Laurie Ross
Tracksideview.com

IRON MAIDENS
Saturday, October 4, 2008– Belmont – Frizette and Champagne

RATINGS:
*           Not optimal for this horse
**         Below average talent
***       Average talent
****     Superior talent
*****  Graded stakes winning talent
***       For sprint and distance both – falls into miler category

Ratings are assigned according to how a horse compares to the rest of the field in a given race. They are based upon pedigree strength, precociousness, surface preferences, speed and stamina influences, and the horse’s works or previous races.

Frizette was a hard-knocking race mare who had some talent early on, but ran mainly in claiming races in her 3-year-old year. Sent to France, she was retired to the breeding shed where she became one of the most important foundation matrons of the 20th century.  Some of the memorable champions her daughters produced are Myrtlewood (whose line produced Seattle Slew) Miss Dogwood (third dam of Mr. Prospector) and La Troienne (too many to count!). Sadly, after not producing a foal for two years, Frizette was culled from the broodmare band at the age of 24 and sent to slaughter.

Frizette lives on in her many descendants and is only fitting that a number of them have won this race named in her honor, including Myrtle’s Jet, Tudor Queen, Numbered Account and Princess Rooney.

D. Wayne Lukas has won this race a record six times. Hot on his heels is Shug McGaughey who could even the score today.

The Champagne is the oldest stakes for 2-year-olds in the country and, derives its name from the English event.  First run in 1867, this race has been a factor in deciding 2-year-old honors. Many winners have gone on to the Classics, including Count Fleet, Riva Ridge (his stable mate, Secretariat, would finish second the following year), Foolish Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Alydar, Spectacular Bid, Easy Goer, Sea Hero and Birdstone.

Nick Zito has won this race six times, including last year with War Pass.

Frizette Stakes Grade 1
Race 8 | 1 Mile | Fillies | 2 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $400,000

SKY DIVA (Sky Mesa – Swift Girl, by Unbridled) Sire won the Grade 2 Breeders’ Futurity, Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes and is currently third on the Second Crop Sire List.  His son Terrain recently won the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity and daughter Sky Haven won the Presque Isle Downs Debutante. Dam sire was the 1990 Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old Colt whose influence will continue through his classy sons and daughters. Sky Diva is a half sister to Quick Little Miss who won the Moccasin Stakes and was second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet and Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes.  Dam is a half sister to Grade 1 American Oaks Invitational winner Pure Clan and Grade 2 winner Greater Good.  Sky Diva trounced her rivals by ten lengths in her debut going a mile in the slop at Delaware Park.  She had a sharp work since her race.
Precocity: ****   Turf: ***      Dirt:  **** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ***  Mud:  ****

ROYAL BALLADE (Elusive Quality – Musical Chimes, by In Excess) Sire was a Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner and set a world record at one mile on the turf. His runners are effective on all surfaces. His son, Elusive Bluff, won Wednesday’s Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes.  Dam sire is currently the #3 ranking California sire and his offspring, which include sire Indian Charlie, international turf star Musical Chimes and recent Grade 3 winner Notional, win on all surfaces. Dam is an international turf star who won the Group 1 French One Thousand Guineas, Grade 1 John C. Mabee Handicap and the Grade 2 Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes on her way to earning almost a million dollars in 20 starts. She is a half sister to Grade 1 Mother Goose, Coaching Club American Oaks, Gazelle Stakes winner Music Note and the good steeplechaser, Top of the Bill.  Third dam is champion filly of 1978, Its In The Air. Royal Ballade easily won her debut by six-and-three-quarter lengths going six furlongs at Belmont on Sept. 14 and worked an easy four furlongs a week ago.
Precocity: ****   Turf: ***        Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ****  Mud:  ****

WAR ECHO (Tapit – Wild Vision, by Wild Again) Sire won the Grade 2 Laurel Futurity at two and carried his speed a mile and an eighth to win the Wood Memorial the following year. Dam sire won the inaugural 1984 Breeder’s Cup Classic in a stirring battle.  He was a versatile sire, producing Breeder’s Cup Sprint winner Elmhurst and Belmont Stakes winner Savara. War Echo is a half sister to Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner Pyro. Dam is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner, Wild Wonder. Graded stakes winners Early Flyer, Call Now, Cuvee, and Olympio were produced by this family.  War Echo won her second start by four-and-three-quarter lengths going a mile at Belmont and has had two maintenance works since her race.
Precocity: ***   Turf: ***        Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***        Route:  ***    Mud:  ****

