2008 Foals, update 3

Just listing the newborns - full list will follow later in the year. My lot are pushing out babies left right and centre!

- Unbridled's Song x Dream Time, Storm Cat
- Roman Ruler x Firebaby, Marquetry
- A P Indy x Last Song, Unbridled's Song
- Include x Night Heron, Silver Charm
- Yes It's True x Pagosa Springs, A P Indy
- Anabaa x Premium Hope, Miswaki

and a special cheer for the first time mums:
- More Than Ready x Oberon's Girl, Coronado's Quest
- Malibu Moon x Mystic Chant, Unbridled's Song
- High Fly x Multicolored Lady, Marquetry - named Independent Lady
- Orientate x Miss Fury, Unbridled's Song
- Najran x Mersaides, Montbrook
- Bellamy Road x Divine Shadow, Capote

I have 33 foals already!

Sugar Swirl: The Sprint Queen

My girl Sugar Swirl did it with style. Yesterday she became the Queen of Gulfstream, as she shone in the Shirley Jones Handicap (G2), winning comfortably by 5 1/2 lengths. She covered the 7 furlongs in 1:22.57, only 1.5 seconds away from the track record. She seems to be getting better and better with every race she runs. She was under restraint, tucked in behind the leaders around the turn. She was angled out and rallied to take over entering the stretch, drawing off when asked. She is a very, very good mare.

She has now won 4 stakes raced in a row. She is on route to be the first Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in the autumn if you ask me. For some reason I do well with sprinters, with Lost In The Fog and Thor's Echo before her.

She might be pointed at the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on 3 May, but a decision has not been made yet.

She is owned by Stronach Stables and trained by Brian Lynch. She was bred by Adena Springs in Canada.

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

The Tap 9th in Dubai World Cup

Premium Tap finished a disappointing 9th in the Dubai World Cup. Of course it was not completely unexpected as his connection did announce their doubts about the horse's fitness. There might have been a slight excuse as he almost clipped heels in the back straight when he started running, which threw him off stride. Whether his connection will decide to retire him or not remains to be seen, but it is certainly a possibility. I hope in my heart he will return to the US to stand at stud there, but he will most likely stay in Saudi Arabia.

Of course I have to take my hat off to Curlin. He ran the kind of race a short-priced favourite should. He certainly seems the best horse on dirt in the world right now. I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if Premium Tap had showed up with last year's form, but that is a mute point, isn't it?

It will be interesting to see where Curlin will go from here. In the meantime I am anxiously awaiting an announcement on Premium Tap's future. I love his bloodlines and he would be an asset at stud in the US.

Complete order of finish:
1. Curlin (USA)
2. Asiatic Boy (ARG)
3. Well Armed (USA)
4. A P Arrow (USA)
5. Great Hunter (USA)
6. Lucky Find (USA)
7. Jalil (USA)
8. Gloria De Campeao (BRZ)
9. Premium Tap (USA)
10. Sway Yed (KSA)
11. Kocab (GB)
12. Vermilion (JPN)

Video Replay


(Premium Tap (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Pleasant Tap x Premium Red, by Thirty Six Red)

The World Cup For Premium Tap

Premium Tap will take his rightful place in the line-up for the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday. For a while his contention was in doubt after a disappointing 4th place in Saudi Arabia's premier race on 15 February. His trainer was unhappy with the way the horse was working and he had some other problems. Though he just about won his follow-up start in a mile race on 7 March, he is still not quite back to the old Tap.

But Premium Tap will travel to Dubai to challenge 2007 american horse of the year Curlin and I will be cheering for him. Curlin is likely to be a short-priced favourite. He is looking a dream and has had a dream preparation for the big race. But there are others beside Premium Tap that will be challenging the 4yo Smart Strike colt.

