On a mission to defend his title in the Commonwealth at Keeneland, Rebellion breezed for the final time at Palm Meadows on Monday and packed up for Keeneland.
The 6-year-old's second place finish in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile is looking pretty strong after three horses from that heat have gone on to win big-time races.
The winner of the BC Dirt Mile, Albertus Maximus captured January's Donn Handicap. Third place finisher that day, Two Step Salsa won the $2,000,000 Godolphin Mile last weekend. Well Armed who finished out of the money on Breeders' Cup day, won the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup.
Rebellion worked 5-furlongs with his usual partner Better Talk Now. The duo worked over the Palm Meadows turf course in 1:02.60. Regular rider Xavier Aizpuru was aboard Rebellion.
"All right I'm done. It's all up to you now bud," Aizpuru said as he dismounted his morning counterpart.
The Grade II $250,000 Commonwealth will be ran on April 11 at 7-furlongs over the Keeneland Polytrack.
Keeneland opens its historic boutique meet Friday April 3. Herringswell Stables will have a large contingent during the 3-week season.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Break On Through
Just two months removed from his mystery showing in the Donn Handicap, Bullsbay (Tiznow) captured his first stakes win in the $50,000 Harrison E. Johnson Saturday at Laurel.
The Donn effort was out of character from the ultra-consistent 5-year-old. Before that bizarre afternoon, Bullsbay hadn't finished more than three lengths back of the winner in any of his 11 career starts. Sent off at 6-1 that day, Bullsbay was moving along nicely, but soon faltered and was eased by jockey John Velazquez.
Since, Bullsbay rebounded with a second in Laurel's John Campbell before breaking his stakes-maiden Saturday.
In Saturday's slop, Bullsbay dropped back early as Crimson Comic set a half mile pace of :48.35. Turning for home, Jeremy Rose angled Bullsbay towards the rail and he swallowed up the Laurel stretch. He finished the final 1/8 of a mile in 12.34, three-quarters of a length ahead of Senior.
The Donn effort was out of character from the ultra-consistent 5-year-old. Before that bizarre afternoon, Bullsbay hadn't finished more than three lengths back of the winner in any of his 11 career starts. Sent off at 6-1 that day, Bullsbay was moving along nicely, but soon faltered and was eased by jockey John Velazquez.
Since, Bullsbay rebounded with a second in Laurel's John Campbell before breaking his stakes-maiden Saturday.
In Saturday's slop, Bullsbay dropped back early as Crimson Comic set a half mile pace of :48.35. Turning for home, Jeremy Rose angled Bullsbay towards the rail and he swallowed up the Laurel stretch. He finished the final 1/8 of a mile in 12.34, three-quarters of a length ahead of Senior.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ballast
"Ballast is the one to catch," track announcer Larry Collums called as they headed for home in Wednesday's ninth race.
Over the last three years, Ballast was a name often heard and spoken, by horse players and race goers since his May 2006 North American debut. After all he was 5-1 or less in 15 of 21 career starts for Herringswell Stables. Twelve of those 21 races were stakes, two times he won stakes (2006 & 07 renditions of the Tropical Turf H. at Calder).
Wednesday's ninth race was just another claiming 50 on the turf. Number eight, Ballast was making his first appearance in such company. Fifty thousand is a decent amount for an eight-year-old. Not for a work-horse like Ballast. As Graham tightened the girth on the Irish bred, just a quarter of an hour later, he'd be claimed.
Claims are a part of the game. They happen everyday, some days multiple times. As a matter of fact, Ballast was not the only horse to be claimed from this particular heat.
The 8-year-old Irish bred had been within just a few lengths of stakes winners such as Silver Tree, Shakis, Kiss the Kid, Spice Route and Soldier's Dancer. The two latter he finished a close fourth behind while trying to capture his third consecutive Tropical Turf Handicap.
However, the son of Desert Prince was getting older and this is where he fit. A very honest horse, who gave his best every time did not change his effort level in his final run under Motion in the program. Cliche? Maybe. But Ballast was always there. Ask a horse player, we already went over how consistently he was bet. Ask a jockey. Rafael Bejarano, Kent Desormeaux, Garrett Gomez or Jeremy Rose, have all won on him.
