Goldikova and Conduit repeated in the Breeders Cup. Zenyatta created a new class, above all the others. We celebrated Thanksgiving. Then put the Christmas CD's in.

Then Saucey Evening won her first race since before any of these events above transpired.

In 2008, the California bred 2-year-old won two $125,000 state-bred stakes by more than 2 1/2 lengths. She ran traffic-endured fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was third in the Grade I Las Virgenes. After a freshening that lasted nearly 5-months, she had seemed to be caught up to by the rest of her classmates. On Thursday, Saucey Evening got her edge back.

Sent off at 10-1, the More Than Ready daughter split horses deep in the stretch and gamely prevailed to capture the $61,150 Starine Stakes at Hollywood Park. While the handicappers, wrote her off as stale, the sophomore showed she has conserved herself and returned to form and then some.

The completed time for the mile was 1:35.60. The Chestnut filly paid $23.20 on a $2 win bet.

The Starine is named after the French bred gray mare, who won the Diana, Matriarch and Breeders' Cup filly & mare turf among others.

Catching Up With Herringswell

Within hours, Check The Label and Cat Park pronounced themselves legitimate grass juveniles in second and third place finishes in Churchill overnight stakes on closing Saturday.

Cat Park never advanced from third position as Lost Aptitude lulled the field to sleep through respectable fractions of 23.3, 47.3 and 1:11.4. The wire-to-wire winner highlighted what was part of closing Saturday's theme, "try and beat the grass speed". While in the Caressing, eventual winner Sheer Beauty led for most of the large majority of the 1 mile stakes. Taking nothing away from the winners, both were impressive. Lost Aptitude was third in Cat Park's allowance win at Keeneland and now has won two-straight out of that race.

Check The Label, a bay Stormin' Fever filly,arrived comfortably in Palm Meadows on Sunday. Cat Park has remained at Churchill Downs while his winter schedule is mapped out.

Bullsbay has put a lid on a breakout 2009 season after his 7th place finish (beaten just 5-lengths) in the Grade II Clark on Friday. The 5-year-old son of Tiznow won the Harrison Johnson (Laurel), Alysheba (Churchill), Whitney (Saratoga) this year. He was second in the John Campbell (Laurel) and was third in the Hal's Hope (Gulfstream) and Woodward (Saratoga).

The Palm Meadows barn continues to inch towards capacity as the Boynton Beach shedrow has raised its total to 17. Those already wintering in Florida are; Angel's Cove, Apple Charlotte, Bum Bum, Check The Label, Cherokee Queen, Desertstormelite, Drop A Line, Great Belief, Kapsiliat, Let's Do It, Peace Fire, Quando Quando, Rcuandry, Salsa Star, Shehashighhopes, Straight Talk and Vamos A Ver.

Shehashighhopes was our latest winner, graduating at Calder under leading-rider Eibar Coa. Before Electricty, Sumo, Cutter, Embraceable Blue, True Zip, Saucey Evening and Sit Chilly are entered and will each aim for that title over the next few days.

Jane Motion celebrated her birthday over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend turning 13 on November 27. Birthday checks are OK, but she prefers cash! All jokes aside, Happy Birthday to Jane!

A Saturday Where Juveniles Should Tell Us A Lot

While Smart Seattle and Zilva have experienced the bright lights of the Breeders' Cup Championship, the rapid, yet quietly, improving Check The Label will take to the turf in the $60,000 Caressing for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

The Stormin Fever filly will break from post nine in a field of 12 on closing day at the historic Louisville track. Gabriel Saez picks up the mount while Julien Leparoux will spend his weekend in Japan for the Japan Cup. In her last start, Check The Label endured a perfect trip along the inside and won by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths over the same sod she'll run over on Saturday. She is now 2-for-3 on the turf and has all but "Labeled" herself as a turf horse.

While it is natural for Smart Seattle to precede Zilva's name, and visa-versa, Check The Label looks to join the well-publicized duo with a solid performance Saturday. A repeat running of her allowance win will do exactly that. Post time for the Caressing is 3:58.

The colt version of the Caressing is the Grand Canyon, and Herringswell Stables will be represented by Cat Park. The Augustin homebred won his last start, a first level allowance at Keeneland, his first try over grass. That race at Keeneland produced next-out winner Lost Aptitude, who will break from the rail in the Grand Canyon. Cat Park (Tale Of The Cat) brings a two race win streak into the Grand Canyon. The Tale Of The Cat colt is now 2-for-3 lifetime. Gabriel Saez has the return call aboard the promising chestnut. Post time for the Grand Canyon is 1:58.

Check The Label and Cat Park are two of three Herringswell juveniles to have won more than their maiden race. Priscilla Graham's Turf Melody completes the trio.

Also on Saturday, Now And Forever (Jeremy Rose) makes a return to the races for Pin Oak Stable in Laurel's fourth race. Let's Do It (Saez) returns to the grass after at Churchill.

The triple of Herringswell 2-year-old runners at Churchill are part of "2-year-old day" where all twelve races feature juveniles. The Grand Canyon and Caressing are two of four stakes on the closing day card. The Kentucky Jockey Club and The Golden Rod are dirt route races for colts and fillies respectively.

Bullsbay Out For Team History And National Respect

Bullsbay was entered on Tuesday for the Grade II Clark as he will attempt to become the first Herringswell runner since Better Talk Now in 2005 to win three graded stakes the same year.

The strapping bay has won the Grade III Alysheba and Grade I Whitney along with the Harrison E. Johnson in his 5-year-old breakout season. With a win in the Clark, the Tiznow colt could become the first Herringswell horse to win four stakes in a season since Broken Vow and Confessional accomplished that feat in 2001.

Friday's Clark is as competitive as the handicap division gets. Familiar faces Macho Again and Einstein will head postward, while up-and-comers Etched and Blame look to show they belong.

Macho Again and Bullsbay have started a quiet rivalry throughout their 2009 seasons.

In the Alysheba, Bullsbay beat the grey by 4 1/2 lengths in a winning performance. Just six weeks later, Macho Again turned the tables in the Stephen Foster beating Bullsbay by 1 1/4 lengths. Then came the Whitney. Bullsbay 2-1. In the Woodward, Macho Again evened the score when he ran second compared to Bullsbay's third. 2-2.

They have literally taken turns beating each other. Follow the pattern, Bullsbay's turn.

Both rivals come into the Clark off dull efforts, Macho Again ran a form-breaking distant fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, while Bullsbay didn't care for Santa Anita's Pro-ride in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

With each other's company expect the two bring out the best in each other.