The field looks like this (per DRF):

* DUBAI WORLD CUP-G1. Purse $6,000,000. 1 1/4m (dirt) 4yo+

Post time: 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

1 - Sway Yed - O Peslier - 126 - 100-1

2 - Well Armed - A T Gryder - 126 - 33-1

3 - Happy Boy - K McEvoy - 126 - 16-1

4 - Kocab - S Pasquier - 126 - 33-1

5 - Great Hunter - G K Gomez - 126 - 66-1

6 - Premium Tap - S Madrid - 126 - 14-1

7 - Vermilion - Y Take - 126 - 12-1

8 - Jalil - L Dettori - 126 - 7-1

9 - Asiatic Boy - J P Murtagh - 126 - 10-1

10 - Lucky Find - K Shea - 126 - 25-1

11 - Gloria de Campeao - C-P Lemaire - 126 - 33-1

12 - Curlin - R J Albarado - 126 - 2-5

13 - A.P. Arrow - R A Dominguez - 126 - 25-1

I wish I could say that Premium Tap will win, but his form is suspect at best and one has to wonder whether the level of competition he has been facing is enough to have fit and ready for a clash like this. But yet, I believe he has a lot of class and an enormous amount of talent and heart and if he would win I would be over the moon. However, Curlin is looking strong and there are other contenders, like Asiatic Boy, that cannot be underrated. I hope he will be able to equal or better his 2nd place in last year's race and that is what I am hoping for. He is definitely not without a chance and I will be cheering him on all the way!

Unfortunately I won't be around this weekend as I will be climbing a mountain in Wales, but I will be anxiously looking for the result as soon as I am back home on Sunday.

(Premium Tap (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Pleasant Tap x Premium Red, by Thirty Six Red)

ToF Tidbits - 26 March 08

The Shirley Jones Handicap (G2) has been rescheduled for Saturday 29 March, so Sugar Swirl will have her chance for queendom after all!

2007 Champion Sprinter Thor's Echo is back on the worktab with a workout at Hollywood Park. It took him 37.20 secs to cover the 3f distance over a fast all weather track. He had not worked from 6 August last year. He has undergone surgery to remove a bone chip from a hind ankle. It;s good to see him back! Looking forward to a good 2008 from him.

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)
(Thor's Echo (USA) - 2002 chestnut gelding - Swiss Yodeler x Helen Of Troy, by Mr Integrity)

ToF Tidbits - 23 March 08

Flashy Flyer, daughter of 2001 ToF horse Wood Duck, had her first workout on 20 March at El Primero Training Center, where she worked 3f out of the gate in 40.60. Flashy Flyer is included in my 2006 crop.

Bonfire was the third horse part of my 2006 crop that worked. He worked 3f in 40.00 at Laurel Park on Saturday (22 March).

Sugar Swirl was denied the chance to claim queendom as after the sixth race racing was cancelled at Gulfstrea. A daylong deluge compromised the safety of the horses. A decision on rescheduling the Shirley Jones Handicap has not yet been announced.

(Flashy Flyer (USA) - 2006 bay filly - Valid Expectations x Wood Duck, by Kingmambo)
(Wood Duck (USA) - 2001 bay mare - Kingmambo x Duck Trap, by Affirmed)
(Bonfire (USA) - 2006 dkbr colt - Runaway Groom x Tenacite, by Seattle Slew)
(Sugar Swirl (USA) - 2003 ch mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

Cat Dreamer Second

Cat Dreamer, Cat Dreams' first starter as a sire, finished 2nd in his debut outing yesterday. according to the chart he had good early speed and pressed the pace on the outside, he drifted in some past midstretch and continued willingly to the wire. Turbo Call clinched the race.

I am pleased. Second is a good start and Cat Dreamer earned $7,200 in the process.

(Cat Dreams (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Storm Cat x J J'sdream, by Glitterman)

Sugar Swirl Ready To Reign

Sugar Swirl is currently the horse in form and she could be crowned the Sprint Queen of Gulfstream this Saturday went she will be contesting the G2 Shirley Jones Handicap there. The 7f race for older fillies and mares carries a purse of $200,000.

She already won the First Lady Handicap (G3) and Hurricane Bertie Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream this year and the Shirley Jones would provide her with an impressive hattrick. However, the other fillies and mares in the race have a weight advantage of 6 to 9 lbs to Sugar Swirl's 124 lbs and they will all be out to get her. The field includes the G1 placed Shaggy Mane and Baroness Thatcher, though neither of those come into the race with the form that Sugar Swirl has showed this winter. The biggest danger is likely to be Lady Marlboro, who also comes off a graded stakes victory at Gulfstream. She has not raced for two months, but is coming into the race fit and ready.