MISS OCEAN CITY (Mineshaft – Madam Lagonza, by Kingmambo) Sire is a known stamina influence and his progeny generally need time to mature. Dam sire is one of the top turf sires in the world. Dam is an unraced half to two stakes winners and this filly is a half sister to turf route stakes winning Woodlander.  This filly has an interesting “mirror image” pedigree. Mineshaft has Seattle Slew over Mr. Prospector in his second generation.  Madam Lagonza has Mr. Prospector over Seattle Slew in her second generation. This filly has excellent speed, but should improve with maturity and as distances get longer. She should be an especially good on the turf. She won her debut by three-and-three-quarter lengths over Pumpkin Shell who ran fifth in the recent Miss Grillo Stakes and over Persistently, who is entered in this race. Miss Ocean City tired to sixth after setting the pace in the Grade 2 Matron in her last start and had a bullet four-furlong work last week.
Precocity: ***  Turf: ****       Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ****   Mud:  **

PERSISTENTLY (Smoke Glacken – Just Reward, by Deputy Minister) Sire won the Sapling, Grade 1 Hopeful, Grade 3 Tyro Stakes and was 1997 Eclipse Champion Sprinter. Dam sire was a precocious Grade 1 winning two year old and is a noted broodmare sire. Phipps family bred dam is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 turf star Good Reward and sire, Pure Prize.  Second dam is outstanding race mare Heavenly Prize. Third dam, Oh What a Dance, produced along with Heavenly Prize, Grade 1 winner, Oh What a Windfall and Grade 1 placed Dancinginmydreams, the dam of recent Grade 1 turf winner, Dancing Forever. Fourth dam is Blue Hen, Blitey. Persistently gets good speed from her sire and tons of class and stamina from her female family. She finished a closing second in the Grade 2 Matron after sustaining an eight-wide move.
Precocity: ****    Turf: ****     Dirt:  **** 
Sprint:  ***           Route:  ***   Mud:  ****

COLLEGIATE (Saarland – La Sorbonne, by Southern Halo) Freshman sire has four winners from 22 starters and his offspring should improve with maturity.  Grade 1 placed dam sire currently stands in Argentina, and is the sire of More Than Ready.   Half-sister to sprinter/miler stakes winners, The Student and Good Student.  Rgirldoesn’tbluff, a sprinting Calder stake winner, was produced from this female family.  Collegiate won career debut on June 19 at Belmont, finished fourth in the Grade 3 Schylerville and third in the Grade 1 Spinaway. She’s had three live works and adds blinkers for this race.
Precocity: ****  Turf: ***        Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ****  Mud:  ***

WINNING BREW (Milwaukee Brew – Winning Kiss, by Grand Slam) Sophomore sire is ranked fourth on the Second Crop Sire List.  He is getting winners on all surfaces and is best represented by his stakes winning daughter, Ginger Brew. Dam sire won the Grade 1 Champagne and Futurity Stakes at age two. He went on to win the Grade 2 Peter Pan and finish second in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint at three. He sires mainly precocious sprinter/miler types. Dam is an unraced half sister to Iowa Derby winner Easyfromthegitgo and minor stakes winner Sue’s Good News. This is her first foal.  Third dam produced 1985 Eclipse Champion Turf horse and sire, Cozzene.  Winning Brew broke her maiden in a 2F race on May 14, but has finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Astoria and Grade 1 Spinaway.  She had a sharp five-furlong work and adds blinkers for today’s race.
Precocity: ****   Turf: **         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

COFFEE IN BED (Toccet – Grace Bay, by Waquoit) Ultra precocious sire won the Grade 1 Champagne, Hollywood Futurity, Grade 2 Remsen and Grade 3 Laurel Futurity. He is currently #17 on the First Crop Sire List. Versatile Grade 1 winning dam sire won races from six furlongs to a mile and a half from age two to five. He produced Grade 1 winner Halo America and is the broodmare sire of 2006 Grade 2 Illinois Derby winner, Sweetnorthernsaint. Dam was second in the Maryland Juvenile Fillies Champion Stakes, has earned over $160,000 in nine starts and this is her first foal.  Coffee in Bed broke her maiden in her third try when stretching from five-and-a-half furlongs to 1 mile 70 yards at Monmouth on Sept. 13. She shows no recorded works since that win.
Precocity: **   Turf: **         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  **        Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

HEAVENLY VISION (Forestry – Holy Bubbette, by Holy Bull) Sire is a Grade 1 winning sprinter known for precocious speed. His offspring include sire Smoke Glacken and talented Discreet Cat. Dam sire was a fast multiple graded stakes winner and is a versatile sire getting winners on all surfaces. Dam is a half sister to Forward Gall winner, Sum Runner and stakes placed Ms Louisett. Heavenly Vision won her debut easily but flattened out in the Grade 2 Matron to finish fifth.  She’s had two sharp works since that race.
Precocity: ***  Turf: ***       Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

