Laurie Ross
Tracksideview.com

IRON MAIDENS
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008– Belmont

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.

Today we look at New York bred colts and fillies going seven furlongs on the dirt.  The fourth race was named in honor of Bertram F. Bongard, who was a founding director of Eastern New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. This stake race for colts originally was run at a mile and an eighth at its inception 31 years ago until the mid-80s. Since its practically unheard of to run a 2-year-old at that distance today, a mere 20 years later, it was shortened to a mile and a sixteenth 10 years ago, and finally in the 2000’s, to today’s distance of seven furlongs.  Past winners of this race include the sire Notebook, who went on to become a Grade 2 winner, 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, and graded stakes winners Sharp Humor and Big Truck.

Race 9 is the second half of today’s double feature and was named for Joseph A. Gimma, the former chairman of the New York State Racing Commission. Some notable fillies that captured this race and went on to bigger and better are the ultra consistent runner Shesastonecoldfox, multiple graded stakes stars Dat You Miz Blue and Capeside Lady.
 
Race 4 | THE BERTRAM F. BONGARD | 7F | Colts | Purse: $100,000 

REMARKABLE STORM (Stormy Atlantic – Most Remarkable, by Marquetry) Sire is eighth on the National Sires list. He is versatile, getting winners on all surfaces and distances. Swift dam sire gets precocious sprinters (Artax, Squirtle Squirt, Mass Market, etc.) Dam is an unraced half sister to Grade 2 winning turf mare, Snow Dance. Remarkable Storm is a half brother to stakes winning turf miler Remarkable Remy. Third dam is Grade 1 placed Northern Sea. Fifth dam is Blue Hen (superior female) Shama. This family has produced Grade 1 handicap horse General Challenge, precocious Grade 1 winner Notable Career, sprinting stakes winner Western Hemisphere and Grade 1 placed sire Southern Halo. 
Remarkable Storm won by 1¼ lengths in his fourth attempt by going 6 ½ furlongs in the mud on Aug. 11 at Saratoga but was steadied and  rank in his first attempt going 1 1/6 on turf in the With Anticipation Stakes on Aug. 29. Since then he’s turned in two slow four-furlong works.  He will prefer returning to dirt, but this jockey (Kent Desormeaux) rarely wins from the one hole.
Precocity: **      Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***        Route:  ***   Mud:  ****   

TALL POPPI (Intidab – Jupiter Hollow, by Salt Lake) Sire was a versatile stakes winning sprinter/miler on dirt and turf His offspring are mainly dirt sprinter/milers.  Dam sire won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, Grade 2 Cowdin Stakes and Grade 3 Tremont Breeders Cup Stakes at age two.  He later became a Grade 1 sprinter. Dam is a half to Grade 2 winner Antrim Rd.  Third and fourth dams are Blue Hens (superior female) Uncommitted (dam of multiple Group 1 winner Motivator, turf router Macarthur and Haskell Stakes winner Wavering Monarch) and Lady Be Good (dam of English champions Zilzal and Culture Vulture, French group winner Polish Precedent, and grand dam of Grade 1 winner, Awe Inspiring). Tall Poppi has fair early speed. He finished third in his debut going 5½ furlongs on dirt on July 27 at Saratoga, beaten by Remarkable Storm who finished second. He broke his maiden in his second start traveling six furlongs and winning from off the pace on Aug. 18.  He’s had steady works since then.
Precocity:  ***     Dirt: ***   
Sprint:  ***          Route: ***  Mud: ****

REREADTHEFOOTNOTES (Read The Footnotes – Re Re Be Be, by Sheikh Albadou) Sire is currently 21st on the Freshman Sire List with seven winners from 17 starters. He 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. They should also love the turf.  Dam sire was an international turf and dirt Grade 1 performer, winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Group 1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup and Group 1 Ladbroke Sprint Cup. Dam is a half to Grade 2 winner, Parlay and two other stakes winners.  This colt will be improve with distance He was third in the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes after breaking slow and traveling three wide. He’s had one work since then and switches to a high percentage jockey (John Velazquez).  The added furlong makes him a serious consideration.
Precocity: ***   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ****  Mud:  ****

