A stakes win at Belmont

Law Enforcement coasts home in a ridden out effort when taking The Promonroe Stakes at Belmont Park Wednesday. Kent Desormeaux rode Law Enforcement for trainer Mark Hennig and owner-breeder Camelia Casby.

Law Enforcement (Posse - Zambezi Belle by Lord at War) benefited from a near perfect pace setup to capture The Promonroe Stakes at Belmont Wednesday but every owner knows that happens so rarely that you surely won't send the check (and in this case, the hardware for the winner) back to the horsemen's bookkeeper when it happens to you. NYRA's Jason Blewitt mentioned on the replay show that the "The best horse, simply the best horse won the race" then added " I can't believe he wasn't favored" so no excuses will be made for this win. The four year old colt is now just shy of $300,000 in earnings following his victory today.

Hear is a link to the video replay, courtesy of the New York Breeders Association. Congrats to all of the connections.

DMM

PS: Law Enforcement's little sister is now in training. Watch for her.

Box 'em up in the Dean Kutz Stakes

On my way out the door for today's 4:00 post at Canterbury and wanted to send a shout out to Paul and Michelle Koenig, who campaign horses here in Shakopee and around the country in their Mardi Gras flavored Majestic Farm stable colors. Big Push, a runner they own in partnership, will compete in the Dean Kutz Stakes at Canterbury Park today. Michelle keeps a great blog concerning the stable goings on along with the life of a mother of two beautiful kids while staying true to her first love as a die-hard Minnesota Twins fan at the Majestic Farms blog.

A few years back at the MTA Stallion Season auction I had a chance to meet brothers Brett and Chad Holtz, who campaign horses in the name of their Red Dog Stables. They were looking for stallion recommendations for their stakes winning mare Perfect Moment and I suggested they contact matings planner and pedigree guru Les Brinsfield, who had planned the mating of their mare. Fast forward four years and we all get to watch two really nice 3-year olds mix it up in the Dean Kutz Stakes at Canterbury. Not to be outdone, Perfect Bull has his own blog too.

Dean Kutz's family should be on hand to present the hardware after the race. And for a moment after they finishing running, we'll stop a moment and remember one of the toughest sonuvaguns that ever weighed out after a race in Shakopee -- or anywhere else for that matter.

And like more than a few horseplayers I know, I'll be thanking him for all the winners he delivered, from here to Kentucky.

DMM

The Lucky Last (or) See you next Buck Night!

I blinked and half the summer was already gone. If you have never visited Canterbury Park (or your local racetrack) I recommend trying Sunday, which is typically promoted as "Family Day" at most racetracks. Canterbury has added a foot race for kids after the last horse race is completed and the entry box for the two divisions (7 & under/8 & older) is always oversubscribed. Track announcer Paul Allen has a lot of fun calling this one.

I have a first time starter I am training for this event. He should be entered in the 7 & under division in the next week or so.

Watch for him, he goes by the name of Lucien.

DMM

More photos from friends

All Hallow's Eve (Silver Ghost - This Day is Mine by Fit to Fight) wins in her career debut for owner breeder Highlander Thoroughbreds. The 3-year old filly is trained by Percy Scherbenske and was ridden to victory by Dean Butler.


Tahkodha Bill (Tahkodha Hills - Ansty by Fighting Fit) wins for owner - breeder Janet Weber. A 4-year old gelding, Tahkodha Bill is trained by Vic Hanson and was ridden to victory by Ry Eikleberry.

The fun part, of course, is running to the winner's circle to share in the memories with your friends who invest so much time, effort and capital trying to breed a good racehorse. The icing on the cake is when they send you a copy of the winner's photo.

My heartiest congratulations and thanks to all the connections!

DMM

The future unveiled at Ascot

"Looking backward, and if one has the vision to do so from a period of two hundred years hence the two books will be almost of the same period. I am not thinking in terms of years, but in terms of the Thoroughbred race of horses of the world in the future and if we do not get together we will grow apart. I want one great breed of Thoroughbred the world over, mutually recognized; if this does not result, we will have two breeds, and they will gradually be as far apart as the sun and moon. The result will be unfortunate, not for you and me, but for the great race of the Thoroughbred horse.

'I have felt for a long time that the English blood was pre-eminent in the preservation of certain enduring and fundamental attributes (we constantly need new importations) and I believe that the climate and conditions of the British Isles have an inherent ability to maintain these attributes, but I also believe that the sunlight and electric atmosphere of America produces a condition that gives a sparkle to the diamond of the Thoroughbred blood.

'I do not want to offend my English friends, of whom I have many. I enjoy racing in their country enormously, but as a sane proposition I hope they can seriously consider the recognition of our Stud Book in its entirety, not for any selfish reason of our own, but for the sake of the Thoroughbred. Our records are open to them; we would welcome a full investigation."

William Woodward, Chairman of the New York Jockey Club, in a speech to the members of the Thoroughbred Club of America, 1935.

The full implications of trainer Wesley Ward's bold gamble in shipping American based horses to run and win at the Royal Ascot meeting won't be known for some time but racing fans from this country may just have seen what the future of the American Thoroughbred really looks like.

Racing opportunities in this country and every other are shrinking for anything less than the top class Thoroughbred athlete. Betfair's purchase of the TVG network and the network's promotion of the Royal Ascot meeting -- which might appear a novelty now -- could very well be the regular fare for horseplayers in the next few seasons.

While this country's breeders will certainly be producing less in the seasons to come, the victories of Jealous Again and Strike the Tiger highlight the type of Thoroughbred for which American breeders will always be remembered and will also be sought by horsemen the world over. Speed is the primary raw source required in the making of the superior Thoroughbred athlete and for nearly the last half century, the United States has been the primary source of Thoroughbred speed.

And for those who scoff at the notion of running them with just hay, oats and water, consider that the Ward barn did just that this week. And won. At Royal Ascot.

DMM

An afternoon swim at the Park

The equine pool at Canterbury Park looks awfully inviting on a warm day and provides a great workout for horses who might need cardiovascular work while saving some wear and tear on their wheels. Note the ducks who have made the pool their personal watering hole. Watching horses swim is as much fun as watching them gallop. Enjoy.



DMM

A Triple Crown two decades in the making

A stretch run that echoes five years later.


A sireline maintained by the slimmest of threads.


A triumph now shared over four generations.


Yet there is always another rival that threatens for the crown.



Opposed, yet threaded together, the confluence leading onward...

In watching Summer Bird's Belmont victory, I was struck by the eerie similarity in his performance to his sire's winning effort in the Belmont Stakes. Squall's Preakness had a similar effect.

Kudos to Partymanners, luisbelusi, bryan3229 for the videos.