VA-BRED RACE WINNERS

Bandini Ace (g, 3yo), Bandini - Queen Of Humor by Distorted Humor. B - Carter James Sumter. Charles Town, 9/23/2011, mdn clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:29.81.

Blue Rocket (g, 3yo), Race On Green - Kitty Kiernan by Aaron's Gold. B - Rogers Donna T. Charles Town, 9/21/2011, mdn clmg, $9,600, 7 f, 1:29.40.

Desert Tiger (g, 3yo), Hold That Tiger - Gone To Utah by Salt Lake. B - Carolyn Nicewonder Beverly. Charles Town, 9/22/2011, alwc, $16,200, 7 f, 1:26.12.

Latika (f, 3yo), Wiseman's Ferry - Lady Chip by Dixie Union. B - Audley Farm. Laurel Race Course, 9/24/2011, clmg, $6,840, 5 f, 0:58.89.

Stylish Affair (f, 6yo), Not For Love - Fabulous Fame by Cherokee Colony. B - Iselin C. Oliver Mr. & Mrs. III. Charles Town, 9/23/2011, clmg, $6,600, 9 f, 1:57.52.

EVANS YEARLING DISPERSAL TOPS $6.5 MILLION

The Edward P. Evans/Spring Hill Farm dispersal of yearlings concluded on Thursday during the eleventh session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.  The dispersal sold a total of 50 horses for $6,527,000, averaging $130,540 each.

The top price from the liquidation was $650,000 paid for a full-brother to multiple Grade 1 stakes winner, track record setter and two-time Virginia-bred Horse of the Year Quality Road.

Thursday, September 22^nd:   

3312 B.F. Quiet American -- Steady Play, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $42.000, Smitten Farm  

3460 DB/BR.C. Macho Uno -- Dance Hall Days, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $15,000, Off The Hook Agent

3476 B.C. Pleasant Tap -- Disastrous Storm, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $40,000, James McIngvale

3479 B.C. Pleasant Tap -- Dixie Chimes,  Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $65,000, Paul A. Hirsimaki

3567 CH.C. Langfuhr -- Kobla Road, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $10,000, Julio Rada

3597 CH.C. Pleasant Tap -- Lyrical Prayer, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $20,000, Brian Chenvert

3641 CH.C. Langfuhr -- Perfect Forest, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $42,000 Marette Farrell, Agent

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Tom Queally riding Alsindi (R) win The Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket racecourse on September 23, 2011 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Colm O'Donoghue riding Daddy Long Legs win The Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket racecourse on September 24, 2011 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Dandy (orange cap) and Jimmy Fortune wins the EBF Zamindar Stakes.  (Photo by Imago/Zumapress.com)

Frankie Dettori jump off of Lyric of Light after winning the Shadwell Fillies Mile at Newmarket.  (Photo by Julian Herbert/Action Images)

Future Prospect and Edgar Prado won the 17th running of the $200,000 WinStar Kentucky Cup Gr. II at Turfway Park. (Photo by Horsephotos/NTRA)

Three-year-old Pomeroys Pistol and Javier Castellano scored emphatic four-length win in the $150,000 Foxwoods Gallant Bloom Handicap Gr.II  at Belmont Park Sept. 24.  (NYRA Photo)

Go Unbridled, with Ramon Dominguez up, rallied to beat Spa City Princess by 1½ lengths in the $100,000 John Hettinger Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at Belmont Park on Sunday. (NYRA Photo)

Kendall Hansen’s homebred Hansen scored a 13 ¼-length victory in the $95,000 Bluegrass Cat Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park. (Photo by Horsephotos/NTRA)

Johnny Murtagh riding Lightening Pearl win The Jaguar Cars Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket racecourse on September 24, 2011 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

John Fahy riding Prince of Johanne (R) win The Betfred Cambridgeshire at Newmarket racecourse on September 24, 2011 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Royal Currier and Stewart Ellion winning the $250,000 Gallant Bob stakes at Parx Racing as part of the Pennsylvania Derby undercard. (Photo by Horsephotos/NTRA)

