AWESOME ACT had never raced on dirt, but he handled the new challenge with consummate ease. Taken off the early pace, he experienced kickback for the first time and handled it like an old pro. He was amidst the midpack traffic as the field moved down the backstretch and as the field approached the far turn, jockey Julien Leparoux manuvered him into the clear that the two circled the field. Even with the leaders at the top of the stretch. AWESOME ACT was full of run and Leparoux had to let him go. He unleashed a brilliant turn of foot and burst away from the pack. He opened up by three passing the eighth pole and he was never seriously challenged to the wire, cruising in to win officially by a length and one-quarter.

“He did everything perfect,” said Leparoux. “He was beyond good on the dirt; it didn’t matter to him at all. He just did everything on his own, he put me in the right spots, and then he just finished very nice.”

“It’s the first hurdle out of the way, so the dream lives on,” said winning trainer Jeremy Noseda, who is based at Newmarket, England. “We’ll be back for the [Grade 1, $750,000] Wood Memorial [April 3].”

“We had the discussion about him possibly being a Derby horse after the Breeders’ Cup,” said Noseda. “I stood up and said, ‘I believe I can do it from Europe.’ Now, he’s been in America and we can move forward.”

AWESOME ACT will remain at Belmont Park with Noseda's assistants Wayne Tanner and George Windsor. He was bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings Ltd and he was produced by the Mr. Prospector mare, Houdini's Honey, a full sister to Machiavellian and a member of one of the more celebrated families in the stud book.

Coglianese photo

Bumped at the start, he quickly recovered and stalked the leader from the inside down the backstretch. The leader was able to get over to the inside going into the turn and then slowed. With another outside of him, PEACE TOWN had no choice but to backup and lose momentum. Coming off the turn, he moved off the rail and launched a closing bid that carried him to the lead and he held on strongly to win by a half-length.

PEACE TOWN has now earned $152,267. Trained by Michael Trombetta, he was bred in Maryland by Bowman & Higgins Stable.

Coglianese photo

By David Grening
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though a lot of thought went into formalizing a plan to get AWESOME ACT back to North America for a potential run at the spring classics, nothing has gone according to script for the 3-year-old son of Awesome Again.

With races failing to fill and travel plans having to be adjusted, AWESOME ACT figures to be at a distinct disadvantage when he runs in Saturday's Grade 3, $250,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Though not by design, the race will be AWESOME ACT's first since he finished a fast-closing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 6 at Santa Anita. It also will come after a later-than-hoped arrival in New York.

AWESOME ACT, based at Newmarket with trainer Jeremy Noseda, was scheduled to fly to New York last Thursday. But the winter storm that forced Aqueduct to cancel racing last Friday and Saturday also canceled that flight. Now, AWESOME ACT is not scheduled to arrive on the grounds until about 2 a.m. Wednesday. He will not clear quarantine at Belmont until Friday.

"We're still planning on running him," said Tom Ludt, general manager of Vinery Stables, which owns half of AWESOME ACT with Paul and Susan Roy. "It's a big step, considering all the obstacles."

Immediately following his fourth-place finish in the Juvenile Turf, Noseda sat down with Ludt and the Roys and told them he thought AWESOME ACT would handle dirt and "has got the ability to run in your classics if all goes well," Ludt recalled.

The plan was to run in a race at Wolverhampton in December and then ship here for the Gotham, but Awesome Act was scratched. In lieu of being able to race him, Noseda has had to train AWESOME ACT more aggressively.

According to Ludt, who spent some time with Noseda at Calder over the weekend, Noseda is "very comfortable with where he stands with his fitness and his ability to match up with his good older horses."

Ludt said a winning performance in the Gotham would likely mean that AWESOME ACT would stay for the Grade 1 Wood Memorial. Ludt said if it appears that the colt does not handle the dirt, he could be shipped to Keeneland for the Blue Grass.

Julien Leparoux, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning rider, will be in to ride AWESOME ACT in the Gotham.

As of Monday, the Gotham field was expected to include Afleet Again, I've Got the Fever, Nacho Friend, Peppi Knows, Shrimp Dancer, Wow Wow Wow, and Yawanna Twist. Possible starters include Middle of the Nite and Turf Melody.

PRIZED DANCER had placed three times last season at two over the Polytrack at Woodbine and once over the sloppy main track at Fair Grounds. Originally scheduled for the turf, she ended up catching a fast dirt surface for the first time and she certainly responded to the positive. She settled in the back for the six furlongs, but she came rolling through the stretch. She took the lead a furlong from home and drew away to win by a length and one-half.

Trained by Josie Carroll, she was bred in Ontario by Michael and Penny Lauer. She is out of the Matter of Honor mare, La Ballerine.

AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again--Houdini’s Honey, by Mr. Prospector) is trained by Jeremy Noseda. He will be pointed to the Classics this spring.