While the two competitors tangle again, they better not ignore the two new faces in Meadowlands Cup winner Etched and Fayette-winning 3-year-old Blame. Both are coming into the Clark off-of a pattern of three career best performances.

Other major contenders include the ageless Einstein and 3-year-old Indiana Derby champ, Misremembered.

Leamington In The Cardinal

Buckets of rain. Raining cats and dogs. The sky fell in. Noah's Arc. Downpour. Washout. Bog.

Any of these cliches can be used to describe October 3 at Belmont Park. Summer Bird danced in the slop to score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Turf horse of the year, Gio Ponti was stunningly upset in the Joe Hirsch.

That day was the last time Leamington was seen at the races. The VooDoo Dancer heroine has never stepped foot on a soft turf that she liked. It looked like she was going to get her firm course that day, until they called the fillies and mares to the paddock for the Grade I Flower Bowl. (Insert your favorite monsoon cliche here).

As the water pelleted down on the way to the empty paddock. The jockeys took their time leaving the quarters in hopes for the rain to pass. No such luck. The riders then hopped on their classy fillies and headed towards the 1 1/2 miles track.

Leamington led the 1 1/4 Flower Bowl until the top of the stretch over the deep bog and that was enough to tire the 4-year-old daughter of Pleasant Tap. She faded to finish fifth after doing all the dirty work at 14-1.

In her 13 career starts, Leamington has 4 wins, all on a firm ground. Of the three times she met a wet turf course, she was 1o, 67 and 15 lengths out of it.

The Churchill turf course played firm on Friday and is expected to stay that way for the 36th running of the Cardinal.

Smart Bid Returns In Style

As if the green and white halved silks of George Strawbridge's Augustin Stables were not seen enough over Breeders' Cup weekend....

Strawbridge's Smart Bid, absent from the races since April, returned to capture the $100,000 Damascus stakes on the undercard of Breeders' Cup Saturday. The 3-year-old son of Smart Strike traveled a perfect stalking-trip under Jeremy Rose, down on the rail. The favorite, M One Rifle set honest-enough fractions of 22.2, 44.3 and 1:08.3, while Smart Bid sat no more than 2-lengths off that at any point of the 7-furlong contest.

At the top of the stretch, Rose swung the homebred off the rail and to the right of the pace-setter. Smart Bid and pilot then dug down and proved best. The Damascus was Smart Bid's first stakes win.

Smart Bid was last seen in Keeneland's Transylvania Stakes during the famous track's opening weekend to it's Spring meeting. That day, Smart Bid put in his best performance-to date-with a second place finish in the 1 1/16 Grade III. Saturday the sophomore showed his versatility in winning a 7-furlong stake, while months earlier, he just missed in a 8.5-furlong contest. That versatility will give the colt's connections many options from here out.

Graham has stated that the 7-furlong Grade I Malibu at Santa Anita on December 26 is on the 3-year-old's radar.

-JP

It's An Augustin Friday

A trio of Augustin Stable 2-year-olds will head to the starting gate for Herringswell Stables on Friday. Two of those are fillies, running in the biggest races of their young careers in the Breeders' Cup. The other, a colt, running in.. the biggest race of his career, his first!

Smart Seattle will be the first drink poured at our Breeders' Cup party, when she breaks from post 3 in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The 2-year-old Smart Strike daughter will be ridden for the third time in three starts by Jeremy Rose.

Zilva is postward in the $2,000,000 Juvenile Fillies. The Successful Appeal daughter will break from the rail. Jeremy Rose will ride for the third consecutive time. Zilva comes out of a close third in the Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland.

Quechee actually runs first of the three. He is 3,000 miles away from his stablemate fillies, but runs just three hours before Smart Seattle.

The Afleet Alex gray will be ridden by Gabriel Saez in Aqueduct's third race. The son of Tarika will travel 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

After pointing to these races since breaking their maidens at Saratoga, today has arrived. The question of "which filly where?" has been answered. It is now up to the fillies. They're on display to the racing world. All the team can do now is get a good seat and watch them show to the rest of the people what they've shown to us. Safe trips and good racing luck to all three.

Game time.

Quick Catch Up.

2YO Breeders' Cup Hopefuls Go Easy

Smart Seattle & Zilva breezed in-company over the Santa Anita Pro-Ride surface on Saturday in :48 4/5 seconds. Televised on HRTV, the two fillies seemed to travel without any urging and made it a work that would certainly leave you optimistic.

Smart Seattle is expected to be one of the choices in the Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday November 6. Zilva is expected to run in the Juvenile Fillies, just hours after her stablemate.

6-year-old German retired

Caprice, winner of the Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park in July has been retired. A winner of $225, 525 and two stakes races since entering the Herringswell barn, the daughter of Monsun will spend her after-the-races life in Kentucky as a NP Bloodstock broodmare.

Caprice also won the La Zanzara stakes at Santa Anita in February. The long-distance specialist retires with a career record of 4-for-24.

Silver Reunion back to galloping.

3-year-old Harlan's Holiday filly, Silver Reunion has returned to galloping after her attempt in the Grade III Valley View.

Silver Reunion seemed to not get along with the wet turf course at Keeneland. In result, Bluegrass Princess, whom Silver Reunion beat convincingly over Saratoga's firm course, picked up the pieces in the Valley View.

Silver Reunion looks to get back to the winner's circle, and on firm ground, in the November 14 Mrs. Revere at Churchill.

Breeders' Cup Hopes

Monday October 26 marked the day where trainers across the world signed and delivered their Breeders' Cup Pre-Entry Forms with the hopes of bringing home a champion. Wherever home may be.

A wide-ranging cast shows up year after year for the Breeders' Cup. The Breeders' Cup is the only place you can find Rick Dutrow and Aidan O'Brien in the same paddock. Jonathan Sheppard and Bob Baffert in the same sentence. Goldikova and Forever Together on the same backstretch. Anyone with a horse remotely close to the World Series of horse racing, is knocking on the Breeders' Cup's door.

Bullsbay, Cherokee Artist, Smart Seattle and Zilva are all potentially first time participants of the Fall Classic.

Bullsbay already has a name plate at the head table. After winning the August 8 Whitney Handicap, he has earned himself an invitation to the Grade I $5,000,000 Classic. In a year where the Breeders' Cup lost America's most accomplished horse, Rachel Alexandra, they also lost the world's best in European superstar Sea the Stars.

Convenient year to "Win & You're In", Bullsbay.

The 5-year-old son of Tiznow was also be pre-entered for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Cherokee Artist has been away from the racing scene since his career-best triumph in the Presque Isle Mile at Presque Isle Downs on September 13. The freshening has done him well in the recent past as he won that $200,000 stake off a similar 7-week layoff.

