HorseRacing Central October 9, 2009

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DIAMOND STAKE WINNERS LOOK AHEAD

Silly Fella, the startling upset winner ($44.40) of last weekend’s Jack Diamond Futurity, could very well be going up against undefeated Huitzilopochtli in the $100,000 Ascot Graduation at Hastings on Oct. 25. Silly Fella, owned by Nick and Pauline Felicella and trained by Lenore Daponte, challenged Huitzilopochtli in the CTHS Sales Stakes last month and wound up finishing fourth. Both horses would be stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time should they meet again in the Ascot Graduation.

Vying Ty Grr, winner of the Sadie Diamond Futurity last weekend, will also be potentially taking on a 1 1/16 miles challenge for the first time in the $100,000 Fantasy on Oct. 24. According to trainer Barbara Heads, Vying Ty Grr is “back on form” as Heads points her to the Fantasy.

Racing resumes at Hastings this weekend with 1:50 p.m. starts Saturday and Sunday.

SECOND LEG OF CLASH TONIGHT

The road to the $75,000 Clash of the Pacific takes its final turn tonight at Fraser Downs with the second leg of elimination races. Based on money earnings, the top nine survivors compete in the 2009 Clash of the Pacific on Friday, October 16. Two of the leading contenders - Grand Bend Turbo and Lil Dude Starrbuck – have already qualified and won’t be racing tonight. Lil Dude Starrbuck with Scott Knight driving won his division in the opening leg last Friday (Oct. 2) with Grand Bend Turbo, winner of the Clash in 2007, finishing second at the urging of driver Dave Hudon. Tonight’s second leg goes as the 10th race with Neal Diamonique and Stiletto Hall listed as 7/2 co-favourites. Neal Diamonique finished second to upset winner Lil Shark Shooter ($47.00) last week while Stiletto Hall was third in his qualifying division.

Start time tonight and Saturday at Fraser is 7:10 p.m. because of the 14-race cards. When Thursday night racing kicks in next week (Oct. 15) the weekend start times will be back to the regular 7:30 p.m.

JOCKEY UPDATE

Both Pedro Alvarado and Dave Wilson are resting comfortably after sustaining injuries in late September. Alvarado came off while galloping out after a race on Sept. 25, suffering two fractured collarbones. He’s out for the remainder of the season. His Oaks and Derby mounts missed their regular rider as both Tierra Del Feugo and Tommy Danzigger went unplaced in two of the premier events of the year. Wilson was unseated in the morning and wound up in the hospital with a case of acute pancreatitis. Wilson was a visitor to the races at Hastings last weekend, an encouraging sign as he still undergoes precautionary blood tests.

WHAT’S ON TAP OUT OF TOWN

Saturday

Let’s call it “Super Saturday”. The fall Keeneland meeting opens this week and will play host to an important Breeders’ Cup preview program. There are five graded stakes on the 10-race card, including the $125,000 Woodford (12:25 p.m.) for turf sprinters. That is followed by the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club Of America (1:00 p.m.) for mare sprinters on the polytrack and the $400,000 First Lady (1:35 p.m.) featuring Breeders’ Cup Turf Mare winner Forever Together. The 2-year-olds are in the spotlight in the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (2:10 p.m.) with a field of 14 signed on to run, followed by the final stake of the day: the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (2:45 p.m.)

Santa Anita has four graded stakes on the agenda, including the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon (2:00 p.m.) for fillies and mares on the grass. Hoping to earn a spot in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup is Charles Fipke’s Internallyflawless. The $150,000 Oak Tree Mile (3:00 p.m.) is followed by the the $350,000 Goodwood (3:30 p.m.) featuring Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird who is trying to get back on track after three consecutive defeats. Stakes stars Colonel John and Tiago are both in the lineup. The most exciting race will be the $300,000 Lady’s Secret for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth on the Pro-Ride synthetic surface with the headliner being the undefeated mare Zenyatta looking for a 13th straight victory.

Sunday

Keeneland is once again an important locale as it has the $125,000 Bourbon Stakes (2:10 p.m.) for 2-year-old turf runners followed by the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster for mares on the polytrack at nine furlongs. Former Canadian champ Ginger Brew is among the 11 mares battling for top prize.

Santa Anita has two more important Breeders’ Cup preps with the $300,000 Clement Hirsch (3:30 p.m.) for turf marathon runners. Check out Presious Passion who finally gets back on firm turf and should be a nice price. The $300,000 Ancient Title (4:00 p.m.) is next for poly sprinters featuring Gayego.

Don’t forget the major U.S. tracks will be running Monday on the American Columbus Day holiday. Santa Anita, Belmont, Keeneland and Woodbine will be offering some top simulcast racing. C’mon out and enjoy; but remember there will be no live racing Monday at Hastings.