In possession of plenty of natural speed, FRIESAN FIRE galloped away from the gate and took up the running. He settled into a steady rhythm under a firm hold from jockey Shaun Bridgmohan down the backstretch and around the far turn. Nearing the top of the stretch, some serious challengers emerged from the pack, but was he quickly changed their minds. He dispatched them in short order with a quick burst of speed that carried him clear in a matter of a few strides. He kept on strongly to the wire to finish nearly two lengths clear of G1 Blue Grass Stakes winner General Quarters. It was another seven and one-half lengths back to the third place finisher.

"In his comeback race, he just got tired," Bridgmohan said. "Today, with a race under his belt, he was much better. He ran a real powerful race."

A homebred A. P. Indy colt that we campaign in partnership with Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, FRIESAN FIRE is out of the G1 winning Dehere mare, Bollinger (AUS). He has won or placed in eight of his eleven starts and he has earned $653,765. He is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Lou Hodges Jr. photo

STEELY DAME saved ground while tucking in along the inside. She kept her position to the top of the stretch and she moved out to challenge. She came running and caught the leading pair nearing the wire. Another closer was in hot pursuit, but STEELY DAME outfooted them all to the wire to win by a neck.

STEELY DAME is trained by Steve Asmussen. Bred in Kentucky by Keithshire Farm, she is out of the Cox's Ridge mare, Mesabi Maiden.

Our 2-year-old LIMEHOUSE colt did not show any early speed during the opening quarter. Galloping along at the back of the field, WILD LIME began to close going into the final turn. He was in front of all but the leading two at the top of the stretch and he continued to close. Aiming to go between horses, the gap closed at the last moment and he had to switch to the outside. Once he was straight in his new path, he let loose with a quick burst of speed and dashed by, drawing away to win by one length.

WILD LIME is now two-for-three lifetime. Trained by Michael Trombetta, he was bred in Kentucky by Bianca Francis Equine. He was produced by the Forest Wildcat mare, Wild Mistress.

Tracking the pace from third down the backstretch, our 2-year-old PURGE filly made a bid for the lead around the turn and the race was hers at the top of the stretch. She opened up as much the best and won easily.

FROZEN COCKTAIL was bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and she was produced by the Clever Trick mare, Frozen Rope. She is trained by Mike Trombetta.

Dashing away from the inside post, PEACE TOWN quickly opened a clear lead and he was never seriously challenged thereafter. He ran strongly to the wire to by two and one-half lengths.

Our stakes winning 3-year-old son of PEACE RULES has finished first or second in six of his ten career starts and he has earned $122,407. Trained by Michael Trombetta, he was bred in Maryland by Bowman & Higgins Stable. He is out of the Williamstown mare, Darnestown.

Soon after the break, the field divided into two distinct groups, with at least half dozen lengths of separation. PROUD MOMENT galloped along in the second group. He started to close in around the final turn and he was full of run at the top of the stretch. He caught the leader passing the eighth pole and continued his powerful run to the wire to win by four and one-half lengths.

PROUD MOMENT is trained by Steve Asmussen. Bred in Kentucky by Kim Nardelli and Rodney Nardelli, he was produced by the Cox's Ridge mare, Coxcomb.

Hoofprints Inc. Photo

Tracking the pace, she drove to the lead midstretch and held off all but one to finish less than two lengths away from the winner.

AUTHENICAT has now earned $677,615.

Our 2-year-old Gilded Time colt engaged in a battle for the lead from the break. Shaking off his companions, he took over for good at the top of the stretch and drew away to win by nearly eight lengths.

DYNAMIC TIME is trained by Eric Heitzmann and he was bred in Louisiana by Thomas B. Early and William G. Andrade. He was produced by the Broad Brush mare, Dynamic Broad.

It was a cavalry charge from the break and our 3-year-old colt was in the thick of it. He had the rail position and wasn't about to give it up. He kept pace and as they came off the turn, he took over for good. Lengthening his stride, he opened up in the final furlong to win by three and three-quarter lengths.

CLASS RULES is trained by Mike Trombetta and he was bred in Florida by Silver Oaks Farm. He was produced by the Regal Classic mare, Classy Daniela.

D'WILD STORM drew the inside post in the field in the field of eight and although he has won on the lead, today he tucked in right behind the early leader. He stayed in that spot until the top of the stretch when he moved out and began to close. The leader was a stubborn foe and was not giving in, but D'WILD STORM would not be denied. He found another gear, caught the stakes-performing pacesetter and moved away to win by three-quarters of a length.

D'WILD STORM was unplaced in his debut, but he has been flawless since. He has won three of his four starts and he has earned $103,823. Trained by Josie Carroll, he was bred in Ontario by Sophian Stables. He was produced by the Peace for Peace mare, Summer Storm.

Michael Burns photo

Our 2-year-old son of PEACE RULES was making his second start and he was best from the moment the gates opened. Dashing away, he took the lead and never looked back. Setting all the pace, he took a clear lead into the stretch. He found another gear and more than doubled his lead to the wire to win by ten lengths.

PASSION RULES is trained by Steve Asmussen and he was bred in Florida by Tim Dodd and Renee Dodd. The bay gelding was produced by the Dark Brown (BRZ) mare, Meu Paixao (ARG).