The Cherokee Run 4-year-old is pre-entered solely for the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile.

Separating Smart Seattle and Zilva's introductions in two different paragraphs won't seem right. I wouldn't even know how to. The two, both Pennsylvania bred Augustin fillies, train together, and give away nothing to their 'rival-stablemate', if you will. After all, their bloodlines cross...We'll get there.

Zilva, being by Successful Appeal, initially does not read "extra distance". Well, don't just read the headlines, read the article! Her second-dam is Sofitina, who is out of the brilliant mare, Waya. Waya won the Man O' War, Prix de l'Opera, Diana, Turf Classic and the Flower Bowl among others. Zilva, seems to carry much of her bottom half as she won first time around two-turns at Saratoga, followed by a gaining fourth in the Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland.

Smart Seattle is by Smart Strike, who's runners seem to love the green. Smart Seattle has not strayed from the litter. In her two turf starts, she won sprinting and second, beaten 1 1/4-lengths in her first route attempt. Her bottom half suggests she would not win sprinting, being that steeplechase gelding, Nationbuilder is a half brother. So much for that.

Smart Seattle's second-dam is Seattle Way. Seattle Way is out of, you guessed it, Waya.

Call them what you want to, but call them serious.

Both fillies are entered to the Juvenille Fillies Turf while Zilva has a cross entry to the Juvenile Fillies.

Fillies Highlight Week(end)

Smart Seattle has prepped for the $150,000 Jessamine over the Keeneland turf, since her second place finish in the P.G Johnson stakes at Saratoga September 3. That day has come. And they'rrrrreee off....the turf. The rain continues to fall over Keeneland like the inevitable ticker-tape parade for the New York Giants down Broadway come February.

The Smart Strike filly dazzled in her debut stopping the clock in 1:02.2 in her 5 1/2 furlong sprint. She was sent off as the favorite in her second start, the P.G Johnson. On just three weeks rest she could not catch the loose-on-the-lead Tapitsfly, and missed by 1 1/4 lengths.

To this point, her two lifetime starts have been nothing short of impressive and she will tackle the polytrack for the first time in hopes of a Breeders' Cup appearance.

Smart Seattle's work partner is Zilva, who finished a credible fourth, in the Grade I Alcibiades less than one week ago.

On Saturday, Shared Account will run for her biggest purse yet in the respected Grade I Queen Elizabeth II. The 3-year-old filly will also face her toughest field to date with the likes of American Oaks winner Gozzip Girl, Ontario Colleen winner Lady Shakespeare, Garden City winner Miss World and Pucker Up winner Hot Cha Cha.

After her impressive run in the Grade II Lake Placid, Shared Account inherited the lead in the Grade I Garden City over a boggy Belmont grass course. Have yet to run over a solid course, the Pleasantly Perfect sophomore may encounter a soft going f0r the fifth consecutive race.

In the Queen Elizabeth II, Shared Account breaks from the five hole just outside of potential favorite Gozzip Girl. Edgar Prado to ride.

Checking In With Herringswell

Zilva a close fourth in Grade I Alcibiades

Facing winners for the first time, 2-year-old Zilva adjusted rather easily to her stern competition. Placed nicely by Jeremy Rose, the Successful Appeal filly saved ground and got caught in a bit of traffic throughout the stretch. When given slim daylight, Zilva (18-1) gained ground and was unlucky to get nosed out of third by Amen Hallelujah.

Fugitive Angel, tried polytrack earlier on in the afternoon and took to it rather well. The Alphabet Soup filly finished second to Orchestrator (previously beaten by Zilva) in a Maiden Special. The Augustin homebred donned blinkers for the first time and showed some keen early speed. It is plausible to believe she will sharpen after wearing the shades and showing speed in just her second start.

Skylighter takes turf on

In her first start for Herringswell, Skylighter (Sky Mesa) ran a respectable 4 lengths off Grade I winner Cocoa Beach over the Saratoga grass in the listed De La Rose. Saturday night she gives the green stuff another go of it in the Grade III Violet Stakes at Monmouth.

Kendrick Carmouche to ride.

Silver Reunion sparkles in work

3-year-old Harlan's Holiday filly, Silver Reunion breezed 5-furlongs over the Fair Hill tapeta on Saturday morning in 1:01.3. Silver Reunion, who is being pointed toward the October 23 Pin Oak Valley View at Keeneland, tickled her morning-pilot.

"When she gets going, she gives you that feeling like 'nobody can get me', regular rider Lisa Davison said. "I just love the way she's going. Sitting on her is amazing. She is scaring me the way she has relaxed. I think she's maturing. It's a great feeling to breeze this one."

Keeneland Up Next, Action Spread Out As Well..

The last time Fugitive Angel and Zilva were seen at the races, one of them flirted with a waltz down Union Avenue, while the other nearly took a dip in the infield's pond.


Friday we'll see the two again, under their familiar green and white shirted riders.


In her debut at Saratoga, Fugitive Angel looked properly placed under Julien Leparoux before she boared outward and threw away any chance she had in the maiden special weight event. Under the frenchman, the Alphabet Soup filly was able to somewhat get back on track and managed to beat three just 6 1/2 lengths off the winner. The George Strawbridge homebred, rightfully so, wears blinkers for the first time.


Her stablemate and fellow homebred Zilva comes out of a maiden-breaking performance where she sandwiched herself between the rail and runner-up Orchestrator. Trying the grass for the first time, Zilva showed more than just talent while gradually squeaking through a slip of daylight. Friday, she'll face winners for the first time in the $500,000 Grade I Darley Alcibiades on the Keeneland polytrack. Jeremy Rose takes the return ride.


Back up I-95, Ennis will tussle for favoritism in the $75,000 1 1/16 Dover Stakes for 2-year-olds at Delaware Park. The Joseph Shields homebred, brother to stablemate Cozy Cottage and ex-Herringswell runner Arcata, upset a field of 11 in his debut going 6-furlongs at Delaware. The Medallist colt stretches out an extra two-and-a-half furlongs in his second start. In terms of pedigree, Ennis should adapt well to the added distance. Daddy won the 1 1/16 Dwyer as a 3-year-old and siblings Arcata and Cozy Cottage both won routing.


Lavender Sky returns to a distance she has ran mighty well at in the past, the classic grass filly distance of 1 1/4 miles. At Belmont on Friday the $65,000 Possible Mate is ran for older fillies over the Belmont lawn. In her first start under the Herringswell flag, the Mt. Livermore 5-year-old stayed well off the layoff traveling 1 1/16 miles at Delaware Park. All signs indicate, she appreciates a tad further.