Javier Castellano will be on board once again, as he was in her last two wins. He has ridden her five times in the past and won four with her, so he must be feeling confident in the five-year-old Touch Gold mare.

Despite the weight disadvantage Sugar Swirl is the likely short priced favourite, as she should be. She is a fast powerful mare who is in the form of her life. She won authoritatively in both her starts this year for Brian Lynch and she obviously likes Gulfstream. She has an outstanding chance.

Come on Sugar!

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 ch mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

First Starter For Cat Dreams

Cat Dreams will have his first progeny in the starting gate this afternoon in one of the earliest two-year-old races of the season.

Cat Dreamer, a chestnut colt out of Silent Alarm, by Boundary, was an early foal, born on 14 January. He sold at the Barretts Yearling Sale for $18,000 to Michael Shustek, the top price paid for a Cat Dreams.

He will enter the gate for the first race at Santa Anita this afternoon, a two furlong contest for California-bred maidens together with eight other precocious youngsters.

He is owned by Kentucky D Stables LLC & Stanley & Firsthome Thoroughbreds and trained by Adam Kitchingman. Martin Pedroza will be the man on his back.

I hope he will do well, but it is debatable how much can be read from a two-furlong race. Even though I am not a fan of racing two-year-olds this early, I cannot help feeling excited about Cat Dreams having his first starter. Here begins another road for Cat Dreams. May he do well as a sire and have plenty of winners.

(Cat Dreams (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Storm Cat x J J'sdream, by Glitterman)

Remembering The Fog

Last week I said I would put the spotlight on one of my former stable stars. And where better to start than with the star that shone the brightest, and whose light was cruelly dimmed too soon.

When scouting for horses to include in my crops, it is always a pleasure to look through the photos for the Ocala Breeders Sales August Yearling Sale. When checking out horses for my 2002 crop, I came across a conformation photo of a dark bay yearling who carried the beautiful name Lost In The Fog. He was by Lost Soldier out of Cloud Break, a Dr Carter mare. Not a fashionable pedigree for sure. He looked balanced and strong for a yearling and had none of the awkwardness that many other yearlings have. His backside was already showing the promise of power. So, with such an impressive physique and a gorgeous name like that, how could I not include him. So in August 2003 into my stable the lovely dark bay colt went. Little did I expect the kind of ride that he would take me on.

He was bred by Susan Seper in Ocala, Florida. The story goes that she went to pasture to look for the weanling, but the field was covered in a blanket of fog. As she searched, this young horse emerged and walked towards her. And so Lost In The Fog was named.

He was owned by 85-year-old Californian Harry J Aleo and trained by veteran trainer Harry Gilchrist. I received his first official workout on 16 May 2004. He worked 2 furlongs in 24.40, good, but not spectacular. Towards the autumn his workouts made me sit up and take notice, he was consistently fast and I mentioned to someone about this colt that was working like lightning at Golden Gate Fields.

I was surprisingly nervous when he was entered into his first race on 14 November 2004 in race 3 at Golden Gate Fields. I wasn't the only one who had noticed him and he went off favourite. He was already an old pro it seemed. He sped to the front, set the pace and was easily best under a hand ride. Yes, I knew, this colt really could be something.

And something he was. He took me on a journey that none of my other horses have taken me on so far. He ran again and again and climbed up in the ranks, coming out top every time. That he was a sprinter I never doubted. One only had to look at those hind quarters to know that this horse was all about speed. And speed was something he had excesses off.

The first graded stakes win came in his 4th start in the Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup S (G2) at Belmont Park on 11 June 2005. He followed up with another G2 win in the Carry Back and a well-deserved G1 win in the King's Bishop S at Saratoga over 7 furlongs. Another win was recorded back in California in the Bay Meadows Speed H. Then on to the Breeders' Cup at Belmont, still undefeated and the fastest horse in the US. The Sprint was his for the taking and it was his to lose. He went off as a short-priced favourite. I couldn't watch the race, but was listening to the audio broadcast. My heart sank when he started to fall back late in the race. This was not like Fog, something had to be wrong. I was so disappointed. That was supposed to be his the diamond in his crown. He was the Eclipse Champion Sprinter, I just wished he would still be undefeated. One can ask for too much I suppose.