Michael Burns photos

Turning in a game effort, CROWN RULER tracked the leader in the early going. Our 2-year-old son of PEACE RULES overcame the pacesetter's two length lead with a stretch-long drive that carried him into the winner's circle by a neck.

CROWN RULER was produced by the Gulch mare, Crown the Queen. Bred in Florida by Rachel Kimbell, he is trained by Steve Asmussen.

The 3-year-old son of D'WILDCAT had speed to the inside of his number two post and he took up the pressing position from the outside down the backstretch and around the final turn. The leader was not going to give up without a fight, but D'WILD STORM was not to be denied. He tenaciously closed, gained the lead a sixtheenth from home and cleared his challenger by a length at the wire.

A full brother to multiple stakes winner D'WILD RIDE, who won the Regret Stakes at Monmouth Park the day prior, D'WILD RIDE was produced by the Peace for Peace mare, Summer Storm. Bred in Ontario by Sophian Stables, he is trained by Josie Carroll.

WILD LIME got out of the gate sharply from post three and he immediately engaged in a lively battle for the lead. Putting his head in front for good with two furlongs left to run, he began to open up coming off the turn. When a closer drew near passing the eighth pole, he found another gear and he increased his lead to more than three lengths at the finish.

WILD LIME was bred in Kentucky by Bianca Francis Equine and he was produced by the Forest Wildcat mare, Wild Mistress. He is trained by Mike Trombetta.

HOOFPRINTS INC. photo

Our son of Pulpit tracked the pace from the outside and the was three wide around the final turn. He unleashed a powerful closing kick through the final furlong to blow past the leader and go onto a one length victory.

Trained by Michael Trombetta, DOUBLE GRIT was bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm LLC. He was produced by the Pleasant Colony mare, Kiss Kiss.

Our 4-year-old daughter of POSSE was at the back of the pack for the opening half-mile. She made a five wide move around the final turn and she closed steadily through the stretch. It didn't look like she would get there, but she really turned it on in the final sixteenth and she put her nose in front in the final strides to win by a head.

CALL THE POSSE is trained by Josie Carroll and she was bred in Ontario by Ormonde Farm. She was produced by the Alysheba mare, Bacall.

Breaking from post nine in the big field of fourteen, our 3-year-old son of D'WILDCAT had speed inside and he cleared all but one a few strides away from the gate. Maintaining a half-length lead through fractions of :22 3/5 and :45 4/5, he began to open a clear lead around the turn and he drew away with authority through the stretch to win by nearly nine lengths. His final time was a solid 1:16 3/5.

D'WILD STORM was bred in Ontario by Sophian Stables and he was produced by the Peace for Peace mare, Summer Storm. He is trained by Josie Carroll.

Our 2-year-old son of PEACE RULES was away in good order from the outside post in the field of eight but he did not show any early foot. Four lengths back after the opening quarter, the blazed faced colt was a half-dozen lengths away from the leader at the top of the stretch. Asked to close by jockey Sheldon Russell, he picked up his feet and got rolling. Zipping by the others one by one, he gobbled up ground and caught the frontrunner in the final strides to win by a neck.

PEACE FIRE is trained by Graham Motion and he was bred in Florida by Briggs and Cromartie. He was produced by the Nijinsky mare, Miss Evans.

SOUTHERN LEGEND was on the pace from the inside and she shook off his early challengers by the top of the stretch. He fought off every challenge but got caught in the closing stages by another who was far outside. He tried to rerally, but the wire came to quickly in what was a very good effort first time out.

AUTHENICAT tracked the leaders down the backstretch and move out to challenge halfway around the turn. She unleased her patented closing kick, taking the lead and pulling away with authority to win by a length and one-half over the closing MIA D'COUGAR.

“You always know when you bring her over that she is going to show up and run,” said winning trainer Josie Carroll. “I thought it was a big field. I was a little bit worried about getting in some trouble. There was speed up front and Rob (jockey Robert Landry) did a masterful job of being patient with her. She just did what she does.”

“She’s a tremendous mare to be around,” said Landry. “She gives 100 per cent every time she comes out here. It’s a privilege to ride horses like her.”

AUTHENICAT has six wins, six seconds and two thirds in her seventeen race career and she has earned $614,088. Bred in Ontario by Gail Wood, she was produced by the Alydeed mare, Authenic Deed.

Michael Burns photo

BEAUTIFUL BLISS drew the inside post was taking in the view of the infield when the gates opened. She missed the break, rubbing jockey left knee on the gate on her way out and veering inward for the first several strides. She got straightened out and started chasing after the leading trio. She caught them midway around the turn, but she was still inside and there was no room, so her rally was stopped and she had to check off their heels. Boxed in, she desperately wanted to go, but her chance didn't come until the final furlong. She was able to move off the rail and once clear, she lengthened her stride and gamely went after the leader. She gobbled up ground and got up to win by a neck in an amazing performance for a first time starter.

