Hosehead Racing picked up its first graded stakes win today in South Africa, as Madame Dubois bested 13 other fillies to win her prep for the G2 Guineas in a couple weeks. I will be heading down to Turffontein to root her on.

https://twitter.com/RacingGuru/statu...86955448877057

Hoping Catching Fireflies has the same kind of run later today.

Cheers,

Otis

Congrats. You must be making money hand over fist on your partnerships.

Thanks, jms. As I am carrying a number of juveniles on the books, these trips to the winner circle are definitely necessary to stay in the black. The young ones that have raced have all won, except for Mistevious (whose second race happens next week at Mahoning Valley).

The jock on CFF did exactly as instructed (take her back and make a late run for a placing). Unfortunately, every other trainer had the same idea. Might have been better off letting her chase Lady Shipman, who put in fairly soft fractions. But in the end, CFF did not bring her "A" game and it was not her day.

Cheers,

Otis

Good luck to her and you. I'll be watching

BTW, I live din Buffalo for ~ 20 years during the late 80's thru 2005. Now in Saratoga.

Thanks bigdog! My Buffalo stint was 1968-1987. I got the French Connection and you got the Super Bowl years!

Let's Go Buffalo!

O

Here is a recap of the Three Troikas from the Sporting Post:

Sage Advice From The Madame


Piere Strydom made it a winning feature double at Turffontein on Saturday and was at his best in getting that little bit extra out of the promising Madame Dubois to register an impressive victory in the R250 000 Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes.

Top jockeys are a bonus on top horses and despite Striker’s services, Starling Stakes winner Madame Dubois had it all to do coming off a 14 week break – and was easy to back at 8 to 1.

But in his inimitable laconic style, Strydom casually credited the 2 draw and her fitness, and riding a great race and said that he was happy to take the win.

The bottom line is that Strydom is the consummate professional, and just as he had done on Captain Aldo in the Listed Wolf Power a few races earlier, he did everything right on Madame Dubois.

The Robbie Sage galloper had jumped keenly and was eased back and covered up a few lengths off as Joan Ranger led Noor for home.

Holding his mount up to the 400m, Strydom let Madame Dubois slip through between horses and she hit the front running strongly as Juxtapose found her feet, with Negroamaro looming up wide out after overcoming her wide draw.

Showing an encouraging competitive streak, Madame Dubois changed legs and kicked again inside the 150m to hold off the late attention of a flying Negroamaro down the outside – and notch up her second stakes win.

The official win margin was a head (which rather flattered the runner-up), with a time clocked of 88,89 secs.

Stan Ferreira’s Juxtapose stayed on best a further 0,60 lengths away in third and this little low-key daughter of Judpot is bound to stay on in time.

Madame Dubois was bred by Messrs McNabb and Miliotis and is by the Zafonic stallion Count Dubois, whose 14th graded winner she is.

She is out of the three-time winning Jet Master mare, Miss Jet Set, who won her races from 1400m to a mile.

She was originally purchased for R220 000 on the National Yearling Sale and changed hands some time after the Starling Stakes for an undisclosed sum. What a great start for Megan M Jones and the Valor Ladies LLC.

The supremely consistent Madame Dubois took her tally to 3 wins and 4 places from 7 starts, with stakes of R508 625.

And there must be plenty more to come – particularly if she gets the mile of the Gauteng Fillies Guineas – and Striker rides her again!

Today on this date 1950 the greatest horse of a half century by the associated press Man ofWar as a 2&3 yr. is a winner of 20-21 races holds 5 track records

OK then.

Congrats on Madame Dubois, Otis.

I think you showed a lot of class as I am pretty sure you're a tad jealous for not being the first to post this today,

Maybe next year...

More than a tad.

:D

Mistevious, our Ontario-bred Stephen Got Even filly, just won a MSW today at MVR in her second career start. Came from the clouds and should relish more distance. Sent off at 3-1, she chased down a 70-1 shot to complete a $400 exacta that I wish I had!

Cheers,

Otis

That's tremendous!

Thanks Old Dog! That race could not have gone any better for us.Can't wait to stretch her out.

Got to celebrate with some Warren Zevon and "Boom Boom Mancini". The only Youngstown song I know.

Cheers,

Otis

Good luck tomorrow Otis! Can you share any CFF strategy
or how she is doing? Thanks and good luck

Thanks for note, Senator!

After placing third in the Windley Key Stakes, CFF fired a dud in her last race and We started looking for a little easier spot for her. As she has run through her conditions, we were fortunate to find a $46k AOC that allows her to compete without a tag.

She has an outside post which is good for 5f turf races at GP. And she gets Tyler on board, who probably gave her best ride so far (next to Prado) and is Ralph's go to jock.

Ralph gave her a sundial 3f work (22/23) inbwetween this race and her last one. That was intentional. We want her to go into this race fresh and hopefully give us one of her better efforts. Little different approach than before.

These 5f turf races are chaotic and unpredictable. So just hoping for the best!

