Liam in the Dust

To many, no doubt, her genetic contribution is by now too attenuated to merit attention. At the very least, however, it must be acknowledged an impressive coincidence that the winners of both the GIII Iroquois Stakes and GIII Pocahontas Stakes--whose shared value, as reconnaissance for the Classics over the same track next May, is recognized by allocation of the first starting points--should share as sixth dam the Darby Dan foundation mare Golden Trail. The Golden Trail dynasty entwines such productive lines as those branded by Memories of Silver, Sunshine Forever...

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse won 15 races out of 53 starts during the tough as nails Saratoga meet this season, which amounted to a 28% clip. One of those runners who got her picture taken was La Cara (Street Sense--Cara Caterina, by Bernardini). Off that performance, she rolled into Louisville for the GIII Pocahontas Stakes and won, which earned her 10 points on the path to next May's running of the GI Kentucky Oaks. In the first two starts of her career under the Twin Spires earlier this...

Leading the graded stakes action on Saturday, there is something gruff and boomy about the barbaric 'yalp' of the European invaders who are set to swarm Woodbine's gates on Turf Champions Day. One can understand this hoard's verve as the booty is worth pillaging since three out of the four Grade I races on the docket are connected to some highly-prized Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' tickets.   Euros Wind Trebuchets Out of this auspicious Canadian slate, first up is the GI Natalma Stakes which offers entry into the...

2nd-Ellis, $71,000, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:25.32, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. LIAM IN THE DUST (f, 2, Liam's Map--Whisper Louise, by Bernardini) debuted at even-money here. The favorite clung to a tenuous lead nestled between a pair of rivals, which included to her outside up the backstretch Impulse Buy (Speightstown). The 2-year-old secured the top spot around the far turn and past the three-sixteenths pole her overdrive kicked in. Cruising along, the chestnut won by 2 1/4 lengths over Impulse Buy. The winner has a younger full-sister who is...