BEAUTIFUL BLISS was bred in Kentucky by Sally Anderson and she was produced by the Navarone mare, Brief Bliss. She is trained by Michael Stidham.

Four Footed Fotos

IWANTTOBELIEVE broke from the gate like a pro and quickly settled into the outside stalking position just off the flank of the leaders. She kept pace around the turn and was ready to challenge at the top of the stretch. As one of the pacesetters began to falter, IWANTTOBELIEVE launched her effort to catch the other. Digging in with every stride, she took the lead in the final hundred yards and crossed under the wire a half-length best. Final time was :52 3/5.

IWANTTOBELIEVE is trained by Steve Asmussen. Bred in Kentucky by Kim Nardelli, Rodney Nardelli and John Clarke, she was produced by the Lord At War (ARG) mare, Swear to Me.

Michael Burns photo

Our 3-year-old filly set the pace and defeated all but the winner, finishing two lengths back. She has now earned $74,807.

“When FRIESAN FIRE grabbed a quarter in the Kentucky Derby-G1, we felt like he had an excuse for that race,” said Vinery General Manager Tom Ludt. “Going into the Preakness, he seemed like his old self and was training beautifully. When he turned in an uncharacteristic race that day, we became concerned.”

Ludt added that the colt was examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and was found to have a stress fracture in his left front leg. In addition, there is a secondary non-displaced chip fracture in his right front fetlock. He will undergo surgery to repair the chip tomorrow.

FRIESAN FIRE, winner of the LeComte-G3 and Risen Star-G3, turned in one of the most impressive performances of the season when he posted a 7 1/4-length win the Louisana Derby-G2. The son of leading sire A.P. Indy out Grade 1 winner Bollinger will rehabilitate at Vinery’s Kentucky training center.

Breaking from post two in the field of nine, LOVER'S HOUSE got clear of the gate and she was fourth in the early going, racing one off the rail. Another filly dashed up on the inside as the field rounded the far turn and she was forced to go wide to launch her bid. Four were lined up in front of her, so she had to swing into the six path at the top of the stretch. Losing ground mattered not as she quickly flew past them all and galloped off to win easily by five lengths.

LOVER'S HOUSE is trained by Doug O'Neill. Bred in Kentucky by Gulf Coast Farms, LLC, she was produced by the Arch mare, Lovers Bend.

Benoit photo

AUSTRALIAN POSSE was not the first away from the gate, but her natural speed carried her to the lead before the first quarter was completed. She cleared the field and opened up around the turn. Never seriously challenged through the stretch, she cruised on in two lengths best.

Our 3-year-old daugter of POSSE has won or placed in five of her seven starts. Trained by Josie Carroll, she was bred in Kentucky by Thomas/Lakin. She was produced by the Out of Place mare, Out of Oz.

The 3-year-old PEACE RULES colt overcame more that most first time starters are asked to do, breaking from the inside post and going two turns and although he had many green moments, jockey Julian Leparoux rode him with all the confidence of being atop a seasoned veteran.

Showing no early speed, he was allowed to settle and was ninth of ten for the first half-mile. He galloped along down the backstretch and was moved to the outside going into the final turn. He circled the field and you could see he was looking around at the top of the stretch, but Leparoux sat chilly. Asked to go, ARABIAN PEACE closed strongly and he gobbled up ground with every stride. Leparoux never cocked the stick and confidently handrode the colt to the wire, getting up in the final strides to win by a neck. He finished the journey in racehorse time of 1:42.11.

It was a Vinery-sired trifects as MORE THAN READY sons MORETHAN FOURHOURS and NEWPORT filled the place and show spots.

ARABIAN PEACE is trained by Michael Trombetta. Bred in Florida by Lucas Farm Inc., he was produced by the Sheikh Albadou (GB) mare, Memory Rock.

by Graham Ross
NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 14, 2009) – Vinery Stable and Fox Hill Farm’s FRIESAN FIRE has stood in the shadow of his stable mate Old Fashioned all winter, but may have emerged from behind the curtain with his dominant 7 1/4-length win in the 96th running of the $600,000 Grade II Louisiana Derby Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Saturday’s Louisiana Derby tally, which was the largest margin of victory in Fair Grounds’ signature race since 1963, completed FRIESAN FIRE's sweep of Fair Grounds’ three graded races for sophomores on the Triple Crown trail, which began with the Grade III Lecomte Jan. 10 and the Grade III Risen Star Feb. 7.

FRIESAN FIRE, ridden by Gabriel Saez and trained by Larry Jones, pressed the pace of California invader Papa Clem, took command in upper stretch and drew off steadily the rest of the way.

He became the first horse to sweep Fair Grounds’ series since Dixieland Heat accomplished the feat in 1993 and Line in the Sand was awarded the sweep through a disqualification in 1992.

“He was awesome the way he was going so smooth early,” said Saez. “He made me so confident. When I asked him to go – he did it so easy I can’t explain it.”

A son of 1992 Horse of the Year A. P. Indy, FRIESAN FIRE paid $6.40, $4.20 and $3, toured the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.46, and increased his career earnings to $603,265 with his fourth win in seven lifetime starts.

