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10/17/2011- Cryptocandiac Heads for Three Chimneys Farm and a New Life in the Stud
Victorious in her last start in our program and bouncing around begging carrots, we snapped a shank on her and led her to the loading chute at Monmouth Park Sunday morning to a nice cozy box stall and a one way trip to one of Kentucky's most beautiful breeding farms, Three Chimneys. As agent they will prepare her to sell Friday of week one of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sales, selling as lot 1402.
Offered as a broodmare prospect, she goes out with a very promising performance and all indications are she is just coming into herself as a runner. Someone could well get themselves a lovely acquisition that could reward them on the track and then in the breeding shed. We are so very proud of her accomplishments and thankful to both Stidham Racing and Anthony R Margotta Jr. for the highlights in her racing career.
Our wish is for a long and wonderful life as a proud mother, hopefully with the ability to pass on the quality and stellar ability and precocity her awesome multiple stakes producing dam Citi Pearl has. A stakes placed half sister to multiple graded stakes winning, G1 multiple placed WORKIN FOR HOPS, she has held up well in the challenging position of growing up in his imposing shadow.
Godspeed Cryptocandiac! |
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Cryptocandiac pushes past Tough Market (©Monmouthpark) |
10/15/2011 - Cryptocandiac Scores in Saturday Feature at Monmouth
Courtesy of Monmouthpark.com
Cryptocandiac pushed past Tough Market in late stretch to post a length and a quarter victory in the $45,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park on Saturday, covering the mile and 70 yards in 1:43 1/5.
Trained by Anthony Margotta Jr. and ridden by seven-pound apprentice Eddie Jurado, Cryptocandiac paid $32.60, $15.60 and $7.80 in the field of nine fillies and mares. Tough Market completed the $258.20 exacta and returned $6.40 to place and $4.40 to show. It was another length and a half back to Ms Glory Be, who paid $3.80.
Saturday’s win was the first this season and second lifetime for Cryptocandiac, a 3-year-old by Candy Ride from the Citidancer mare Citi Pearl. She races in the colors of Estrorace LLC and Rookie Thoroughbred.
Click for Equibase chart (PDF).
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Mister Marti Gras rolls past the disqualified Workin for Hops (inside), who interfered with Maristar (left) (©Four Footed Fotos) |
9/3/2011 - Mister Marti Gras Downs 'Hops in Unruly Washington Park
(courtesy of Brisnet Bloodstock Journal)
WASHINGTON PARK H. (G3), AP, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8M, 9-3.
8 - MISTER MARTI GRAS, g, 4, Belong to Me--Miss Marta, by Cure the Blues. O-Lothenbach Stables, Inc., B-Lothenbach Stables (KY), T-Chris M. Block, J-Eduardo E. Perez, $58,200.
*1 - Maristar, f, 4, Giant's Causeway--Jewel Princess, by Key to the Mint. ($200,000 yrl '08 KEESEP.). O-M. V. Deegan, B-Barnett Enterprises (KY), $19,400.
5 - Workin for Hops, g, 4, City Zip--Citi Pearl, by Citidancer. O-Estrorace LLC, B-Amy Bondon & Tom McNally (KY), $10,670.
Also Ran: Burj Alzain (IRE), Color Me Blue, Dark Cove, General Quarters, Hoosier Kingdom.
Winning Time: 1:51 3/5 (ft)
Margins: NK, 3/4, 1.
Odds: 7.40, 7.80, 1.40.
***Workin for Hops finished second but was disqualified and placed third.
Lothenbach Stables' homebred MISTER MARTI GRAS (Belong to Me) had been knocking at the door in graded stakes company over the past two seasons, and finally barged through with a late-running victory in Saturday's $100,000 Washington Park H. (G3) at Arlington Park. The Chris Block trainee had to survive an objection and a stewards' inquiry, however, which resulted in the disqualification of 7-5 favorite Workin for Hops (City Zip) from second to third. The aggrieved party, the filly Maristar (Giant's Causeway), was promoted to the runner-up spot.
Workin for Hops went straight to the early lead and established fractions of :23 4/5, :48 4/5 and 1:14 1/5. The three-year-old Burj Alzain (Ire) (Marju) prompted the front runner throughout. General Quarters (Sky Mesa) advanced into third at one point on the backstretch, but came under pressure nearing the far turn and retreated. At about the same time, Mister Marti Gras, who had been unhurried early by Eddie Perez, was on the move.
Meanwhile, Workin for Hops was still motoring down the stretch. Disposing of Burj Alzain, the favorite was 2 1/2 lengths clear through one mile in 1:38 3/5. Then the closers arrived on the scene to engulf him. Mister Marti Gras was rushing on the outside, and Maristar was gunning for a seam between him and Workin for Hops.
As Workin for Hops drifted out in deep stretch, he crossed into the path of Maristar, closing the seam and forcing her to take up. Mister Marti Gras kept running straight and true in his lane and nailed Workin for Hops by a neck at the wire. The troubled Maristar reported home another length back.
The final time for 1 1/8 Polytrack miles was 1:51 3/5, but the race was not yet official. E.T. Baird, the rider of Maristar, claimed foul against both Perez on Mister Marti Gras and James Graham aboard Workin for Hops. The stewards reviewed the stretch drive, found Workin for Hops responsible for the interference, and accordingly demoted him...full article
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8/26/2011 - Workin for Hops Working Saturday for Washington Park 'Cap
Barn Notes by Graham Ross | Churchill Downs Communications
(courtesy of Arlingtonpark.com)
Estrorace's Workin for Hops, hero of the Grade III Hanshin Cup over Arlington's Polytrack three months ago, is scheduled for a return outing over that local surface Sept. 3 for the Grade III Washington Park Handicap and will get a five-eighths tune-up Saturday morning in advance of that engagement.
However, fans of Arlington racing will remember that last season Workin for Hops won the first two legs of Chicago's Mid-America Triple over Arlington's world famous turf course, so the homebred gelding now boasts not only the Grade III win on Polytrack but a Grade II win in the American Derby on grass and an additional turf tally in the 75th renewal of the prestigious Arlington Classic on his resume.
So which surface does Workin for Hops like better, trainer Mike Stidham was asked Friday afternoon?
"Numbers-wise, he's always been pretty much equal on both," said Stidham. "Personally, I don't really think he has a preference, but I will say on the grass I think he likes it more firm than soft and on the Poly I think he likes it when it's playing a little faster. When he won the Hanshin this summer, the Poly seemed to be pretty tight that day.
"James Graham will ride him in the Washington Park," said Stidham, "but James has to go up to Canada tomorrow to ride a horse for us up there, so he may not be available for the work tomorrow. Hilary (Pridham, Stidham's long time assistant and exercise rider) will probably end up on the horse tomorrow morning."
After winning the first two legs of the Mid-America Triple last summer, Workin for Hops ran third, beaten two lengths for all the money, in the Grade I Secretariat Stakes behind Donegal Racing's Paddy O'Prado and Mark Hawtin's Wigmore Hall. That Irish-bred invader returned to Chicago earlier this month to run fourth in the 2011 Grade I Arlington Million. |
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7/14/2011 - Another star in Japan! PERSONAL LEGEND 6th highest colt in JRHA Sale
Estrorace runner and private sales graduate and multiple graded stakes winner PERSONAL LEGEND produces million dollar Japan Racing Association Select Sale yearling, the 6th highest priced yearling overall in the entire record breaking sale:
JRHA Sale Report :
405 c Deep Impact (Jpn) Personal Legend 1,000,000
Consigned by Shadai Farm
The handsome bay, produced by Grade III winner Personal Legend (Awesome Again) and a half-brother to Japanese Group 3 winner Miracle Legend (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), was sent into the ring from Shadai Farm. Ota already attained the Derby dream in 1993 with Winning Ticket (Jpn) (Tony Bin {Ire}), but undoubtedly will be seeking another victory with this new prospect, who stems from the female family of the phenomenal Miesque (Nureyev) and her international sire son Kingmambo (Mr. Prospector).
She joins Estrorace protege ERMINE G1, in being on the very top echelon of commercial deamnd and success in the international yearling market, We are proud to have sold both mares that have in 2011 become champions (Dove Creek) and million dollar producers in PERSONAL LEGEND, and we are excited for the stock headed for the November sales in the United States.
Congratulations to the connections of these top tier producers, we are proud of the legacy of success in both the sales arena and the racing oval of our graduates from our breeding and racing programs.
We are thankful for the exciting results of this select international yearling sale venue and optimism that these results instill in the Japanese participants and breeders, and for their tenacity and perseverance in enduring such hardships in their country and never loosing the focus required that resulted in the phenomenal outcome this sale produced.
We are proud to have 2 of the top mares in production in that country, both young and in their prime, representing us, in ERMINE and PERSONAL LEGEND.
We hope to continue the legacy with our first ever offering commercially from the family of our multiple graded stakes winning star WORKIN FOR HOPS this fall, when his half sister by the 4 time Group 1 winner HERNRYTHENAVIGATOR will be offered at the Keeneland November Mixed Sale in Lexington KY.
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7/4/2011 - 2010 NJ Champion Broodmare Dove Creek in Foal to A+ Cross, LOOKIN AT LUCKY!
We are deeply appreciative to Ashling and Gerry Sheridan for the outstanding results of getting our two star producers, Citi Pearl, dam of WORKIN FOR HOPS, and Dove Creek, dam of 2010 Juvenile Champion LOVING DOVE, in foal to a horse that is destined to make his mark on the breed for generations to come.
Now residing at Iadora Farm in KY, Dove Creek will return to owner Dianne Boyken's Four Winds Farm in NJ and she and I will join forces on this exciting breeding venture.
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7/1/2011 - Estrorace Origins for Two 2011 Champions
A full sibling to homebred MONEIGH LISA, (one of 4 nominees in the older mare category) and second foal out of multiple stakes producing DOVE CREEK, LOVING DOVE won 2011 Champion New Jersey Juvenile Colt after winning the NJ Juvenile stakes and breaking his maiden at Monmouth Park in 2010's "Elite Meet" at the Jersey shore.
Estrorace broodmare graduate DOVE CREEK, purchased privately out of her racing career to produce her first foal, homebred 2010 stakes winner of $230,000 MONEIGH LISA, has 2 foals to race, 2 stakes winners and now has produced a champion in her LOVING DOVE. This mare has a sterling production record in 2 foals, 2 stakes winners, both in 2010 and deservedly was declared New Jersey Champion Broodmare for 2010.