To Honor and Serve and Jose Lezcano won the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby Gr. II on Saturday at Parx Racing setting a new stakes record by covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.34 on a track rated as fast.  (Photo by Horsephotos/NTRA)

Runners at Newmarket racecourse after a race on September 24, 2011 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

BANNED SEVERELY INJURED DURING WORKOUT

(By Nick Hahn)

The Thoroughbred Times reports that Virginia Derby runner-up Banned suffered a severe injury to his right ankle Thursday, September 22 during a workout at Santa Anita. Via Twitter, owner Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm said vets say he has a 20% chance of surviving. Banned won the Del Mar Derby (gr.IIT), Jefferson Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT) and the American Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) in 2011. The Kitten's Joy sired colt ran a game second to Air Support in the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs. Banned spent 10 days at Colonial Downs this summer in preparation for the Virginia Derby which included a timed work on the Secretariat Turf Course and regularly gallops in the mornings leading up to the race.

Also, trainer Shug McGaughey told the Paulick Report last week that Virginia Derby winner Air Support won't race the remainder of the year and likely wouldn't start until April or May of 2012. McGaughey said that Air Support hasn't been the same horse since winning the Virginia Derby in July and is giving him some time off.

Banned with assistant trainer Zack McDonald at Colonial Downs in July.

VA-BREDS AT KEENELAND – NINTH AND TENTH SESSIONS

2543 B.F. Broken Vow -- Beautiful Stranger, St. George Sales, Agent IX -- $125,000, Ten Broeck Farm

2565 DB/BR.C. Pleasantly Perfect -- Casanova Story, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm)  -- $47,000, Mike Puhich, Agent

2585 CH.F. Scat Daddy -- Cottage Flower, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $65,000, Tim Williams

2628 B.C. Ghostzapper – Finery, Adena Springs, Agent I -- $25,000, Michael

2690 DB/BR.F. Not For Love -- Intentional Fever, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $247,000, G. Ray Trisler & Mays Farm

2743 DB/BR.F. Dixie Union -- Mandy's Classic, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $45,000, William Churly

2800 DB/BR.F. Not For Love -- Play all Day,  Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $47,000, Off The Hook, Agent for Caroni Stable

2814 DB/BR.F. Stormy Atlantic -- Probable Colony,             Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $65,000, Fred W. Hertich, III

2823 CH.F. Johannesburg -- Rap and Dance, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $7,000, Cellena Cox

2840 B.F. Pleasantly Perfect -- Scholastic Giant, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $25,000, Cromwell Bloodstock, Agent/ Hat Creek Racing Co.

2896 B.C. Lemon Drop Kid – Tigi, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm)  -- $50,000, Mr. & Mrs. Marc C. Ferrell

3036 B.F. Street Boss -- Divorce Settlement, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $5,000, Davant Latham, Agent

3078 DB/BR.F. Langfuhr -- Gone for Christmas, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $120,000, Mt. Brilliant Stable LLC

3089 B.F. Pleasantly Perfect -- Guy Grand's Girl, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $12,000, Eqwos Bloodstock Agent for JMUB Stables

3093 CH.F. Grand Slam -- Hat Dancer, Eaton Sales, Agent -- $12,000, Jeff Greenhill

3123 B.F. Pleasantly Perfect -- Key Causeway, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $29,000, Donald Rick Green Foxpoint LLC

3174 B.F. Quiet American – Migrate, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $40,000, Santa Escolastica

PICTURES OF THE DAY

 Lake Placid winning at Colonial Downs on last Sunday.  (Susan M. Carter Photo)

Virginia-bred Researcher winning at Colonial Downs last Sunday.  (Susan M. Carter Photo)

Maggie Bryant’s Virginia-bred Southwest, with Carl Rafter up, won the Dot Smithwick Memorial Open Flat at Blue Ridge by 18 lengths.  By Cozzene, out of Summer Delight by Quiet American, Southwest is trained by Doug Fout and is a stakes placed winner of $222,646.  He ran over jumps this year at Saratoga and Colonial Downs. (Photo by Richard Clay)

VA-BREDS AT KEENELAND – EIGHTH SESSION

1996  B.C. Jump Start -- Ritual Dance, Eaton Sales, Agent -- $35,000, Nick de Meric

2167  B.F. Grand Slam -- Cat Minstrel, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $12,000, David Anderson

2172  CH.C. City Zip -- Cho Cho San, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the  Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $140,000,Third Street Stable