Yes, he was claimed. He's far from a hall of famer. Heck, he never won a Grade I, let alone a Grade II, just the same Grade III, twice. This is just a homage to a hard-working horse who gave his best for our operation.
So turning for home, of course he was the one to catch. Unfortunately his best was not enough Wednesday and finished second by a 1/2 length.
Thanks for all the effort, Ballast.
Read about Ballast's 2007 Tropical Turf win.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2007/December/01/Ballast-digs-in-gamely-to-win-Tropical-Turf.aspx
Over the last three years, Ballast was a name often heard and spoken, by horse players and race goers since his May 2006 North American debut. After all he was 5-1 or less in 15 of 21 career starts for Herringswell Stables. Twelve of those 21 races were stakes, two times he won stakes (2006 & 07 renditions of the Tropical Turf H. at Calder).
Wednesday's ninth race was just another claiming 50 on the turf. Number eight, Ballast was making his first appearance in such company. Fifty thousand is a decent amount for an eight-year-old. Not for a work-horse like Ballast. As Graham tightened the girth on the Irish bred, just a quarter of an hour later, he'd be claimed.
Claims are a part of the game. They happen everyday, some days multiple times. As a matter of fact, Ballast was not the only horse to be claimed from this particular heat.
The 8-year-old Irish bred had been within just a few lengths of stakes winners such as Silver Tree, Shakis, Kiss the Kid, Spice Route and Soldier's Dancer. The two latter he finished a close fourth behind while trying to capture his third consecutive Tropical Turf Handicap.
However, the son of Desert Prince was getting older and this is where he fit. A very honest horse, who gave his best every time did not change his effort level in his final run under Motion in the program. Cliche? Maybe. But Ballast was always there. Ask a horse player, we already went over how consistently he was bet. Ask a jockey. Rafael Bejarano, Kent Desormeaux, Garrett Gomez or Jeremy Rose, have all won on him.
Yes, he was claimed. He's far from a hall of famer. Heck, he never won a Grade I, let alone a Grade II, just the same Grade III, twice. This is just a homage to a hard-working horse who gave his best for our operation.
So turning for home, of course he was the one to catch. Unfortunately his best was not enough Wednesday and finished second by a 1/2 length.
Thanks for all the effort, Ballast.
Read about Ballast's 2007 Tropical Turf win.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2007/December/01/Ballast-digs-in-gamely-to-win-Tropical-Turf.aspx
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Calling All Racing Fans; Horse Enthusiasts and Well, Those In The Area.
Days like this Saturday are what our game is all about.
Make your living on the backstretch? Days like Saturday at Gulfstream make getting out of bed before the rest of the working-world resemble a 10 a.m wake-up.
Saturday is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Recent winners of the MONSTER Kentucky Derby prep include; Big Brown, Barbaro, Empire Maker and Monarchos. All that foursome has done is win three Kentucky Derbies (Monarchos' was the fastest since Secretariat's in 1973), a Preakness, and a Belmont. The Florida Derby is the audition for the show. The Florida Derby's stage trumps anything these young 3-year-olds have ever came across.
Highlighting Saturday's main attraction are two well-publicized sophomores.
The first story for Saturday's Grade I is the $3.7-million yearling purchase Dunkirk. Dunkirk is by Unbridled's Song, who is by Unbridled. Both of which won their renditions of the Florida Derby.
Debuting earlier this meet, Dunkirk broke his maiden then won impressively again running against winners. The win was so impressive that it brought about the Kentucky Derby buzz. Will he become the first horse in over 100 years to take the roses having not ran as a 2-year-old?
First things first.
Because he has only ran twice, his career earnings are low. Low enough to have him on the outside looking in. The grey may have to win on Saturday just to become eligible for the Roses.
The more experienced Quality Road poses a huge threat to Dunkirk's Churchill Downs ticket. The Fountain of Youth winner's performance was the best by a 3-year-old at the meeting, and arguably one of the top in the country. The son of Elusive Quality's task: taking on two turns for the first time.