Kemo Sabe: Cherokee Artist Breaks Onto Stakes Scene

Cherokee Artist had no problem continuing the hot streak Herringswell finished Saratoga with when the 4-year-old took the Presque Isle Mile in Erie, PA on Sunday night.

Sent off at as the third choice, Jeremy Rose settled the Cherokee Run colt third through the first 1/2 mile. Then the Mack Robinson homebred decided to carry the jockey through an eye-catching move around the far turn that he was able to sustain to the wire in the $250,000 stakes.

Cherokee Artist came out of a near-miss in Presque Isle's July 26 $100,000 Leeward Stakes. After that he was freshened up for seven weeks and came back with his a career-best performance on Sunday night.

After the race, Graham mentioned the November 7 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile over Santa Anita's synthetic main track as the main target for the bay colt.

The Summer Of The Bull

On the morning of August 8, the Saratoga backstretch's buzz surrounded the 8-year-old Commentator's chances for a third Whitney title. The son of Distorted Humor merited the attention as over the years, he has stamped Saratoga as one of his favorites.

Little attention was being payed to his rivals in that day's Whitney. Among them were, Macho Again, Smooth Air, Asiatic Boy, Dry Martini, Tizway and Bullsbay.

Come post time, the fan-favorite Commentator and Smooth Air were the co-favorites, a tad over 2-1 a piece. Macho Again and Dry Martini followed them at 3-1. Tizway was 10-1, and Bullsbay was a field-high 18-1.

As the seven older horses broke in order, Commentator dictated a 46.1 half-mile as Tizway chased a length off that pace. Smooth Air sat just off Tizway as there was a long way back to Bullsbay under a confident Jeremy Rose. Dry Martini followed Bullsbay as Macho Again, like usual planned to do his running in the stretch.

After 6-furlongs, Tizway had decided that was it for him, Smooth Air soon after threw in the towel. That left the two-time Whitney winner alone on the lead. Then Bullsbay decided he wanted to keep the Nick Zito trainee a two-time winner. Bullsbay began to roll with a move that could not haven be kept up for the remainder of the race. Could it? Just after the quarter-pole, the strapping son of Tiznow collared the 8-year-old. They were at even stride for only that long. The longest shot on the board led by 2-lengths passing the eighth pole as Macho Again passed a tired Commentator for second. Bullsbay strutted under the line a winner in the Grade I $750,000 Whitney Handicap.

Written off in part due to a mediocre polytrack effort last out at Hollywood Park, Bullsbay rewarded backers with a $39.60 win profit on a $2 bet. On August 8, the public had been introduced to who the barn-employees call 'The Bull' or 'Bully' rather than Bullsbay. This was The Bull's day.

Just 28 days later, The Woodward stakes was to be run on that same Saratoga oval, at that same Whitney distance of 1 1/8 miles. The crown in the older-male division had been passed around like a baton throughout the spring and summer so why not take a stab. A win would put him at the top of a few well sought-after lists.

Then the bomb was dropped. Sensational 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra was to run. It was almost like the competitive and hard-trying 5-year-old horse knew she was going. He was ready to take her on. In his own way, Bullsbay told Graham, and those at Fair Hill that he wanted a crack at her. He was ready to go, just 4-weeks after a career best performance.

Once the dark bay gave his connections the green-light, it was on.

September 5 rolled around and again, the now-Whitney champion was being ignored. That does not seem to phase him. His mind was made up already, he was going to run his race- as hard as he could.

As #2, Bullsbay was led out to the historic racetrack, the cheers were loud and present, although the large-majority of them were for #3, Preakness and Haskell winner, Rachel Alexandra. Jockey Jeremy Rose set the record straight as he whispered in the muscular 5-year-old's ear, "They're cheering for you."

As Bullsbay was transferred to the pony-person, it was again up to him. Like sending your son onto the school bus-you're nervous, he's not. 31,000 fans rocked the Saratoga grandstand as Bullsbay had made it to the show. Everyone who cared a lick about racing was watching. Everyone who was a fan, was there.

As they broke the betting favorite, and crowd favorite, Rachel Alexandra hurried through a first quarter mile in 22.4 and a half in 46.4. The super-filly made it clear early, if she was going to win, she was going to run fast for 9-furlongs. She laughed at Da' Tara, and shrugged off Past The Point like he was a mosquito on the far-turn. Then came The Bull. Bullsbay collared her, as the filly dug in, never losing an inch Bullsbay was all out. The filly had some in reserve. She went to the well and found gold, more run. Bullsbay, not gaining or losing an inch was soon matched by Macho Again and they chased the winner together. Macho Again, who had again saved it all for the end squeaked passed Bullsbay for second as the Whitney winner held even for third, well ahead of the rest.

The media, the horsemen, the fans. They're calling Rachel Alexandra the best. She might be. She's a freak, that's well documented. Bullsbay, coming off a career effort, arguably matched his performance just 28 days later. Nobody can take anything away from the newest Grade I champion in the Herringswell barn.

Say what you will going into the Woodward about his sensational Whitney. 'Out of the blue' or 'a fluke', is what the media and experts flirted with. The Woodward effort showed he is this type of horse, worthy of this type of competition.

Photos Over Words To Describe The Bull..

Opportunites galore as monster weekend is among us

Shared Account highlights a quintuplet of Colonial runners on Saturday in the Grade III $150,000 Virginia Oaks. The Oaks will be the second grass start of the three-year-old's career. In her first grass try, she ran third in the Perfect Sting over a yielding Belmont Park turf course. It is certainly plausible that she will move forward are her first time over firm ground. She was coming late that day and another angle to take is that she's appreciate the extra half furlong in the 1 1/8 miles event.

The gray-gelding Independent George will also take the southbound trip to Colonial in route to an appearance in the $50,000 Kitten's Joy stakes. Although the six-year-old has not won since May 2008, he is 7-for-9 career in the money at Saturday's distance of a mile. Edgar Prado is named to ride both Colonial stakes runners.

For Sally runs in the eighth race while For Passion and Spangled Star make their debuts.

Coming off a credible performance, Caprice returns after a freshening in the Grade III Robert Dick Memorial at Delaware Park.

The race sure has came up competitive as Winter View brings her three-race win streak to the table. Along with the Augustin homebred, the dangerous invader Astrologie for Christophe Clement will be there. Other main threats include Dyna's Lassie and Dress Rehearsal.