2211  DB/BR.F. Not For Love -- Dorm Fever, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $72,000, Gail Cox, Agent  

2232  DB/BR.C. Not For Love -- Fabulous Fame, Eaton Sales, Agent -- $38,000, Coleswood Farm /Jeff Runco  

2364  CH.F. Sharp Humor -- My Own Lovely Lee, Eaton Sales, Agent -- $4,000, Cynthia O'Bannon  

2391 F. Tiz Wonderful -- Proof Positive, Denali Stud (Craig and Holly Bandoroff), Agent IX -- $15,000, Lex 

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Felix de Giles riding Grandads Horse (L) clear the last to win The Stone Group Anniversary Novices' Hurdle Race at Uttoxeter racecourse on September 07, 2011 in Uttoxeter, England. (Getty Images)

Mark Rusell’s Russell Road won a $32,000 allowance race at Charles Town on the undercard for the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks.  Russell Road is a product of the VTA’s Stallion Season Auction. His breeder, Robert Lloyd, purchased a season from the auction for the stallion Wheaton, and the rest, as they say, is history.  Russell Road has won 18 races from 30 starts.  Thirteen of those wins have come in black-type events and his career earnings stand at $919,624. (Charles Town Photo)

Lake Placid (red silks) and Paddy Young on their way to winning the $15,000 Open Claiming Hurdle at Colonial Downs on Sunday, September 18, 2011.  (Photo by Frank Petramalo/VHBPA)

VA-BRED WINNERS

A Keeper Partner (c, 3yo), Partner's Hero - Keeper Kell by Two Punch. B - Johnson R. Larry. Laurel Race Course, 9/17/2011, clmg, $10,260, 5.5 f, 1:03.87.

Adalrico (g, 5yo), Wynslew - Cost Me Plenty by Corridor Key. B - Tarleton Andra Mrs. Charles Town, 9/14/2011, clmg, $6,600, 6.5 f, 1:21.98.

Chedi (c, 4yo), Cherokee Run - Doctoressa by Doc's Leader. B - Morgan's Ford Farm & Darley.
Fort Erie, 9/13/2011, alwc, $9,368, 8.3 f, 1:42.60. ($65,000, yrlg, 2008, keesep)

Dannhauser (c, 3yo), Johannesburg - Hatpin by Smart Strike. B - Audley Farm. PRX, 9/12/2011, mdn sp wgt, $27,000, 8.5 f, 1:45.49. ($270,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep; $350,000, 2yo, 2010, ftffeb)

Miss Defiant (f, 3yo), Boastful - Negativette by Negative. B - Bryan Baker. Calder Race Course, 9/18/2011, mdn clmg, $6,360, 6.5 f, 1:20.71.

Pride Of The Fleet (c, 5yo), Parker's Storm Cat - Fancy Dancer by Citidancer. B - Run Aweigh Stable. Laurel Race Course, 9/15/2011, clmg, $7,980, 8.5 f, 1:43.70.

Seaside (f, 4yo), Aldebaran - Classic Contender by Buckfinder. B - Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin, III.
Delaware Park, 9/17/2011, alwc, $22,800, 5 f, 0:59.77.

Storm The Field (g, 6yo), Stormin Fever - Biding Time by Seeking The Gold. B - Edward P. Evans. PRX, 9/17/2011, clmg, $24,000, 8.3 f, 1:42.28. ($100,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

AUDLEY, BACKER, LAZY LANE AND SPRING HILL SELL SIX FIGURE YEARLINGS

Over the weekend, Audley Farm, Lazy Lane, Bill Backer and Spring Hill all sold yearlings for six figures.  Audley’s Macho Uno filly fetched $110,000 while Lazy Lane sold a Bernstein colt for $170,000.  Bill Backer’s Smitten Farm in The Plains sold a $160,000 Include filly and Spring Hill sold three more six-figure yearlings.  

Through Sunday, the Evans’ dispersal had sold 28 yearlings for $5.595 million, averaging $199,821 each.

