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Written by Sue Kenny
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 07:53 |
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Both of these articles are in today's Thoroughbred Daily News
Improving Check the Label strikes again for Motion.
Brereton Jones’ homebred Check the Label slipped through a narrow opening in the stretch and unleashed a powerful closing rally to win the $150,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2) on Monday at Belmont Park. The Stormin Fever filly shook free in the 11⁄8-mile turf race for three-year-old fillies and proved much the best, winning by 1 1⁄2 lengths under Ramon Dominguez. Check the Label completed the distance in 1:47.16 on firm turf to improve to four wins in 11 starts for trainer Graham Motion.
“It’s pretty exciting. She’s a really nice filly who’s improving, too,” Motion said. “This filly has changed more than any other I have in the barn; she just keeps getting better, so it’s really exciting. I really haven’t looked beyond this race. We have plenty of options.” Check the Label entered off a victory in the Appalachian Stakes (G3) on April 15 on the turf at Keeneland Race Course. She improved her record on grass to four wins and two seconds from eight starts.
Gypsy’s Warning lunges late to capture Eatontown Handicap
South African import Gypsy’s Warning (SAf) made her North American debut a memorable one as she collared Maram in the final stride to win the $147,000 Eatontown Stakes (G3) by a nose on Monday at Monmouth Park. The five-year-old Mogok mare, a winner of two South African Group 1 races for previous trainers Ormond Ferraris and Duncan Howells, showed a determined finishing kick from the outside and pushed a nostril in front of Grade 3 winner Maram at the finish line in her first start for trainer Graham Motion. Gypsy’s Warning won three times and finished third three times from six starts during the 2008-’09 season. Owned by a partnership that includes Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International, she was shipped to the U.S. and entered the 11⁄16-mile turf race off a layoff of more than 11 months. Kicking off a summer-fall campaign in the Eatowntown, Gypsy’s Warning got off to a strong start.
Moving up three wide, Gypsy’s Warning dug in during the stretch run and took aim on Maram, who had pushed in front of Eye of Taurus early in the stretch and looked to be pulling away from her competition before Gypsy’s Warning’s dramatic final surge.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 June 2010 08:03 |
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Written by Sue Kenny
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Monday, 31 May 2010 16:38 |
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Graham is certainly having one! I'm sure he didn't know what to do first. Greet his Grade II winner of the Sands Point at Belmont, Check The Label (where he is), or wait a couple of minutes to watch Gypsy's Warnng beat the 2008 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Maram at Monmouth in the Eatontown Stakes (Grade III). Actually, I'm sure he didn't have a choice as you can't keep owners waiting in the winners enclosure while you watch another race!!
As you can imagine, it all happened in the space of about 2 minutes. Both were nail biters. Check The Label was looking for room in the stretch and once she got it Ramon Dominguez flew through the gap to pull away. Gypsy's Warning was playing catch up and Jose Valdivia, Jr, a wonderful turf rider got her up in the last strides. Congratulations to both owners, Airdrie Stud for Check The Label and Team Valor and Green Lantern Stables et al for Gypsy's Warning.
Just as well Graham made the trip to Belmont today as he got to greet Lisa Jean in the winners enclosure too. I saw Lisa Jean's one and only race in California on tape and her finish was pretty impressive coming from absolutely nowhere to finish third. Today her scintillating speed to finish was just as impressive. Jack Swain was there to greet his winner and I know he'll be over the moon.
Another piece of good news is that R. Larry Johnson's mare Short Time (we've had some of her progeny) bred her first Grade I winner. Victor's Cry by Street Cry won the Shoemaker Mile in Hollywood. Well done Larry.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 June 2010 08:05 |
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Written by Maggie Kimmitt
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Sunday, 30 May 2010 11:30 |
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There was a strong Herringswell presence at Saturday's Fair Hill Races, with exercise riders Xav Aizpuru (at right top photo, below) and James Slater (shown aboard Sgt. Bart, #7) each having several mounts on the card. Xav won the day's feature, the $30,000 Valentine Memorial, on Arcadia Stable's Diva Maria, trained by Jack Fisher.
Additionally, former Graham Motion trainees Salinja and Irish Blarney both hit the board in their respective races.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 30 May 2010 11:49 |
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