On Sunday, Sumo makes his return to the races in the Grade III Barbaro Stakes at Delaware. The 3-year-old Fusiachi Pegasus colt has not ran since the Tampa Bay Derby, and already has a second place finish in the Grade III Sam Davis on his resume. Drop A Line should make her presence felt in the Light Hearted Stakes on the same Sunday card. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid will line up against eleven rivals.

Handicappin' Better Talk Now's Fourth United Nations

He won this very same race four years ago, finished fifth in 2006 and ran third in 2007. "The Black Horse" will return to Monmouth Park for his fourth try in the Grade I $750,000 United Nations on Saturday July 4.

Better Talk Now, now 10-years-young will break on the outside of a field of nine 1 3/8 miles event. Among those entered for this year's United Nations include last year's winner and seven other graded stakes winners.

Here's the field:

1. Banrock: Tom Bush's New York-bred ran too well to lose last time, just three weeks ago in the $200,000 Monmouth over good ground. The six-year-old closed off a solid pace set by eventual winner Presious Passion to miss by a nose.

How he can help Better Talk Now: Has won on the lead before, although it was against New Yorkers. Hoping the connections notice the lack of speed and keep him closer to Presious Passion. Reality there is he probably is not fast enough to succeed in that front-running role. Likely to come from off the pace.

2. Strike A Deal: Reunited with C.C Lopez, whom he won the G II Red Smith under in November.

How he can help: Has shown decent early running ability, could be closer than normal. Missed by a neck in 2008's rendition, will have to be closer to reel in live front-runner.

3. Brass Hat: Won last time out in the Louisville Handicap at Churchill. Prior to that effort, eight-year-old had not been within a length of the winner since 2007. Will be way out of it early.

4. Spice Route: Roger Attfield trainee sports a competitive track record. 5-year-old son of King's Best likes to do his running late. Nearly caught Presious Passion while spotting him 22 lengths, at this distance over the winter on the speed-favoring Gulfstream green. Although this are the big boys, his style mirrors BTN's. Rival.

5. Court Vision: A bit of a Jekyll & Hyde type. Looked primed in the Manhattan, but seemed not at his sharpest. His win in G I Hollywood Derby jumps off the page, although he has missed out of the exacta in his next four. Gomez returns as regular rider Dominguez participates in Belmont's big day. Very capable. Only one question, which side of him will show up?

6. Lauro: The Herringswell wildcard. The German import COULD is disguised as the second half of BTN's entry. The speed he's shown can, in an ideal situation, keep P.P honest, leading to a pace scenario of BTN's liking. Won a G II in Canada last October on the lead in an absolute crawl. Disappointingly not involved pace-wise in the Manhattan. Hoping for a sharp break on Saturday and ideally challenge for the lead through the first nine-furlongs.

7. Presious Passion: The well-talked about six-year-old makes all his money on the lead. Still does not get the respect he deserves. His last three wins (all on the lead) came at 1 1/8, 1 3/8 and 1 1/2 miles. He didn't steal them either, setting his own pace of :46.1, 1:11 in the last two and :48 and 1:12.3 while going 12-furlongs. This race sets up for him pace wise. Hoping pal to his inside changes that theory.

8. Wesley: Has never won against this type of company but trainer Hennig is more than capable. His run in the Dixie was impressive. Should almost certainly appreciate the added distance.

9. Better Talk Now: Obviously holds the seniority of the group. That is well-documented. What seems to be dismissed is that this guy can still run. He ran well in his first start off substantial layoff in the Elkhorn at Keeneland. His Manhattan effort showed he was just stretching his legs at Keeneland. It was only last summer that he finished just 2 1/2 behind Red Rocks and Curlin in the Man O' War. Then 2 behind Saratoga-lover Grand Couterier. No doubt about it in best form since then and that trio does not show up here. That Manhattan effort sets him up nicely for this spot. Extra distance is crucial and will most likely not have to be 5-wide off-the-turn.

What he'll need: He needs somebody, Lauro comes to mind, to contend with Presious Passion for the lead. The latter does not need to go slow up front to win. Especially the way this race has came up. If something unexpected happens pace-wise, odds are it'll be a good thing. Good news is, the others should finally respect Presious Passion and not let him get out there the way he likes it. On the other hand, there is a lot behind the pace-setter on Saturday. BTN, Court Vision and Spice Route were not in the Monmouth Stakes last month.

Absoulute Heaven, Shared Account turn Bold and Maiden Winners

Absoulute Heaven returned to a familiar course in Belmont Park's turf for the Sabellina, an overnight stake for New York bred older fillies and mares. The race was ran over a yielding turf course as the daughter of Not For Love was to break on the outside of six fillies on the Widener course.

The 5-year-old broke alertly and was accompanied by Follow My Dream to the lead. She tracked that one with composure until Jeremy Rose shook her up- without a whip, and asked for what she had left in the stretch. She had enough left over the bog to hold off all other challengers minus the accomplished Nehantic Kat for Barclay Tagg.

The second place finish for Absoulute Heaven was her first placing in a stakes race. In her last stakes try, she finished just 4 1/2 lengths behind winner Miss Lombardi while finishing eighth.

The following day, it was 3-year-old filly Shared Account's turn to invade the Belmont turf course. While trying green for the first time, the Pleasantly Perfect offspring plotted along while enduring some traffic trouble. Rose, again aboard had to alter her course in mid-stretch and swing outside. Her rally was good enough to grab third.

The Perfect Sting Stakes, a $65,000 overnight, was also the first time Shared Account had grabbed some bold print. The 3-year-old finished behind Dame Ellen and Strike the Bell.

On June 21, Peace Fire became the second of our bundle of 2-year-olds to break his maiden, doing so over the Colonial Downs turf course.

The son of Peace Rules did not show much and raced three wide on the turn behind mediocre fractions of 24.1 and 48.3. Jockey Sheldon Russell swung the juvenile to the four path at the head of the stretch and closed with determination to get up by a neck at the wire.

The colt, out of the Nijinsky II mare Miss Evans finished the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:08.03.

Russell was aboard again for Turf Melody's maiden romp (our third juvenile) on June 26, again at Colonial. First time out, June 10 the $200,000 yearling purchase finished fourth at Delaware. Stretching out to 7 furlongs, the son of Maria's Mon shot to the front and never looked back leaving rivals in his wake. Russell and partner went on to win by 15 1/4 lengths in 1:23.46.

Zimmer, Cherokee Empire, Noah's Dream, Source of Humor and Zilva will each attempt to join the graduated threesome from Sunday through Wednesday.

Forgot to Stop

Last Saturday, No Use Denying (Maria's Mon) and Cherokee Queen (Cherokee Run) became stakes-winning mares while winning wire-to-wire in their respective contests.