After Papa Clem set early splits of 24.12 and 48.75, he could not stay with the winner late but gamely held the runner-up spot, returning $4.80 and $4.20 while holding of the late-running Terrain by a head. Terrain paid $5.20 to show.

“Papa Clem was the horse we were really worried about,” said assistant trainer Cindy Jones, who saddled FRIESAN FIRE while her husband Larry saddled Old Fashioned, who finished second as the odds-on favorite in Oaklawn’s Rebel Stakes 80 minutes after the Louisiana Derby. “When we pulled away from Papa Clem so easily, I knew we had it won.

“I followed the trainer’s instructions completely,” said Cindy Jones. “I dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’ just like he told me to do. Maybe people will start paying attention to this horse a little more after the way he ran today.”

Reached by telephone at Oaklawn where he watched the race on television, Larry Jones gently chided his wife.

“I thought he could have run much better if I was there,” laughed Jones. “But seriously, we’re very happy with (FRIESAN FIRE's) performance. We’re improving every race.”

FRIESAN FIRE is a Vinery homebred and he was produced by the Group 1 winning Dehere mare, Bollinger.

Lou Hodges Jr. photo

A field of thirteen lined-up and FRIESAN FIRE was right in the middle of the pack in post six. He showed good early speed from the inside and was anxious to go on as he entered the clubhouse turn. Jockey Gabriel Saez took a good hold and asked him to settle. He responded in a few strides and took up a stalking position a length and a half off the pacesetters. He continued to gallop along down the backstretch and around the turn. He was ready to pounce at the top of the stretch and when Saez pushed the button, he responded immediately. Moving between foes, he powered his way to the lead and drew off with complete authority to win by two lengths.

"He's getting better each time he runs," said trainer Larry Jones. "We had some questions with him that had to be answered and he did that today. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing from now on. We still haven't gotten to the bottom of this horse but we're going to shoot for the Louisiana Derby next month now."

"I had horses on both sides of me," said Saez. "When it opened up, I ran past both those horses and kept the pressure on."

FRIESAN FIRE is the first horse to sweep both major preps for the Louisiana Derby since 1994. He has three wins, one second and one third in his six career starts and he has earned $243,265. He was produced by the Group 1 winning Dehere mare, Bollinger (AUS).

Lou Hodges, Jr. photos

Our son of A. P. Indy was away sharply from the inside post in the field of eight, but others wanted the lead so jockey Gabriel Saez took hold and asked him to rate behind horses around the first turn. Responding kindly, FRIESAN FIRE galloped along easily down the backstretch, stalking the leaders from a length and one-half away. He began to wind up his run around the final turn and he took the lead with an outside move as the field straightened away for the drive. He opened up a clear lead and kept on running to the wire to win by a length and one-half. His final time of 1:37.67 was less than a tenth of a second off the stakes record.

"He did well," said trainer Larry Jones, who won the Lecomte for the second time in three years. "He broke well and got to relax between horses. (Saez) took him out and he finished up the race. This was just what we wanted."

FRIESAN FIRE is a Vinery homebred and he is the second foal from the G1 winning Dehere mare, BOLLINGER (AUS). Her first foal, the 4-year-old Gone West filly Grande Annee is set to campaign in the United States this season after winning three of her five career starts in Great Britain last season. BOLLINGER also has a yearling filly named CHAMPAGNE RUN by MORE THAN READY.

Lou Hodges, Jr. photo

After tracking Ready to Cruise to the far turn, PEACE TOWN and jockey Julian Pimentel forged to the lead, opening daylight on all but In the Juice in the 1-1/16th mile test. In the Juice rallied inside the leader going to the wire but his effort fell a half-length short. Royal Stare finished third.

PEACE TOWN, a son of PEACE RULES, is trained by Mike Trombetta at Laurel Park. He paid $3.20. The victory was his third in five starts. His previous best against stakes company was a solid second in the Trapp Mountain Stakes at Belmont Park in October.

“The thinking was to get him to relax, which he did pretty good. The rest was just taking him around there,” Pimentel said. “I knew I had a lot of horse. I wasn’t aware that horse was there for a little bit but when he realized it he just took off. He is a nice horse. You can do pretty much anything you’d like with him.”

Pimentel is a perfect three-for-three on the chestnut colt.

“He had a really good work last week,” said assistant trainer Tana Aubrey. “We felt pretty good coming in here.”

PEACE TOWN has three wins and one second in his five career starts and he has earned $88,850. Trained by Mike Trombetta, he was bred in Maryland by Bowman & Higgins Stable. He was produced by the Williamstown mare, Darnestown.

Lydia A. Williams photo

Sitting right off the pace, she moved to challenge coming off the turn and gave her best effort to defeat the filly who had finished second in the Queen's Plate earlier this season. The two match strides and our daughter of D'WILDCAT gamely gave all she had in her runner-up effort. She was three lengths clear of the third place finisher.

AUTHENICAT has won or placed in twelve of her fourteen starts and she has earned $527,860.

