Perfect Hedge Takes Prix Penelope HEADLINE p.2 NEWS For information about TDN, DELIVERED EACH NIGHT BY FAX AND FREE BY E-MAIL TO SUBSCRIBERS OF call 732-747-8060. www.thoroughbreddailynews.com TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2005 STORM BUILDING AROUND SWEET CATOMINE The saga continued when junvenile champion filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat), who finished a lackluster Triple fifth in Saturday’s GI Santa Anita Derby, was removed from trainer Julio Canani’s barn and placed in the care of John Threats Shirreffs. Shirreffs confirmed that the bay hadn’t arrived as Blue Grass Hopefuls Breeze of Monday afternoon, but was Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Bandini (Fusaichi reportedly ‘en route.’ Owner Pegasus) and Closing Argument (Successful Appeal), Martin Wygod would not com- owned by Philip and Marcia Cohen, worked five fur- ment on the matter, but did longs at Keeneland Monday in their final major moves ahead of Sweet Catomine say that the removal of the Saturday’s GI Blue Grass S. Benoit photo horse, along with four others, had nothing to with the investi- Bandini, trained by Todd Pletcher, gation launched by the California Horse Racing Board. working in company, was caught According to the CHRB, it intends to interview Sweet in 1:00 2/5, while Closing Argu- Catomine’s veterinarians as well as Santa Anita’s ment closed out the distance in offical track veterinarian, who conducted the required 1:00 4/5. “We’re definitely going pre-race examination on race day. In addition, the CHRB Bandini Equi-photo to run in the Blue Grass,” con- filed complaints Monday against Wygod and Dean firmed Closing Argument’s trainer Kerkhoff, a racehorse transport driver, who allegedly Kiaran McLaughlin. “We made that decision [Monday] identified the filly to the stable guard as a ‘pony’ when afternoon. He came out of the work very well and she left Santa Anita at 3 a.m. Apr. 4 for special medical we’re all set.” As for a shot at the Kentucky Derby, treatment. Sweet Catomine was later returned to Santa McLaughlin added, “If he runs 1-2-3 in the Blue Grass, Anita at 8:29 the following evening and was again we’d obviously look that way with him. The owners falsely identified as a ‘pony.’ The complaint also states aren’t into the Derby fever so much, but if he deserves that Wygod violated Rule 1902 (Conduct Detrimental to to be there, then we’ll be there.” At Churchill Downs, Sun King (Charismatic) and High Limit (Maria’s Mon), Horse Racing) in connection with statements made accompanied by jockey Joe Deegan, also received a before and after Saturday’s race concerning the health tightener for their upcoming Blue Grass start. Tracy of the champion. “The preception of the betting public Farmer’s Sun King, who won the GIII Tampa Bay Derby was that they were wagering upon reliable information, Mar. 19, covered five panels in 1:00 4/5 and Gary and which was widley broadcast,” states a CHRB release, Mary West’s High Limit recorded a crisp :59 2/5 for the outlining the official report. “The information concern- same distance. “He went a little quick, but I think the ing the true condition of the horse was not complete, or track was a little quick this morning,” said Bobby factual, in its interpretation.” Wygod and Kerkhoff are Frankel of High Limit’s work, the second fastest of 38 scheduled to meet with Hollywood Park stewards Apr. moves at that distance yesterday. In the Sun King 23. “Protecting the betting public and insuring the camp, Nick Zito was pleased with his charges’ work. integrity of the industry are our highest priorities,” said Zito’s colt, who turned in fractional times of :24:40, CHRB Executive Director Ingrid Fermin. “I am pleased :36.20 and :47.40, ranked 12th among 38 at the dis- that the investigative staff responded so quickly, and tance. “He’s doing well,” said Zito. “He works very, we intend to continue our proactive approach to restor- very even, which is a great attribute that he’s got. ing the confidence of the fans. All licensees will be You’ve got to put together those times and I like what treated the same.” he’s doing right now.” TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 4/12/05 • PAGE 2 of 5 P N E W S T O D A Y P P R E S U L T S P DUBAWI BURNS BRIGHT IN TRIAL Dubawi (Ire) Monday, Saint-Cloud, France (Dubai Millennium {GB}) was the star of the show at PRIX PENELOPE-G3, i75,000, Saint-Cloud, 4-11, 3yo, Godolphin’s annual turf trials at Nad al Sheba yester- f, 1 5/16mT, 2:22.10, hy. day. Last year’s G1 National S. hero forged four lengths 1--#@PERFECT HEDGE (GB), 126, f, 3, by