No Use Denying graduated first. Originally carded for the turf, the John Rooney Memorial Stakes at Delaware was looking as tough as can be. Graded stakes winners and performers filled the $75,000 stakes. No Use Denying was in there fresh off her third level allowance score at Pimlico. Then the rain came. The turf fillies then scratched out like a lineup of Dominoes. With just three remaining when the gates opened, the 4-year-old pulled jockey Joe Rocco Jr. to the front and never looked back. She went on her own down the Delaware Park slop like she was flowing down Kirkwood highway in the flooded streets.

Shortly after, Cherokee Queen's race, the Possibly Perfect was also off the turf. However, this one was still on Arlington's unfazed synthetic surface; the big shooters were still running. On paper, the race had some accomplished fillies, but there was a common feature within the cast of performers. They all wanted no part of the pace. Neither had Cherokee Queen, until Saturday. Jockey Jesse Campbell shot Cherokee Queen out to the lead and wisely dropped the anchor immediately while setting snail-like fractions of 26.2, 52.4 and 1:17.3. The Mack Robinson homebred never looked back and was full of run, running by 5 1/2.

Congratulations to all connections.

Welcome to Herringswell, Kids..

Meet some of our 2009 2-year-olds...

Angel's Cove (bay filly)

By More than Ready, producer of our very own Saucey Evening. More than Ready's offspring seem to do very well over the turf.

You probably don't know: Angel's Cove is out of Minge Cove, who is a half sister to Mint. Who is Mint? The horse that dead-heated Secret Firm in the 1998 Amsterdam at Saratoga.


Cherokee Empire (brown colt)

You may not know: Is a full-brother to the familiar Cherokee Focus, who won four races.


Embraceable Blue (bay filly)

By the Canadian, Dance With Ravens.

Interesting: She is out of Hugsie, who is a half-sister to millionaire and juvenile filly champion Storm Song.


Fugitive Angel (bay filly)

She wins the award for most ties to Herringswell.

Try this one out: Her dam is Screening, who is out of Recording. Recording is a half sister to stakes performers Deal Making and Smart Bid. Recording is out of 1993 Diana Handicap winner, Ratings, who Graham galloped while working for Jonathan Sheppard. How about that?


Quechee (gray colt)

By Preakness and Belmont hero Afleet Alex.

More ties: Out of Tarika, who is a full-sister to Tikkanean. Tikkanean won the BC Turf for Jonathan Pease.


Smokey Slope (bay colt)

Another Classy Augustin: Closely related to Alice Springs, winner of the All Along Stakes. Alice Springs also finished second in the prestigious Beverly D. for Mr. Strawbridge.


Source of Humor (bay filly)

That's exciting: A full-sister to GI winner Commentator.


Straight Talk (gray colt)

Been around the block: Is a half brother to the productive handicap horse, Temporary Saint.


Taking A Chance (gray filly)

With the big girls: Is closely related to our Miss Lombardi.


Zilva (bay filly)

Come together: She is out of a sister to Smart Seattle's dam.


Now that you've learned more about some of our babies, catch up to our level of excitement. We are looking forward to these guys and gals making it to the races.

Successful May Is Complete, Weather & Horses Heat Up

May 2009 was a positive one on the Herringswell front as 15 races were won. It was a busy month as well. Those races were won at six different tracks with 14 different horses, Amie's Legend being the repeat winner.

Bullsbay got the month off to a smashing start with his gutsy win in the May 1 Alysheba at Churchill Downs. We'll see him next in the June 13 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Dancerama broke her maiden at Delaware Park on the fifth, in her second try by 7 1/2 lengths. Amie's Legend won in allowance company at Delaware Park, then fired back to beat fellow Maryland breds in a $50,000 stakes at Pimlico. Magger Bags won easily at Presque Isle Downs for her first Herringswell score, she seemed to enjoy the Tapeta footing up in Erie, Pa. No Use Denying scampered home impressively to add to her consistent resume. While Salsa Star broke her maiden in equal fashion, on the same afternoon, routing for the first time.

Luminaire Mystique took a Philadelphia Starter Allowance in her first start under Graham's eye. Undisputed Legend broke her maiden at Pimlico, and will move up accordingly.

Kurbat won his first North American stakes at Philadelphia Park in $75,000 MGK 102.9 Stakes. The Chilean bred, had won a Grade I in his homeland.

Minutes after Kurbat's score, Molly Moon demolished a group of $15,000 claimers at Presque Isle Downs. The daughter of Malibu Moon went on to win by 12 lengths.

Moving Violation and Silver Reunion gave us two winners on the 26th at Philadelphia and Delaware respectively. Silver Reunion had broke her maiden at 2 over Saratoga's main track, and won against winners while routing for the first time.

Shared Account won for the second time against winners in an optimistic performance at Delaware Park. The 3-year-old showed guts coming up the rail in her return-to-form performance. The following day, Promulgation broke her maiden traveling 1 1/16 miles over the Arlington turf to put a cap on the month's winners.

Kurbat & Amie's Legend Splash Onto Stakes Scene

He may not have been on his 'A' game but Kurbat didn't need to be in winning Friday's MGK 102.9 stakes at Philadelphia Park.

The Chilean bred came off a second in the $100,000 Fort Harrod at Keeneland and returned to his winning ways at Friday's distance of 1 1/8 miles. The Fort Harrod was ran at 1 5/8 miles, which appeared to be a tad too long for the 5-year-old.

Jen's Revenge set the pace for the field of five, in splits of 23.4, 47 and 1:10.4. Kurbat was placed just off the rail by Jeremy Rose before slipping outside the front runner entering the stretch. Jen's Revenge held strong but could not hold off Kurbat's stretch run.

The $75,000 stake finished in 1:41.66.

On Saturday, Amie's Legend tried her hand in the Shine Again Stakes at Pimlico and held up her end of the bargain. In her first stakes attempt, The Not For Love filly shot through the rail under Luis Garcia to win her second straight.

The 4-year-old captured the $50,000 stake in 1:47.45.

Three-Bagger....Count 'Em

No Use Denying wired a field of five on Thursday in Pimlico's eighth race. The 4-year-old daughter of Maria's Mon dominated the $32,000 Allowance Optional Claimer in a performance she'd been sitting on for a few races now.

Her last two wins bookend a trio of runner-up finishes. Under Jeremy Rose, she set splits of 24.13, 47.85 and 1:12.71 through 3/4 of a mile over the main track.

The Pin Oak homebred is now 10-for-12 in the money during her career.