SATURDAY, SEPT 17

1162 DB/BR.F. More Than Ready -- Rough Water, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $55,000, Barry Berkelhammer

1194 B.F. Stormy Atlantic -- Smart Kiss, Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, Agent -- $45,000, Cynthnia Tucker, Agent

1196  CH.C. Lawyer Ron -- So Generous, Morgan's Ford Farm -- $45,000, Simon Hudy

1198 DB/BR.F. Grand Slam -- So Probable, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $90,000, Green Lantern Stables,

1385 B.F. Successful Appeal -- Fiery Pursuit, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) – $10,000, Santa Escolastica

1390 B.C. Ghostzapper -- For Kisses, Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, Agent -- $1,000, Bold Bidder Farm , Agent

1394 DB/BR.C. Macho Uno -- Forty Moves,  Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $225,000, Stonestreet Stables & George B. Bolton

1525 B.C. Harlan's Holiday -- Our Legacy, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $2,000, Lawless Racing

SUNDAY, SEPT 18

1630 B.C. Street Sense -- Starr County, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $230,000, Lothenbach Stables

1671 GR/RO.F. Exchange Rate -- Vicki Vallencourt, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $75,000, Stoneway Farm

1733 B.C. Exchange Rate -- Bubbly Baily, Burleson Farms, Agent -- $90,000, Barry Berkelhammer, Agent

1742 DB/BR.C. Smart Strike -- Cat Play, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $9,000, Dane Kobiskie PTK LLC

1790 DB/BR.F. Include – Doolittle, Lane's End, Agent for William Backer (Smitten Farm) -- $160,000, Jane B. Dunn, Agent

1801 GR/RO.F. Macho Uno – Elusive, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $110,000, Michael Dubb & The Elkstone Group

1840 CH.C. Scat Daddy -- Gone Golfing, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $85,000, Solis Bloodstock

1855 CH.F. Tapit -- Hidden Ransom, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $27,000, Mick Flanagan, Agent

1942 DB/BR.C. Bernstein -- Night Breeze, Warrendale Sales, Agent for Lazy Lane Farms LLC -- $170,000 Jim Ryan

1964 B.F. War Pass -- Point Missed, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $250,000, Mathis Racing, LLC et al

NEW MACHINES OPEN AT COLONIAL DOWNS

The fall opening weekend for harness racing at Colonial Downs also featured the opening of a new grandstand wagering area devoted to video games with a wagering twist. In one of the simulcast areas the racetrack installed thirty touch screen video game machines. Games include a slot-like spin wheel and poker. On the wall are the traditional simulcast screens with races broadcast from across the country.

By making a $10 trifecta wager at designated flat and harness tracks—on opening Sunday Philadelphia Park was the selected track—a patron was given a plastic card with 1000 points on it. Swiping the card in one of the video game machines then entitled the bettor to play the video games, with the possibility of winning a $10,000 prize or accumulating points that can be cashed in at penny a point.

A player who used up 1000 points without winning can make another $10 trifecta wager thereby adding 1000 points to his or her plastic card. The card does not expire and may be used at subsequent visits to the track.

The business plan from the point of view of track management and the horsemen is quite simple. Increased handle by promoting trifecta simulcast wagering at certain tracks, which would not normally occur, results in more revenue for Colonial and the Virginia HBPA horsemen’s purse account. That is achievable because the commission, or take out, on trifecta wagers at certain tracks, like Philadelphia Park, is a relatively high thirty percent. The takeout on win/place/show wagering at most tracks (including Colonial) is around 18%, and is usually in the 20% range for “exotics” like exactas, trifectas, and pick four wagering.

The difference between a 30% trifecta takeout at certain tracks and lower takeouts on wagers at other tracks makes it feasible to pay video game winners without hitting too hard the track’s pocketbook. And, of course, if the bettor hits the trifecta funding his video game playing so much the better. When it comes to revenue, churn is the name of the game in pari-mutuel wagering.

If the video games prove popular, Colonial will keep the grandstand simulcast area open year round instead of closing it when there is no live racing at the track. – Frank Petramalo.