I'm currently in South Africa where I was going to watch Madame Dubois run in the G2 Guineas. But we had a sudden opportunity to begin the quarantine process and ship her to America with a bunch of Mike DeKock's horses. Hoping she will be ready to run in some US G1 turf races in late 2016 or early 2017. It takes several months to clear quarantine.

Cheers!

Otis

Good luck and safe travels

Mistevious is entered in a $51k allowance at Parx on Saturday. Race 5. Only 6 entrants, headed by Pletcher stakes dropper Alto Belle.

We are are hoping for continued progression for this steadily developing filly. Based on the way she closed in her last race, she should appreciate the extra 2.5 furlongs.

http://youtu.be/6m1vk2ywruw

Good luck Otis

Thanks very much, Senator!

I am flying into Philly tomorrow for the race, although I expect she will be a 10-1 shot at best against that TAP filly. She should like the extra distance, however.

Haven't seen Mistevious in the flesh in several months. She has come a long way since we bought her exactly one year ago at the FT sale. And always fun to spend some time with Nick Caruso, an excellent young trainer.

Cheers,

O

Best of racing luck!

Hey Otis,

BOL today..Seems well spotted..Might be making a run up to Parx later today and hope to see you in the winning circle. Caruso bringing a PA bred flower alley out in the 9th that looks interesting..If it should come up in conversation curious his thoughts on em? Good racing luck today!!

Thanks, Spyder!

ONTTHERAIL: If you do go to Parx, please text me. I'll send you my number via private message. I'll probably be hanging with Nick somewhere both before and after the 5th race. I'll introduce you.

Rule of thumb on betting his horses is that they will almost always put forth an honest effort. So iIf he has a horse in the top 2 MLO, he is a very strong bet. Nick is 3 for 13 with FTS, including a win with one of ours last year (Strong Gale) going 8f. The 9th race tomorrow is only 5f and Nick's filly (Aunt Rose) is perfectly posted on the outside (less pressure on the break for a FTS).

Also, watch the tote very early to see if she is live. You will see if someone made a big bet on her in that small of a pool.

For Mistevious, I'm hoping to see her continue her upward improvement and finish strong. There are big money races for her at Woodbine this summer, as she is an Ontario-bred.

Cheers!

O

Came running - jock left her a little too much to do

Very pleased with this effort. Made up around 10 lengths in stretch to just miss second place. Track was favoring speed all day. If the race is 8.5f, she wins. Excellent amount of energy at the end for first time around two turns.

There is talk of taking her to Keeneland as Nick feels like she would do well on the sod.

Good job, Evie!

O

Strong Gale, our 3yo Discreetly Mine filly, won a $36k allowance today at Delaware Park. It was her fourth career start. She now has 2 wins and a 2nd. She beat Hold on Momma today, the 4/5 favorite who ran in the GP Oaks with Go Maggie Go. She's trained by Arnaud Delacour now and has improved her figs with each race. Should be an interesting summer for this one.

Other updates:

Spanish Romance (Team Valor): 3yo Rip Van Winkle filly sprints in a listed stake at the San Siro in Milan next Saturday. May be headed to USA.

Madame Dubois (Team Valor): 4yo filly is undergoing quarantine in Mauritius on her way to the USA in July after winning two G3s in South Africa. No trainer designated yet.

Speak With Me (Team Valor): Unraced 3yo Lope de Vega colt has been working very nicely at Fair Hill for Arnaud Delacour. Should debut soon.

Versaline (Arqana): 4yo French filly won her last race at La Teste du Buch. Trained by Christophe Ferland.

Catching Fireflies (PEH): Laying up at Denali Stud for a spell. Unsure where her next spot will be.

Mistevious (PEH): 3yo ON-bred Stephen Got Even filly has raced three times, with one win and a 3rd. Stone cold closer who passed 10 horses in the stretch to win a MSW at Mahoning Valley in February. Will stretch her out this summer. Trained by Nick Caruso at PID.

Dream Mover (Team Valor): 3yo Dream Ahead colt has won twice in 5 starts. Looking for a stakes race next. Trained in England by Marco Botti.

Juveniles:

Folk Story (Polivka Equine Holdings): 2yo KY-bred Americain filly out of a Johannesburg mare. Will be trained by Brian Lynch at Woodbine. She could be pretty good around two turns. Very bright. Bought at KEE last year. Had first work this week.

Peart (PEH): 2yo Badge of Silver ON-bred filly bred by Brereton Jones. Lynch/Woodbine. KEE yearling. Obviously, I'm partners with a Rush fan!

Prince Bering (Arqana): 2yo Elusive City colt training in France for C Ferland. Built downhill. Could be very fast.

Empress Bering (Arqana): 2yo Holy Roman Emperor filly training in France with C. Head.

Unamed Bellamy Road filly (PEH): still in Florida. Should be ready to start training soon. No trainer named yet.

Sun Goddess (Barry Irwin/PEH): KY-bred southern hemi 2yo filly is a half to Salutos Amigos and Sarah's Secret. Should make her debut soon in Uruguay. Her trainer Pico Perdomo says she is special.