Congratulations to all the connections of these 3 outstanding horses and look for Estrorace owned yearling full sibling "Mini Moneigh" to make her presence known when she debuts next year.
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Big sis Cryptocandiac hasn't picked up her head since she arrived Sunday, May 29th |
Giftie Gie goes to DE |
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6/1/2011 - Giftie Goes!
June 1 is “Summer Camp” time for WORKIN FOR HOPS's yearling PA bred half sister by MASTER COMMAND.
Today, with her chrome beautifully polished by Team Iadora (Gerry and Ashling Sheridan), who foal, care for and raise up the entire Citi Pearl extended family, she heads for Debbie Fergusen Conkling's resort for yearlings, (Otherwise known as DE certification!), and she will spend at least the next 3 months languishing in the top quality care Debbie provides.
It will be a first introduction to big sister, 3yo stakes placed Cryptocandiac, who is getting some freshening there currently as well. The two could not look less alike, but dam Citi Pearl remarkably always throws foals to the sire's spitting image and Giftie Gie, as she is named, is no exception. We are so very thankful for the outstanding circle of care we have and we know our good results are completely a function of the team that raises and finishes this talented family.
From DE, in the fall, Giftie will move on to the last essential cog in the pre-Stidham Racing wheel, Tony Everhard and his fantastic crew at New Episode Farm in Ocala. She's one lucky filly and I envy her the next 3 months...Debbie's place and care and outside recreation options blow my summer camp days in PA out of the water! |
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5/26/2011 - Arlington Park: Workin for Hops at the top of his Game
By By Dan Illman (Courtesy of drf.com)
For 364 days, Workin for Hops was your classic "WYSIWYG" horse -- what you saw is what you got. In that eight-race span, the gelding earned Beyer Speed Figures between 91 and 94 for each start.
Sometimes, like in the Grade 2 American Derby over Arlington turf in July, a number in that range was good enough to propel Workin for Hops into the winner's circle.
Mostly, however, Beyers of that scale get minor awards in graded stakes races. For Workin for Hops to move to the next level, he had to run faster.
Last Saturday, in the Grade 3 Hanshin Handicap going a one-turn mile over the Arlington Polytrack, Workin for Hops did run faster and his 100 Beyer score gives trainer Michael Stidham plenty of options in the upcoming weeks and months.
In the Hanshin, Workin for Hops worked out a lovely ground-saving, pace-tracking trip under James Graham. Pocketed behind swift fractions of 22.50 and 45.43 set by three-time stakes winner Cool Bullet and South African Group 1 hero Pointing North, Workin for Hops angled three wide on the far turn for running room.
Utilizing a nice burst of speed in upper stretch, Workin for Hops emerged from the scrum to post a three-length victory over troubled Pacific Ocean, previously undefeated from three lifetime starts. Final time for the mile was a solid 1:34.55.
Workin for Hops was foaled on May 12, 2007, in Kentucky. His sire, City Zip, dead-heated for the win in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at two. City Zip's half-brother, Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, is the sire of Pacific Ocean.
City Zip was a stone-cold sprinter, winning races at distances ranging from five to seven furlongs. He failed to prevail in seven races at a mile or longer.
Workin for Hops's dam, the Citidancer mare Citi Pearl, won a $75,000 maiden claimer at six furlongs from four lifetime starts. Citi Pearl is a half-sister to Puncher, a stakes-placed sprinter that earned $320,890.
Although the immediate family is geared to sprint racing, Workin for Hops has been versatile enough to win at distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 3/16 miles. His half-brother Cryptocandiac was stakes-placed earlier this year at a mile and 70 yards on dirt at Fair Grounds.
From the very start, Workin for Hops has shown talent, but he has had to earn his way up the class ladder. He made his debut in a $40,000 maiden claimer over the Arlington Polytrack on September 17, 2009, and dominated his opposition, winning the six-furlong race by seven lengths in gate-to-wire fashion over a pair of next-out winners.
Workin for Hops finished second in his first race against winners, a $40,000 starter allowance traveling 6 1/2 furlongs over the Keeneland Polytrack.
Stidham believed that he had a turf runner in Workin for Hops and the gelding confirmed his theory by winning an entry-level optional claimer over a mile at Fair Grounds to close out his juvenile campaign.
Workin for Hops made his 3-year-old debut in the Grindstone Stakes going 7 1/2 furlongs on grass at Fair Grounds and he couldn't have been more visually impressive. After looking a bit eager in the early going, Workin for Hops prompted moderate fractions while three wide throughout. He surged to the front in upper stretch and was ridden out as a much the best winner.
That performance earned Workin for Hops a start in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks afternoon. He broke poorly and that cost Workin for Hops, a runner that prefers to race on or near the lead. He tracked quick fractions from the two-path, made a three wide bid on the far turn, but could only finish evenly for fifth behind Doubles Partner.
Shipped back to Chicago for the $100,000 Arlington Classic at 1 1/16 miles over "good" turf, Workin for Hops broke cleanly, dictated an uncontested pace through slow fractions, and was not threatened in the drive. He beat three next-out winners that day with two of those returning to score in stakes.
Workin for Hops gave leading 3-year-old turfer Paddy O'Prado all he could handle in the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup at 1 3/16 miles on June 19, finishing three lengths back in second.
The following month, Workin for Hops pressed slow fractions en route to a score in the Grade 2 American Derby at 1 3/16 miles.
On Arlington Million afternoon, in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds, Workin for Hops again tried Paddy O'Prado. He prompted a 50-1 longshot from the two-path, had to work hard to gain the lead at the quarter pole, and changed back to his left lead at the eighth pole when tiring to third behind favored Paddy O'Prado.
Workin for Hops ended his 3-year-old campaign with a close runner-up finish behind promising turf runner Grand Rapport.
He wintered at Fair Grounds before making his 2011 debut in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap on Feb. 19. He set glacial fractions over the wet turf course, but could do no better than a close third.
The long Fair Grounds stretch again proved his undoing in the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Jr. Handicap at nine furlongs on March 26. Workin for Hops set the pace while nearest the rail, opened up a clear advantage late on the backstretch, but tired to fourth after switching leads a few times in the stretch.
In his final start prior to the Hanshin Handicap, Workin for Hops chased loose-on-the-lead pacesetter Get Stormy throughout when second in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland. Get Stormy returned from that race to win the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.
Workin for Hops looks equally effective on Polytrack and turf. With his good tactical speed, he should factor in upcoming graded races on either surface. |
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Workin For Hops
© Four Footed Fotos |
5/22/2011 - Arlington Park: Workin for Hops at the top of his Game
By Marcus Hersh (drf.com)
Back at his best distance of one mile or thereabouts, Workin for Hops turned in his second straight strong performance winning the Hanshin Cup on Saturday at Arlington. The three-length victory marked his first win of the year, but Workin for Hops was coming off a good second-place finish to Get Stormy – subsequent winner of the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill – in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile over the Keeneland turf course.
Saturday’s race came on Arlington’s synthetic main track, but no matter, Workin for Hops was at least as effective as he’s been on turf, his one-mile time of 1:34.55 producing a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 100.
“That horse amazes me time and time again,” trainer Mike Stidham said. “He’s been such an overachiever, so consistent, and so game. He keeps proving himself...More |
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Workin For Hops wins the Grade III Hanshin Cup under James Graham |
Jockey James Graham pretends to take a drink from the Hanshin Cup trophy |
5/21/11 - Workin for Hops Wins Hanshin Cup
(arlingtonpark.com)
by David Zenner
Estrorace’s Workin For Hops tipped three wide approaching the top of the stretch, took command at mid-stretch and drew off to win the Grade III $100,000 Hanshin Cup by three lengths on Saturday at Arlington Park. The Mike Stidham-trained son of City Zip rallied under strong handling by James Graham to cover the one mile distance over Polytrack in 1:34.55.
The 4-year-old colt notched his third Arlington Park stakes victory in the Hanshin after capturing the $100,000 Arlington Classic and the Grade II American Derby as a sophomore. The Hanshin Cup was his first stakes score on a synthetic surface with his prior added money wins coming on the turf. He earned $57,600 to boost his bankroll to $584,776.
“He loved (the Arlington Polytrack),” said Graham, who picked up his third of four winners on the day. “He got over it great. I had a lot of horse. He won so easy today that it wasn’t even funny. At the half-mile pole I said, 'They ain’t gonna beat him today...Full article
• Workin for Hops Brews Up Hanshin Cup Win - video (bloodhorse.com)
• Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
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5/20/11 - A Great Day For the Ladies of Racing!
(bloodhorse.com)
• Emma-Jayne Wilson celebrates victory in the Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge
• Wiley-Wagner Wins Lady Legends II at Pimlico
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5/19/2011 - Hopsy is Home at Arlington and Ready to Run!
Workin for Hops Tops Competitive Hanshin Cup
by David Zenner (courtesy of Churchill Downs)
05/18/2011 - Multiple stakes winner Workin for Hops, who races for Amy Bondon’s Estrorace LLC, heads a competitive group of nine, including defending champion Jim Tafel LLC’s Country Flavor, entered for Saturday’s Grade III Hanshin Cup. The one-mile race over Polytrack is the first event on Arlington’s $4.3 million stakes schedule.
A son of City Zip, Workin for Hops comes into the Hanshin off a runner-up finish to Get Stormy in the Grade I Maker’s Mark Mile over the Keeneland turf course and before that ran fourth in a pair of graded stakes races over the lawn at the Fair Grounds. The Mike Stidham-trained 4-year-old won both the $100,000 Arlington Classic and the Grade II American Derby over the Arlington turf course last year. While a proven commodity over grass, he has made just two starts on all-weather courses, boasting a win and a second albeit against easier competition. James Graham has the riding assignment.
Defending champion Country Flavor has not started since March when finishing eighth in the Grade II New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds. Prior to that the Greg Geier-trained son of Empire Maker ran third in the $60,000 Louisiana Handicap and won the $60,000 Tenacious Handicap. Jozbin Santana picks up the mount aboard Country Flavor for the first time Saturday...Full article |
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4/22/2011 - It's a Girl! MONIEGH LISA and LOVING DOVE Have a New Full Sister
Multiple stakes producing DOVE CREEK foaled a full sister to Estrorace yearling MINI MONEIGH and her 2 stakes winning siblings to run. The dam has 2 foals 2 run, 2 stakes winners, so this little girl has some considerable upside. She was foaled in NJ at breeder Dianne Boyken's FOUR WINDS FARM. |
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4/20/2011 - April 16th filly by Henrythenavigator out of Citi Pearl
Born at Iadora Farm, Georgetown KY, Gerry and Ashling Sheridan
Breeder's: Amy Bondon and Tom McNally
Mare booked to Lookin at Lucky
1/2 to G1 Makers Mark placed (2011), G2 multiple stakes winning WORKIN FOR HOPS and 3yo stakes placed Cryptocandiac, 2011 |
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Workin For Hops and Get Stormy in the G1 Maker's Mark
© Keeneland/Coady Photography |
4/16/2011 - WORKIN FOR HOPS 2nd in G1 Maker's Mark
(courtesy of DRF.com)
Keeneland: Maker's Mark a wire-to-wire score for Get Stormy
By Marty McGee
Get Stormy and Workin for Hops were one-two under the wire the first time around Friday in the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland - and the second.