Challenged through the opening three-sixteenths, the 2-year-old daughter of POSSE established a two and one-half length lead at the top of the stretch and cantered on in under a hand ride to win by one length with plenty left in the tank.

AUSTRALIAN POSSE was bred in Kentucky by Thomas/Lakin and she was produced by the Out of Place mare, Out of Oz. Placed in her two previous starts, she is trained by Josie Carroll.

PEACE TOWN drew the outside post and stalked down the backstretch and around the turn out in the three path. Wider yet into the stretch when four lined up for the drive, he kicked in and gained a short advantage passing the eighth pole. He was passed by the eventual winner, who got a ground saving inside run the whole trip, but PEACE TOWN never gave up and he dug back in to reduce the margin to a half-length at the finish.

PEACE TOWN has won or placed in three of his four starts and he has earned $58,850. Trained by Michael Trombetta, he was bred in Maryland by Bowman & Higgins Stable. He was produced by the Williamstown mare, Darnestown.

AUTHENICAT has finished in the top two in her last four starts and the top three in nine of her last ten. Our 3-year-old daughter of D'wildcat has now earned $502,603.

The 2-year-old son of A. P. Indy out of G1 winner BOLLINGER trailed the tight pack early and was ready to make his move coming off the turn, but there was a line of horses in front of him. When he did get clear, he care running with good energy to earn the third place spot.

AUTHENICAT was an easy winner of Wednesday's $125,000 Eternal Search Stakes at Woodbine.

In hand through the final 70 yards, the Ontario-bred racked up her third career added-money tally and her second in a row, having entered off a strong Passing Mood score.

After settling in fourth early, the Josie Carroll trainee reeled in her rivals effortlessly on the second turn and opened up impressively for a 3 1/4-length score in the Ontario-sired event.

Nicki Knew finished second and Lady d'Wildcat closed to be third. The Vinery Stables and Fog City Stable's charge traveled 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.12.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY

FRIESAN FIRE was away sharply from post three and he took up the stalking second position down the backstretch. He got closer going into the far turn and took the lead halfway round. Opening up at the top of the stretch, he opened up quickly and galloped strongly to the wire, winning easily by three lengths. FRIESAN FIRE is trained by Larry Jones. The second foal from his dam, his half-sister GRANDE ANNEE won her third straight outing at Royal Windsor on August 23.

GRANDE ANNEE was in the trailing trio for the first five furlongs. Roused to begin the chase, she was making headway two furlongs out and she came flying fast and furious to get up in the final strides to win by a head.

GRANDE ANNEE was raised to nine stone six (132 lbs.) off her previous run, but the added burden did not hinder her continued upward progress. A daughter of Gone West is the first foal from our G1 winning Dehere mare, BOLLINGER (AUS). She finished third in her debut on May 9 at Lingfield, but she has since scored her maiden win at Doncaster going seven furlongs over a good to soft course. The Jeremy Noseda trainee followed that up with a victory going one mile on the good to firm July Course at Newmarket.

PEACE TOWN broke his maiden over a fast track at Delaware Park on June 17. Today's conditions were completely different. The race was delayed several minutes due to torrential downpours that had been in the area all day and the course was a sea of slop and night was falling as they made their way to the gate.

Stumbling at the start, PEACE TOWN was back in fifth after the opening quarter. He moved up to third and was out in the four path as the field came off the final turn. Although it didn't look like he cared much for the going, he determinedly went after the leaders. He had three lengths to make up during the final furlong and he kept coming. He caught the leaders in the final few strides and went on to a three-quarters of a length victory.

PEACE TOWN was bred by the partnership of Bowman and Higgins Stable in Maryland. Trained by Michael Trombetta, he is out of the Williamstown mare, Darnestown.

The 2-year-old son of POSSE broke sharply and immediately engaged in a dual for the lead. He was passed at the top of the stretch, but he wasn't finished. He gamely dug back in, regained the lead and opened up to win by nearly two lengths.

WILD WILD POSSE is trained by Doug O'Neill. Bred in Kentucky by Tanya Lobsiger and Susan Forrester, he is out of the stakes producing Wild Gale mare, Wildwife.

AUTHENICAT returned to the winner’s circle in style, taking Wednesday evening’s $125,000 Passing Mood Stakes at Woodbine.

The three-year-old daughter of D'WILDCAT won by 5 ½ lengths, her first win since taking last year’s Victorian Queen Stakes by 5 ¾ lengths.

Originally slated for seven furlongs on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, heavy rains in the Toronto area over the past few days saw the race contested at seven panels over Woodbine’s Polytrack.

Miss Juicey, who came into the Passing Mood off an authoritative 7 ¼-length allowance triumph on July 6, carved out early fractions of :23.05 and :45.60.

Turning for home, AUTHENICAT, sent off as the second choice at 5-2, utilized a quick turn of foot to gain command at the top of the stretch and then opened up on her rivals down the lane.

Miss Juicey was second, while mutuel favourite Anne’s Purse was third.