RACING INTO HISTORY

WHIRLAWAY

Sept. 19, 1943: Rider Eddie Arcaro returned to racing after a 12-month suspension that resulted from his attempt to injure a fellow rider in the Cowdin Stakes the previous year. 


Sept. 19, 1942: Alsab, runner-up in the 1942 Kentucky Derby, beat 3-10 favorite Whirlaway, the 1941 Triple Crown champion, by a nose in a $25,000 match race at Narragansett Park. The match was arranged after Alsab was scratched from the Narragansett Special, a race won by Whirlaway one week earlier. Narragansett’s president, James Dooley, offered to contribute the track’s share of the mutuel handle, plus breakage, to the Army and Navy Relief Funds, making attendance at the race a patriotic gesture. Alsab and Whirlaway met twice more that year, with Whirlaway winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 3, and Alsab besting him in the New York Handicap on Oct. 10. 

Sept. 20, 1965: Jockey Jorge Velasquez made his American racing debut, riding for owner Fred W. Hooper, at Atlantic City Racecourse. He won with his first mount, aboard Keypoint, in the sixth race, at 8-1 odds. 

Sept. 20, 1976: Two-year-old Seattle Slew made his racing debut, winning a six furlong maiden race by five lengths at Belmont Park. His zesty workouts prior to the race made Seattle Slew the 2-1 favorite and he was the public’s choice in both his subsequent races that year. After only three starts (including the Champagne Stakes) in the space of 27 days, Seattle Slew was voted champion two-year-old colt for 1976. 

Sept. 20, 1980: Before a crowd of 23,000 spectators, four-year-old Spectacular Bid won the Woodward Stakes in the world’s richest walkover. To the surprise of trainer Bud Delp and owners Harry, Teresa and Tom Meyerhoff, “Bid” was awarded only $73,300, which was half of the winner’s share of the purse, but all that was allowable under the track’s rules. There had not been a walkover in a major U.S. stakes race since Coaltown won the Edward Burke Handicap on April 23, 1949. 

Sept. 20, 1999: Storm Cat’s stud fee was raised from $200,000 to $300,000. 

Sept. 20, 2001: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince and Defense Minister of the United Arab Emirates, donated $5 million to a disaster relief fund, established by Keeneland, to assist those affected by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. 

Sept. 20, 2001: Leading breeder Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., pledged $1 million to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association-New York Heroes Fund. 

Sept. 21, 1938: A hurricane disrupted racing at Rockingham Park, which ended the day’s program after the sixth race. Thirteen barns were destroyed during the storm. 

Sept. 21, 1940: For the first time in the history of photo finishes a triple dead heat for first place was recorded, at Willow’s Park, Victoria, British Columbia. 

Sept. 21, 1973: Virginia-bred Secretariat had his first workout on a turf course, going a half-mile in :48 3/5 at Belmont Park. 

Sept. 22, 1988: Stuart Symington Janney Jr., owner of Ruffian, died at age 81. 

Sept. 22, 1996: Larry Ross trained the top four finishers in the Washington HBPA Stakes at Emerald Downs. 

Sept. 23, 1998: Clay Puett, who invented the electric starting gate more than 60 years ago, died at age 99. 

Sept. 23, 2000: The 13-day Keeneland September Sale concluded with gross sales of $291,827,100, topping the previous mark of $233,020,800 set last year. 

Sept. 25, 1866: Jerome Park, named for its founder, Leonard W. Jerome, opened in the Bronx, N.Y. The track was a magnet for New York’s fashionable society, and the first to attract women in large numbers. Even the racehorses were fashionable, with ribbons of their owners’ colors braided into their manes and tails. Jerome, seeking to emulate the British racing system, also established the American Jockey Club, precursor to the present Jockey Club, formed in 1894. 