Salsa Star made her stateside debut a successful one, three races earlier in Pimlico's fifth.

The 3-year-old Giant's Causeway filly had no problem making the transition kicking clear by 5 1/2 lengths. The horse players backed her as she went off as the 4/5 choice.

The Sagamore Farm LLC filly had not raced in seven months and had never raced at a route distance. She showed Thursday those obstacles also were no problem.

Rose was again aboard for the ride.

At Presque Isle Downs, Magger Bags completed the Herringswell triple as she won her first race under Graham's care. The 4-year-old daughter of Indian Charlie came from off the pace under Dale Beckner to take the $39,800 Allowance event. She is now 2-for-6 with a third in her all-weather track starts.

Photos were taken by Maggie Kimmitt, check out her wesbite @ http://www.photosbymaggie.net/

Don't Blink, Busy Week...

Starting tomorrow, Herringswell stables will be sprinkled across the mid-Atlantic racing scene throughout the work-week.

Tuesday Cozy Cottage and Rain Date will run at Delaware Park in the fifth and eighth races respectively. Cozy Cottage is knocking on the door of a maiden-breaking performance as she has been within 2 1/4 lengths in each of her three career starts, all of which were on Gulfstream Park's turf course. She will race without a price tag for the first time. Rain Date makes her return to the races. She has not ran since October.

Wednesday at Delaware we have a full-round of ammo with Sudden Shift, Irish Blarney, Glasgow Road, and Desertstormelite. Sudden Shift will look to return to his effort exhibited in his Gulfstream win, as he returns to the claiming ranks. Irish Blarney is a 3-year-old Perfect Soul colt, who will make his first start under Graham's care. Glasgow Road has not lost by more than 4-lengths in any of her past seven starts. Over those past seven she has reached the winner's circle three time. Desertstormelite, like Rain Date, has not ran since October. In her first start with Graham, she ran very well to finish second behind the stakes-performer Mushka at Keeneland.

No Use Denying highlights Thursday's entrants and looks primed to kick her near-miss habit. She lost her last three races by a total of about one length. I imagine she'll be the favorite in Pimlico's eighth, at the 1 1/16 miles distance where she has four seconds from five starts. Salsa Star makes her first start in America in the fifth. Magger Bags will run at Presque Isle while Promulgation hopes for no rain in a turf try.

Glamorous Gal will run in Pimlico's nightcap, the Hilltop. Graham will tighten her girth for the first time Friday afternoon, her previous 5 starts were under the watch of Simon Hobson. And A Cherry Tree will give it a try in Pimlico's fifth under Rafael Bejarano.

Bullsbay workout..Pre-Herringswell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0RbXBfiaZI

I stumbled across this awesome video of Bullsbay on youtube. It's really neat, Desertstormelite (also now with Herringswell) spots him 10 lengths in the workout and Bullsbay really shows his stuff in the stretch. Funny because the guys watching the clip love it, and are raving about him. Watch until about three minutes into the clip, at that point they tape another horse breezing.

BULL-ysheba

On the eve of the Derby, two races before the performance everyone was talking about that night-and still is-, Bullsbay made his presence felt amongst his fellow division rivals.

The son of Tiznow remained perfect at Churchill Downs, the 1 1/16 miles distance and on an off track when he scored in the G III Alysheba.

Breaking from the five-slot, the 5-year-old was placed nicely along the rail under his new best-friend Jeremy Rose as Informed and Garrett Gomez set splits of .24.55 and 48.72. Rose read the pace like a book and timed his move perfectly as the duo dug up the in mid-stretch to collar Cool Coal Man. The two met eyes and Bullsbay proved stronger.

Bullsbay now has 4 wins, 2 seconds and a third from eights starts under Graham's care. The Alysheba was Bullsbay's second straight stakes win and first career graded stakes triumph.

In a division up-for-grabs, Bullsbay beat multiple graded-stakes winner Macho Again, along with four other stakes winners including the near-miss Travers runner-up Mambo In Seattle.

After his mystifying Donn Handicap no-show, Bullsbay has been back to his consistent ways. With the exception of his fluke effort in the Donn, he has never been further than 2 2/3 lengths behind the winner in his 15 starts.

Bullsbay now looks towards a return to G I company. A shot at revenge, if you will. As he plans to run back on his favorite track in the $750,000 June 13 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Crossing the wire first in game fashion.

An Absolute Treat

Go ahead, breeze through the entries index for Churchill's Friday card. Zenyatta, One Caroline, Rachel Alexandra, Justwhistledixie, Macho Again, BULLSBAY and Mambo in Seattle among others.

The undefeated Zenyatta will run at the undefeated One Caroline.

Winning of four straight, Rachel Alexandra will be stalked by winner of five straight Justwhistledixie.

Our Bullsbay will get his chance to show he belongs amongst his division.

Those first two highlight Oaks day, while we'll gladly include-scratch that, favor the last.

In the GII Louisville Zenyatta is expected to return from a long winter off, to face the newcomer, One Caroline. The latter has won three times since Zenyatta was seen last. All three in impressive fashion. The last was a dominating wire-to-wire effort in the GII Rampart. The gray is yet another Unbridled's Song to erupt this season.

Zenyatta, the queen. She is 9-for-9 and has never won by less than a 1/2 length. She is by top stallion Street Cry, 6-for-6 at the distance and 1-for-1 on traditional dirt.

One Caroline's come-and-get-me front running style counters Zenyatta's patented here-I-come late move.

I can't wait for the eighth pole.

The Oaks. Rachel Alexandra could run and challenge for the top spot in the Saturday's Derby. Jockey Calvin Borel hasn't budged in three consecutive starts. She has torn up Oaklawn Park and the Fair Grounds all winter. Her pedigree pretty much reads, 'run all day'. She'll try 1 1/8 miles for the first time Saturday.

Justwhistledixie, quietly has won five in a row. She is putting in a quietly dominant east coast campaign. I'm her connections like it that way. She has not faced anything close to 'Rachel', but you may be able to say the same thing for her main rival. After this one, we'll know exactly what the 3YOF division looks like.

Sandwiched between those two events is GIII Alysheba, where Bullsbay follows up his win in the Harrison Johnson. He loved the slop that day and the forecast is calling for some rain. He does not NEED mother nature on his side. He's 3-for-3 at the 1 1/16 miles distance. While he's 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs. Nobody has stepped up in this division yet and they seem to take turns beating each other. Jeremy Rose will ride for the third straight time. Post time: 3:54 PM EST.

The last time I talked up a day was the Florida Derby and the match up between Quality Road and Dunkirk. How'd that turn out?