With six others in futile pursuit, Get Stormy shook off Workin for Hops turning for home and sped clear to prevail by 2 3/4 lengths for his seventh stakes victory - but first in a Grade 1 - in the 23rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 turf race.
“I didn't take want to take anything away from my horse,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “I had a lot of horse at the top of the stretch. I didn't want to squeeze the lemon. When I asked him, he just kept going.”
Get Stormy, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by Stormy Atlantic, returned $10.20 as third choice after finishing in 1:37.31 over a yielding course. New York-based Tom Bush trains Get Stormy for the Sullimar Stables of Mary Sullivan.
Workin for Hops, a 7-1 shot under Rosie Napravnik, held second by a neck over late-running Society's Chairman, the 3-1 second choice. Court Vision, the 7-5 favorite, was another head back in fourth, followed by Bim Bam, Furthest Land, Zifzaf, and Turallure.
Before an ontrack crowd of 16,461 that mostly huddled under cover on a wet, windy, chilly afternoon, Get Stormy was trying to get back to the terrific form that netted him 7 wins from 8 starts between his 3- and 4-year-old seasons. He broke a four-race losing streak with his performance.
“He's been a real wonderful horse to have in the barn,” said Bush. “We thought he had it in him to win a Grade 1. We're thrilled to get it done today.”
In all, Get Stormy has won 9 of 21 starts, with the $180,000 winner's share lifting his bankroll to $795,961. His prior stakes scores include the 2009 Bryan Station at Keeneland and the 2010 Fourstardave and Bernard Baruch at Saratoga.
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 To another generation, on the wings of a stork |
4/01/2011 - Congratulations, it's a Zip!
April 1st...this is no joke, really folks!
His gene's fly on! Long may he run indeed, just got the wonderful news that MONIEIGH LISA,
Mo Mon's leading money earning, stakes winning star, is expecting her first foal to the cover of our other stallion/star, CITY ZIP.
With the luck of the Irish dumped in full measure, along with God's grace, upon this little package, having been so wonderfully managed and readied for her maiden debut at Lane's End's breeding shed by our Irish farm owner/managers Ashling and Gerry Sheridan at Iadora Farm in KY, this mare got in foal on one cover on St. Patrick's Day!
Tom McNally's star stakes performer for Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Stable Inc's 2010 calendar year is now a happy member of Mo's owner/ career promoter, Dianne Boyken/ FOUR WINDS FARM's resident broodmare band and will hopefully carry on the superior genes of her sire, as she has across the finish line in such sterling fashion, time and time again.
Wow, excuse me while I burst with pride...this is cool, our stallion Mo Mon, (Di and I) protege/acquisition and then leading NJ sire, our homebred, my business partner/excellent client/friend campaigned, stakes winning, leading money earning mare for Mo now is in foal to sire of my hero and near half million dollar earning WORKIN FOR HOPS...CITY ZIP!!
Congratulations to all for what is always a team effort when things work out so right; Tom Mcnally for always giving “Lisa” the best there was to offer in care, winter's off and then retiring her when she was unable to run at the very highest level..which was surely not the end of this huge hearted runner's ability to run. He would not see her disgraced or endangered by running her in the claming ranks. Tom bought this filly when she was only 6 months old, so they have some history together, she now 5. Dianne Boyken's excellent care and management, as always, taking a high strung stakes performer last Sept and by early spring, a laid back, well fleshed and well readied broodmare prospect shipped from her farm to KY. Now with the baton passed to them, Ashling at Gerry, in a matter of a couple weeks, had this mare in the breeding shed and back home and now in foal. These are the folks that quite literally saved Hop's dam Citi Pearl from being given up on, as she was a mess and unable to conceive when they took charge and turned the momentum all around.
It is always a matter of excellence on so many fronts and of course, the Hand of God, when great things occur in this game. Thank you all for this precious and momentous occasion for me in my 34 years of doing this.. this is GREAT!
Hat's off to the fine stallion who will live on in his distaff influence now as well. Long may these kids run, (and short too!). |
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Chaplain Waverly and Brenda Parsons |
3/31/2011 - Thanks Chaplain Waverly, from Hops and The Candiac's Support Crew!
I actually think I was supposed to get pictures of my Fairgrounds runners that Waverly and Aaron took, but instead was I ever blessed to open this picture up that was sent to me by our Waverly. For those of you whom have not yet seen spring, you will be additionally blessed by the striking color of the azaleas, which , I am afraid, are NOTHING compared to this beautiful couple we love to much!
For myself and my partner, and all whom I love and were at the Fairgrounds this long meet: my horses, my Stidham Racing family of trainer, assistant trainers, foremen, grooms, hot-walkers, exercise riders, you name it, whom I love so much, and for the backstretch family I was blessed to spend my Christmas Day with at Chaplain Waverly's Christmas day family feast and fun time...on behalf of all of your loved ones you two cared for so devotedly..we love you and we thank you.
On behalf of all those whom sent $ to get you into a set of safe and reliable wheels...the meet is over, Aaron is there.. GET A CAR NOW DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless Chaplain Waverly and Brenda Parsons and their wonderful family, Trent and Misti in TX and now Aaron with them in LA. May the Lord bless all you put your hand to in the time you are apart from your Fairgrounds family, and may it be His will we will all be back together next fall, reconvening on the “Planet of New Orleans” once again.
In His love we pray health, comfort, joy and abundance in all ways to the Parsons family.
Amy and company, equine and otherwise!
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WORKIN FOR HOPS (on the rail) in the G2 Mervin H. Muniz © The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com |
3/27/2011 - WORKIN FOR HOPS, A Tough Beat
WORKIN FOR HOPS ran best race of his life, laid himself down, got a nose back in front and then got jumped at the wire. Most amazing demonstration of heart you could ever see. They actually got past him and he dug in and came on and got the lead again...about 8 feet from the wire, maybe less. Tough beat but thank God he came back safe and sound. Has run the two toughest races of his life for a total of $550,000 of purse money offered and was 4th both times, last time beat a length and a half, this this time a neck a head and a nose. God bless WORKIN FOR HOPS, he's a warrior. The Chart says it all:
(courtesy of Brisnet.com)
MERVIN H. MUNIZ JR. MEMORIAL H. (G2), FG, $396,000, 4YO/UP, A1 1/8MT, 3-26.
3 — SMART BID, h, 5, Smart Strike--Recording, by Danzig. O-Augustin Stable, B-George Strawbridge Jr. (PA), T-H. Graham Motion, J-Edgar S. Prado, $240,000.
4 — Expansion, h, 6, Maria's Mon--La Sylphide (SWI), by Barathea (IRE). ($150,000 yrl '06 KEESEP.). O-Millennium Farms and McCarty, Mike, B-Darley (KY), $80,000.
9 — Moryba (BRZ), h, 5, Hard Buck (BRZ)--Valetza, by Baronius (BRZ). O-Correas Thoroughbreds, Inc., B-Haras Sao Jose E Expedictus (BRZ), $40,000.
Also Ran: Workin for Hops, Joinem, Sleepless Knight, Giant's Tomb, Southern Anthem.
Winning Time: 1:49 4/5 (fm)
Margins: NO, HD, NK.
Odds: 3.00, 13.40, 1.70.
Bid narrowly outsmarts Muniz rivals
Another major grass race at Fair Grounds, another tight finish. While there was a three-way photo to decide last month's Fair Grounds H. (G3), Saturday's $396,000 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) had four horses battling for supremacy at the wire. The victor, by a nose, turned out to be George Strawbridge's homebred SMART BID (Edgar Prado), who had missed by a similar margin in the Gulfstream Park Turf S. (G1) in his most recent start. The 3-1 second choice in a field of eight, Smart Bid returned $8, $4.40 and $3 after completing about nine furlongs on firm ground in 1:49 4/5.
Content to track in third under a ground-saving ride by Prado, the Graham Motion-trained Smart Bid was no more than a few lengths behind at any call as Workin for Hops (City Zip) set splits of :24 4/5, :49 4/5 and 1:14. Tracked closely by 8-5 favorite Moryba (Brz) (Hard Buck [Brz]), Workin for Hops continued to hold that rival at bay in the stretch while Smart Bid waited until inside the final furlong to ease outside for running room. Once he got in the clear, Smart Bid steadily wore down the top pair and valiantly held off the late charge of Fair Grounds H. upsetter Expansion (Maria's Mon), who was again taken lightly by bettors at 13-1.
Expansion finished second, a head in front of Moryba, who had a neck on Workin for Hops. The exacta returned $76.60, the trifecta $256.80, and the 3-4-9-5 superfecta was worth $932.60. Not contending on this day were Joinem (Johar), Sleepless Knight (War Chant), Giant's Tomb (Awesome Again) and Southern Anthem (Royal Anthem). Battle of Hastings (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) was scratched.
Smart Bid, whose only previous black-type victory was in the 2009 Damascus S. at Santa Anita, has been knocking on the door against graded foes for several seasons. His other placings at this level include second-place finishes in the 2009 Transylvania S. (G3), and the 2010 renewals of the San Fernando S. (G2) and Autumn S. (Can-G2). He preceded this victory with a third in the Fort Lauderdale S. (G3) prior to his tough-luck second in the Gulfstream Park Turf. This overdue first graded win boosted his career earnings to $543,138 from a line of 14-4-4-4.
Bred in Pennsylvania, Smart Bid was produced by the Grade 3 winner Recording (Danzig), who has also produced multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner Deal Making (Empire Maker), multiple stakes winner Representing (Rahy), a juvenile filly named Vanishing (Lemon Drop Kid) and a yearling colt by Smart Strike. Recording is the second dam of current graded stars Anthony's Cross (Indian Charlie), winner of the February 12 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) , and last year's Valley View S. (G3) winner Fugitive Angel (Alphabet Soup).