As a four-year-old he came back in the at the Golden Gate Fields Sprint S on 22 April. I was nervous, his Breeders' Cup loss still in my memory. He lost to Carthage. Again, I was baffled, had Fog lost his speed, his power? Was he just not quite fit? Churchill Downs was his next stop in the G3 Aristides Breeders' Cup H over 6f. I was so relieved when he won again and in a time quicker than the winning Sprint time had been. Was Fog back, was he going to take revenge?

Then came the Smile Sprint H (G2) at Calder. Surely Fog would show the field his heels and be back to his best. But he just did not fire. He finished 9th. I felt worried - something had to be not quite right. That was not the Fog of old!

His trainer Greg Gilchrist said after the race that he had not been quite right, but still believed he would run his race. In August he showed some discomfort, which was believed to be colic and he was taken to the University of California-Davis Veterinary School to be treated. There they discovered a mass in in the Fog's spleen that the doctors believed to be lymphoma. I remember seeing the first reports and my heart sinking. A few days later even graver reports came - more tumours were discovered and they were inoperable. He had a tumor the size of a football near the spine, a second large tumor in the spleen and a third in the membrane that suspends the spleen.

The vets told us that these tumours could have been growing there for four months, maybe even up to a year. It sure would have affected his last race but could it have caused him discomfort as far back as October 2005? But how much did that matter now I knew that my favourite horse would soon be no more.

The colt was brought back to his own stable to be cared for by his groom Pascual Garcia to live out his last days. Hopeful reports briefly came, Fog was going to undergo chemotherapy, but I was sceptical. But the end came, all too quickly.

Lost In The Fog lost his battle with cancer on Sunday 17 September 2006 when he was euthanized after he went into distress just after Gilchrist had grazed him.

I don't often cry, but I cried for Lost In The Fog. For him, for his connections, for all that could have been. Here had been a horse with so much talent, so much raw speed, and yet he was no longer here.

Necropsy revealed that the cancer was even more extensive than it had been believed. One tumour ran almost the length of his back. The cancer also involved his arteries, kidneys and intestinal organs.

Lost In The Fog earned $978,099 in a 14 race career, which included 11 wins and 1 second.

The star is gone, but his memory remains. He will always be special to me and to many others I am sure. Thank you Fog, for all the beautiful moments you have given me. I am so proud!

(Lost In The Fog (USA) - 2002 dkbr colt - Lost Soldier x Cloud Break, by Dr Carter)

Imari's Firstborn Named

Curragh Mon is the name of Imari's first foal, a two-year-old grey colt by Maria's Mon.

Imari is a daughter of Forty Niner out of a Sunday Silence granddaughter. She was bred in Japan by Nishikawa Co Ltd. Imari's dam, Western Sharp, was a winner in Japan. I first noticed her in the Keeneland September Yearling Sales Catalogue of 2002. Her breeding really caught my eye. I mean, Forty Niner and Sunday Silence! So into my first stable she went. She sold for $285,000 to Amerman Racing.

She didn't show that much promise in her 3yo year, but managed to win her two races at 4. Her last race was in February 2005, in time for her to be bred for a 2006 foal! I am not sure whether there was an injury or whether her owners decided she was never going to get blacktype. Anyway, she was bred to Maria's Mon on 7 April 2005. She once again entered the Keeneland sales ring in November 2005, pregnant with her Maria's Mon foal. She was sold to Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey for $100,000, a bargain if you ask me!

On 19 March 2006 she gave birth to her first foal. She was then bred to Ramsey Farm's own Kitten's Joy. I wonder, was she bought with Kitten's Joy in mind? Her Kitten's Joy foal was born on 11 April 07, a chestnut colt.

I am looking forward to Curragh Mon, he should be an interesting race horse. He brought a meagre price of $9,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sale last year when he was bought by Crupi's New Castle Farm, but I hope that he can run. I have added him to my 2006 crop.