These 3-year-olds warrant the attention of anyone in the area. Racing fan? You're not one if you miss Saturday. Seasonal fan? The triple crown catches fire Saturday. Never been to the races? Saturday is the time to break your maiden.
See you there.
Make your living on the backstretch? Days like Saturday at Gulfstream make getting out of bed before the rest of the working-world resemble a 10 a.m wake-up.
Saturday is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Recent winners of the MONSTER Kentucky Derby prep include; Big Brown, Barbaro, Empire Maker and Monarchos. All that foursome has done is win three Kentucky Derbies (Monarchos' was the fastest since Secretariat's in 1973), a Preakness, and a Belmont. The Florida Derby is the audition for the show. The Florida Derby's stage trumps anything these young 3-year-olds have ever came across.
Highlighting Saturday's main attraction are two well-publicized sophomores.
The first story for Saturday's Grade I is the $3.7-million yearling purchase Dunkirk. Dunkirk is by Unbridled's Song, who is by Unbridled. Both of which won their renditions of the Florida Derby.
Debuting earlier this meet, Dunkirk broke his maiden then won impressively again running against winners. The win was so impressive that it brought about the Kentucky Derby buzz. Will he become the first horse in over 100 years to take the roses having not ran as a 2-year-old?
First things first.
Because he has only ran twice, his career earnings are low. Low enough to have him on the outside looking in. The grey may have to win on Saturday just to become eligible for the Roses.
The more experienced Quality Road poses a huge threat to Dunkirk's Churchill Downs ticket. The Fountain of Youth winner's performance was the best by a 3-year-old at the meeting, and arguably one of the top in the country. The son of Elusive Quality's task: taking on two turns for the first time.
These 3-year-olds warrant the attention of anyone in the area. Racing fan? You're not one if you miss Saturday. Seasonal fan? The triple crown catches fire Saturday. Never been to the races? Saturday is the time to break your maiden.
See you there.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
This Week at the Races
Both Now and Forever (Maria's Mon) and David's Rock (Candy Ride) graduated this week at Tampa Bay and Laurel respectively.
Now and Forever, previously second in two honest starts, used a rail trip to hold off a challenger in deep stretch to break her maiden under Jeremy Rose. In her prior start at Gulfstream she traveled even longer than the 1 1/8 miles affair while wide and still managed a close second.
David's Rock turned for home even with a rival before leaving him in his wake at the quarter pole to win by 7 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Candy Ride colt relished the addition of blinkers in his second career try. In his first start, the bay looked clear but swerved badly before the wire and finished third. David's Rock was also ridden by Rose.
Proper Authority (Silver Deputy) made his return to the races off of a 14-month layoff for Pin Oak. In just his second start, the 4-year-old ran an impressive third while trying the grass for the first time.
Cozy Cottage (Pine Bluff) gets the unlucky award of the week. The 4-year-old grey made her second career start on Friday and had a full tank on the turn but was forced to steady behind a wall of horses. She pricked her ears, split horses and gained but was passed by a more fortunate rival.
Now and Forever, previously second in two honest starts, used a rail trip to hold off a challenger in deep stretch to break her maiden under Jeremy Rose. In her prior start at Gulfstream she traveled even longer than the 1 1/8 miles affair while wide and still managed a close second.
David's Rock turned for home even with a rival before leaving him in his wake at the quarter pole to win by 7 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Candy Ride colt relished the addition of blinkers in his second career try. In his first start, the bay looked clear but swerved badly before the wire and finished third. David's Rock was also ridden by Rose.
Proper Authority (Silver Deputy) made his return to the races off of a 14-month layoff for Pin Oak. In just his second start, the 4-year-old ran an impressive third while trying the grass for the first time.
Cozy Cottage (Pine Bluff) gets the unlucky award of the week. The 4-year-old grey made her second career start on Friday and had a full tank on the turn but was forced to steady behind a wall of horses. She pricked her ears, split horses and gained but was passed by a more fortunate rival.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Birds and the Bees
With this year's 2-year-old season less than a month away, there are a bunch of new names that will burst onto the scene. Some of them creative like our very own No Use Denying, who is out of Rumors Are Flying.