Unnamed Dream Ahead colt (OnTrack): 2yo Australian-bred out of a More Than Ready mare. Will be trained by Ciaran Maher.

Here is a link to Strong Gale's allowance win at Delaware Park.

https://youtu.be/7lrLK-cVrnA

We had some pre-race luck with the race coming off turf and scratching from 11 to 5 horses. That said, she was facing 4-5 favorite Hold On Momma, who ran noses apart from Go Maggie Go in the Gulfstream Oaks for 7f.

Jockey Carol Cedeno said SG relaxed on the turn when she thought she put away Hold On Momma. Then re-kicked when the closer came at her. She earned a Beyer of 78 and a TFUS rating of 101. Both 12 point increases.

Trained by Arnaud Delacour.

-O

Speak With Me (FR) finally made his first start yesterday in a MSW at Del Park for Arnaud Delacour. He won impressively, despite racing 4-wide. I believe this is the first Lope de Vega to win in the US.

Video of the race:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-del-on-7-6-16

Was there in the Winners Circle. Always a thrill!

Best,

Otis

Terrific debut for our 2yo filly Folk Magic at Woodbine Saturday. She went 6f on the turf in 1:09.49 and won by 3.75 lengths.

She is the first starter in North America for freshman sire Americain, who won the Melbourne Cup. Accordingly, her win has garnered quite a bit of press in Australia.

http://www.breednet.com.au/news/1250...-for-Americain

Hosehead Racing owns her in partnership with Polivka Equine and Brushy Hill. We bought her privately at the KEE yearling sale about 15 minutes after she RNA'ed for $24k.

Trained by Brian Lynch. Folk Magic is his first 2yo FTS winner on the grass at Woodbine in five years (previously 0-31). So he usually brings them on slow. Hoping we see continued development.

She is the 7th different winner so far this year for HHR. 2016 record: 25-7-4-3 $135,545.

Best,

Otis

Folk Magic was featured in Jeff Siegel's black book this week.

http://www.xbtv.com/video/black-book...uly-23rd-2016/

Best,

O

Good luck later today Otis with Catching Fireflies @ Parx!

Hope all is well with the stable!

Thanks very much, DH!

We transferred CFF from Ralph Nicks to Arnaud Delacour after she developed some allergies down in Florida that kept her congested. She is doing much better at Fair Hill and we are excited to see her get back in the gate.

Very salty field, with many experienced race mares. But in 5f turf sprints, anything can happen! She will be fresh, for sure, and should hopefully get a clean break from the outside post. Not sure how wide she will be on the turn, but I'm hoping she's fairly close to the lead or just off the pace.

Thanks for asking about the HHR stable. Currently, the top prospects are:

Folk Magic (Brian Lynch-trained Americain 2yo who ran 1:09.5 6f turf debut at Woodbine in July and made Jeff Siegel's Black Book. http://www.xbtv.com/video/black-book...uly-23rd-2016/
She is spelling in Florida while going through a growth spurt and should race again in November)

Madame Dubois (South African G3 winning filly that we imported and have given to Todd Pletcher at Palm Meadows. Look for her at Gulfstream)

Peart (2yo Badge of Silver filly bred by Brereton Jones finished 3rd in debut vs colts on Saturday at Woodbine and made DRF's Horses to Watch list http://www.drf.com/news/premium/horses-watch-woodbine-0 )

Dream Mover (Marco Botti-trained 3yo colt is entered to run in a 7f $150k Handicap at Ascot on Saturday. He has one win and two second place finishes this year - all photos)

Versaline (a hard-knocking 4yo gray stayer has won two handicaps for Christophe Ferland in France this year. She races October 16th in Deauville.)

2016 record so far for HHR is 39-8-6-4 with 7 different winners.

Cheers!

Otis

Good Luck today with Catching Fireflies at Laurel...I am going to try and use her in a couple of plays. Safe trips for rider and horse.

Thanks, Casp!

Big field. Definitely worth using some longshots. Anything can happen in these turf sprints. Assuming a decent break, CFF figures to be up close to the pace. Would love to see her finish like she did in the Windley Key Stakes at GP. If she duplicates that effort, she could be in the mix. Arnaud says she's working very well up at Fair Hill.

Good luck today. Hope you cash some tickets!

Cheers,

Otis

:tro:

Thanks, Casp!

Feargal did a fantastic job on the turn to snap her head to the left and let her know it was business time. That's a long stretch at Laurel and she sustained a very fast pace to the wire. Kudos to Arnaud for getting her back in form. He is great with turf sprinters.

Cheers,

O

Congrats!

Congratulations Otis & Partners!

Thanks, knicks and Steve!

Sentimental victory, as she is the first horse I bought into. Great to see her in the winner's circle after 20 months.

Cheers!

Otis

Two in a row for CFF. Another great ride by Feargal Lynch, and her guttiest finish yet. Breaking from the outside post and wide throughout. #15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZJW...r#action=share

Arnaud taking her to Tampa.

Cheers,

Otis