Rondure comes up a bit short at Turfway Park

 The now four-year-old colt Rondure started his 2023 campaign at Turfway Park with the red-hot jockey Rafael Hernandez in the saddle.

After winning and looking impressive in the Marine Stakes at Woodbine on July 2, 2022, Rondure hasn't had his picture taken since that time.  On March 30th in the 5th race at Turfway park, the Katerina Vassilieva trainee debuted with a very impressive run which should set him up for brighter things.  After settling mid-pack of the runners, Hernandez made a move around the front runners very close to the home stretch but just couldn't get by the eventual winner Chantry Flats who was sharp and ready for the challenge.

Rondure seen here with a 2nd place effort.

This contest was a $78,000 Allowance claiming race with some very good runners battling for the prize.  Rondure looks good for the future and gained an eye-popping 108 Equibase speed figure.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Surprise Boss left an exclamation mark on the rest of the field

 On Sunday March 19th Trevor McCarthy got on the back of Surprise Boss in the fifth race at Aqueduct in a six furlong allowance race with a purse of $82,000.

It was the first race for the year for Surprise Boss who is a four year old son of War Dancer.  Surprise Boss started well and was ridden to the lead by Trevor McCarthy without hesitation.  His four previous starts, Surprise Boss came up short and finished in 9th place in the race before March 19th which probably led handicappers and the public to dismiss him from having a chance of winning the race.

Photo by MJC Twitter

When the race broke and the horses came out of the gate, Surprise Boss was at odds of 35-1 and finished at just that receiving the top prize with McCarthy aboard.  Trevor McCarthy rode a beautiful race and didn't give up on him keeping his head down for the almost entire trip until finishing the race.

Surprise Boss paid Win $73.20 Place $31.20 Show $8.50

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

The speedy Woodbine shipper Rockcrest attracts Luis Saez at Gulfstream Park in the Silks Run Stakes

Rockcrest tried Tampa Bay on February 18, 2023, fresh after valentine's day.  Him being a gelding, found no love in the Turf Dash stakes and saw the entire field with regular jockey Keveh Nicholls.

On Saturday March 18 in the 11th race, Rockcrest will try Florida once again this time at Gulfstream park in a five furlong stakes.  Luis Saez will be onboard while Keveh Nicholls isn't entered with a ride on this day.  

Rockcrest on August 11, 2022

Rockcrest has a career record of 23 starts with 4 first-place victories and 5 seconds.

The six-year-old gray still shows flashes of speed but has his hands full for this contest.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com

Woodbine trainer Tedston Holder shows his value in the 2023 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold cup.

You won't see his name within the credits but prior to the grade one Sandy Lane Barbados Gold cup Tedston Holder spent six weeks in Florida prepping It's A Gamble for the prestigious Sandy Lane Barbados Gold cup which runs every first Saturday in March in Bridgetown Barbados. 

Tedston Holder poses with the Gold cup

Building off his best year as a trainer at Woodbine racetrack, Tedston Holder showed earlier value when prepping So Suave which was shipped to Barbados and then went on to win the grade one Coolmoore stakes.  After speaking with the trainer of So Suave, Jean-Marc Cozier.  He assured me that Tedston Holder is the man who will make things happen and clearly after prepping the winners of the last two prestigious races in Barbados there is some truth to that.

Four weeks into prepping It's A Gamble, Tedston Holder was quite confident that he would win.

He liked what he was seeing and with the combination of Rochelle Hale who is an equine therapist but acted as groom in Florida.  It's A Gamble confidence grew with every moment leading into the Gold Cup. 

Rochelle Hale poses with It's A Gamble

Tedston Holder was so confident that he encouraged a small entourage to travel to Barbados for the race with him. Obviously, they were rewarded with a great experience and the excitement which surrounded the entire day of racing.

derek.barntrack@gmail.com