Smart Bid counts as his second dam Grade 2 winner Ratings (Caveat). This is also the family of recent Gotham S. (G3) runner-up Norman Asbjornson (Real Quiet).
Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
Click to view article from bloodhorse.com with video. |
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3/21/2011 - Workin for Hops Exceeds Expectations
(courtesy of horseracingnation.com)
Workin for Hops faced a tall order as the 9-2 second choice coming off the layup into Saturday’s Grade III, $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but his connections have learned to give the unassuming chestnut gelding a chance.
Standing in Barn 36 just days before saddling two contenders to the 1 1/8-mile turf event – 8-year-old Gran Estreno is also entered – trainer Mike Stidham said this son of City Zip may not be much to look at, but last year he ran beyond everyone’s wildest expectations.
“You’d never imagine,” Stidham said. “He’s a 4-year-old now, so think about when he was just getting started as a 2-year-old. He was narrower, even a little smaller. You’ve got this horse working good, not great, but you’d never think this was going to be a graded stakes winner.”
In spite of his slight build and unpretentious appearance, Workin for Hops brought home earnings of $446,176 in the past two years, much of that earned in stakes victories in 2010. He won the 75th running of the Arlington Classic, the first leg of Chicago’s Mid-America Triple, last May 22, ran second to Paddy O’Prado in the Grade II Colonial Turf Cup, then captured the second leg of the Triple, the Grade II American Derby, on July 17. Although he missed the third leg when he ran third behind Paddy O’Prado in the Grade I Secretariat Stakes on Aug. 21, he came back to run a game second in Delaware Park’s Grade III Kent Stakes in his most recent outing last Sept. 25. In 10 starts, he has a 5-3-1 record, and has only been off the board one time (he finished fifth after stumbling at the start of the American Turf at Churchill Downs this spring). Not bad for a runner whose first task was running for a $40,000 tag.
“As you can see by his past performances, we didn’t have very high expectations for him first time out,” Stidham said. “He worked well, but he never did anything to make us think ‘big horse,’ you know? But every time we raised the bar a little bit he just kept meeting the challenge and it was really amazing, the year he had and as good as he ran.”
Workin for Hops, who runs in the colors of Amy Bondon’s Estorace LLC and who Bondon bred in partnership with Tom McNally, had challenges to overcome even before he reached the racetrack. Foaled in Kentucky at Parrish Hill Farm, the same facility that raised 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic, he was meant to be sold at the Keeneland November Yearling Sale, but failed to pass the repository veterinarian’s examination when pre-sale radiographs displayed what were thought to be OCD lesions that would require surgery. When Bondon took her runner home to Florida and gave him time to grow, however, the OCD issues disappeared.
“He was somewhat of a problem child from the get-go; he looked like a little aardvark,” recalled Bondon, whose stable has campaigned runners such as Grade I winner Ermine, Grade II winner Freefourinternet, and Grade III winner Personal Legend. “He was so small he couldn’t get his head over the stall door, with this big baby belly. Then, because he hadn’t sold at the sale, I had myself a racehorse. Just what I needed, a horse I couldn’t sell.”
She named the horse Workin for Hops after a term coined during the Great Depression – “It meant just trying to get by, making enough money to go on to the next gig,” Bondon said. “At that point it was very hard for me to keep that horse in training, but everything happens for a reason.”
Tony Everard, a well-known horseman who selected 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide as a yearling, had been instrumental in Workin for Hops’ early education as well.
“He kept telling me, ‘That’s a runner, Amy, that’s a runner,’” Bondon recalled.
Turns out Workin for Hops isn’t the only one in the family who can run. His half-sister, a Candy Ride filly named Cryptocandiac, broke her maiden at Fair Grounds on Dec. 3. His dam, Citi Pearl, is in foal to Henry the Navigator and has been accepted to the first book of 3-year-old Champion Lookin at Lucky. But the chestnut gelding is definitely the current star of the Estrorace string, as he proved in that maiden debut when he smoked the competition by seven lengths and was, as the chart says, “much the best.” After running second in a 6 ½-furlong Keeneland allowance race, he got his next win by 4 ½ lengths in a one-mile event at Fair Grounds in the winter of 2009, after which he took the Grindstone Stakes here for 3-year-olds by five lengths.
“I remember when he ran huge that day; I had all these people trying to buy him and one guy asked me, ‘Is your horse really that teeny or was that just a really big horse next to him on the rail?’” Bondon laughed. “I said, ‘Both, but he doesn’t know he’s such a little horse, that’s for sure.’”
Fast-forward to 2011 and Workin for Hops is back – after that much-deserved downtime for the winter.
“It had just been a long year, he’d done a lot of traveling, and it was a case of choosing to do the right thing, giving him some rest,” said Stidham. “He came back strong and has been training very well, hasn’t missed a thing. He’s been on a steady weekly schedule and his works have been very good, solid works. I’m very pleased with the way he’s coming up to it.”
In the Fair Grounds Handicap, Workin for Hops faces formidable foes in Telling, winner of the Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational last summer at Saratoga, and 3-1 favorite Loup Breton, whose last win came in the Grade II San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita back in January of 2010. Both runners, however, come off less-than-satisfactory efforts – Telling was sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 6 and Loup Breton makes his first start since running seventh in the Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar on July 24 of 2010.
Other contenders in the Fair Grounds Handicap include the likes of Paul McGee trainee Dubious Miss, who ran second to Gran Estreno last time out in the Grade III Colonel Bradley Handicap on Jan. 22, the David Carroll-trained Joinem, third in that race, and Ronny Werner trainee Le Grand Cru, who ran third in the F.W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes on that same day.
“I think we’re asking a lot of him coming off the layup to go right into a mile and an eighth against older horses, but it’s not as if he meets the conditions for an allowance race, and rather than shipping 14 hours to Gulfstream or Tampa, this is the race that fits him here,” Stidham said. “I think he’s up to it. Just going off last year, he was running really solid numbers on the Ragozin sheets. His last four races were all ‘sixes,’ and with this race coming up this weekend, those numbers really fit with these horses. He was running those as a 3-year-old, and hopefully as a 4-year-old he gets a little better. If he does, I think he’ll handle the competition well.”
“He’ll try his behind off,” Bondon said. “His heart is gigantic, and he’s very talented. Whether he needs a race, I guess we’ll find out, but I think this year he’ll continue to develop into a really nice horse. Paddy O’Prado is a tough animal and he ran very respectably with him. He’s very consistent and he’s my kind of horse, a regular guy, hard-working, with plenty of heart. He’s kind of like the kid who jumps off the roof with the Superman cape on – because he believes he can fly.” |
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Mo Mon |
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3/11/2011 - A Tribute to Two Great Stallions Lost on the Same Day
FREEFOURINTERNET and MO MON, 1997 - 3/9/11
In one day, the two magnificent stallions I have been blessed with being involved with, one on the racetrack, one at the breeding shed, on the same day, at the same age, succumbed to the same fate, as breeding stallions do...catastrophic heart failure. What huge hearts they both had, what great accomplishments they recorded in their 13 years of life. Beautiful, intelligent, classy and spirited, both of them, a treasure to be around and gentlemen to handle.
FREEFOURINTERNET
FREEFOURINTERNET with good friend and talented jockey Frankie Lovato up |
In my program, under the tutelage of the talented Joan Scott, Free took us all over the country and rewarded us with a huge win in the G2 Kelso Breeder's Cup Handicap and on to a mere 3 length loss in the NETJET Breeder's Cup Mile at Santa Anita, defeating the likes of PERFECT SOUL and OASIS DREAM.
Ron and Luke Peltz/ Equirace.com and Mike Maker went on to score a remarkable G2 win in the Hawthorne Gold Cup on the dirt, giving my friend Greta Kuntzweiler a career high in this victory. Under the Equirace ownership he went on to make over a million dollars and retired sound and enthusiastically transitioned into a breeding career, though marred by many moves and an injury that caused him to loose an entire year, has already yielded 2 stakes horses, one in the USA and one in Italy.
MO MON
Perhaps one of the most stunningly beautiful animals I have seen in my long presence in this sport, standing 17 hands and massive in hip and shoulder, with an elegant neck, classic head and standing over legs unlimited, in bone and substance, correctness and scope, MO MON was hard to fault.
Hindered in his stakes career by injuries, once regarded as a major West Coast Derby prospect, Mo's family quality shone through in his demeanor and physical attributes. His half sister ADORATION won over two million dollars including the Breeder's Cup Distaff and the family performance commercially was marked by many staggering price tags hammered down to acquire a piece of this rock.
In 2010 his first crop was 4 years old and his progeny earnings and prowess skyrocketed as MONIEGH LISA, 4 and LOVING DOVE, 2, scored stakes victories and these full siblings ran huge speed figures to prove this stallion was capable of siring the best runners in a lucrative regional program that rewarded their owners and breeders with huge windfalls.
A mere 22K KEE/ NOV, Haven's Bloodstock stallion prospect acquisition, the dedication and hard work of his owner, the one who stood him at her Four Winds Farm, supported him and painstakingly with her talent got him all the way to the top of his class, Dianne Boyken deserves all the credit for his stellar, albeit short career.
In MONEIGH LISA embarking on a career as a broodmare this year, to the book of CITY ZIP, and stakes placed, impeccably bred No Mo Magic headed to Disco Rico, Mo's prowess will likely live on through his stakes performing distaff influence. His pedigree all but guarantees success in that respect.
LOVING DOVE is training and breezing impressively for his Red Oak Farm ownership at Gulfstream Park, as are several other promising 2011 runners he's sired.
I am blessed with owning "MINI MONEIGH" a now yearling filly full sibling to the above 2 stakes performers, MONEIGH LISA and LOVING DOVE and I know this filly, who reflects her sires stunning physical attributes, God willing, will honor his memory on the racetrack in Estrorace colors. Another full sibling is due to be born this spring at Four Winds Farm out of the multiple stakes producing Dove Creek.
FREEFOURINTERNET and MO MON...Long may they run.
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3/8/2011 - Cryptocandiac Comes Close in 3yo Debut, the Mardi Gras Stakes
(courtesy of DRF.com)
Mardi Gras Stakes goes to Street Storm by a neck
By Marcus Hersh
Street Storm wore down favored Aide to win an off-the-turf edition of the $59,400 Mardi Gras Stakes on a special Tuesday card in New Orleans.
