Soverign finalists reported - Pace and Cap

Tim Y · 12-05-2008, 12:16 PM

The finalists for year end T-bred honors in Canadian racing were released by the Jockey Club of Canada, and, with a few exceptions, it is nice to realize my evaluations in the various categories were not from left field. I really love the fact, that a "rags to riches" story from Hastings Park (a huge, 18 hands mare, named Against the Sky that went 7 6 1 0) going from starter allowances to graded stakes winner, made the finals in best older mare in Canada in 2008. She is a very long shot to win it, but the John Henry in all of us will be pulling for her.

Another great thing is the fellow who owns her (Bob Leffler) is a small time stable proprietor and her trainer is blue collar. I was in the winner's circle for her first stakes win and his wife was nervously watching the television (you cannot see the race well from that venue as the board blocks the backstretch). As dawdling fractions went up and she was easily on the lead, I told the very jumpy gal "If she gets to the 3/4 in over 1:13 (it was a quagmire that day), the race is over." and as that fraction, plus 6/5ths, came up, I blurted out" "Go stand over there is the circle because this race is OVER." "Do you really think so?" was her answer, and I just said "WATCH HER OPEN UP NOW." Next start was a repeat over the best on the grounds in a graded stakes.

She is up against some BIG guns from Woodbine, but it is a moral victory for her to make it to the finals. Way to go big girl!!

Tim Y · 12-05-2008, 12:53 PM

I meant to add that she only ran against her own sex later in the year.

12-05-2008, 12:16 PM	#1
Tim Y turf historian Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,455	Soverign finalists reported The finalists for year end T-bred honors in Canadian racing were released by the Jockey Club of Canada, and, with a few exceptions, it is nice to realize my evaluations in the various categories were not from left field. I really love the fact, that a "rags to riches" story from Hastings Park (a huge, 18 hands mare, named Against the Sky that went 7 6 1 0) going from starter allowances to graded stakes winner, made the finals in best older mare in Canada in 2008. She is a very long shot to win it, but the John Henry in all of us will be pulling for her. Another great thing is the fellow who owns her (Bob Leffler) is a small time stable proprietor and her trainer is blue collar. I was in the winner's circle for her first stakes win and his wife was nervously watching the television (you cannot see the race well from that venue as the board blocks the backstretch). As dawdling fractions went up and she was easily on the lead, I told the very jumpy gal "If she gets to the 3/4 in over 1:13 (it was a quagmire that day), the race is over." and as that fraction, plus 6/5ths, came up, I blurted out" "Go stand over there is the circle because this race is OVER." "Do you really think so?" was her answer, and I just said "WATCH HER OPEN UP NOW." Next start was a repeat over the best on the grounds in a graded stakes. She is up against some BIG guns from Woodbine, but it is a moral victory for her to make it to the finals. Way to go big girl!! Attached Images

12-05-2008, 12:53 PM	#2
Tim Y turf historian Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,455	I meant to add that she only ran against her own sex later in the year.