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.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, June 1, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, May 25, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
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/
Monday, May 11, 2009
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.
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.
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