There’s a great deal to write about this weekend! The results of three races including the Al Quoz Sprint, the inauguration of three new members, an entry, and some very notable workouts!
Results in Dubai
The Al Quoz Sprint race had special meaning to the followers of this blog. Three American-based geldings who qualify for our Veterans of the Turf Club were in the race, and as you’ll recall, the horse that performed best would become a member of the VOTTC. The three horses were Quick Enough, Stradivinsky, and Mr. Gruff. Unfortunately, none of them performed very well, with Stradivinsky and Mr. Gruff coming home next-to-last and last. However, seven-year-old Quick Enough ran respectably to finish eighth, and shall therefore become the newest addition to our club!
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings |
| 20 | 8 | 5 | 3 | $375,360 |
You can watch a replay of the Al Quoz Sprint at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62123/j-j-the-jet-plane-flies-to-victory-in-al-quoz
New Members
Quick Enough isn’t the only horse that we are adding to our club. I have also decided to add Rahy’s Attorney and Chamberlain Bridge. Rahy’s Attorney, a seven-year-old bay gelding won the 2008 Woodbine Mile (gr. I) over the fabulous mare Ventura. Last time out, he pulled off a mild upset in the Pan American Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park over Musketier, Prince Will I Am, and Eldaafer. He definitely deserves to be a member of the VOTTC, and I am glad to welcome him into the club!
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings |
| 37 | 13 | 9 | 4 | $2,059,992 |
You can watch his Pan American victory at Bloodhorse.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2011/3/26/10/pan-american-s-gr-3
Chamberlain Bridge, also seven-years-old, was going to be one of the inaugural members of the VOTTC. However, I forgot to include him . . . oops!
But it’s better late than never, so I shall now add him to our members list. As I’m sure many of you know, he is a magnificent turf sprinter. Last year, he won several stakes races, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II). This year, he won the Rail Splitter Stakes in mid-February and should make his next start within a month or so.
Here is his career record to date:
| Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Earnings | |
| 32 | 17 | 4 | 6 | $1,630,459 |
Here’s a link to the replay of his Breeders’ Cup victory:
http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=2010&divisionname=turfsprint
An Entry
Awesome Gem, winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), makes his 2011 debut on April 2nd at Golden Gate Fields! In a one-mile turf allowance race, the eighth on the card, he has drawn gate six and will be ridden by top Northern California rider Russell Baze.
Here are the entries:
| Post Position | Horse | Morning Line Odds |
|
| 1 | Sir Al | 12-1 |
|
| 2 | Hudson Landing | 3-1 |
|
| 3 | Meteore | 9-5 |
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| 4 | Rendezvous | 6-1 |
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| 5 | Cayembe | 8-1 |
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| 6 | Awesome Gem | 7-2 |
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| 7 | Posse Power | 20-1 |
|
| 8 | Dream Nettie | 15-1 |
|
Awesome Gem is an eight-year-old gelding by Awesome Again out of Piano, by Pentelicus. He has not raced since finishing a distant seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.
Although his biggest success came at a mile and a quarter on a synthetic track, Awesome Gem has proven perfectly capable of competing in turf mile races. He ran second in the 2008 Wickerr Stakes, a one-mile turf event, and was also second in the 2009 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. I) at nine furlongs on turf.
His main competition will likely come from morning line favorite Meteore, who has proven to be a fine lower-level turf stakes competitor. Although he has not won since his victory in the 2009 La Jolla Handicap (gr. II), he’s been close on numerous occasions since then.
You can watch the race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Live Video”. You will have to sign up, but it doesn’t take long, and it’s worth it!
Good luck, Awesome Gem!
Notable Workouts
Cost of Freedom returned to the worktab for the first time since running third in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes, working three furlongs in :35 1/5 at Hollywood Park on March 28th. He's obviously several weeks away from his next race, but it's nice to see him breezing again!
Silver Timber breezed a half-mile in :49.30 this morning at Palm Meadows Training Center. It was his fifth breeze since running a close fourth in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February. The Shakertown Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland on April 16th could potentially be his next start.
And finally, some results
The final section of this post regards Interpatation’s quest to win a $32,000-$28,000 claiming event yesterday at Santa Anita Park. He was 9.20-1 in a nine horse field going nine furlongs on turf. Unfortunately, he failed to win. His didn’t get the best of trips, being caught wide throughout, and tired in the stretch to finish sixth. On the other hand, he was only beaten 6 ¼ lengths and did close his final eighth in less than twelve seconds, even though he was losing ground at the finish. He was not claimed, and earned $400 for his efforts. I remain confident that the will find the winner’s circle again someday!
You can watch the replay of his race at www.calracing.com. Under “Racing Information” at the top of the screen, click “Race Replays”. As with the live racing, you will have to sign up.
Another veteran gelding that race recently was Garden Dancer. Unfortunately, with all of the exciting races ib Dubai going on, I forgot to mention that he was running on March 28th. The race was the seventh at Beulah Park, a 5-1/2 furlong $2,500 claiming event. Although he finished fourth, he actually ran fairly well. Close to the pace in the early going, he ran evenly throughout to be beaten only four lengths.
Now go enjoy a fabulous weekend of racing, everyone!
-Keelerman