Trained by Steve Margolis for Right Time Racing LLC and ridden to victory by Jesse Campbell, Street Storm tracked a solid pace from fourth place much of the trip, launching a three-wide rally at the top of the stretch that eventually propelled her to victory. Both Aide, who pressed the pace two paths wide, and rail-rallying Cryptocandiac had a chance to win in the final furlong, but it was Street Storm doing the slightly better work to prevail by a neck. That same margin separated Aide and Cryptocandiac for the place slot, with the rest of the field far behind the leading trio...Full story |
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2/19/2011 - Hop's 4th in 2011 Stakes Debut
Click for Equibase chart (PDF) |
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2/17/2011 - WORKIN FOR HOPS 'Believes He Can Fly'
Feature Story by Claire Novak, Special Contributor
(courtesy of Fairgroundsracecourse.com)
Workin for Hops faces a tall order as the 9-2 second choice coming off the layup into Saturday’s Grade III, $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but his connections have learned to give the unassuming chestnut gelding a chance.
Standing in Barn 36 just days before saddling two contenders to the 1 1/8-mile turf event – 8-year-old Gran Estreno is also entered – trainer Mike Stidham said this son of City Zip may not be much to look at, but last year he ran beyond everyone’s wildest expectations.
“You’d never imagine,” Stidham said. “He’s a 4-year-old now, so think about when he was just getting started as a 2-year-old. He was narrower, even a little smaller. You’ve got this horse working good, not great, but you’d never think this was going to be a graded stakes winner.”
In spite of his slight build and unpretentious appearance, Workin for Hops brought home earnings of $446,176 in the past two years, much of that earned in stakes victories in 2010. He won the 75th running of the Arlington Classic, the first leg of Chicago’s Mid-America Triple, last May 22...More |
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Happily reunited Hops and his devoted caretaker Lionel jog for the discerning eyes of his training connections on Sunday following his second 5/8 furlong drill Saturday. |
1/25/2011 - WORKIN FOR HOPS Nearing 2011 Debut, Leading Jockey Rosie Napravnik to Ride
(Courtesy of Fairgrounds Racecourse Barn Notes)
Following two successive riding triples Saturday and Sunday, jockey Rosie Napravnik has tied Richard Eramia for the lead with 42 wins apiece in the Fair Grounds jockey standings entering Monday’s nine-race program.
Sunday’s 42nd racing day of Fair Grounds’ 2010-2011 season also officially marked the halfway point of the New Orleans oval’s 84-day meeting this winter.
Napravnik, 22, born in Morristown, N.J., is hanging her tack at Fair Grounds for the first time this season after leading the standings at Delaware Park last summer. She began her Sunday hat trick astride Burning Sands Stable’s Lotto Cat for trainer Mike Stidham, came right back to the winner’s circle in the fourth aboard Brereton Jones’ Proud and Fast for conditioner Greg Foley and won the 10th and final race of the day up on Polite and Cozy, owned by Valene Farms and trained by Sturges Ducoing.
During last Saturday’s Road to the Derby Kickoff Day Presented by Hotel Monteleone, her three-win afternoon began in the fourth race on Jerry Adkins’ Ginormus for conditioner Joe Duhon, continued in the fifth race up on Joel Meredith’s Lumberyard Jack for Stidham and concluded in the Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap astride Feel The Thunder Stable’s Gran Estreno, once again for Stidham.
GRAN ESTRENO TARGETED FOR MERVIN MUNIZ MEMORIAL HANDICAP – Feel The Thunder Stable’s Gran Estreno, the $20,000 claim that captured Saturday’s Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap over Fair Grounds’ Stall-Wilson turf course, came out of his weekend race in good order and is being targeted for a return to that surface for the Grade II Mervin Muniz Memorial Handicap on Louisiana Derby Day March 26.
The Muniz Memorial, named in honor of Fair Grounds’ beloved longtime racing secretary who died in 2003, is the premier grass race of the New Orleans Thoroughbred racing season.
“Our main goal for Gran Estreno is the Muniz,” said trainer Mike Stidham during training hours Monday morning. “I don’t know if we’ll go in that next race (Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap Feb. 19) or not. That hasn’t been decided yet.
“We do have Workin for Hops (owned by Estrorace) getting ready for the Fair Grounds Handicap,” Stidham said. “If he runs well in there, we might bring him back for the Muniz and possibly run both of them in there.”
Workin for Hops, winner of the 75th anniversary edition of the Arlington Classic last May 22 as the first leg of Chicago’s Mid-America Triple, also captured the Grade II American Derby July 17 as the second leg but was denied a sweep of the Triple when he finished third in the Grade I Secretariat Stakes on Arlington Million Day Aug. 21.
The altered son of City Zip, who also won Fair Grounds’ $60,000 Grindstone Stakes on Louisiana Derby Day last season, breezed five furlongs at Fair Grounds in 1:01 Jan. 22 after working that same distance in 1:01.60 on Jan. 15. |
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Rosie Napravnik returns to the winner's circle after piloting 2yo half sister to Hops, CANDY RIDE's Cryptocandiac, to her maiden score on December 2 at the Fairgrounds Racecourse.
Photo © Lou Hodges |
 Photo © Lou Hodges |
 Photo © Lou Hodges |
 Photo © Lou Hodges |
12/03/2010 - Cryptocandiac Breaks Maiden on Turf at the Fair Grounds
Thoroughbred Daily News - Runner up in her career bow over the Arlington sod Sept. 24, was carried wide and had to settle for fourth going nine panels over Keeneland's Polytrack Oct. 22. Backed down to 7-5 favoritism here, the half to Workin For Hops (City Zip), GSW & GISP, $446,176, settled in a close-up second through the opening half-mile, moved up to take control on the far turn, drew clear in early stretch and was good enough for a 1 3/4-length victory over stablemate Gaya.
Click to view TDN Review (PDF)
Click for TDN Video
Click for Equibase chart (PDF) |
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11/26/2010 - Citi Pearl gets “Lucky” and MONEIGH LISA “Zips”
Estrorace LLC's blue hen producer Citi Pearl, dam of WORKIN FOR HOPS will go to the court of 3 year old phenom LOOKING AT LUCKY. Expecting an April filly by HENRYTHE NAVIGATOR, co-sales leading weanling sire at November's Keeneland sale.
We are are thankful to once again have the pleasure of patronizing a Coolemore/ Ashford stallion protege and like “Henry” we expect to get very lucky with our stallion choice. The Coolemore team is an absolute pleasure to do business with and were thrilled to have our Pearl added to this promising stallion's first book. Citi Pearl is a permanent resident at Gerry and Ashling Sheridan's beautiful Iadora Farm in Georgetown KY, and they have overseen her care and have done an outstanding job of getting her in foal and keeping her that way. We are absolutely so thankful we found this talented young couple when Gerry had just opened their own farm after years as a valuable member of the Coolemore team. Ashling is an extremely well versed horsewoman with an extensive resume of experience in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry. They have a new member of their team, baby Dahlia, born last spring and she is already crazy about horses so I think a legacy of excellent horsemanship will certainly be sure to continue in this adorable little horsewoman in the making!
MONEIGH LISA, Estrorace's 100% homegrown, home bred, home sired superstar and now full sister to 2010's Monmouth Park, New Jersey Futurity winner LOVING DOVE, will go to the court of WORKIN FOR HOPS' sire, a Nationally leading sire on turf and dirt, CITY ZIP. This will be a joint venture between Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Stable Inc. and Dianne Boyken's Four Winds Farm in NJ, where the mare is permanently domiciled. She will be shipped to the Sheridan's Iadora Farm for the 2011 breeding season and return to New Jersey to foal in 2012. |
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11/26/2010 - 2010 Graded Stakes Winners that Raced or Trained at Fair Grounds Last Season
GSW's at Fair Grounds (PDF) |
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Arlington Park's 2010 “Horse of the Meet” Supports Fabulous Family Effort on Backstretch by Local Eagle Scout
This is a correspondence from Tom Kudla, the son of West Point Thoroughbreds partners' John and Patty Kudla. Tom is working on an Eagle Scout project and has chosen to rehab a building on the backstretch of Arlington Park to create a learning center for the 450 children that live there during the racing season. I am overjoyed to be able to support this outstanding, civic minded, blessed effort
Hello WPT Partners,
My name is Tom Kudla. I have enjoyed being part of WPT with my family since 2006. I am 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and live in the Chicago area. I have been in Boy Scouts almost as long as I have been in horse racing and have reached the point where I am working on my Eagle rank. Since I have a great interest in horse racing, I developed a project that combines Boy Scouts with the needs on the backstretch. As many of you know, the backstretch workers are the backbone of the horse racing industry. My Eagle project is rehabbing an old house on the backstretch grounds of Arlington Park into a learning center to serve the children of the backstretch workers. The new learning center will benefit the 450 children from ages 3-13 living in the backstretch during the season. The learning center will be run by a local high school district and will be part of a backstretch support program known as "Kids on Track." I came up with this idea at a West Point event during the Churchill Downs backstretch tour on Oaks morning where I saw the Klein Family Learning Center and the Winstar Library and Classrooms. Arlington Park has committed to donating this unused building for the purpose of a learning center. This project will have a major impact on a community of kids who have significant needs.
The amount of work and funding needed for this project is immense. The building needs to be gutted, repainted, and re-floored. This is just to make the building habitable. To make this a true learning center, the building will need bookshelves, desks, and possibly new computers. As you can see, to make this project a success funds are needed. Please consider donating to this cause. Any amount you contribute will benefit the children on the backstretch of Arlington Park. Please contact me by phone or email if you have any specific questions. Tax deductable donations can be made to.
Troop 309 Funding Organization (T309FO can be used as the “payable to”)
715 Ela Road, Suite 3B
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Tax Identification Number: 27-1535398
Please state in the memo of the check “Kids on Track Eagle Project”
Thank you very much for taking the time to consider contributing to this project.
Sincerely,
Tom Kudla
C: 847-421-1793 847-421-1793
H: 847-304-8006 847-304-8006
Email:tkudla360@gmail.com
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11/24/2010 - Workin For Hops Back in Action
6:15 AM text from Mike Stidham says it all:
“Your boy is bouncing around the shedrow in New Orleans like he's the Man. And he is !!”
I thank God for Hop's excellent refreshing under the great care of Arthur Jr., at Stone Farm in Paris KY, and I am overjoyed to report he's back where he loves to be in New Orleans this AM after a 60 day freshening.
Looking forward to a great 2010 Thanksgiving Day Fairgrounds Racecourse opening and to wonderful times with the Stidham Racing team in the Big Easy. Hope to see you all there.