Here are name ideas if some of our horses were to meet in the breeding shed.
-Yorktown and Leamington
Leamington is a city in England. Yorktown is a town in Virginia where the British troops surrendered the American Revolution. The name of the general that surrendered fits as our new foal's name.
Name: Cornwallis
-Independent George (gelding) and No Use Denying
It's A Miracle would be my first choice for any Independent George offspring, given his inability to reproduce. But we're having fun here. Any fan of the show Seinfeild knows Independent George is a self-given name of character George Costanza. His other names include Relationship George, Coffee Shop George and the other was made for this sire/dam combination.
Name: Liar George
-Sudden Shift and Caprice
The dictionary definition of Caprice is to suddenly or unpredictably change one's mind. Sudden Shift is out of Changeable.
Name: Make Up Your Mind
-Proper Authority and Saucey Evening
After a Saucey Evening, the Authority may get involved.
Name: Incarcerated
Here are name ideas if some of our horses were to meet in the breeding shed.
-Yorktown and Leamington
Leamington is a city in England. Yorktown is a town in Virginia where the British troops surrendered the American Revolution. The name of the general that surrendered fits as our new foal's name.
Name: Cornwallis
-Independent George (gelding) and No Use Denying
It's A Miracle would be my first choice for any Independent George offspring, given his inability to reproduce. But we're having fun here. Any fan of the show Seinfeild knows Independent George is a self-given name of character George Costanza. His other names include Relationship George, Coffee Shop George and the other was made for this sire/dam combination.
Name: Liar George
-Smart Bid and Innovative
Name: Intelligent-Sudden Shift and Caprice
The dictionary definition of Caprice is to suddenly or unpredictably change one's mind. Sudden Shift is out of Changeable.
Name: Make Up Your Mind
-Proper Authority and Saucey Evening
After a Saucey Evening, the Authority may get involved.
Name: Incarcerated
-Great Belief and Coffee
Name: In Java We Trust
What is your favorite name in the Herringswell Stable?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Morning Personalities in South Florida
A full Palm Meadows barn means many different equine personalities. Nobody is no more familiar with those personalities than their exercise riders. Riders Heather Craig, Vicki King and John Ortiz recently shared their takes.
"Everybody has a different personality, which is great," Ortiz said. You've got to love them all."
Bevy, a 3-year-old Menifee filly is on Ortiz's daily set list.
"Bevy is unpredictable. One day she wants to go, the other days not. Somedays she's bad other days she's good. But my favorite right now is Winsome Ways. The way she handles herself, I love her type; the tall, long chestnut. They know how to present themselves. If she was a car she would be like a Subaru STI. She has that power. That all-wheel drive power, you can feel it."
The stable's leading money earner, Better Talk Now is accompanied by Craig daily. The 10-year-old plays the game his way.
"I'd have to say Better Talk Now has the most personality," Craig said. "He's completely wild. Consistently wild. He wheels, then bucks, then wheels to the left."
Craig also gave the Breeders' Cup regular his due.
"If he was a car I'd have to say he'd be a Bentley. Because he's real nice and he's classy. He's very cool. He's a great gallop."
King takes a leg up on Bold Abbott, a Mizzen Mast 5-year-old horse.
"Everybody has a different personality, which is great," Ortiz said. You've got to love them all."
Bevy, a 3-year-old Menifee filly is on Ortiz's daily set list.
"Bevy is unpredictable. One day she wants to go, the other days not. Somedays she's bad other days she's good. But my favorite right now is Winsome Ways. The way she handles herself, I love her type; the tall, long chestnut. They know how to present themselves. If she was a car she would be like a Subaru STI. She has that power. That all-wheel drive power, you can feel it."
The stable's leading money earner, Better Talk Now is accompanied by Craig daily. The 10-year-old plays the game his way.
"I'd have to say Better Talk Now has the most personality," Craig said. "He's completely wild. Consistently wild. He wheels, then bucks, then wheels to the left."