PICTURES OF THE DAY

A floral tribute stands next to a photograph of the late racehorse trainer Ginger McCain at Aintree Racecourse on September 19, 2011 in Liverpool, England. McCain, who trained the legendary Red Rum, died at age 80 after suffering from cancer. McCain won the Grand National four times, three times with Red Rum in 1973, 1974 and 1977, followed by Amberleigh House's win in 2004. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Jimmy Toner switched riders (to Javier Castellano) on Winter Memories for the Grade 1, $250,000 Garden City Stakes in hopes of getting his supremely talented filly a cleaner trip and a better chance at scoring her first Grade 1 win. It worked. (NYRA Photo)

Team Block’s Never Retreat, with a patient Julien Leparoux aboard, took over from Woolly Bear turning for home, then had enough in the tank to first repel Stars to Shine, then a late challenge from Perfect Shirl to capture the Grade 2, $300,000 Canadian Stakes Sunday at Woodbine, part of the Ricoh Woodbine Mile undercard.  (Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo)

Eventual winner, Virginia-bred Researcher (Virginia Tech Foundation) (fourth from right) stalks the pace the first time by during the non-wagering exhibition race at Colonial Downs on Sunday.  Stablemate Saint Dynaformer (third from right) was second and Gustavian (trailing) was third.  (Frank Petramalo Photo)

Kieren Fallon riding Green Destiny win the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury racecourse on September 17, 2011 in Newbury, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

Hip #158 C by Lemon Drop Kid, out of Christmas Gift sold for $325,000 to Brushwood Stable. (Coady Photography/Keeneland)

Hip #174 C by Indian Charlie, out of Gold Mover sold for $350,000 to Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd. (Coady Photography/Keeneland)

Kieren Fallon riding Caspar Netscher (L) win The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury racecourse on September 17, 2011 in Newbury, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

PTK LLC's Lemon Juice and Alberto Delgado winning the $100,000 Charles Town Juvenile Stakes on September 17, 2011.  (Charles Town Photo)

R. Larry Johnson's Strike The Moon and Julian Pimentel winning the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks.  Virginia-bred Hot Summer (Lazy Lane Farm) was fourth and Virginia-bred Her Smile (Bill Backer) was sixth after a rough trip.  (Charles Town Photo)

Turallure mounted a powerful rally from out of traffic under a daring ride from Julien Leparoux to capture Sunday's $1 million Woodbine Mile Gr.I. (Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo)

Live Oak Plantation's homebred Unbridled Humor got back to her winning ways on Sunday at Belmont Park, posting a 1 ¾-length victory in the $100,000 Noble Damsel Stakes Gr.III. (NYRA Photo)

AUDLEY AND SPRING HILL LEAD VIRGINIANS AT FIFTH KEENELAND SESSION

(Keeneland Photo)

Audley Farm in Berryville, VA sold two homebreds at the Thursday session of the Keeneland September yearling sale for a combined $405,000.

Audley’s Hip # 862 sold to Shadwell Estate Company Ltd for a final bid of $325,000.  The dark bay colt is by Indian Charlie and out of the stakes winner Hatpin.  His sire has produced the likes Indian Blessing, Fleet Indian and Uncle Mo and his dam is a graded stakes placed stakes winner of $265,120.

Audley’s Hip #992 sold to Chris Ewing for $80,000.  The chestnut colt is by Candy Ride the sire of Misremembering and Sidney’s Candy and out of the unraced Forestry mare Malati.  Malati’s dam, May Star, is a full sister to Breeders Cup Juvenile winner and successful sire Unbridled Song.

The on-going Spring Hill dispersal offered four with the highlight being the last two, both colts, which brought $350,000 and $325,000 from Besilu and Shadwell respectively.

At the end of the Thursday session, Spring Hill had sold 19 yearlings for $4,697,000, averaging $247,210.

The highest price of the day was $1.35 million paid by Adena Springs for Hip #957, a colt by Awesome Again, out of Legs Lawlor.

MORE VA-BRED YEARLINGS AT KEENELAND

862 DB/BR.C. Indian Charlie – Hatpin, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $325,000, Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd.

950 DB/BR.F. Tiznow -- Last Fever, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $30,000, Wesley Melcher

963 B.C. El Prado (IRE) -- Like Clockwork, St. George Sales, Agent IX -- $32,000, Michael Puhich, Agent

992 CH.C. Candy Ride (ARG) – Malati, Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $80,000, Chris Ewing

996 B.C. Giant's Causeway -- Marital Spook, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $42,000, Blandford Bloodstock

1143 GR/RO.C. Pulpit -- Quiet Dance, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm)-- $350,000, Besilu Stables

1145 GR/RO.C. More Than Ready -- Quiet Now,  Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $325,000, Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd.  

