In the 1963 song ‘Hey Hey Paula,’ Paula’s first words to Paul in the No. 1 hit that sold two million records are, “I’ve been waiting for you.” That might have been trainer John Vinson’s words to Hay Hay Paula while he was saddling the 4-year-old Bahamian Squall filly who was making her …
The problem of short fields continues to plague the sport at many venues, but it hasn’t necessarily impacted the quality of racing. The second race at Thistledown yesterday was a prime example as a pair of scratches resulted in a field of four going six furlongs over the main track. Island …
In the song “I’ve Been Everywhere” that’s currently being replayed on TV many times a day, Johnny Cash reels off the names of 92 cities, towns and countries he visited during his lifetime. If Super Dude could sing, his itinerary would include Laurel, Pimlico, Delaware, Belmont, Saratoga, Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, Parx …
There was no doubt that Spirit Wind was up against it when the Jacks or Better Farm filly was entered in yesterday’s $300,000, G. II Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Bahamian Squall had to face Ce Ce, a six-time graded stakes-winner, earner of more than $2 million, and winner …
Bahamian Squall picked up his 17th winner of 2022 when Bahamian Captain broke his maiden yesterday at Tampa Bay Downs in his fourth career start. The 3-year-old colt bred by Donald Dizney had Marcos Meneses aboard for the $21,900 maiden special at five furlongs on the grass, and he sent Bahamian …
After finishing second at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 17 of 2021, Valiant Virtue was sent to the sidelines by owner/trainer Juan Arriagada. His record at the time was 2-4-4 in 19 starts. Arriagada brought the 5-year-old First Dude gelding back at Tampa 13 months later and introduced him to Madeline …
Equibase doesn’t keep records for this, but it’s possible – and probable – that First Dude set a North American record yesterday. The stallion by Stephen Got Even had three runners entered at different tracks and all three won in a span of 29 minutes. Pretty impressive. Off at 12:58 – Thistledown: Dudes …
It’s always intriguing when a horse lives up to its name, and Stretch Runner lived up to his in spades at Presque Isle Downs yesterday. The 5-year-old gelding by Bahamian Squall was aided by a pair of scratches in the six-furlong race over the all-weather track, with less traffic making it …
Berks has raced just three times this year – at three different Mid-Atlantic tracks – and the First Dude gelding has two victories and a third to show for his efforts. The rapidly-improving 3-year-old Maryland-bred picked up his second victory yesterday at Delaware Park, following a maiden-breaking score at Pimlico on …
Add the name of T J’s First to the long list of runners who began their careers in the dark and suddenly, one day, the light bulb switched on. The 4-year-old Louisiana-bred daughter of First Dude didn’t race at two or three, and when she made her debut earlier this season, …