Hoppy Thanksgiving and welcome back WORKIN FOR HOPS! |
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11/23/2010 - Race Meet Statistics Top 100
(Courtesy of Equibase, all files are PDF's)
Arlington Park:
Horse: Workin For Hops, Rank 4
Owner: Estrorace, Rank 10
Fairgrounds:
Horse: Workin For Hops, Rank 49
Owner: Estrorace, Rank 99
Colonial Downs:
Horse: Workin For Hops, Rank 3
Owner: Estrorace, Rank 7
Delaware Park:
Horse: Workin For Hops, Rank 54
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Loving Dove and jockey Elvis Trujillo return after winning a division of the Jersey Juvenile
©Equi-Photo |
11/13/2010 - Home Made Home Run in the New Jersey Juvenile Futurity at Monmouth Park
Estrorace purchased stallion prospect Mo Mon had his second stakes winner, a juvenile full brother to Estrorace homebred MONIEGH LISA, when LOVING DOVE scored an impressive and dominating win at Monmouth Park November 13th, in the New Jersey Juvenile Stakes. His dam, who is batting 1000 in 2 foals, 2 stakes winners, Dove Creek, was purchased privately off the backstretch by Estrorace as well.
Congratulations to Four Wind's Farm and Dianne Boyken for the outstanding job they have done in breeding and raising this very promising youngster and in getting sire Mo Mon all the way to second ranking general sire in the state of New Jersey, behind perennial leader with many crops to serve him, DEFRERE.
Estrorace is proud to boast ownership of the 2010 full sister to these 2 money making family members, and excited as MONEIGH LISA embarks upon her broodmare career to the cover of our favorite sire, WORKIN FOR HOPS' dad CITY ZIP!
Stay tuned folks for this is a work in progress and a family that is improving. We wish Red Oak Farm and trainer Gregory Sacco continued success with this promising charge. He will now enjoy a winter respite at the farm he was broken at, Jim Crupi's New Castle Farm, in Ocala, and return next year for his three year old campaign.
Click to view Bloodhorse race info and video
Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
Click to view DRF article
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WORKIN FOR HOPS Gets to Put His Hooves Up for a Much Deserved Break
Following his near miss in the G3 Kent Stakes at DE Park on the 25th of Sept, Hops was let down by Stidham assistant trainer and head of the DE string, Joe Sharp, and his wonderful staff. On October 4th he shipped to Arthur Hancock's Stone Farm in Kentucky for a few months of being a horse and hanging out in the beautiful Bluegrass Autumn weather. Hops will rejoin the Stidham operation in New Orleans in December to prepare for his 4year old season debut at the Fairgrounds in 2011.
Hops was a Godsend to so many and we are so very thankful to all the talented people at Mike Stidham's operation. It was truly the best and most blessed year of my life and I am so thankful to get a sound, happy horse to give this wonderful time down too. They did that with their good care and management and placement. With over 450,000 in earnings in 12 month's time, multiple graded stakes placings including a third in a G1 and a G2 win as one of his 3 stakes wins, Hops is a superstar.
His dam Citi Pearl is a gem to us, and his weanling half sister by MASTER COMMAND is hands down the best looking foal ever to come out of the program..and some darn good ones like G1 winner ERMINE have come that way. We are blessed beyond measure for God's grace in allowing us to be stewards of this awesome family and God willing we will enjoy seeing little sis Crytocandiac pick up the baton while big bro languishes in the verdant fields of Stone Farm.
Crytocandiac should make her next start at Keeneland and then go south to New Orleans to follow in a similar campaign to her 3 year old big brother.
Thank you Hops for the best year of my life! |
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WORKIN FOR HOPS overtaken in the final strides
Photo ©Hoofprints, Inc. |
9/26/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS 2nd in Kent Stakes
They dont get any more exciting than this, just a matter of who has more gas at the end and our road warrior had already used his up battling off the Canadian in the stretch. We carried 2 pounds more in handicap weight and if you don't think that made a difference after all he had to do the whole way around, on a horse of his size, after all the travels and heat.. well it absolutely did. We got beat 3 feet.
He's a monster this AM in the cool fall air we should have had running Sept 25th in DE, but instead got record heat..but to see him jog sound and peppy and beg for carrots and play with everyone around him this AM...none the worse for wear...we have absolutely nothing but immense pride for this very talented warrior with a heart as big as it gets. We are in awe of him!
Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
Grand Rapport Just Super in Kent Stakes Win
by Jack Shinar (courtesy of Bloodhorse.com)
Favored Grand Rapport charged home on the outside for jockey Ramon Dominguez to collar Workin for Hops in the final few strides, registering his first stakes victory in the $250,000 Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT) (VIDEO) Sept. 25 by a half length over the Delaware Park turf...More |
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Cryptocandiac places in her debut
Photo ©Tom Ferry |
9/24/2010 - CRYPTOCANDIAC Debut's in Near Miss Fashion, Hops Prepares for Some R&R
Facing a full field of very well bred fillies including a half sister to G1 Winner VACARE the 2008 half sister to Estrorace star WORKIN FOR HOPS made a stunning first spin around the soft one mile turf today at her home base of Arlington Park Racecourse. Stealing the show while big brother was out of town readying for a showdown with top 3 year old turf horses in the Breeder's Cup G3 1 1/8 Mile Kent Stakes at Delaware Park, the juvenile CANDY RIDE miss was beautifully ridden by Michael Baze, languishing in 4th most of the way, a good 10 lengths off the heavily favored Tom Proctor MORE THAN READY filly, who was making her 4th lifetime start. Turning for home she closed relentlessly and just missed catching the favorite by a half a head. She galloped out well past everyone and it was simply staggering to see the professionalism she demonstrated.
Trainer Mike Stidham, Assistant trainer Hilary Pridham and Rigo and the remarkable staff at Stidham Racing did a superlative job of having her ready to make a most professional and impressive debut. Born on the morning of the KY Derby, May 4th, 2008, this PA bred/ DE certified filly has a bright future with many options as she gains maturity and is allowed, as her big brother was, to come into herself with patience and time.God willing this young lady will give her co-owners of Estrorace LLC and Tom McNally's Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Stable a very enjoyable winter season in New Orleans.
Hops will head back to Kentucky following his September 25th Kent Stakes appearance and get a much deserved 60 days of being a horse and languishing in the beautiful cool fall weather in the Bluegrass.He will be turned out and I would like to say refreshed, but I saw him today at DE Park and he's squealing and bouncing and not exactly showing any signs of being tired by his year long campaign that has brought him to the very top of the three year old turf horse class in this country. If all goes as planned he will rejoin the Stidham racing operation in New Orleans in late December.
We are excited about CRYPTOCANDIAC's future and once again pay homage to Tony Everhard and his outstanding New Episode Training center and staff for the excellent job they did in her pre-race breaking and training. We are also thankful to Debbie Fergusen-Conkling for the excellent care she gave this filly as a yearling when she had her at her farm in Delaware for DE Certification. Summerfield Farm and Sales Agency in Ocala gave her a wonderful respite and 6 weeks of swimming and turnout in early winter when it became evident she was getting too serious too soon and needed to back off and relax for a spell, and Barbara has been a fan of her ever since. She's a very serious little horse who should only improve greatly with maturity, as her undefeated sire CANDY RIDE did.
Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
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Odine and his new bike, which he will have to grow some to ride. |
9/6/2010 - Workin For Hops Puts on Party for Suffolk Downs Horsemen
Pictured to the right is adorable Odine. He won the raffle at the family festival Chaplain Lee Alphen and Pat Day put on for the Suffolk Downs horsemen 3 weeks ago. Hops not only donated the bike, he funded the whole wonderful event! Only 24 hours before they had gotten the dreadful news that their already paltry purse structure was getting cut an additional 26%. If ever they needed a joyful time to have games, good food, music and someone like Pat Day come all that way just to spend time with them, this was the time. Pat actually signed the bike in indelible ink. The kid was speechless in Pat's presence...it was so incredibly cute!
I served 235 burgers, grilled chicken breasts and hot dogs, before we started handing out seconds till all food was gone. I would say about 300 people total attended. Hops knows how to put on a party!
God bless Chaplain Lee Alphen and her many hard working helpers; jockeys, trainers, front-side personal, gate crew, volunteers from her church, grooms, maintenance and carpenter union members, her brother Chris who cooked every single meal. Lee planned this and worked so hard for so long putting it together. As bad as things are at this 75 year old historic oval leading up to this event, she confided in me after she was afraid the track would be closed down before she could pull it off.
I have never met so many wonderful people on a backside or seen folks from every aspect of a track work together as this bunch did. I am so incredibly thankful to this amazing horse for enabling me to take part in such a joyous event. Hops rules!
~ Amy |
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9/3/2010 - Friend For Life Volunteers Touch Us All
The following was written by a gentleman beginning cancer treatment and dedicated to his Friend for Life Volunteer. She in turn asked to dedicate the poem to all FFL Volunteers, saying “A Voice says what many new cancer patients feel when a Friend for Life Volunteer calls.”
A Voice
One day I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked for help as usual, but on this day the request came from deep within my heart.
The prayer was answered ten-fold but that was only the half of it.
I was given the gift to watch a miracle unfold before my very eyes. A gift that would strengthen my faith, my hope, and trust when I needed it most.
I was a sick man and needed guidance with my medical issues. The help came in the form of a voice. The solution came from experience and prayer.
I was a poor man and needed advice to help me survive. Again the help came in the form of a voice. The solution came from knowledge and prayer.
Last but not least I needed a friend because I couldn’t face these things alone. Though rare in most friendships, this blessing once again came in the form of a voice. The solution came from the heart with a prayer.
Watching God working through another loving person to achieve these blessings has been the miracle. To beat it all, these blessings came from a person I’ve never seen but know only as a voice. A voice of faith, hope, and trust.
Click to read the Friend For Life Newsletter (PDF) |
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City Zip's Runners in the News
(courtesy of thebloodhorse.com)
8/26/2010 - City Zip's Runners Zipping Along on Turf
By David Schmitz
City Zip is enjoying the kind of year few would have imagined. It’s not that he ranks 10th on the leading sires’ list, but that he ranks third on the leading turf sires’ list. For a stallion who won or placed in 15 stakes on dirt and ran third in one on grass, it’s darn surprising.
“It’s interesting because most people look at him as a sprinter,” said Bill Farish, president of Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky., where 12-year-old City Zip stands. “Another thing is that he’s not only doing it on turf, but his runners are winning on the grass around two turns.”