UNCLE T SEVEN (Freud – Holy Wish, by Lord At War) Sire is currently first on the New York sire list and is a full brother to world class stallion Giant’s Causeway. He gets precocious offspring (his son, Dagnabit, won the Tremont Stakes on June 29) and they are generally best at around a mile.  Dam sire was a Grade 1 winner and known as the sire of precocious Mighty, venerable classy winner John’s Call, good producer La Gueriere and Honor in War. All of the dam’s foals are earners. Uncle T Seven was second by a nose in the off the turf Continental Mile Stakes on Aug. 16 and recently faded to fourth in the With Anticipation Stakes after making a bid for the lead in the stretch.  He had an average four-furlong work on September 13.  Cutting back to seven furlongs and a return to dirt should benefit him.
Precocity: ****    Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***          Route:  ***  Mud:  ****

TRINITY MAGIC (Performing Magic – Miz Pickens, by Pine Bluff) Sire won from five furlongs to 1 1/8 miles on dirt and turf. He sires dirt/turf sprinters and has one stakes placed sprinter. Dam sire won the Remsen and Nashua stakes at two and the Preakness at three. He sired precocious Lil’s Lad, Rgirldoesntbluff, dirt/turf router Middlesex Drive, and multiple graded turf mare and producer, Megans Bluff. Dam is a half sister to stakes placed Joopy Doopy. This is her second foal. Trinity Magic won his debut going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt at Saratoga in a state bred race on August 15.  Since then, he’s worked consistently and threw a bullet five-furlong work two weeks ago.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

DOUGHDADDY (Hook and Ladder – Moneymakinmamma, by In Excess) Sire is ninth on the New York sire list. He’s a known speed influence and precocious sire. He is also becoming a top mud sire. Dam sire is currently the third ranking California sire. His offspring, which include sire Indian Charlie, international turf star, Musical Chimes and recent Grade 3 winner Notional, win on all surfaces. Doughdaddy is a full brother to Spanky Fischbein, who was second in this race last year and has gone on to be a New York stakes bred sprinter. Dam is a half sister to stakes winners Quiet Cash and Pocketfullofpesos and the second dam, Queen of Money is a Grade 3 stakes winner.  Doughdaddy won his debut, a six-furlong state bred maiden/optional claimer ($50K) at Saratoga on Aug. 29 and had a good four-furlong work on Sept. 15.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ***  Mud:  ****

WHO DO I LIKE?

REREADTHEFOOTNOTES did well in the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes. His obvious class, high percentage trainer and jockey will make him the obvious favorite. Now that we’ve identified the likely chalk, let’s try to beat him with UNCLE T SEVEN who is one of two horses in this race who have traveled past six furlongs. He has five races under his girth and shows improvement in his last two races despite racing on surfaces other than a dry dirt track.  TRINITY MAGIC has shown good works and we’ll toss him in for the trifecta.

Race 9 | THE JOSEPH A. GIMMA | 7F | Fillies | Purse: $100,000

SNEAKIN UP (Hook and Ladder – Tricky Move, by Tricky Creek) Sire is tops at producing speedy babies. Dam sire was a Grade 2 winner at two and is a sprint sire. Sneakin Up is a half sister to stakes winner Multiplication. Dam was a stakes earner of more than $100,000 in 27 starts. At first look, Sneakin Up has sprinter speed top and bottom in her pedigree, but also receives some stamina in her third generation from Northern Dancer and Sensitive Prince.  She has yet to break her maiden in five starts and has been beaten by half of this field in her previous races, but finished a fast closing fourth in her last race going six furlongs for the first time.  She had a 6F work on September 15. This filly could be a late running sprinter/miler.
Precocity: **   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***     Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