(Imari (JPN) - 2001 dkbr mare - Forty Niner x Western Sharp, by Sunday Silence)
(Curragh Mon (USA) - 2006 gr colt - Maria's Mon x Imari, by Forty Niner)

Stars Of The Turf

I am participating in a new online horse racing game called Stars Of The Turf, started by Alex. He has devised this idea for a horse racing game, that lets you choose 30 2yo race horses based on their sires' stud fees. 5 horses for each level of stud fee. You score via a points system as the horses run throughout the year. See the website for more details. This could be a really good game and I hope a lot of people will enter!

My picks are all either in my ToF Stable or foals by my ToF horses:

Tier A ($100k +)
1. Burgee (USA) : colt - Awesome Again ($150k) x Gold Streamer
2. Rotterdam (USA) : colt - Unbridled's Song ($150k) x Zoftig
3. Secret Wish (CAN) : filly - Street Cry ($100k) x Awesome Lass
4. Sunspear (IRE) : filly - Montjeu (EUR 125k) x Out West
5. unnamed (USA) : colt - Storm Cat ($300k) x Paiota Falls

Tier B ($50k - <$100k):
1. Ermine Slippers (USA) : filly - El Prado ($75k) x Sweet As Honey
2. Early Morning Rain (IRE) : filly - Rock Of Gibraltar (EUR 35k=$54k) x Honorine
3. unnamed (USA) : filly - Mineshaft ($75k) x Wildwood Flower
4. unnamed (USA) : filly - Mineshaft ($75k) x Whitewater
5. Seiun Knowledge (USA) : colt - Vindication ($60k) x Dossier

Tier C ($20k - <$50k):
1. Captain Captivated (USA) : filly - El Corredor ($30k) x Captivated
2. Barnstorming (USA) : colt - Thunder Gulch ($20k) x Soul Of The Cat
3. Race The Breeze (CAN) : filly - Theatrical ($40k) x Wedding Day Blues
4. unnamed (USA) : colt - Medaglia d'Oro ($40k) x Mizzen Lass
5. unnamed (USA) : filly - Lion Heart ($20k) x New Jersey

Tier D ($10k - <$20k):
1. Flashy Flyer (USA) : filly - Valid Expectations ($17.5k) x Wood Duck
2. Legendary Peace (USA) : filly - Peace Rules ($12.5k) x Red Mischief
3. unnamed (USA) : colt - Five Star Day ($15k) x Adventure
4. Flat Water (USA) : colt - Stephen Got Even ($12,5k) x Zirke Falls
5. unnamed (USA) : colt - Kafwain ($10k) x Unaltered

Tier E ($5k - <$10k):
1. Rightly So (USA) : filly - Read The Footnotes ($8.5k) x Fit Right In
2. Man Of Faith (USA) : colt - Essence Of Dubai x($5k) x River Of Faith
3. Bear Canyon (USA) : filly - Champali ($7.5k) x Miss Vesuvio
4. Oscar's Nominee (USA) : filly - Marino Marini ($5k) x Theatrical Doll
5. Hickory Nut (USA) : colt - Horse Chestnut ($5k) x Masked Ball

Tier F (<$5k):
1. Ancient Future (USA) : filly - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Ma Guerre
2. Certainly You (USA) : filly - Certain Storm ($2.5k) x Had To Be You
3. Marleau (USA) : colt - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Ascalon
4. Storm's Ransom (USA) : colt - Certain Storm ($2.5k) x Cushina
5. Cat Dreamer (USA) : colt - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Aunt Polly