City Zip’s sire, Carson City, doesn’t offer much in the way of an answer either, and neither does City Zip’s dam, Baby Zip (by Relaunch), a stakes winner on dirt who finished unplaced in her two starts on turf.
Carson City, by Mr. Prospector, was best known for his sprinting sharpness on dirt and for siring sprinters. City Zip proved one of his best, winning eight one-turn stakes, including the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at 2 at Saratoga and the Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II) at 3 at the Spa over subsequent sprint champion Speightstown . If the answer lies anywhere close up in City Zip’s pedigree, it probably lies in Relaunch, whose best performances came on turf. Both of Relaunch’s stakes wins occurred in graded events on grass. Relaunch also was grade I stakes-placed on turf as well as on dirt.
City Zip’s success on grass this year is overwhelming compared to what the stallion previously accomplished. Eight of his 10 stakes winners are added-money winners on grass. Six of the eight are graded winners: Acting Zippy, City to City, Get Serious, Gleam of Hope, Unzip Me, and Workin for Hops. City to City, Get Serious, Unzip Me, and Workin for Hops are multiple stakes winners on turf this year...Read full story
8/25/2010 - City Zip 9th on General Sire List with WORKIN FOR HOPS his leading money earner in 2010
2010 Leading Sires
For stallions that stand, will stand, or stood (deceased) in North America (stallions exported prior to the 2006 breeding season are excluded), and have runners in North America. Listed below are all available statistics for the Northern Hemisphere through August 25, 2010. As supplied to The Blood-Horse by The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc., earnings exclude monies from Japan and Hong Kong. *Foal counts include Southern Hemisphere. Cumulative stakes winners includes all countries; some additional foreign foals may be included in the foal count...Read full story |
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Hop's places 3rd by 2 lengths in the G1 Mile and a quarter Secretariat Arlington Park. ©Four Footed Fotos |
Hop's places 3rd by 2 lengths in the G1 Secretariat at Arlington Park
Estrorace is proud beyond words for the accomplishments of this developing and maturing graded stakes winning turf hero, and also of his dam, now a with G1 black type to add to her production record. We are excited for the future of this family and thankful beyond measure for the tremendous joy they have brought us along the way.
Hat's off to Hop's, who's determined snout shows below, defeated but still digging in! This time last year he had not even run his first race, now he's amassed just under 400K in earnings and is a top class graded stakes performer. God willing he will continue to thrive in the Stidham program and we will get to enjoy the ride for some time to come.
Click for Equibase chart (PDF). |
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WORKIN FOR HOPS SEEKS MID-AMERICA TRIPLE SWEEP
(courtesy of TracksideView/David Zenner/Arlington Park)
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Donegal Racing’s Paddy O’Prado, the leading turf favoring sophomore in North America, has been installed as the heavy even money favorite for Saturday’s Grade I $400,000 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park while Arlington Classic and American Derby hero Estrorace LLC’s Workin for Hops is listed as the 5-2 second choice in his bid to sweep Arlington’s Mid-America Triple.
The Secretariat Stakes, the third leg of the Triple which began with the $100,000 Arlington Classic on May 22 and continued with the Grade II $200,000 American Derby on July 17, is a mile and a quarter turf test for international-caliber 3-year-olds and is one of three Grade I stakes races on the card that comprises Arlington’s International Festival of Racing...Read full story. |
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8/14/2010 - Friday the 13th full of "CURIOUS LUCK" for Four Wind's Farm juvenile runner at Monmouth Park!
Congratulations to Dianne Boyken and trainer Anthony Margotta Jr. on impressive 2 year old CURIOUS LUCK's MSW score at Monmouth Park in the rich 75,000 6th race August 13th...that's Friday the 13th folks
"Lucky" Friday the 13th!
The filly's dam, SILENT RIDGE is a stakes winning, multiple stakes producing mare that was carrying this lovely filly by TRUST 'N LUCK when purchased by Estrorace LLC as agent for Dianne at the 2008 OBS January Mixed sale.
"Curious" is running for Dianne's niece Elizabeth Thompson's college education and yesterday's near 45,000 deposit in that direction makes this family horse a superstar in everyone's eyes!
Click for Equibase Chart (PDF). |
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 Moneigh Lisa wins the Spruce Fir H.
© Equi-photo |
WORKIN FOR HOPS wins the G2 American Derby
©Four Footed Fotos |
7/19/2010 - 2 Stakes Winners in 7 Days!
Homebred MONEIGH LISA wins Monmouth's 100,000 Spruce Fir Handicap July 11th.
Homebred WORKIN FOR HOPS dominates in G2 American Derby at Arlington Park July 17th. |
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 ©Four Footed Fotos |
©Four Footed Fotos |
7/17/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS Uncorks American Derby Win
Bloodhorse.com - Favored Workin for Hops captured the second leg of the Mid-America Triple and became a likely contender for the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) next month when he dominated the field in the $200,000 American Derby (gr. IIT) July 17 on the grass at Arlington Park.
In the second of three turf stakes on Arlington's "Million Preview" program, Workin for Hops pressed pacesetter Marcello through soft fractions, taking command late on the final turn and opening a five-length lead in the stretch. With jockey Francisco Torres replacing Robby Albarado, he went on to win under a hand ride by 2 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:55.47 for the 1 3/16-mile distance over firm turf...More
• Click for Equibase chart (PDF)
• Click for race replay (Bloodhorse.com)
• Thoroughbred Times
• Arlington Park
• Brisnet Bloodstock Journal (PDF) |
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7/14/2010 - Workin For Hops Heads to American Derby
Workin for Hops (City Zip), who secured the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple with a victory in the Arlington Classic on May 22, is expected to continue his quest to become the first sophomore since 1997 to sweep the Triple by winning the American Derby (7/16). The local Triple concludes with the Secretariat. (Courtesy of Brisnet) |
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JRHA hip 87, 4th highest 2010 yearling |
7/12/2010 - Estrorace Bred G1 winner Ermine's first foal top American sired yearling in Japan
Although not usually highly preferred in Japanese sale arenas, yearlings by American-based stallions sold well during Monday's opening session of the Japan Racing Horse Association, auction with a son of A.P. Indy leading the way.
The first foal produced by Grade 1 winner Ermine (Exchange Rate), the strapping chestnut ranked as the fourth highest-priced horse of the session after drawing a final bid of ¥56 million ($622,222) from prominent owner Takaya Shimakawa.
Consigned by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, the A.P. Indy colt was foaled in Japan after Ermine was acquired by Yoshida for $1.3 million at the 2008 Keeneland November sale. (courtesy of Brisnet July 12th) |
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7/12/2020 - MONEIGH LISA pulls top Bris-speed fig Nationally in the Spruce Fir...and ran a 10 Ragozin sheet number!
| National |
| Top Winning Stakes Speed Ratings (7/5-7/11) - 3&up Dirt Routes |
| Horse |
A/S |
Dist |
Trk Date |
Race |
Bris Speed |
| Pickapocket |
6H |
1 1/16m (sy) |
DEL7/10 |
Sussex |
101 |
| Moneigh Lisa |
4F |
1m 70yds (ft) |
MTH 7/11 |
SpruceFirH |
98 |
| Ravi's Song |
4F |
1 1/16m (ft) |
IND 7/7 |
ShlbyCArtH |
97 |
| Shakenwithanolive |
4F |
1m (ft) |
NP 7/11 |
JPatrickH |
96 |
| Double Shuffle |
4G |
1m (ft) |
ASD 7/9 |
WheatCity |
95 |
| Bold Captain |
4G |
1 1/8m |
TDN 7/10 (ft) |
GLewisMem |
95 |
| Coyote Legend |
3C |
1 1/16m (my) |
LS 7/10 |
Assault |
93 |
| Awesome Gem |
7G |
1 1/4m (ft) |
HOL 7/10 |
HolGdCpH |
92 |
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Moneigh Lisa wins the $100,000 Spruce Fir H.
© Equi-photo |
7/11/2010 - Estrorace bred MONEIGH LISA Wins $100,000 Spruce Fir H.
Jockey Jose Lezcano sent the chestnut miss after the leader at the top of the lane, and Moneigh Lisa easily put that rival away before going on to score by 2 3/4 lengths on the wire. Trained by Jane Cibelli for owner Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Stable, Moneigh Lisa provided an upset as the 15-1 second longest shot on the board when finishing the mile-and-70-yard affair in 1:42...More (Courtesy of Bristnet Bloodstock Journal)
• Race Results Details with Video - Bloodhorse.com |
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 Sufi Dancer with owner Sal Dhani at OBS |
2009 Estrorace February OBS Select 2yo purchase is 2 for 2 in 2010!
SNR Investment's “Sufi Dancer” won his second 3 year old start with as much ease as he did in his seasonal debut at Hollywood Park. The Dixieland Band colt made it look easy as he overpowered his allowance foes with an impressive finish, with Rafael Bejarano up. This bodes all very well for this colt as distance increases and perhaps turf gets added to the picture by his very capable trainer Mike Mitchell. He has completely dominated his rivals as a three year old after an impressive debut showing tremendous tenacity and closing ability at two last year.
Sufi Dancer was purchased from Niall Brennan's consignment.
Click for Equibase chart (PDF) |
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 Ruby Gordan and her beautiful work of art |
 Chaplain Marjorie Bevans with Hops, Leia and Crystal |
 Leia and Crystal getting a kiss from Hops |
Letters from Hop's Friends that we just had to share
This first comes from our dear pal, Friend for Life Cancer Support Network director, Judy Kasey Houlette, as Hops runs in memory of a hero of the cancer support world, past horse owner as well, Ronnie Gordon and his equally called wife Ruby, both multiple cancer sufferers and conquerers:
Hi, Amy,
Ruby stopped by today with some framed photos that she thought you'd like to see. Please enjoy and know how much you mean to Ruby, Sr. Barbara, FFL and me...
With love from each/all of us,
Judy
This letter is from Colonial Downs' Chaplain, Marjorie Bevans.
I was honored and blessed to be represented by these three as ambassadors for Estrorace at the running of the G2 500,000 Colonial Turf Cup June 19th. Below is a touching e-mail about yet another group of people touched by the gentleness and scrappiness of our turf running hoofed angel:
Dear Amy,
What an exciting day for Crystal and Leia. Crystal suffers from an autoimmune disease which forced her into an early retirement after 25 years as a nurse. 9 year old Leia struggles to help her mom around the house. I had no idea when I asked them if they even liked horses. They both LOVE them, and were so sweet with Hops, as the attached photos show. He is a very, very sweet horse and he ran his heart out.