MOTHER RUSSIA (Mayakovsky – Still Secret, by Hennessy) Speedy Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes winning sire stands at fourth on the New York second-crop sire list. Dam sire produced top two-year-olds Henny Hughes and Roll Hennessy Roll. His offspring are sprinter/milers.  Dam is a half to stakes placed Runaway Cat. This filly has no inbreeding within five generations. Mother Russia demolished the field, which included Gem for Hook, in her debut. She followed up with a win in the Lady Finger Stakes at six furlongs on Sept. 1, defeating Fabulous Florence and Sapphire Sky who are also competing in this race. Mother Russia looks like the speed and probable favorite.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  **** 
Sprint:  ****       Route:  **  Mud:  ***

AKILINA (Langfur – Fahamore, by Gulch) Sire was the 1996 Canadian Sovereign Award Champion Sprinter whose offspring prefer going long on turf or dirt (Wando, Mobil, Imperial Gesture and Lawyer Ron). Super precocious dam sire (won the Grade 1 Hopeful and Futurity, Grade 2 Saratoga Special, Grade 3 Tremont Stakes, and was second in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes) gets winners at all distances and on all surfaces. Fourth dam is Grade 1 winner, Classy Cathy.  This filly can win at sprint distances, but will prefer going longer on dirt or turf. Akilina finished second, beating Ouchy Night, in the six furlong Vichy Stakes on Aug. 25 after altering course in the stretch. She’s had one average work since then.
Precocity: ***   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ****  Mud:  ***

OUCHY NIGHT (Cactus Ridge – Minetonightsfirst, by D’Accord)   Sire was a Grade 3 winner at age two. He gets precocious sprinters.  Dam sire won the Grade 2 Breeders’ Futurity at two and his full brother was Canadian Champion two-year-old Medaille D’ Or. Dam is a half sister to stakes placed Mine’spro.  Second dam Mine Tonight was a stakes winner.  Ouchy Night stumbled at the start of the Grade 3 Schuylerville stakes going six furlongs in the slop and wasn’t a factor. She finished a good third to Akilina after hitting the gate in the Vichy Stakes.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ***  Mud:  **

MONA FROM DELTONA (Good and Tough – Toop, by Forever Silver) Sire was a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed sprinter. He is ranked fourth on the Louisiana bred sire list.  Dam sire was a Grade 1 handicap horse and sired a few New York bred stakes winners. Dam is a stakes placed half sister to Ride the Tiger, a minor stakes winner.  Mona From Deltona has speed top and bottom in her pedigree. She won her debut going 6F in a state bred maiden claimer ($50K) on Aug. 28. She’s had two good works since then, firing a bullet five furlongs on Sept. 16.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ****       Route:  **  Mud:  ***

SEEK ON (Intidab – Light Wave, by Turkoman) Sire gets mainly dirt sprinter/milers. Dam sire was the Eclipse Champion Older Male, 1986 and a known broodmare sire and stamina influence. His offspring have produced Point Given and Hard Spun and the Florida sire, Gulf Storm. Dam was a stakes earner of over $109,000 in 8 races. This is a strong blue collar female family.  Seek On came from off the pace to win her debut going five furlongs in May. She hasn’t raced since then, but shows a steady work pattern, including a decent four-furlong work on Sept. 6.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ***  Mud:  ***

STUNNING ELECTRA  (Catienus – Rebecca’s Wish, by Devongate) Sire is a stakes winning son of Storm Cat and produced Grade 1 turf winner Precious Kitten, 2005 Grade 1 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity winner Dawn of War, and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes placed Nolan’s Cat. His offspring can win early, but generally improve with distance and age.  Despite dam sire’s blue-blooded pedigree (Seattle Slew – Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat) he was a ridgling. After standing at stud for two seasons, a testicle ruptured and he was gelded. His racing debut was as a 6-year-old in 2000 and earned one third-place finish in three starts at Tampa Bay Downs. Dam is unraced and this is her first foal to race. Grade 1 winner Avanzado is from this family. Stunning Electra dueled with the winner of the Vichy Stakes in her last outing and faded to fourth, seven lengths back. She’s had two slow works since that race.
Precocity: ***   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ***  Mud:  ****