Crop Of 2006... update 2

Acquiesced (IRE)	06F - Refuse To Bend x North East Bay (Prospect Bay) BAY
Adri's Emblem	06F - Our Emblem x ADRIATRICA
Amethyst Dawn (IRE)	06F - Act One x A L'Aube (Selkirk) GR
Ancient Future	06F - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre (Lord At War) CH
Artax Minstrel	06F - Artax x Coquina Bay (Cozzene) CH
Barnstorming	06M - Thunder Gulch x SOUL OF THE CAT
Bear Canyon	06F - Champali x Miss Vesuvio (Thirty Six Red)
Bonfire	06M - Runaway Groom x Tenacite (Seattle Slew) DKB
Burgee	06M - Awesome Again x Gold Streamer (Forty Niner) B
Captain Captivated	06F - El Corredor x CAPTIVATED
Certainly You	06F - CERTAIN STORM x Had To Be You (Horatius)
Curlew (IRE)	06M - Cape Cross x Billbill (Storm Cat) BAY
Damselfly (GB)	06F - Dr Fong x Mazarine Blue (Bellypha) BAY
Darcey (GB)	06F - Noverre x Firozi (Forzando) CH
Dark Echoes (GB)	06M - Diktat x Calamanco (Clantime) BLK
Early Morning Rain (IRE)	06F - Rock Of Gibraltar x Honorine (Mark Of Esteem) B
Emilia Plater	06F - Ascot Knight x Heavenly Glitter (Thirty Six Red) CH
Ermine Slippers	06F - El Prado x Sweet As Honey (Strike The Gold) GR
Firsaan (IRE)	06M - Haafhd x Walayef (Danzig) BAY
Flashy Flyer	06F - Valid Expectations x WOOD DUCK
Hickory Nut	06M - Horse Chestnut x MASKED BALL
Legendary Peace	06F - Peace Rules x Red Mischief (Thirty Six Red)
Man of Faith	06M - Essence Of Dubai x RIVER OF FAITH
Marleau	06M - CAT DREAMS x Ascalon (Two Punch)
Morning Mist	06F - Holy Bull x Go For Bail (Go For Gin) GR
Omega Wolf (IRE)	06M - Spartacus x Brave Cat (Catrail) BAY
Porcupine	06M - Housebuster x Loon Lake (Cryptoclearance) B
Premium Action	06F - Action This Day x Premium Red (Thirty Six Red) CH
Ptarmigan	06F - Unbridled Jet x Flaine (Chenin Blanc) GR
Qelaan	06F - Dynaformer x Irtahal (Swain) BAY
Race the Breeze	06F - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues (El Prado) DBR
Rightly So	06F - Read The Footnotes x FIT RIGHT IN
Rotterdam	06M - Unbridled's Song x Zoftig (Cozzene) GR
Secret Wish	06F - Street Cry x Awesome Lass (Awesome Again) BAY
Shadows Lengthen (GB)	06M - Dansili x Bay Shade (Sharpen Up) B
Shetan (GB)	06M - Desert Prince x Seven Notes (Zafonic) CH
Shining Dawn	06F - Seeking The Gold x Easy 'n Gold (Slew O'Gold) CH
Snow Valley (FR)	06F - Choisir x Snow Lady (Vision) BAY
Storm's Ransom	06M - CERTAIN STORM x Cushina (Holy Bull)
Sunspear (IRE)	06F - Montjeu x Out West (Gone West) B
Valkyrie (IRE)	06F - Danehill Dancer x Ridotto (Salse) BAY

Lucky No 25 for Kaw Moe

Many things get written about G1 winners, about outstanding equines and champions, but few words are devoted to the unsung heroes, the bread and butter horses, the ones that are an integral part of racing; the claimers.

One such claimer is Kaw Moe, who I included in my 2004 crop, as he is a son of a Thirty Six Red daughter. The chestnut gelding by Rock And Roll out of True Compassion, had 24 runs behind him when he was fed and watered on Friday morning, 14 March. All his runs had come in maiden claiming raced and despite running second and third regularly during his career a win remained elusive.

He was entered in another maiden claiming on Friday afternoon at Mountaineer Racetrack in West Virginia, USA. The race carried a purse of $9,100 and a claiming tag of $5,000. The ten horses in the starting gate would have to cover 1 mile 70 yards over a sloppy dirt track. Kaw Moe went off second favourite, his record such that in company of other non-winners he sure would stand a chance. Lost At The Ritz went off favourite.

Finally he made it happen, finally he came good and how! He trounced the field, winning by almost twelve lengths under John Perez Jr.

Kaw Moe sat close up following Shocking Surprise into the far turn, challenged for the lead, powering clear into the upper stretch, winning much the best while kept to a drive (Equibase chart). He crossed the finish line in 1:52.87. Strike Two was second and Treasure's Joy back in third. The favourite finished fourth.

Kaw Moe was bred by Pine Manor Stable, is owned by Michelle Helms and trained by Edward Clouston. He was foaled on Valentine's Day 2004 in Pennsylvania. He has now earned $18,178 in 25 career starts.