Craig also gave the Breeders' Cup regular his due.
"If he was a car I'd have to say he'd be a Bentley. Because he's real nice and he's classy. He's very cool. He's a great gallop."
King takes a leg up on Bold Abbott, a Mizzen Mast 5-year-old horse.
"He's a little naughty but in a fun way," King said. "He's not trying to throw you off. He is funny. I think he just discovered he has 'things' down there. He's checking out the all the girls and everything."
"He'd be a Chevy SUV. You know because he's good enough but not a great one. But he gets the job done."
What do Winsome Ways and the Subaru STI
have in common?
Monday, March 9, 2009
2009 Herringswell 3-year-olds taking form
While veteran big-hitters Better Talk Now and Rebellion take the winter off, our new faces at the races are showcasing their stuff.
Augustin Stables' trio of 3-year-olds include Saucey Evening, Smart Bid and Spring Party. Their sophomore seasons are underway in Southern California and early signals are promising.
Saucey Evening (More Than Ready) concluded her 2-year-old season with two respectable performances, a fourth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (where she finished just 2-lengths behind the winner) and a last-to-first victory in the $125,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes. Thus far in 2009 the chestnut filly has turned in a close third in the Grade I Las Virgenes and a fourth in the China Doll Stakes.
Smart Bid (Smart Strike) captured an impressive January allowance on the grass at Santa Anita. He followed that up with a stakes appearance, a sixth place finish in the Sham Stakes. Smart Bid is a half brother to our very own Deal Making.
Spring Party (Smart Strike) is the least experienced of the three but did not show it while breaking her maiden traveling one mile over the Santa Anita turf. Spring Party's dam is Surf Club, who is a half-sister to Awesome Humor, most notably a winner of the G I Spinaway, and a runner up in the legendary Alabama Stakes.
At Palm Meadows there is another young three-some that warrant attention.
Sumo (Fusaichi Pegasus) is an improving Arthur Hancock homebred. Nick-named the "little monster" by his groom, Sumo hardly resembles his namesake. Most recently, Sumo finished a tough second in the G III Sam Davies at Tampa Bay. His next start will be in the Tampa Bay Derby, Saturday March 14.
Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) graduated in each of her first two career starts before before finishing sixth against stakes company for the first time in the G II Davona Dale.
Now and Forever (Maria's Mon) has finished second in both career tries.
Saucey Evening has wins over both the turf and
Pro-ride synethic course.
Augustin Stables' trio of 3-year-olds include Saucey Evening, Smart Bid and Spring Party. Their sophomore seasons are underway in Southern California and early signals are promising.
Saucey Evening (More Than Ready) concluded her 2-year-old season with two respectable performances, a fourth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (where she finished just 2-lengths behind the winner) and a last-to-first victory in the $125,000 California Breeders’ Champion Stakes. Thus far in 2009 the chestnut filly has turned in a close third in the Grade I Las Virgenes and a fourth in the China Doll Stakes.
Smart Bid (Smart Strike) captured an impressive January allowance on the grass at Santa Anita. He followed that up with a stakes appearance, a sixth place finish in the Sham Stakes. Smart Bid is a half brother to our very own Deal Making.
Spring Party (Smart Strike) is the least experienced of the three but did not show it while breaking her maiden traveling one mile over the Santa Anita turf. Spring Party's dam is Surf Club, who is a half-sister to Awesome Humor, most notably a winner of the G I Spinaway, and a runner up in the legendary Alabama Stakes.
At Palm Meadows there is another young three-some that warrant attention.
Sumo (Fusaichi Pegasus) is an improving Arthur Hancock homebred. Nick-named the "little monster" by his groom, Sumo hardly resembles his namesake. Most recently, Sumo finished a tough second in the G III Sam Davies at Tampa Bay. His next start will be in the Tampa Bay Derby, Saturday March 14.
Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) graduated in each of her first two career starts before before finishing sixth against stakes company for the first time in the G II Davona Dale.
Now and Forever (Maria's Mon) has finished second in both career tries.
Saucey Evening has wins over both the turf and
Pro-ride synethic course.
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