Takeover Target won the Razor Sharp Quality handicap, a Listed race, at Randwick Race Course in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. In a photo finish, Takeover Target and jockey Jay Ford beat back a challenge from Alverta who was in receipt of 17 pounds. The race was over 1,200 metres. Dance Hero was in the five-horse field and dropped out turning for home after being prominent. Takeover Target struck the front and had a two-length break. Alverta, making up ground in a hurry, forced a photo. The winning margin was a short-head.
Trainer Joe Janiak plans to take Takeover Target to Royal Ascot in June 2008. Takeover Target won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2006 at Royal Ascot. Trainer Janiak talked about his horse’s resolve; “I thought the mare (Alverta) had got him but he just never gave up.”
Dr MAM Ramaswamy’s 500th Classic win is an accomplishment that is unlikely to be matched. Classic Sky and Colm O’Donoghue made the Kolkata Oaks a ‘no contest’ on Saturday and it was in keeping with what has been going on in India. Dr MAM is winning the Indian Classics with monotonous regularity.
It is fitting that this landmark was reached at Hastings Race Course in Kolkata. It has been a revival of immense proportions in Kolkata. The RCTC is now headed and run by Cyrus Madan. Cyrus has vision, is down to earth and his ‘people skills’ are second to none. The RCTC is headed in the right direction. I spent many an afternoon in 2007 (February and March) at Hastings and came away impressed. The Invitation Cup weekend was one giant step that the RCTC took to regaining its rightful place in the Indian racing scene. I am looking forward to going to Kolkata in 2008.
Now to racing in America. There are two news items to report from Hollywood Park in California. Saturday was the last raceday and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer recorded the 5,000th win of his career. The season finale was won by Political High, Michael Baze up. Michael is the cousin of Russell Baze, Russell and trainer Hollendorfer have won a large number of races in the Bay area. Bay Meadows, to be closed at the end of this year, has been the site of many of Hollendorfer’s Graded wins.
Political High paid $9.80 in the 14-horse field. In the rear early, Political High made a surge to circle the field and won by one and three quarter lengths.
Jerry Hollendorfer was subdued while accepting good wishes from the fans. “Mike (Michael Baze) had trouble down the backside but fortunately for us, kept at it and kept pecking away. It took a long time to do it but it was well worth it. We just keep doing what we do every day. We have been very fortunate.”
Jerry Hollendorfer, 58, trails only three trainers. Dale Baird has 9,445, Jack Van Berg has 6,378 and King T Leatherbury has saddled 6,227 winners. Hollendorfer’s horses have earned about $93.2 million.
The other item is Into Mischief’s victory in the Grade I $750,000 Cash Call Futurity for two year-olds. Twelve ran. Into Mischief was ridden by Victor Espinoza and returned $29.60. The margin was one and one quarter lengths. The race was over 1,700 metres on the cushion track. The time was 1 40.82. Colonel John, the 2-1 public choice, took the runner-up berth. Massive Drama salvaged the show spot.
Into Mischief was second tracking the pace-setter, made his bid coming into the final turn and went into a winning lead. Into Mischief won his maiden at Santa Anita on October 21. In his next outing, Into Mischief was second to Massive Drama in the 1,400-metre Hollywood Prevue on November 22. Harlan’s Holiday is Into Mischief’s sire.
Richard Mandella, Into Mischief’s trainer, talked about his dry spell ending: “The way I was going, I’m surprised he (Into Mischief) was not 30-1.”
Mandella was 2 for 28 going into Saturday. Jockey Victor Espinoza had six wins from 126 mounts. It was the perfect Christmas gift for the two of them.
In the same Hollywood Park card, Greg’s Gold faced California-breds in the $107,800 On Trust Handicap and came away victorious as the half money favourite. Greg’s Gold, eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Monmouth Park, was ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by David Hofmans. Greg’s Gold won by one and three quarter lengths and clocked 1 26.78 seconds for the 1,500-metre journey.
As of December 21, 2007, jockey Jorge Ricardo has 9,970 winners. He had opened up a big margin over Russell Baze who has 9,947 winners.
Santa Anita opens on Boxing Day, December 26, 2007. There is Graded action on opening day. Santa Anita will hold centre-stage in the coming weeks. The 2008 Breeders’ Cup races will be held at Santa Anita in late October, 2008. Santa Anita is in Arcadia, a suburb of Los Angeles.
Jess Jackson now owns 80% of Curlin, the Breeders’ Cup Classic champion. Mr Jackson owns Kendall Jackson Winery and owns Stonestreet Stables. He bought out George Bolton, an investment banker, in a private deal. Mr Bolton, not too long ago, had bought out Satish Sanan, in another private deal. The balance of 20% is held by a group mired in legal controversy. A suit is pending. Curlin is likely to stay in training as a four year-old in 2008.
Kenny Rice, a well-known broadcaster, will host the 37th Annual Eclipse Awards to be presented on Monday, January 21, 2008 in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The Eclipse Awards are given in 17 categories. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the National Turf Writers Association and the Daily Racing Form sponsor the awards. Reacting to his role, Kenny Rice said, “It is a wonderful honour and an exciting challenge to host the ‘Oscars’ of thoroughbred racing.”
Lew Freedman, Miss Andretti’s trainer, has announced that there will be no foreign campaign for the star sprinter in 2008. Miss Andretti will be based in Melbourne.
Fergal Lynch will have his riding licence. He was cleared recently of race-fixing charges. It has been reported that jockey Lynch will ride in America in the coming weeks. He will be at Philadelphia Park in Pennsylvania.
LIterato, second in the French Derby and winner of the Champion Stakes ay Newmarket in October, has been acquired by the Godolphin establishment. Literato won nine races from 11 starts.
Kieren Fallon will be at a hearing in France in January. Fallon tested positive for a banned substance after winning with Myboycharlie in the Grade I Darley Prix Morny at Deauville last August. Fallon’s attorney, Christopher Stewart-Moore stated, “The medical commission in France wants to meet with Fallon.”
Richard Hughes rode in India in the recent past with considerable success. Hughes will ride in jump races this winter in England. He will be a free lance rider in 2008. His association with Khalid Abdullah has ended.
Jockey Alan Munro will be back in action in 2008. Munro won the 1991 Epsom Derby with Generous. He won the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James Palace Stakes in 2006 with Araafa. He may have ridden Authorized this year.
Jockey Munro suffered convulsions during a flight to France last August. He has been cleared by a medical panel. Munro was out of racing for four years before 2005. He won 60 races in 2005 and 49 races in 2006 before being sidelined. Munro expressed relief. “It has been a long process although it has been frustrating not being able to ride for such a long time. I have enjoyed a great year living in Shanghai and in many respects; it has been a positive and rewarding time. I can now resume my career. I’m very fit and look forward to the new season in 2008.”
With Christmas two days away, winter is officially on in America. It is very cold. I have ten days left for my trip to India. The packing process is almost complete.
Sources: NTRA reports, Racing Post and others
