It All Adds Up for Diocles
The Pat Jarvis-trained DIOCLES franked the 'Classic Generation' form at Hastings on Sunday when landing the day's feature event in professional style, under a typically stylish ride by Kerron Khelawan
HIGHLIGHTS
Jockey Brian Boodramsingh enjoyed a two-win afternoon
The handle was $278,125
Five of the day’s six races were won by horses bred here in B.C.
Race 1.
The Sunday opener saw White Hall Farm’s PETERSON LANDING ($3.70) crush her opponents under Silvino Morales with a ground-saving ride to hit the line in a good 1:46.58 for trainer Keith Pedersen. Rob and Sheena Maybin's FLYING MISS was sent off to the front by Chris Mamdeen, setting very comfy splits (24.95, 50.24, 1:15.29), but could not stay with the winner and ended up a clear second for Rob Maybin. Roxanne's Racing Stable, Milton Palma, Cody and Kelsi Wellard's CHABI was also prominent early under Brian Boodramsingh and they got a little tired late finishing fourth for trainer Pete Gregory but was moved up to third after all money wagered on FOREVER SUMMER was refunded after judges deemed that she did not receive a fair start.
Race 2.
The second race on the day went to Demetris Topouzis’ B C CHRISTIE ($3.10), who was a little farther back than usual under Brian Boodramsingh, but they managed to inch by the leaders in deep-stretch to claim victory in 1:18.47. Trinity West Stables’ I'M ALL SHOOK UP was carefully handled by Bebeto Harvey, relaxing nicely off the a sensible pace, then struck the lead late but just got nailed in the closing strides, finishing a game runner-up for trainer John Snow. Willow Creek Farm's NOTHINGBUTSUNSHINE set the tempo (23.18, 46.86) with Antonio Reyes at the helm and they led until the stretch but yielded late, ending up a close third for conditioner Steve Henson.
Race 3.
The third of the day went to Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ DIOCLES ($7.20), who was given a perfect trip by Kerron Khelawan behind a contested duel and was able to get up inside the sixteenth pole to secure the win in 1:44.30 for trainer Pat Jarvis. Gord Christoff and Lance Giesbrecht's J DUTTON was sent to the lead by Amadeo Perez but did not receive any breathers, making him vulnerable as the favourite in the stretch and was caught late ending in the second spot for Rob Anderson. Canyon Farm's VECTOR was chasing the pace throughout (23.94, 48.34, 1:12.98) under Kimal Santo and fought gamely to the wire, finishing a close third for trainer Craig MacPherson.
Race 4.
The fourth race was won by Don Danard and Mel Snow's CASCADE BILLY ($4.00), who led from gate-to-wire under Brian Boodramsingh, setting moderate splits (22.46, 45.45), and had just enough left in reserve to find the line first in 1:16,42 for trainer Mel Snow. Nancy Betts’ CEREBRO turned in another big performance, settling on the outside of the winner under Kerron Khelawan and stayed on determinedly, getting second money. The Bennett's SET TO SHINE was in a perfect striking position with Amadeo Perez up and they shifted out three-wide for the drive, but the front runners still had lots left so he had to settle for a close third for conditioner Barbara Heads.
Race 5.
The fifth of the afternoon saw Milburn Legacy's FOREIGN PROTOCOL ($4.70) relax kindly for Learie Seecharan, chasing moderate fractions (22.54, 46.11), then opened up a big lead on the turn and, while the strides were shortening, he found the wire first in 1:17.38 for trainer Dave Milburn. Hammer Racing Stables’ FOOT SOLDIER was in a good spot early and rallied sharply up the rail to get the second spot under Silvino Morales for trainer Rob Henson. Jordan Froelich and Ryan Deyotte's GOOD BYE PUTIN was far back early under Chris Mamdeen and managed to sneak through on the rail to be able to win a battle for third for conditioner Ryan Deyotte.
Race 6.