GEMSWICK PARK (Speightstown – Queens Park, by Relaunch) Champion sprinting sire is currently third on the Freshman Sire List. Dam sire was a versatile sire (offspring include With Anticipation, Waquoit, Skywalker, Honour and Glory, Cee’s Tizzy (dam of Tiznow) and Baby Zip (Dam of City Zip and Ghostzapper).  Dam is a stakes winning half sister to Gold Tiara, a Group 1 winner in Japan.  Third dam Expressive Dance was Grade 2 placed at two and a Grade 3 winner at three.  Others in this family include multiple graded stakes winner American Chance and Grade 1 handicap horse, Chief Honcho. Gemswick Park easily won her second start by six-and-one-half lengths going six furlongs at Belmont in a quick time (1:09 2/5) and has two good maintenance works.
Precocity: ***   Turf: ***      Dirt:  **** 
Sprint:  ****     Route:  ***  Mud:  **

WHO DO I LIKE?

It is very difficult to separate the two fillies in this race with experience at a mile, but I’ll give the nod to Pyro’s little sister, WAR ECHO, She beat a better class of fillies than second choice, SKY DIVA.  Stalker PERSISTENTLY will enjoy getting more distance.  COFFEE IN BED has won past a mile and could be an overlooked longshot. 

Champagne S. (G1)
Race 9 | 1 Mile | Open | 2 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $400,000

BREAK WATER EDISON (Lemon Drop Kid – August Storm, by Storm Creek) While he was talented enough to win the Grade 1 Futurity Stakes and place in the Champagne Stakes, Belmont winner Lemon Drop Kid’s offspring often need some time to mature and prefer races longer than a mile. Dam sire is a Grade 3 winning son of Storm Cat. His offspring tend to be win early sprinter/milers. Dam won the Hollywood Wildcat stakes going a mile and a sixteenth on turf. Break Water Edison has turf breeding top and bottom, but he won his debut gong five-and-a-half furlongs on the dirt at Belmont then followed up with a third place finish in the Saratoga Special and finished fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful behind Vineyard Haven, Cribnote and Munnings.
Precocity:  ****  Turf: ****   Dirt:  ***   
Sprint:  ***          Route: ***  Mud:  ****

CRIBNOTE (Read the Footnotes – Totebook, by Notebook) Currently is 10th on the Freshman Sire List and his son Forty Thieves recently won the Monmouth Park NATC Futurity.  Sire earned four of his five career victories as a two year old, including the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes. Expect his offspring to develop rapidly, but improve even more with maturity and as the distances increase. Dam sire was a Grade 2 winner at two and known for getting speedy, precocious types.  Dam is a half sister to graded stakes winner D’Or Ruckus.  Expect Cribnote to improve as he goes longer distances.  He finished second to Vineyard Haven in the Grade 1 Hopeful after bearing out far enough for his jockey to grab a beer and hot dog from the grandstand. He’s had two bullet works and adds blinkers for this race.
Precocity:  ***   Turf: ***      Dirt:  ***   
Sprint:  ***         Route: ***   Mud:  ***

VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace – Princess Aloha, by Aloha Prospector) Sire was a winner at a mile and an eighth, but failed to stay at a mile and a quarter, finishing second in four attempts.  Dam sire was graded stakes placed and sired sprinter/milers. This colt has a modest female family. Vineyard Haven was third in the Grade 2 Sanford Stakes to Desert Party but led all the way to win the Grade 1 Hopeful and has three very strong works leading into this race.
Precocity:  ****  Turf: **        Dirt:  ***   
Sprint:  ****       Route: ***   Mud:  ***

HELLO BROADWAY (Broken Vow – Nightstorm, by Storm Cat) Sire’s  offspring include Canadian Derby winner, Matt’s Broken Vow, Unbridled Belle, Cotton Blossom, precocious Sindy With an S and I Vow to Win, who took the recent Iowa Futurity. Hello Broadway is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner, Nobiz Like Showbiz, who was second in this race in 2006, and races for the same connections.  Hello Broadway has plenty of win-early speed, but is bred to be a Classic contender. He won his debut by a neck after a thrilling stretch duel going six-and-a-half furlongs at Saratoga and has three good works coming into this race.
Precocity: ****   Turf: ***         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ****  Mud:  ***