The final time for seven furlongs on the ‘Poly’ was 1:23.19.

“She’s a talented filly,” said winning rider Robert Landry, who celebrated his first Passing Mood triumph. “She’s been sick and Josie (trainer Carroll) did a tremendous job to get her right. She was spot-on tonight.”

AUTHENICAT, owned by Vinery Stables and Fog City Stables, won her fourth race in what was her eleventh career start.

“We could hardly keep her on the ground yesterday and we had to gallop her this morning,” said Carroll, of the chestnut Ontario-bred who has never contested a race on the grass. “She was just so full of herself. When she’s like that, you know she’s going to show up.”

AUTHENICAT returned $7.90, $3.50 and $2.50, combining with Miss Juicey ($4.30, $3.10) for a $38.20 exactor. Anne’s Purse ($2.70) rounded out a $97.70 triactor.

LANTANA MOB is a closer and there was little speed up front to chase. The leader took them through a quarter in :22 4/5 and the half in a tepid :46 1/5. He gave it his best through the stretch and came within a length and one-quarter of the winner.

Our son of POSSE has never failed to bring home a check in ten career starts. A multiple graded stakes winner, he has five victories, been second once and third twice for lifetime earnings of $333,298.

The chestnut colt was away sharply and tracked the leaders from the outside for the run down the backstretch. Staying out in the three path around the turn, he dashed away from his foes at the top of the stretch and won easily. He continued to gallop out strongly past the wire in a very strong performance.

PEACE TOWN is trained by Michael Trombetta. Bred in Maryland by the partnership of Bowman and Higgins Stable, he is the first foal from the multiple stakes-placed Williamstown mare, Darnestown.

by Tom Law
Vinery Stable’s LANTANA MOB benefited from a perfectly timed ride, unleashed a furious rally around the far turn and into the stretch, and powered to a near track record-setting victory in the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes (G3) on the Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

The three-year-old POSSE colt won the six-furlong Hirsch Jacobs by a neck over Silver Edition in 1:09.10 on the fast track. Northern Wolf holds the six-furlong track record at Pimlico of 1:09, set in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash in August 1990.

“He was able to sit off the pace today, which is what we wanted,” said Tom Ludt, president of Vinery Stables. “I thought it was very impressive to close down there. They haven’t been closing too well today from what I’ve saw today, so to do that was pretty special.”

LANTANA MOB won three of seven starts as a two-year-old for trainer Steve Asmussen, including the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park, but closed the season with losses in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and Favorite Trick Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Monmouth.

Rested after finishing third in the Favorite Trick, LANTANA MOB returned to win the Bachelor Stakes on April 6 at Oaklawn Park in 1:09.42.

“After the [Favorite Trick] we sent him home to the farm for some rest,” Ludt said. “The way he’s matured, he’s really grown up.”

Force Freeze, runner-up to LANTANA MOB in the Bachelor in his only career defeat, set the quick early pace of :22.86 for the opening quarter-mile with Indy Joe, Sheeler, and Silver Edition in close pursuit. Force Freeze still led after a half in :45.17, but Silver Edition and jockey Edgar Prado pounced on the early leader at the top of the stretch and set sail for the wire.

LANTANA MOB closed from nearly five lengths back under Robby Albarado after the half and picked off rivals in the stretch to the surprise of Prado, but not to Albarado.

“They were going quick up front,” Albarado said. “We bided our time and let things unfold. We didn’t get by until three jumps from the wire but I knew I had him.”

“I can’t believe he got beat,” Prado said. “I knew [LANTANA MOB] was gaining on me, but when I took the lead I though I was clear.”

Force Freeze hung on gamely to finish third, a length behind the runner-up.

Bred in Kentucky by Thomas/Burleson/Visagie, LANTANA MOB has won five of nine career starts and earned $309,048. He is out of the Copelan mare Lantana.

MJC/Jim McCue photo

AUTHENICAT, the 3-year-old daughter of D'WILDCAT was making her seasonal debut. She prompted the early pace, took the lead in the stretch but got a little tired and was caught late in the stretch by the eventual winner, who was making her fourth start of the season. AUTHENICAT finished a length back at the wire. The stakes winning filly takes her lifetime bankroll to $220,300.

LANTANA MOB drew the rail and let the speed go on after a clean break. Drawing closer with an outside run around the final turn, he took aim on the leader at the top of the stretch. The colt in front was not stopping and fought back when LANTANA MOB drew even inside the eighth pole. The Vinery colorbearer got the best of his frontrunning foe nearing the wire and a one length victory was his.

LANTANA MOB has a career record of four wins, one second and one third in eight starts and he has earned $249,048. Bred in Kentucky by Thomas, Burleson and Visagie, he is out of the Copelan mare, Lantana.

CALL THE POSSE was away sharply from her outside post and she settled into a tracking position, never letting the leaders get too away. Closing the gap around turn, the lead was hers at the top of the stretch. She quickened when jockey David Clark asked and she opened up a three length lead passing the eighth pole. She maintained her advantage to the wire and galloped on in under a hand ride.

