NEWS
Too Many Toyz, Soldier’s Dancer shine at Calder
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:06 PM
TOO MANY TOYZ
Jim Lisa photo
by Ron Parker
Too Many Toyz and Soldier’s Dancer were among the standouts at Calder Race Course on Saturday as the track hosted its Florida Million card, which featured eight stakes races restricted to Florida-breds worth a combined $1.2-million in purses.
The $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap drew It’s a Bird, a career earner of more than $1.1-million who was sent off as the 7-to-10 favorite. It’s a Bird took the lead on the backstretch but he could not hold off Too Many Toyz, who challenged the favorite in an exciting stretch duel before edging clear for a one-length victory (video).
“Of course, the horse to beat was It’s a Bird and I was very worried when he made the lead and slowed the pace down, but I had confidence in my horse,” winning jockey Carlos Olivero said. “And I knew if I put him in position, he would give me an honest effort.”
Trained by Luis Olivares for owner Osed, the six-year-old Northern Afleet horse covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.88 on a track rated as fast.
Also on the card, Herman Heinlein’s Soldier’s Dancer rallied gamely in the stretch to seize command late and post a half-length victory in the $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap. Ridden by jockey Manoel Cruz, the five-year-old Lost Soldier gelding completed the 1 1/8-mile trip in 1:48.91 on firm turf (video).
The Bonnie Heath Turf Cup was the tenth career stakes victory for Soldier’s Dancer, who increased his lifetime earnings to $1,503,780 with 12 wins in 32 starts.
“He’s all class and heart,” trainer Dave Vivian said. “I’ve said it before. He’s the best horse I’ve had in 60 years [of] training.”
Buongiorno A Tutti Stable’s Sweet Repent took the lead in early stretch and drove clear for a 3¼-length victory in the $200,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares (video).
Trained by Dave Braddy and ridden by Manoel Cruz, the three-year-old Repent filly covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.74 on the main track.
In the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap, 4-to-5 favorite Pashito the Che battled with Prince Joshua in a thrilling stretch duel before posting a game neck victory under jockey Eibar Coa (video).
Trained by Scott Lake for owners Tuna Stable and Off the Hook, the three-year-old Flatter colt covered six furlongs in 1:11.44 to secure his fourth career stakes victory.
The Florida Million card also included four stakes races for two-year-olds, two at seven furlongs on the main track and two at 1 1/16 miles on the turf course.
Jacks Or Better Farm’s homebred Hear Ye Hear Ye rallied from off the pace under Jeffrey Sanchez for a 1¾-length victory in the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile Stakes for two-year-olds (video). Trained by Stanley Gold, the Hear No Evil colt covered seven furlongs in 1:25.39 on a track rated as fast to prevail at odds of 20.60-to-1.
In the $150,000 Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies Stakes, Gem Racing’s homebred Carphonic, an 8¼-length winner in her debut on October 11 at Calder, remained undefeated for trainer William White (video). The Lion Heart filly drew clear late for a three-length win, covering seven furlongs in 1:26.57 under jockey Luis Arango.
J D Farms’ homebred Bim Bam took the lead at the top of the stretch under jockey Eibar Coa and charged home for a one-length victory while setting a stakes record of 1:41.73 for the 1 1/16 miles in the $100,000 Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf Stakes (video).
The Deputy Wild Cat colt, trained by David Brownlee, was making his first start on turf after winning two of six starts on Calder’s main track. He won the Foolish Pleasure Stakes in September and finished third in each of the three divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes series.
Craig Wheeler’s Wild Mia, sent off at 28.80-to-1 odds in the ten-horse field, rallied from off the pace for a one-length victory in the $100,000 John Franks Juvenile Turf Stakes for two-year-old fillies (video).
Trained by Pete Anderson, the Wildcat Heir filly completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.53 under Antonio Gallardo to score the upset win.
For Equibase charts, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