FABULOUS FLORENCE (Gold Token – Cinnamon Secret, by Cozzene) Ill-fated sire (came out on the loosing end of a stallion fight with A.P. Jet) was Grade 3 placed at five and set a track record at Aqueduct of 1:41 for eight-and-a-half furlongs in 1998. Most of his progeny are hardy claimers. Dam sire was a Grade 1 turf winner from 6 furlongs to 1 3/8 miles and 1985 Eclipse Champion Turf Horse. He sired mainly route winners on dirt and turf (Alphabet Soup, Star Over the Bay, Gaviola, Mizzen Mast, etc.). The female family is modest through the first three dams; however multiple graded stakes winner Gaviola was produced by this family and Cinnamon Secret is bred along the same lines.  Fabulous Florence is inbred top and bottom to classic influence Buckpasser through the female families of her sire and dam. Her pedigree indicates that she will prefer longer distances.  She finished second to Mother Russia in the Lady Finger Stakes. She worked a good four furlongs on Sept. 18.
Precocity: ***   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ****  Mud:  ***

CRAFTY SHOCKED (Crafty C.T. – Juniors Fortune, by Imperial Falcon) Grade 2 winning sprinter gets sprinters. Dam sire was sold for a record $8,250,000 at Keeneland in 1984 and raced three times in turf routes in Ireland. His offspring could win early, but most prefer a route of ground.  The first two dams have produced nothing of note, however, the third dam, Loose Wire, produced New York sprinters, Clever Electrician and his full brother Wire Me Collect. She is also the grand dam of sire Taste of Paradise.  Crafty Shocked broke her maiden in her third race, going five-and-half furlongs on Aug. 19.  She worked a very slow five furlongs on Sept. 15.
Precocity: **   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***     Route:  ****  Mud:  ****

GEM FOR HOOK (Hook and Ladder – Playdemrocks, by Fast Play) Sire produces talented win early types.  Phipps family bred dam sire won the Grade 1 Remsen, and Grade 2 Breeders’ Futurity at two. He is a half to graded stakes winning sire, Seeking the Gold. His runners generally need time to develop. Dam was stakes placed and earned $102,645 in 18 starts Gem for Hook’s full brother has won $47,086 in 6 starts.  This filly was second by 5 lengths to Mother Ruth in their debut. She came back to win easily at the same level going five-and-a-half furlongs on Sept. 1.  She worked an average four furlongs on Sept. 15.
Precocity: ***   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***       Route:  ****  Mud:  ****

SAPPHIRE SKY (Sky Mesa – Charm Away, by Silver Charm) won Breeders’ Futurity (Grade 2), Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1) currently stands fourth on the second-crop sire list.  His son Terrain recently won the Arlington-Washington Futurity through disqualification. Tenacious champion dam sire produced winners on all surfaces (Preachinatthebar, Charmsil, etc.) and currently stands in Japan. Dam is a half sister to Grade 2 Remsen Stakes winner, The Silver Move.  Sapphire Sky was recently third behind Mother Russia and Fabulous Florence in the Lady Finger stakes after setting the pace. She worked a slow six furlongs on Sept. 19 and adds Lasix for the fist time.
Precocity: ****   Dirt:  *** 
Sprint:  ***         Route:  ****  Mud:  ***

WHO DO I LIKE?

This looks like a competitive group of fillies who have lots of early speed, so I’ll go with FABULOUS FLORENCE to win. This filly finished strongly in her two races and was gaining on the winner in a stakes race while still a maiden. Her pedigree and running style shout distance and seven furlongs and longer will be her game. AKILINA ran her best race at Belmont behind Dormifsoltdo and goes out for a good trainer/jockey combination. She is another that comes from off the pace and was gaining on the winner last time out.  One of the speed types will probably hang on for third, but in case they don’t, take a look at two longshots in here that could surprise.  SEEK ON was flying at the end of her debut at Belmont in May and shows good consistent works since then.  SNEAKIN UP seems to regress every other race and is still a maiden, but she was flying at the end of her last, a $100K stakes race. I believe she’ll be a late running sprinter/miler.