The sixth of the day was won by Rob and Sheena Maybin's RICK'S DANCER ($11.20), who assumed command away from the gate, getting a clear lead (24.36, 48.23, 1:13.08) and was never really threatened, winning in 1:45.99 for conditioner Rob Maybin. Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Barry Hickman and Lesley Small's WISELY PLAYED showed a little more speed than usual under Kimal Santo and they stayed in contention to the stretch and looked to be a threat but had to settle for second money for trainer Charlene Miller. Shamrock Racing Stables and Brian Phillips’ NU SOUP FOR BABY was off a step slow, which gave him a lot to do, and he made strong move at the far turn under Ridge Balgobin to get near the leaders and finish an impressive third for trainer Brian Phillips.
Top 3 Woodbine Weekend Highlights
1. Mark Casse x 3 = $94.30
A trio of Mark Casse trainees, MI BAGO, DARE TO BREEZE and BULLET, finished first, second, and third, respectively, in the $175,000 bet365 Algonquin Stakes on Saturday. A $1 triactor featuring the All-Casse horses returned $94.30
2. Dodging defeat
PATCHES O’HOULIHAN, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Tiller for owner and breeder Frank Di Giulio, Jr., won his fourth straight start after taking the Grade 2 $250,000 Nearctic Stakes Presented by The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Sofia Vives guided last year’s champion male sprinter to the 1½-length victory.
3. Silver to Gold
SCORCHING trained by John Charalambous for owners Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch, lost by a nose in Sunday’s $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes, but was elevated to first after the winner was disqualified. Ridden by Patrick Husbands, the son of Mo Town returned $7.20 for the win.
Bluestocking Beats Boys, Juddmonte Wins Seventh Arc'
By: France Galop | October 7, 2024
Winner of the Prix Vermeille (G1) last month over the same 1 1/2 miles of ParisLongchamp turf, England-based filly BLUESTOCKING more than paid back her US$131,784 supplement fee when she won Sunday taking on males in the US$5.5 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
It was a victory for breeder-owner Juddmonte, whose late founder Prince Khalid Abdullah had won Europe’s most prestigious race six times. The seven combined wins are a record, breaking a tie with Marcel Boussac.
The triumph earned Bluestocking, who also won the Pretty Polly (G1) in June at the Curragh, an invitation to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Oct. 2 at Del Mar.
The 4-year-old filly by Epsom Derby (G1) winner CAMELOT (GB) from EMULOUS (GB) by DANSILI (GB) is from a mare who won the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland. Emulous has produced three other modest winners.
Juddmonte raced Bluestocking’s third dam, QUEEN OF SONG, who won the Grade 2 Shuvee Stakes in 1984.
Bluestocking’s last effort against males came this summer when she finished fourth in the International Stakes (G1) at York.
“After the (International), we decided to return to the female races,” Beckett said. “Bluestocking did so well in the Vermeille, which was very competitive, that we thought about supplementing her in the Arc. She had come back very well from that race, and we just kept her spirits up until the Arc.”
Bluestocking raced close to the leaders on a track made heavy by morning rain. The race was led by Los Angeles ahead of Bluestocking and the 7-2 favorite Sosie. Zarakem found himself in a good position at the rail with Aventure at his side.
In the final straight Los Angeles tried to pull away, but he was attacked quickly by Sosie and then Bluestocking and Aventure, who set off in pursuit.
Bluestocking took the lead for good with a quarter-mile to go and ran on with first-time Arc-winning jockey Rossa Ryan to a 1 1/4-length triumph.
“The straight was very long to live,” Beckett said. “I was afraid that a horse would come to get ahead of her at the end, … especially since Bluestocking took the advantage early.
I grew up watching the likes of Rainbow Quest and Dancing Brave: it’s a privilege to train for Juddmonte and a great honour.”
Aventure finished second, and it was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Los Angeles in third. Sosie, who plateaued on a track that was probably too soft for him, hung on for fourth. The stayer Sevenna’s Knight finished a good fifth ahead of Zarakem.
The winning time was 2:31.58 for the 1 1/2 miles without a run-up.
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