REMINDER: JAMES RIVER TRF ADOPT-A-TB DAY THIS SUNDAY

The James River Chapter of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing lifetime care and adoption services for ex-racehorses, is hosting its first annual Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day.

The free event, to be held Sunday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond-area James River Work Center, will feature a ring exhibition showcasing many of the chapter’s 27-horse herd who are ready to move on to permanent homes.

The chapter’s Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day offers visitors ample time with trainers, adoption coordinators, and inmate herd management staff to learn more about the horses. It also gives visitors a chance to learn about the Second Chances program, a unique partnership that exchanges JRWC land use for an equine care vocational training program for offenders.

The day will feature a barn tour from 10 a.m. to noon. From noon to 1 p.m. guests will be offered a special photo opportunity with Covert Action, the grandson of Secretariat, and Multiple Choice, his great-grandson. Guests must bring their own camera. The day’s ring exhibition will be conducted from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by one-on-one meetings with adoption staff. A tack sale fundraiser will be offered throughout the day.

No RSVP is required for this event and visitors are welcome to attend all or part of the day.

The James River Work Center is located at 1954 State Farm Rd., State Farm, Va. in Goochland County.

For more information about the TRF’s James River Chapter Adopt-A-Thoroughbred Day, visit http://www.jamesriverhorses.org/index.htm#03, or email statefarmhorses@aol.com.

KEENELAND THIRD SESSION TOPPER HALF-SISTER TO CLN GR.3 WINNER

(Keeneland Photo)

Benjamin Leon’s Besilu Stables spent $1.2 million for the Tuesday session topping filly by Bernardini, out of out of Silk n’ Sapphire by Smart Strike from the consignment of Catherine Parke’s Valkyre Stud.

Consigned as Hip #307, the filly is a half-sister to Colonial Downs’ All Along Stakes Gr.III winner Shared Account.  Shared Account has won over $1.6 million including the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Gr.I and the Lake Placid Stakes Gr.II at Saratoga.

Silk n’ Sapphire is currently in foal to Giant’s Causeway.

At the end of the day, the first of three sessions for this second catalogue, gross revenues increased by 20.0%, the average price rose by 22.4%, and the middle-market median was up by 30.8%.

To see the results, click here.  

AGENT MIKE RYAN LANDS HIGH PRICED EVANS’ BRED

RYAN (Bloodhorse.com)

Members of the Edward P. Evans dispersal continued to be sought-after commodities yesterday at Keeneland. The draft, being handled by Lane's End, included hip #398, a colt by Medaglia d’Oro--Tap Dance who brought $470,000.

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan saw off Darley’s John Ferguson for the fourth-highest price on the afternoon.

“I thought this was the best Medaglia d’Oro that I’ve seen [at the sale],” enthused Ryan, who

said he was buying for an undisclosed client whom he called a “well-known owner.”

The colt, he said, “would race in the U.S. 

“There were a lot of nice ones, but he was the one that I, personally, liked best,” he added.

Asked if he thought he’d be forced to pay more, Ryan admitted, “There was plenty for him. I thought he was an outstanding prospect.”

MEDAGLIA D'ORO (Melissa Mojica)

The Mar. 22-foaled colt is a son of the 13-year-old GII Bonnie Miss S. heroine Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap), herself a half to the dams of GISW Malibu Prayer (Malibu Moon) and recent German group winner Silverside (Pleasantly Perfect).

Chris Baker, farm manager for Evans’s Spring Hill Farm in Virginia, thanked Ryan for his efforts.

“It says something about your program when you get guys like Mike and [John Ferguson] bidding on your horses,” said Baker.

He added of the dispersal, “The good ones are selling well—I don’t think our experience is any different from anybody else’s. That colt was exceptional. He was a big, strong, athletic colt, and he really blossomed in the last 45 or 60 days.”

Other members of the Evans dispersal included yearlings that sold during Book 1 for $650,000, $500,000, $350,000 and $300,000, results that Baker attributed to Evans’;s 40-year development as a breeder.