GIROLAMO (A.P. Indy – Get Lucky, by Mr. Prospector) Sire is an international stamina influence. Girolamo is a full brother to Daydreaming, winner of the Grade 2 Top Flight and Grade 3 Next Move Stakes and Accelerator, winner of the Pilgrim Stakes and second in the Wood Memorial, and She’s a Winner, dam of Classic placed sire, Bluegrass Cat. Dam is a Grade 3 winning full sister to champion two year old of 1989, Rhythm and half sister to Oscillate, dam of sire, Mutakddim and is the grand dam of Grade 1 Suburban winner, Frost Giant. Second dam, Numbered Account is a multiple Grade 1 winner and third dam is Blue Hen, Numbered Account, dam of sires Polish Number and Private Account. After breaking his maiden in style, Girolamo was under a firm hold near the back and got up for fourth.  He had a quick four-furlong prep for today’s race.
Precocity: ****   Turf: ***         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ****        Route:  ****  Mud: ***

A.P. CARDINAL (A.P. Indy – Smoke N Frolic, by Smoke Glacken)  Dam sire won the Sapling, Grade 1 Hopeful, Grade 3 Tyro Stakes and was 1997 Eclipse Champion Sprinter.  Talented dam won the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes, on her way to willing over $1,000,000 in 33 starts. This is her first foal. Third dam was Florida sensation Cherokee Frolic, whose offspring produced a multiple Florida stakes winners.  A.P. Cardinal won his six-furlong debut by three lengths at Monmouth Park after dueling quick opening fractions. He had a strong four-furlong work leading into this race.
Precocity: ****  Turf: ***         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ****  Mud: ***

VENTANA (Toccet – Full Figure, by Polish Numbers) Freshman sire is currently 17th on the First Crop Sire List. Dam sire was bred and owned by the Phipps family. He is the sire of a number of durable horses, including Make Mine Vodka, One Eyed Joker.  Dam one once in 15 starts and her other foal has placed. Grade 3 winning handicap horse, Primitive Hall and sires Stephen Got Even and Lord Avie were produced from this family. Ventana easily won his six-furlong debut by five-and-a-half lengths in a sharp 1:09 4/5 and has three progressively fast works.
Precocity: ****  Turf: ***      Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ***  Mud: ***

BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart – I’m In Celebration, by Copelan) Sire leads the First Crop Sire list. Dam sire, a product of Fred Hooper breeding, won this race in 1982 and was one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby the following year after wining the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and finishing second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.  Brave Victory is a half brother to stakes winners Cheers and Tears, Nice to Know and the dam of Grade 3 Turfway Breeder’s Cup Stakes winner, Beautiful Bets.  This colt won his third start at a lower level going seven furlongs after chasing faster fractions at the same distance in his previous race.
Precocity: **  Turf: **       Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***     Route:  **  Mud: ***

GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union -Illicit, by Mr. Prospector) Precocious sire has some very good offspring this year with Garden District winning the Grade 3 Debutante and Bold Union winning the Astoria Stakes.  Dam is an un-raced daughter of champion, Inside Information and three-quarter sister to Grade 1 winner, Smuggler.  This colt gets mud influences from grandsires Dixieland Band and Mr. Prospector.  Gone Astray finished fifth in the seven-furlong Grade 2 Futurity after a rail trip. He came back with a bullet work last week.
Precocity: ****   Turf: **         Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ***   Mud:  ****

MUNNINGS (Speightstown – La Comete, by Holy Bull) Speightstown is currently ranked third on the Freshman Sire List.   Dam sire was a fast multiple graded stakes winner and good sire. Dam is an unraced half sister to stakes winners Lasting Approval and Warrior Song.  Second dam was Grade 1 winner, La Gueriere. This colt has speed, over speed and class and showed it winning his debut by four-and-a-half lengths going 6F at Saratoga on July 26 in a good time of 1:09 4/5.  He stumbled at the start of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes but still finished third behind Vineyard Haven and Cribnote.
Precocity:  ****   Turf: ***      Dirt:  ***   
Sprint:  ****         Route: ***   Mud:  ***

WHO DO I LIKE?

This talented well bred field will be hard to separate as none of these colts have experience beyond seven furlongs.  Provided everyone breaks well, Vineyard Haven should have company up front in the form of wicked fast A.P. Cardinal, Ventana, and Brave Victory. I’m inclined to go with a closer in this race, and No Biz Like Shobiz’s little bro, HELLO BROADWAY closed with an awesome rush in his debut and could be overlooked in the betting.  GONE ASTRAY also had a nice closing kick as does GIROLAMO.   What to do with Munnings and Cribnote? They certainly have talent and will probably go off at shorter odds than the horses I picked but I wouldn’t overlook them in your betting strategies.