Unfuwain clear of Doncaster maiden winner Tasdeed (GB) 1st Dam: Via Saleria (Ire), by Arazi 2nd Dam: Alexandrie, by Val de l’Orne (Fr) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) and G3 Sirenia S. winner 3rd Dam: Apachee (Fr), by Sir Gaylord Satchem (Ire) (Inchinor {GB}) in a time of 1:37.70 after O/B-N P Bloodstock Ltd; T-N Clement; J-T Thulliez; the mile gallop under jockey Frankie Dettori. Dubawi i37,500. Lifetime Record: 3 starts, 3 wins, i62,000. now heads straight to the G1 2000 Guineas at 2--Argentina (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sadler’s Wells--Airline, by Newmarket Apr. 30. “Dubawi had an excellent race- Woodman. O-Ecurie Wildenstein; B-Dayton course gallop and came through it in a very pleasing Investments Ltd; T-Elie Lellouche; i15,000. manner,” commented Simon Crisford. “That will put 3--Hermance (GB), 126, f, 3, Enrique (GB)--Heroine (Fr), him spot-on for the 2000 Guineas. There were six by Highest Honor (Fr). (i20,000 yrl ‘03 DEAOCT). horses involved in the gallop and Dubawi quickened up O-Mme Y Seydoux de Clausonne; B-Brentwood Farms very well in the straight. He drew several lengths clear Ltd; T-Myriam Bollack-Badel; i11,250. and maintained his advantage to the line. It was a very Margins: 2, 2HF, 3. Odds: 2.80, 0.60, 14.00. encouraging effort--we are delighted. He will improve Also Ran: Agiel (Fr), Deauville Beauty (Ire). for this racecourse gallop and we are looking forward to Scratched: Fraloga (Ire). Newmarket. Frankie said Dubawi felt great. Tasdeed In a contest which lost some of its lustre with the scratching of Fraloga (Ire), Perfect Hedge recorded an and Satchem filled the minor places, with a short-head impressive first stakes success. Passed over in the between them.” Crisford also stated that plans for betting in favor of Listed Prix Rose de Mai winner Ar- Tasdeed and Satchem, as well as Newmarket maiden gentina, she belied her lack of experience to add to winner Belenus (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) and last previous wins in a newcomers’ race at Fontainebleau year’s top-rated juvenile Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) last November and a conditions event at Maisons- will be decided in the next 10 days. Laffitte Mar. 18. As Hermance set steady early frac- tions, the eventual winner shared stalking duties with A # will distinguish first-time stakes-winners, a @ will Argentina before settling in third at halfway. Making indicate first-time graded stakes-winners and a s will solid progress from the quarter pole to lead at the dis- denote a first-time Grade/Group 1 winner. tance, the homebred powered away late to retain her unbeaten record. “After winning two races easily, that was a real test against some nice fillies and she passed Beyer Speed Figured earned by Bellamy it in style, quickening brilliantly,” said Nicolas Clement. Road (Concerto), who equalled the Of future plans, he added, “We will save her for the 32-year-old track record with he won moment before deciding what’s next. Obviously, she Saturday’s GI Wood Memorial S. by 17 1/2 could go for the [G1] Prix Saint-Alary [Longchamp May 119 22] or we may keep her fresh and go for the [G1] Prix lengths. The final time for the mile and an eighth was 1:47.16. Click for video. de Diane Hermes [Chantilly June 12].” Click for the Racing Post race chart. TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 4/12/05 • PAGE 3 of 5 Sunday, Hanshin, Japan (New Zealand Trophy cont.) OKA SHO (JAPANESE 1000 GUINEAS)-G1-JPN (Listed), ¥206,730,000, Hanshin, 4-10, 3yo, f, Meiner Hearty trailed the field early, but showed a 1600mT, 1:33.5, fm. brilliant turn of foot in the home stretch to win going 1--RHEIN KRAFT (JPN), 121, f, 3, by End Sweep away. The three-year-old black colt, fourth in the G1 1st Dam: Must Be Loved (Jpn), by Sunday Silence Asahi Hai Futurity S. last December, opened the year 2nd Dam: Dyna Shoot (Jpn), by Northern Taste with a runner-up effort in the Jan. 10 G3 Shinzan Kinen 3rd Dam: Shadai Mine (Jpn), by Hitting Away and was coming off an eighth-place effort in the Mar. O-S Osawa; B-Northern Farm; T-T Setoguchi; J-Y 19 Wakaba S. He is now being aimed at the G1 NHK Fukunaga; ¥115,481,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1. Mile Cup May 8. 2--Cesario (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Special Week (Jpn)--Kirov Premiere (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O-U Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm (JPN). ¥43,566,000. 3--Daring Heart (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Sunday Silence-- Daring Danzig, by Danzig.