Head out to your local track Friday, if you really can't make it, settle for Saturday's Derby day. I don't have to talk that one up...Do I?





Bullsbay (middle) peaks his head through before
his second place finish in the John Campbell.

Keeneland Flies By, Churchill On Horizon

Mack Robinson's Cherokee Artist picked up his second straight allowance score on Friday at Keeneland. The Cherokee Run 4-year-old returned off an impressive win at Santa Anita over the same 1 1/16 miles distance. He is now 4-for-6 at that distance.

The bay stalked throughout and responded well when jockey Ramon Dominguez asked to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

The following race marked the return of Better Talk Now in the closing day's feature, The Fifth Third Elkhorn.Making his first start since October's Breeders' Cup, the 10-year-old gave a nice run at them but finished sixth. The field was no slouch, with the horses like Spice Route, Champs Elysses, and Buddy's Humor.

Glad to have 'Blackie' come back to the barn with a race under his belt.

Another veteran making his return this past weekend was Independent George in Pimlico's Saturday feature, the Henry Clark. The 6-year-old gelded son of Cozzene made his first start since August an optimistic one. He came late from off the pace to grab second, missing the top prize by 1 1/4 lengths.

Now Tell Us Why

After the closing of our first poll on 'Take A Seat', you're voices have been heard....sort of. We asked you who you're favorite active stakes winners were in our stable. Many of you chimed in. Now we want to know why?

What makes that horse your favorite?

If there was a moment that made him/her your favorite, share it. We'd love to hear about it.

Results:

Better Talk Now- 28
Rebellion- 10
Ballast- 8
Icabad Crane- 7
OTHER- 5
Drop A Line- 4
African Violet- 3
Saucey Evening- 3
Caprice- 2
Miss Lombardi- 1

Augustin Among Us

George Strawbridge's Augustin Stables have had themselves quite the Keeneland meeting. They crossed the wire first in another graded stakes yesterday with Winter View in the Bewitched.

Winter View is a half sister to champion European two-year-old Rainbow View (also Augustin). Yesterday's Grade III was the 5-year-old's first stakes win and just second win stateside. Our very own Caprice finished fourth.

Augustin's champion Forever Together returned without problem in a dominating performance in the Jenny Wiley. The gray hadn't ran since her win in the BC Filly & Mare Turf, but showed no ill-effects in a galloping win.

Another part of the onslaught was Informed Decision, who won the Grade I Vinery Madison on Friday April 10. Informed Decision, like Forever Together, was making her first start since the fall. She set a track record on the Keeneland poly then, and beat the Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint champion this time.

Innovative, our Johannesburg 3-year-old filly returned to the winner's circle donning the Augustin green and white silks just two days ago.

On opening day Smart Bid, also trained by Graham, finished second in the G III Transylvania. To add to the fray, Kurbat (Augustin & Motion) finished second in the Fort Harrod.

Congratulations to Mr. Strawbridge and Graham's old boss, Jonathan Sheppard for an outstanding and well-deserved Keeneland season.

How Are They Running?

Bold Abbott got us off the Keeneland hook with his excuse-me win in Saturday's second race. The 5-year-old showed his grittiness once again splitting two horses at the top of the stretch. Over the winter, he won on the Gulfstream turf showing no fear shooting up the hedge. "The bott", as his exercise riders call him is out of Ms. Isadora, who is a sister to Sweet Eloise who dropped our very own Winsome Ways. Cool huh?

Enjoy the Win broke her maiden with ease at Philly Park in her eighth career start last Monday. She also got scooped up by Galena Springs Farm for $12,500. Best of luck to the 3-year-old.

Cozy Cottage. Geez, Cozy Cottage. Talk about having to earn it. The gray 4-year-old made her third career start and each time has had to overcome hurdles like she was McDynamo. In her debut, she broke slowly and closed like a car door for a close fifth. Second time out, she was as far as 10-lengths back, progressed well then had had to steady sharply at the top of the stretch. She finished a length back for second. Thursday she lost the bob like a la Mambo In Seattle. Let's hope the Florida bred can find more luck away from home this spring.

Absolute Heaven improved to 2-for-2 at 7-furlongs and at Woodbine when she won on Friday. As even places like Keeneland have experienced purse cuts, Woodbine is a place that purses are sitting nicely.


* * * * * * * *

Busy week coming up as Caprice is entered for Thursday's Bewitch at Keeneland and Better Talk Now is expected to return in Friday's Elkhorn.

Keeneland Catch-up

* With 5 seconds(Rebellion and Kurbat in stakes) from 11 starts at Keeneland, it's starting to sound eerily similar to Keeneland fall. Where's the racing luck? So the horses were running well then and are running well now, the difference is the summer is upon us, instead the winter. I'll take where we're at!

* Better Talk Now breezed 6-furlongs in 1:19 over the yielding Keeneland turf this morning in prep for his return to the races.

* Sweet Tune is 10-minutes from her race as I type. Keeneland.com is clutch! Especially when you're TVG-less.

* Tomorrow we have action throughout the day. Larry Johnson's Mizz Magician is going in the first race, making her second start. She ran well in her debut going 5 1/2 on the Laurel turf. She'll stretch out to 7-furlongs tomorrow.

Namcook Stables LLC's Slam Dunk is entered in the 7th race. He's half of a coupled entry with the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee, Big Stick. Slam Dunk has ran well in his two Santa Anita starts (both thirds) since being transferred to Graham.

Winsome Ways is scheduled for tomorrow's 8th. Boy this is a tough allowance race. A couple stake winners sprinkled in there, including a Grade I winner. Welcome to Keeneland!

The 9th race is the Doubledogdare, a Grade III over the poly track. Both Drop A Line and Sefroua are entered for tomorrow's stake. Drop A Line finds herself in the thick of things every time she goes. She's always close. She dead-heated Awesome Ashley (also entered for the Doubledogdare) at Keeneland last April.

Sefroua is making her third U.S start and is still somewhat of an unknown. Her pedigree is out of this world. She's by Kingmambo, out of Sophisticat, who is a daughter of the champion Serena's Song. Sefroua ran very well in her stateside debut (third in the GIII Nobel Damsel at Belmont) and then solidly against GI company in the fall. She broke her maiden in France at Friday's distance of 1 1/16 miles.

* Exercise rider Vicki King's 'Chevy SUV' Bold Abbott finds himself in a short field, finally, on Saturday. His last couple tries he has found himself on the outside of big allowance fields. Saturday he'll break from the rail on the poly track. The poly is a new surface for him, but his sire Mizzen Mast's offspring seem to handle everything.