BAKER (G.Petty/VTA)

“His performance criteria improved over that time--he added size, he added quality, and so on,” said Baker. “And what happened, especially in the last 10 years, is that we changed some things in our program, like foaling every horse in Virginia, diversifying our trainer base, and controlling every aspect of development, and I think that’s why the last five years have been the strongest of his 40 years in the business.”

Baker said he views Spring Hill’s current yearlings that are now selling a superior group of horses, but said the weanlings that are set to go under the hammer at Keeneland November represent perhaps the best crop ever produced by the farm.

“We reached a sort of critical mass with our quality and quantity,” he said. “The crop that will sell in November clearly is the best crop on pedigree and physicals in my time with Mr. Evans.” Baker added, too, that he expects Evans’s impact on breeding and racing to be felt in the next decade.

“I think if you take his death and draw a line in the sand there, I’m highly confident the 10 years after will be better than the 10 years that preceded 12/31/2010,” said Baker.

Evans passed away last New Year’s Eve at the age of 68. – Lucas Marquardt/Thoroughbred Daily News

PPs 9, 1 and 1 WIN ON 911 ANNIVERSARY

On the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Sunday, horses wearing the numbers 9, 1 and 1 won the first three races at Belmont Park.

The New York City track served as one of the staging areas for workers and emergency vehicles in the days following the destruction of the World Trade Center.

David Jacobson, the trainer at the stable that owns the first two winners, told the New York Post that the odds "were probably about a million to one."

Actually, the pick three paid $18.60 for a $2 bet.

Drawing Away Stables and David Jacobson’s Say Toba Sandy with David Cohen up won the first race on the card, a $10,000 claiming race.  Jacobson also trained the winner. The Say Florida Sandy mare was the favorite and paid $4.20 to win. 

The same connections scored in the second race, a $7,500 claiming race, when Wishful Tomcat, a six-year-old New York-bred by Tactical Cat (David Cohen) won by 3 ¾ lengths as the chalk. 

Three Aces Stable LLC's Haya’s Boy (Simon Husbands) won the third race a $16,000 maiden claimer.  The colt by Langfuhr was the second favorite for trainer Joseph Aquilino paying $6.90 on a $2 win wager. 

Lottery players weren't so lucky, the two New York State Lottery draws on Sunday came up 1-0-8 and 5-4-3.

The odds are always 1,000-to-1 for any three-number combination of numbered balls to randomly pop out of the machine, but 9-1-1 did come up on one other auspicious date: Sept. 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the attacks.

MORE VA-BREDS AT KEENELAND

EVANS PURCHASED HIP 664 (Keeneland)

Tuesday, September 13:

214 B.F. Smart Strike -- Raging Fever, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $35,000, Harvest Landing

362 B.C. Smart Strike -- Summer Colony, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $30,000, Eli Lomita

398 B.C. Medaglia d'Oro -- Tap Dance, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $470,000, Mike Ryan, Agent 

399 DB/BR.F. Speightstown -- Tap Gold, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $65,000, Jon & Sarah Kelly

Wednesday, September 14:

655 DB/BR.C. Lemon Drop Kid – Charitabledonation, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $340,000, Ben Glass, Agent

664 CH.C. Lemon Drop Kid -- Christmas Card, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of the Estate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $360,000, Robert S. Evans

FERGUSON PURCHASED HIP 707
(Keeneland Photo)

669 DB/BR.F. Dixie Union -- City Sister, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $180,000, Dr. Oscar Benavides, ,Agent for St George Stables LLC

676 B.C. Smart Strike – Colonella, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $240,000, Mike McCarty 

707 B.C. Street Sense -- Day Mate, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $135,000, John Ferguson 

739 DB/BR.F. Dixie Union -- Dundrummin', Brookdale Sales, Agent for Audley Farm Equine LLC -- $140,000, Goldmark Farm, LLC/Todd Quast, Agent    

 

785 DB/BR.F. Dixie Union -- Fever's Gone Emily, Lane's End, Agent for the Complete Dispersal of theEstate of Edward P. Evans (Spring Hill Farm) -- $260,000, Pam And Martin Wygod