CALL THE POSSE is trained by Josie Carroll and she has earned $75,001.

AUTHENICAT proved she's the real deal with a runaway victory in Wednesday's $125,000 Victorian Queen Stakes at Woodbine.

Owned by Vinery Stables and Fog City Stables Inc., the two-year-old filly slipped through an opening along the fence near the five-sixteenths pole, seized command by the quarter pole and widened her advantage all the way to the wire, where she was 5 3/4 lengths in front of D'WILD LADY.

LADY D'WILDCAT closed late to finish third, capping off a triactor sweep for stallion D'WILDCAT. Authenticat traveled six furlongs in a 1:09.81.

The victory, which increased her earnings to $161,000, was the second straight open-length victory for the Ontario-bred chestnut, who captured a 6 1/2-furlong first-level allowance dash on September 6.

Jockey Patrick Husbands, who celebrated his 20th stakes win of the season, said the key to the filly's improved form has been a willingness to relax.

"In the last six weeks, this horse has really turned it around and relaxed. That was one of the biggest problems this filly had. When you breeze her, all she wanted to do was go, go, go and then she burned herself out," said Husbands. "She showed she was a class filly."

Winning trainer Josie Carroll said her team has spent many a morning trying to help AUTHENICAT, who is now 3-for-5, harness her ability.

"The credit for that has to go to my exercise people. They worked very, very hard at getting this filly to relax. She did the job," said Carroll. "She's a beautiful moving filly. We've thought that from the beginning. I'd certainly hope she would go around two turns, the way she did that today."

The Victorian Queen is an added-money event for Ontario-sired fillies.

AUTHENICAT returned $7.90, $6.20. $3.60, combining with D'WILD LADY ($11, $6.30) for a $75.70 exactor. LADY D'WILDCAT ($3.60) rounded out a $290.80 triactor.

Michael Burns photo

The 2-year-old daughter of D'WILDCAT broke crisply for the gate and went straight to the lead. Pressured down the backstretch, she disposed of the rival and began to open up around the turn. She took a two length lead into the stretch and as the closers came calling she increase her margin to three lengths at the wire.

AUTHENICAT has now has two wins and a second in four starts and she has earned $81,239. Trained by Josie Carroll, she was bred in Ontario by Gail Wood. She is out of the stakes-producing Alydeed mare, Authenic Deed.

LANTANA MOB, who won the Tyro Stakes earlier this season, validated that form at Monmouth Park Sunday as he captured the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) in convincing fashion before a closing day crowd of 16,184, third largest of the 2007 summer season.

LANTANA MOB, trained by Steve Asmussen, became the third winner of the day for jockey Stewart Elliott as he gunned the POSSE colt through the stretch to finish three and a quarter lengths in front of Preachin Man. Z Humor, the even-money favorite who trailed for most of the six-furlong race, rallied to be third in the field of seven 2-year-olds, three lengths farther back.

The winner, off as second choice, paid $8.60, $5.60 and $2.60 across the board after stepping the distance in 1:09 4/5. Preachin Man, a 10-1 shot, completed the $60.80 exacta and paid $9.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Z Humor paid $2.40 to show.

This was the third lifetime score in five starts for LANTANA MOB, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June, and then won the Tyro Stakes here in July. He earned a prize of $90,000 for owners Vinery Stables & Tom Ludt, bringing his career bankroll to $171,548.

"He broke sharp and relaxed very well," Elliott said. "We were able to sit just off the pace and behind a couple of horses. Once I eased him out, he knew exactly what to do and just took off."

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

LANTANA MOB, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Stewart Elliott, captured the Tyro as the 6-5 favorite and is now a candidate for the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) to be run here on Sept. 2.

The winner, a son of POSSE, broke loose from the pack around the turn and asserted himself in the stretch as he went on to a length and a half victory over Spanky Fishbein. Run Sully Run was third in the field of seven 2-year-olds, five lengths farther back.

LANTANA MOB raced the five and a half furlongs in 1:03 4/5, and paid $4.40, $2.60 and $2.20 across the board. He topped an $11 exacta with Spanky Fishbein, the second choice at 2-1.

The colt, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June, was coming off a fourth in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park.

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

AUTHENICAT was out of the gate with the field and was just off the leaders in the race down the backstretch. She moved to challenge on the outside going into the final turn. She came off the turn the clear leader, opened up and had enough left to hold off the closers and win by a neck.

AUTHENICAT is trained by Josie Carroll and she was ridden to victory by Patrick Husbands. Bred in Ontario by Gail Woods, she is out of the stakes-producing Alydeed mare, Authenic Deed.

Part of the mad dash after the break, LANTANA MOB was taken back to let the early runners slug it in out. He improved his position around the turn and was ready to take on the leaders at the top fo the stretch. He hooked-up with the pacesetter, took over passing the eighth pole and kept right on going to the wire, finishing nearly four lengths best.

LANTANA MOB is trained by Steve Asmussen. Bred in Kentucky by Thomas/Burleson/Visagie, he is out of the Copelan mare, Lantana.