Monday, September 22, 2008

BELMONT PARK NOTES, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008

Shadwell Stable will be represented Saturday in the Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh by Argentina-bred Lucky Island, whose four-race win streak was snapped when he stumbled at the break and lost all chance as the favorite in the Grade 1 Forego Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.

The four-year-old son of Lucky Roberto worked a half-mile in 49.13 this morning at Belmont Park’s fast training track and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s assistant, Artie Magnusson, reported he is “doing better than ever.”

“First Defence ran really big in the Forego, but it was unlucky for us,” said Magnusson.


Lucky Island is 2-for-2 at Belmont Park, having taken the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap on May 10 and the Grade 2 Tom Fool Handicap on July 4.

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Tonja Terranova, who oversees trainer Bob Baffert’s horses in New York, reported Sunday morning that 2007 Juvenile Fillies champion Indian Blessing returned from her 6 ¼-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap in “super” shape.

“Nothing fazes her,” said Terranova. “When I spoke with Bob after the race, he was absolutely thrilled. She’s been nothing but super.”

The Gallant Bloom was the eighth victory in 10 starts for the daughter of Indian Charlie, who is scheduled to leave New York for California on Tuesday, said Terranova, to prepare for her next engagement, the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park on Friday, October 24.

“It will be hard seeing that empty stall,” said Terranova, who has supervised Indian Blessing all summer. “But it’s time for her to move on.”

Terranova also reported that Grade 1 Ruffian Handicap winner Tough Tiz’s Sis, who sustained what appears to be the beginning of a condylar fracture during a workout Saturday morning, was to undergo surgery today.

“Dr. Patti Hogan (New Jersey Equine Center) will put in a screw,” said Terranova. “She is going to be fine.”

While horses often return from such an injury, owners Karl Watson and Paul Weitman and Baffert have elected to retire the four-year-old daughter of Tiznow, who won eight of 20 starts and nearly $1 million.

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Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel sent out stable star Ginger Punch for a five-furlong workout this morning of 1:01.26, breezing, on the fast main track. The 5-year-old Awesome Again mare will be looking for her fifth win in a row and her fourth consecutive Grade 1 triumph when she goes to post in Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Beldame for fillies and mares at nine furlongs. Forego Handicap winner First Defence went a half-mile in 48.26, breezing.

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