God bless you for offering them this gift. I gave Crystal $10 to bet on Hops in any way she wanted to. She bet him to finish 2nd and got back $48 which was enough to buy her medicine for this upcoming week. Cyrstal said it was the greatest day in her life.
And I loved meeting Mike and Hillary. What a day they had. He seems to be such a decent, humble person and she really looked after both Hops and Tizaqueena to make sure they were fine after their races. I will be rooting for their horses in the future!
We could not go back to the barn afterwards to say 'thank-you' because Crystal was starting to feel sick. Could you please pass that along to Mike and Hillary?
Thank you, again. What strange ways the Lord uses those who love him.
Faithfully,
Marjorie+
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© Coady Photography |
6/19/2010 - Workin For Hops places in Colonial Turf Cup Stakes
• Race Results Details with Video
• Equibase Chart (PDF) |
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Moneigh Lisa |
6/14/2010 - Moneigh Lisa Becomes Stakes Placed
Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Inc's Moneigh Lisa becomes Mo Mon's second stakes runner, placing 3rd in the $100,000 Open Mind Handicap on June 13th, 2010, at Monmouth Park in Oceanport NJ.
Under the guidance of Jose Lezcano she fought tenaciously through a wall of traffic after being taken back to last, dove courageously through a tight spot between the pack and emerged full of run to overcome much adversity and pull down a lifetime best speed figure in the process!
Co-bred by Amy Bondon and Mo Mon's owner Dianne Boyken, of Four Winds Farm, this filly is Estrorace purchased stallion prospect Mo Mon's leading money earner and looks to be poised for a very good year under the care of trainer Jane Cibelli. Jane did an outstanding job bringing this filly back from a winter's respite to score at first asking at Monmouth Park in a rich $85,000 allowance and then come back to earn stakes placing in her next start. She is the first foal out of the Estrorace privately purchased at the racetrack, Dove Hunt mare, the impressive race mare Dove Creek.
Owner Tom McNally is getting pretty heavy in the black type department himself, as he is co-breeder along with Amy of the Estrorace banner runner, multiple stakes winning WORKIN FOR HOPS.
With 16 lifetime starts from 2-4, Moneigh Lisa has amassed 165,332 for Tom McNally's Rookie Thoroughbred Racing Stable Inc's. Tom also acquired his stakes winning WHISKEY LIT, as a yearling though Estrorace as agent. This filly was purchased privately as a weanling by her current connections. |
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Declan, Molly and Dillan Dement in the Turf Club at Arlington. The boys are the youngest Estrorace reps to ever partake in a champagne toast with Mr. D! |
Dements Represent Estrorace at Arlington Classic
Declan Dement totally lives for “Hopsy” and it's all he talks about. Pappa Mike Dement is The Brigade's managing partner. He and his family are an Estrorace commercial breeding client and good friends as well. Declan lives to go to the track with Dad, and they are frequently seen on the apron at Arlington Park enjoying the early morning training and the glorious scenery at this most picturesque oval.
We are excited for the The Brigade's stakes producing Silver Chieftress, as she delivered an outstanding grey son of back to back Breeder's Cup Sprint winner, champion MIDNIGHT LUTE this spring and is being bred to the promising ANY GIVEN SATURDAY.
Thanks Arlington Park, for an experience of a lifetime for the Dement family and certainly the cementing of two future racing fans in young Declan and Dillan. Nobody does it better or with more class than Mr. Duchossois and we are so blessed and appreciative for all that as done for our winning conncections and the incredible VIP treatment they received.
Arlington Park is in a class of it's own! |
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Mo Mon's Moneigh Lisa Makes Her Seasonal Debut at the Historical $50,000,000 2010 Monmouth Park Meet a Winning One!
Under the confident ride of Elvis Trujillo, the Jane Cibelli trainee rewarded her ROOKIE THOROUGHBRED RACING STABLE Inc. ownership with a score in a meaty $85,000 6 furlong allowance.
Purchased privately as a weanling from Estrorace, the 4 year old filly was co-bred by Amy Bondon and Mo Mon's Four Winds Farm owner Dianne Boyken and has earnings in excess of $155,000. Mo Mon was an Estrorace LLC stallion prospect purchase at Keeneland's November 2004 November sale. |
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© Four Footed Fotos |
5/23/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS WINS $100,000 ARLINGTON CLASSIC
(Courtesy of The Thoroughbred Times)
Workin for Hops opened a clear early lead as the 1.70-to-1 favorite in the Arlington Classic and never was seriously threatened in a 2 1/4-length win, giving Albarado a sweep of the two Arlington stakes.
The City Zip gelding won the Grindstone Stakes in March at Fair Grounds in his season debut for trainer Mike Stidham and entered the 1 1/16-mile Arlington Classic off a fifth-place finish in the American Turf Stakes (G2) on April 30 at Churchill Downs. He covered the Arlington Classic distance in 1:45.43 for his fourth win in six starts for owner Estorace.
Out of the winning Citidancer mare Citi Pearl, Workin for Hops has earned $142,976.
• Click for Equibase chart (PDF).
• Arlington Classic Race Replay
(courtesy of Arlingtonpark.com)
More Press:
• Brisnet.com
• Bloodhorse.com
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Workin For Hops - © Lou Hodges |
5/20/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS READIED FOR SATURDAY'S ARLINGTON CLASSIC
Estrorace's Workin for Hops, five-length hero of Fair Grounds' grassy $60,000 Grindstone Stakes on March 27 near the end of the Crescent City Thoroughbred racing season, breezed a half-mile in 51.00 Monday over Arlington's Polytrack in preparation for Saturday's 75th renewal of the $100,000 Arlington Classic.
In his last start Workin for Hops finished fifth in Churchill's Grade II American Turf over the Louisville lawn on Kentucky Oaks Day April 30, but lost all chance after losing his footing at the start.
After that, the altered son of City Zip rebounded with a bullet four-furlong move in 47.00 over the Polytrack here May 11.
The Arlington Classic, restricted to 3-year-olds, is the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple, a grass series which is continued with the Grade II American Derby July 17 on Million Preview Day and concludes with the Grade I Secretariat Stakes Aug. 21 during Arlington's one-day International Festival of Racing.
(Courtesy of Arlingtonpark.com) |
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5/14/2010 - Letter We Have to Share
Estrorace President Amy Bondon received this letter the other day from one Patrick Raleigh, a recipient of a Race For Education scholarship. Click here to read the letter (PDF) and see why we're so proud to be associated with this fantastic program!
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Florence Mills (Ronnie's daughter), Hop's trainer Mike Stidham, asst.trainer Hilary Pridham and Friend for Life and Casting for Recovery superstar, Ruby Gordon |
Pink Ladies! |
4/30/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS 5th in American Turf Stakes
Making his first G2 appearance in the $175k American Turf Stakes on Oaks Day at Churchill Downs, Workin For Hops placed 5th after losing his footing at the start. He did Estorace proud and is readying for his next start (to be determined) at Arlington Park. Click for Equibase chart (PDF).
Oaks Day was otherwise known this year as a 'Pink Out' day to promote breast cancer awareness and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® charity. We thought it was fitting that our dear friend Ruby Gordon and other breast cancer volunteer superstars celebrated life and hope and honored memories of loved ones deaprted. Hops runs for Friend for Life and honors the memory of one of it's most devoted servants, Ruby's beloved husband Ronnie. Thank you heroes for the service you give and the hope you impart in cancer survivors of all types. Estrorace salutes you! |
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Workin For Hops - © Lou Hodges |
3/28/2010 - WORKIN FOR HOPS Wins Grindstone Stakes
Odds-on favorite Workin for Hops dominated Saturday’s $60,000 Grindstone Stakes with a five-length romp in the 7 ½-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the winner for trainer Mike Stidham and owners Estrorace LLC. He paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.
Workin for Hops was reserved by Hernandez early on and commenced his winning bid around the final turn. He surged clear after entering the stretch and proved to be much the best. Striking Hight was second and Random Move finished third.
Workin for Hops, a 3-year-old City Zip gelding, has won three of his four starts. The $36,000 first prize padded his bankroll to $85,000. Courtesy of Fairgroundsracecourse.com
• Grindstone Stakes Race Replay (courtesy of Bloodhorse.com)
3/27/2010 - Another Weekend, Another SW for CITY ZIP
Seven days after Unzip Me won the $100,000 Irish O'Brien S. at Santa Anita, our premier young sire CITY ZIP registered another stakes winner, this time over the Fair Grounds sod. CITY ZIP’s three-year-old gelding Workin for Hops lived up to his 2-5 favoritism in this afternoon’s $60,000 Grindstone S., stalking in third from a wide perch, then powering away in the stretch to a five-length success. A seven-length debut winner at Arlington last September, Workin for Hops romped by 4 1/2 lengths in a Fair Grounds allowance Dec. 28 and was making his stakes unveiling in the Grindstone. He was awarded a good 96 BRIS figure for the effort. |
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Tony Everhard - © D'Net 2009 |
A Shout Out From Amy
A huge part of Workin For Hop's sucess must go to Tony Everhard and his New Episode Training Center. Tony prepared Hops as a two year old and sent him to Arlington fit and ready to roll and he broke Cryptocandiac, Workin For Hop's half sister.
“Tony is one of the finest horsemen I have ever been blessed with being in the presence of, and his love for what he does is just a blessing to experience and be a part of. He has started the likes of FUNNY CIDE and he and his staff are an absolute pleasure to do business with and their fine education leaves training graduates with an excellent foundation for their racetrack careers to be built upon.”
- Amy Bondon
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Hops Win Photo - © Lou Hodges |
12/28/2009 - WORKIN FOR HOPS ROMPS!
• Workin for Hops Wins Feature at the Fairgrounds
• Thoroughbred Times Today (PDF pg. 6)
• Thoroughbred Daily News (PDF pg.6 )
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Ermine |
 Whisky Lit |
Two Stakes Winners on Same day
4/07/2007 - Estrorace Graduates Score 2 Stakes Wins in one Day!
Kudos to Art and Stephanie Preston's Oxbow Racing and trainer Ronnie Werner for ERMINE's dominating win in the G1 Apple Blossm H. at Oaklawn Park. ERMINE was bred and sold by Estrorace LLC.
Congratulations also goes to owner Tom McNally and trainer Jane Cibelli on WHISKY LIT's stunning win in the 7-furlong Ocala Breeders' Sales Sophomore S. This fine 3yo was purchased as a yearling for his connections. |
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