Balgobin Bags a Triple
Apprentice rider Richard Balgobin's winning streak continued on Sunday when the bug boy drove home three winners on an afternoon that also saw the return of the magnificent AVANA
HIGHLIGHTS
Apprentice jockey Richard Balgobin had a riding triple.
Rob Maybin had a training double.
Four of the day’s six winners were bred here in B.C.
The handle came in at impressive total of $464,014
Sunday’s Race Reviews by Mike Heads
Race 1.
The Sunday opener was an allowance race for fillies and mares going six-and-a-half furlongs and taking home the top prize was Peter Redekop's AVANA ($3.80) who, held in reserve early behind a sensible pace by Amadeo Perez, began to creep closer nearing the far turn and exploded to the front at the top of the stretch, winning comfortably in 1:16.58 for trainer Barbara Heads. Swift Thoroughbreds’ BUNNY was given a perfect ride by Kimal Santo, drafting in behind the speed and, when asked for her best, she responded to take the lead into the lane but couldn’t stay with the winner and ended up a clear second for trainer Dino Condilenios. Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's AIR FORCE raced on the pace (22.56, 46.24) under Antonio Reyes until the stretch then yielded slightly, ending up a good third for trainer Keith Pedersen .
Race 2.
The second of the day saw Gary Johnson and Denise Praill's BRODYS SOUVENIR ($14.80) take the field gate to wire under Richard Balgobin. The pair set easy but contested fractions (24.13, 48.30) before proving best in the final stages to win in 1:14.16 for Hall of Fame trainer Frank Barroby. Canmor Farms, Maureen Goss and Adrian Trombley’s NU BLEND was off a step slow under Amadeo Perez and was forced to run most of the trip in the three path, which cost her as she was a little tired late and ended up second as the heavy favourite for Mark Cloutier. Warren Jensen, Doug Corsan, Len Houwelling and Mel Snow's MISS LARUE was in a good striking position with Bebeto Harvey in the saddle and they looked to be a threat but had to settle for third in her 2025 debut for trainer Mel Snow.
Race 3.
The third race on the program went to Tammy Snow's ANDALEIGH ($8.00), who was prominent early under Richard Balgobin, racing between runners on the lead (22.93, 46.59) and just ground out a hard-fought victory in 1:18.68 for trainer Tammy Snow. Canyon Farm's home bred KITTEN KANDY showed good speed from her inside draw under Kerron Khelawan. She raced bravely but was just caught late, ending up an impressive runner-up for Craig MacPherson. Stuart Carmichael, Jim Vilvang, Bill Randall and Maureen Goss’ FLOYD, who was off a step slow, ranged up to join the leaders in the three path approaching the first turn, stayed in contention until the stretch and finished a good third in his career debut for trainer Mark Cloutier.
Race 4.
The fourth race of the afternoon was won by Rob and Sheena Maybin's FLYING MISS ($18.30) who took full advantage of her rail post position and was sent to the front (24.01, 47.94), saving very inch of ground, and won smartly under Chris Mamdeen in 1:13.11 for conditioner Rob Maybin. The Maybin's completed the Exactor with WEEKENDINDELMAR as she closed up to be second under Richard Balgobin in a solid effort. Goonshow Stables’ DUKE GIRLS was stuck out in the three path for most of the journey under Kerron Khelawan and checked in third as the favourite for Dino Condilenios.
Race 5.
The fifth race of the day saw Lorie Henson’s RONDELITO ($5.90) break sharply with Kimal Santo securing the rail and leading through comfortable splits (22.54, 46.14) to win the battle in impressive style in 1:18.02 for trainer Steve Henson. Lois Bennett's TOUCH THE SUN, who showed good speed in his debut under Amadeo Perez, was forced three-wide into the first turn, then spent the rest of the trip in the two path, giving him every shot to win but he had to settle for a promising second-place effort for trainer Barbara Heads. Joe and Gloria Russo's KRIS'S GOLD was shuffled back a bit early and with the moderate early pace really had little chance to make up ground, checking in third under Kerron Khelawan for Patty Leaney .
Race 6.
The sixth race went to Rob and Sheena Maybin's BUCK'S FIZZ ($3.00) who sat back and watched the speed battle then when called upon by Richard Balgobin produced a strong late kick to get he victory in 1:19.12 for trainer Rob Maybin. J G Williamson Racing's HIGHLINER made an early on the backstretch to gain command on the final turn but ran out of gas in the stretch ending up a good second for conditioner Steve Henson. Saundra Chipman's STANFORD NORTH got into another battle on the lead (23.23, 47.10) with RICK'S DANCER which cost him finishing a good third for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Claims:
BUCK’S FIZZ was claimed by owner/trainer Jesse Morrison
Prayers answered:
Church and State surges to King Corrie score
TORONTO, May 18, 2025– Church and State, under Rafael Hernandez, powered home to take the $100,000 King Corrie Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
Leaving from the rail post, Hibiscus bloomed early and went to the lead in the seven-furlong main track event for 3-year-olds, followed closely by stablemate Madame Obey and Incoming, while Church and State, trained by Dale Desruisseaux, settled into last of six through an opening quarter in :23.41.
Hibiscus continued to show the way after a half in :45.51 as Incoming remained a presence to the outside of the leader. Church and State, now fifth, was hemmed along the inside heading into the turn for home, as Hernandez looked for a seam to open.
In a move reminiscent of Umberto Rispoli bulling his way between foes with Journalism in yesterday’s Preakness Stakes, Hernandez and the grey gelding also found a narrow opening between a pair of rivals but were still left with plenty of work to do to catch Hibiscus and Incoming, who had dashed away from the pack.
Third at the stretch call, Church and State, who momentarily turned his head towards the grandstand, hit his best stride in the final yards and went on to notch a half-length victory. Incoming was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Hibiscus. Madame Obey was fourth.
The final time was 1:22.71.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Monday, May 19
 |
|