Congrats to his connections and may he win again!

(Kaw Moe (USA) - 2004 chestnut gelding, Rock And Roll x True Compassion, by Thirty Six Red)

2008 Foals, update 2

A couple of more foals have been born.

Mon Belle, full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos has had her second foal, by Empire Maker. Last year she had a filly by the same sire.

Gypsy Hollow, dam of Gipson Dessert, who is a listed winner in France, had a foal by El Corredor. It is her third foal.

Sire x Dam (Dam Sire)
- Mr Greeley x Adventure (Unbridled's Song)
- Langfuhr x Aimer (Swain)
- Consolidator x Al Maha (Holy Bull)
- Harlan's Holiday x Calusa (Unbridled's Song)
- Elusive Quality x Catbaby (AP Indy) COLT
- More Than Ready x Citron Moon (Danzig)
- Value Plus x Concert Bythe Lake (Stormy Atlantic)
- Unbridled's Song x Friendly Michelle (Artax)
- Vindication x Gently (Storm Cat) FILLY
- El Corredor x Gypsy Hollow (Dixieland Band) NEW
- Olmodavor x Howl At The Moon (Dynaformer) named Beth's Angel
- Chief Seattle x Loch Nessie (Meadow Monster)
- Empire Maker x Mon Belle (Maria's Mon) NEW
- Belong To Me x Moonlight (Unbridled) FILLY
- Arch x Quickfire (Dubai Millennium)
- Unbridled Energy x Tiffed (Seattle Slew)
- Johannesburg x Uriel (Unbridled)
- Valid Expectations x Wood Duck (Kingmambo)

I am away for a few days, but next week on my return, I will write something on one of my past stable stars.

I will be away for a the next few days.

Birthday Starters - Results

Well my birthday horses did rather poorly, only Watchtower managed 2nd, the rest finished 6th and worse! That's that for my lucky birthday theory...

- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk (CAN) - Gulfstream Park, race 8 - Richter Scale H G2 - 7f dirt - finished 6th, the chart reads: off slowly, moved up to chase the pace around the turn, then faded

- My Thirty Six (USA) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 3 - claiming - 1 1/16 m dirt - finished 7th, the chart reads: Failed to menace

- Watchtower (IRE) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 4 - claiming - 1m40y dirt - finished 2nd, the chart reads: set a moderate pace, resisted the winner though a prolonged duel then just hung late

- Kaw Moe (USA) - Mountaineer Park, race 1 - claiming - 1m70y dirt - racing cancelled

- Possum (USA) - Hawthorne, race 6 - claiming - 1m70y dirt - finished 6th, the chart reads: Never menaced

- Bitter Bill (USA) - Santa Anita, race 10 - claiming - 6 1/2 f turf - finished 6th, the chart reads: close up stalking the pace inside, bid along the rail in the stretch and was outfinished.

- Redan (USA) - Aqueduct, race 6 - claiming - 6f dirt - finished 9th, the chart reads: raced inside and tired

- Silmi (GB) - Sandown 3.15 - Listed Handicap - 2m110y hurdles - finished 16th, chart reads: in touch, reminder after 5th, weakened under pressure after 3 out

Birthday Starters

Tomorrow, Saturday 8 March, is my birthday. Last year on my birthday every single horse won. I know this is unlikely to happen again, but I will list my crops' starters for tomorrow:

- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk (CAN) - Gulfstream Park, race 8 - Richter Scale H G2 - 7f dirt -
- My Thirty Six (USA) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 3 - claiming - 1 1/16 m dirt -
- Watchtower (IRE) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 4 - claiming - 1m40y dirt -
- Kaw Moe (USA) - Mountaineer Park, race 1 - claiming - 1m70y dirt -
- Possum (USA) - Hawthorne, race 6 - claiming - 1m70y dirt -
- Bitter Bill (USA) - Santa Anita, race 10 - claiming - 6 1/2 f turf -
- Redan (USA) - Aqueduct, race 6 - claiming - 6f dirt -
- Silmi (GB) - Sandown 3.15 - Handicap - 2m110y hurdles -

Funnily enough a lot of them seem to be by Thirty Six Red daughters. I always include quite a few Thirty Six Red grandkids in my crops. He is the first horse I remember seeing on television, so has a special place in my heart. I will write more about him soon.

