Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, “who looked a little stunned,” won Monday’s Santa Ynez at Santa Anita, just not with the filly he thought he would. Likely 2005 Juvenile Fillies champion Folklore made her three-year-old debut in the race and, coupled with lightly regarded stablemate Dance Daily, went off as the 1-5 favorite. Taking the lead early, Folklore ran a “pedestrian half-mile,” then weakened in the stretch and finished third, three-quarters of a length behind winner Dance Daily and runner-up Talullah Lula. Looking on the bright side, Lukas said, “We kept it in the family … Folklore is already a Grade I winner and she will go on to bigger and better things, so we’re happy to get Dance Daily a graded stakes win.”
Posted by JC in Races/Results on 01/17/2006 @ 12:40 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
– Andrew Beyer is no fan of the new Gulfstream: “[Stronach] has destroyed the old Gulfstream — not only its infrastructure but its atmosphere. He has replaced it with what is being described as an entertainment center with overtones of Las Vegas. I’d call it bizarre and perverse.”
– Motivator is named British Horse of the Year. The Epsom Derby winner was retired to stud last October due to injury after finishing fifth in the Arc de Triomphe.
– Blue bridles are crashing the Eclipse awards once more. This year’s ceremony “is poised to honor another bunch of relative bargains.”
Posted by JC in News on 01/17/2006 @ 12:35 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
Baghdaria refused to back down from a tough French Park in the Silverbulletday Stakes, winning by a nose over the previously undefeated odds-on race favorite. “I really thought we were beat at the furlong pole,” said Baghdaria’s jockey, Cliff Berry, “but she didn’t think so.” French Park was making her first start since the end of November. She may run next in the March 5 Miss Bonnie at Gulfstream.
Elsewhere: Brother Derek wins the San Rafael, Lawyer Ron the Risen Star. Details in Derby Watch.
Posted by JC in Races/Results on 01/15/2006 @ 5:30 pm / Follow @railbird on Twitter