Wish my lot good luck!

(Bitter Bill - 2004 dk bay gelding - Cobra King x Revelation Bay, by Thirty Six Red)
(Kaw Moe - 2004 chestnut gelding - Rock And Roll x True Compassion, by Thirty Six Red)
(My Thirty Six - 2002 dk bay gelding - My Mike x Thirty Six Lou Lou, by Thirty Six Red)
(Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk - 2001 bay gelding - Mutakddim x May Time, by Cure The Blues)
(Possum - 2004 grey gelding - Silver Charm x Regal Eyre, by Regal Remark)
(Redan - 2004 chestnut gelding - Storm Boot x Thirtysix On Ice, by Thirty Six Red)
(Silmi - 2004 grey colt - Daylami x Intimaa, by Caerleon)
(Watchtower - 2002 chestnut horse - Dubai Millennium x Balisada, by Kris)

Godolphin Seven Stars Competition

I enter the competition on www.godolphin.com every year, but never seem to do very well :o) They have made it more complicated over the last couple of years, with all this active and non-active horses rubbish! Very annoying! Just thought I'd share my choices this year:

Blackat Blackitten
Blue Ksar
Creachadoir
Eastern Anthem
Filios
Happy Boy
Ibn Khaldun
Literato
Moon Quest
Numaany
Ramonti
Rio De La Plata
The Illies
West Wind

Three of these I already follow in my ToF stables: Eastern Anthem, Filios and Ibn Khaldun, so obviously I couldn't leave them out!

Eastern Anthem was very disappointing for me last year, as I adored his dam Kazzia, who won the 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks, and expected big things from him. He still might be something and I hope he will bloom this year. Filios has been a decent handicap horse last year and made his first start at Nad Al Sheba after a seven-month absence. He did not very well at all, but as it was his first start back I sure hope he will get to his old level and even better. The guys at Godolphin must have seen something in him. He is by Kutub, who was a triple G1 winner for Godolphin. Ibn Khaldun is my main hope for the classics next year. He really ran very well last year and I think he is still underrated. As far as I can tell generally Rio De La Plata is considered to be Godolphin's main classic hope, but my eye is definitely on the chestnut son of Dubai Destination. He is a very professional genuine colt and he should definitely be a contender.

As for the rest of my choices, some of them are obvious ones and others are bigger gambles.
My active horses for Challenge I, which runs from 29 March till 31 May are:

- Blackat Blackitten
- Blue Ksar
- Filios
- Ibn Khaldun
- Moon Quest
- Rio De La Plata
- West Wind

Let's just hope I picked the right 7!

Fingers crossed - some toes as well!

(Eastern Anthem (IRE) - 2004 bay colt - Singspiel x Kazzia, by Zinaad)
(Filios (IRE) - 2004 bay colt - Kutub x Karlinaxa, by Linamix)
(Ibn Khaldun (USA) - 2005 chestnut colt - Dubai Destination x Gossamer, by Sadler's Wells)

2008 Foals, update 1

Sire x Dam (Dam Sire)
- Mr Greeley x Adventure (Unbridled's Song)
- Langfuhr x Aimer (Swain)
- Consolidator x Al Maha (Holy Bull)
- Harlan's Holiday x Calusa (Unbridled's Song)
- Elusive Quality x Catbaby (AP Indy)
- More Than Ready x Citron Moon (Danzig) NEW
- Value Plus x Concert Bythe Lake (Stormy Atlantic) NEW
- Unbridled's Song x Friendly Michelle (Artax)
- Vindication x Gently (Storm Cat) FILLY NEW
- Olmodavor x Howl At The Moon (Dynaformer) named Beth's Angel
- Chief Seattle x Loch Nessie (Meadow Monster) NEW
- Belong To Me x Moonlight (Unbridled) FILLY
- Arch x Quickfire (Dubai Millennium) NEW
- Unbridled Energy x Tiffed (Seattle Slew)
- Johannesburg x Uriel (Unbridled) NEW
- Valid Expectations x Wood Duck (Kingmambo