The 2015 KY Derby Trophy is going down under with the stellar victory by top filly Hagrid's Backhand. Though Perfect Summer put in a perfect effort, she could not overcome the loose top dirt of the track and heavy traffic from her 14 competitors. Summer showed her powerful closing kick to take 3rd in a photo with Spartan's Theorist.

Summer wasn't the only one having issues on Derby Day as Hagrid's Backhand, Om (2), Microsecond (6), and Chaos Theory (9) all came up lame during post-race checks. Though the injuries appear to be minor all 4 can be expected to sit out the Preakness. Theorist came out soundly, but is also expected to bypass Pimlico. Owner Ryan was overheard stating his colt will rest in favor of next month's Belmont Stakes.

"Perfect Summer returned prancing and will ship to Pimlico as planned" started owner Tia. "I'm a bit leery about the stamina of some of the others, but I think Summer can handle it" she said while eying her filly from across the paddock, "Summer is bred for this...we just hit some bad racing luck, is all."  The Circle F contingent will depart for Maryland in the morning. This finish gives Perfect Summer BC Classic points in addition to her allotment for the Distaff and Dirt Mile. Sire Perfect Goer is currently #35 on the Top Sires-Season list and is one of 4 listed with 15 or fewer foals.

Press-time Pre-entries for the Preakness include Beyond (previously met in the FL Derby) and Oracle of Omaha (met in the KY Derby) as well as Fanfulla da Lodi and Prime Evil. At press time Perfect Summer was the only filly pre-entered - only handful of fillies have won the Preakness. Can Perfect Summer bring the Woodlawn Vase back to KY for Circle F?

Other runs saw a disappointment for Gangadhar Rao who can be expected to sit out the summer and possibly fall while he matures. Cajun Sunrise scratched from an off track and will start just as soon a suitable race can be found for her. Swain's Gold brought in a 2nd in the G3 fort Macy HDCP at Aqueduct finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind Valley Doll, a grey daughter of Skim The Hill who is looking to be very "on" this season with 5: 2-1-1-1. Though Swain's Gold carried 4 pounds less than the winner, he gave 10 to the show horse who finished another 5 lengths back.

Week 11 pre-entries:

Perfect Summer: G1 Preakness Stakes
Pawn to Queen: Jungle Dawn Classic (Ascot)
 Light Touch: Doomben Stakes
Perfect Charmer: Lord Stakes (Caulfield)
Aquia Harbor: Memorial Day HDCP (Mountaineer)
Livewire: Ohio Valley HDCP (Mountaineer) *Meeting Diggin Duggin (RMR-Marscay's Princess)

KY Derby contender Taco Storm is pre-entered to a G2 at Belmont.
KY Derby winner Hagrid's Backhand will face Summer's half-sister Blackfoot in a G1 at Hollywood later in the month.
Summer's "cousin" Round Robin is pre-entered in a G2 over turf.
KY Oaks contender Slipstream is pre-entered in a G1 at Tokyo opposite Gravedigger
KY Derby contender Chaos Theory is pre-entered in a G1 at Santa Rosa at the end of May.

Results:

Pawn to Queen - Ruabon Sprint: 7f over Ascot's Firm Turf with 1 month layoff to finish 4th of 6 with PSR 73. She got off to a late start, was bumped by the winner, was blocked twice, and still managed to finish closing. Very happy she came back sound (so sound she was veritably prancing off the track). This is her best PSR to date and I have to wonder if she can get a mile.

Perfect Charmer - Placid Ark Stakes: 6f over Ascot's Firm-to-Good Turf for 4th of 5 and PSR 73. 1 1/2 months seems to be a nice interval for him, but he may not care overmuch for the circular layout. Broke sharp, was blocked in stretch, and finished closing with stamina to spare. May be peaking.

Amaterasu - Cooper Stakes: 5f fast dirt to finish 3rd of 20 in this repeat at Santa Anita. Breaking from the far outside, she ran 4+-wide the whole way and was closing when she got lapped at the wire. Improved PSR of 76 wasn't enough to win the photo for Place. Came back sound and prancing. 

Livewire - Allowance: WIN over 4.5f Fast Dirt at Shenandoah; 2nd career win, 3rd highest PSR to date. She obviously likes the track and the distance and might just wind up finishing out the season in Virginia. Off sharp, she got into an early speed duel, but gave no quarter to finish a neck on top with PSR 100 and within 0.66 of the TR. VERY pleased with this run!

Bluegrass Thorn - G3 Derby Trial: Finished 4th of 9 over 8f Fast Dirt at Churchill Downs for an auspicious start to our Derby Week. Initially pointed to the KY Derby, he hasn't peaked in time to be a serious contender; he made a fine showing in this G3 though. Ran clean, lapped in the stretch, but managed to rally again for PSR 97 - Best PSR to date. Long legs and big lungs, but needing a bit more time, we're hoping his sister takes the hint on Saturday. Now that he's had time to acclimate to the ruckus, he'll stay at the backside to provide some calm for Summer (who vanned up with Sassy and Sultan during the Oaks while the masses were otherwise "engaged").

Being a local farm and having a string of 4 to stable at the Downs I managed to call in a favor and get a small out-of-the-way barn for my runners. It's cut the ruckus to an extent, but it hasn't done much to keep the media away. Summer is ready; our main concern now is making sure she doesn't overwork herself before the race. Sultan will run a few days later, then the boys will van home and the girls will go on to Pimlico.


*G1 KY Oaks

1-Vengeful Miss, filly by Revenge x Arab Miss (Sheikh Albadou) *G2 San Felipe winner with career Top PSR 114
2-The Italian Job, filly by Revenge x Midas Miss (King Midas) *G1 Ashland Stks winner, Top PSR=112 (G2 8.5 2/9) - ( inj)
3-Fiery Camena, filly by All For Dansilver x Lady Lava (Tahkodha Hills) *TR at 8.5, Top PSR=115, Sanita Anita Oaks winner
4-War of the Lilies, filly by War Machine x Southern Charm (Silver Charm) *2014 BC Juvi, 2014 Top 2 y/o Filly, No wins @ 3. Top PSR 114 (G1, 10.5)
6-Queen's Carousel, filly by Take A Gander x Forest Fae (Ibero) *maiden, 1 start on dt (G1 9f fin 2/9 for career best PSR=106 [2nd in FL Derby])
9-Inane, filly by Dawn Patrol x Informative (Squirtle Squirt) *MGSW, top PSR=112 (G3 5.5 1/18 @2) pulled 100 over 9f @3
10-Storm Center, filly by Machete x Storm Chaser (Storm Cat) *Maiden, 2nd in the G1 Ashland with PSR 109 over 8.5f. Has the pedigree and the speed to be a threat

Congratulations to Chickensmack on their Quinella! Note, too, that both fillies are by Revenge. Winning time was 0.68 behind the TR sent in the 2007 BC Distaff by Pegasus Song.



Week 10 Entries:

Perfect Summer - G1 KY Derby
Gangadhar Rao - Three Chimney's Juvenile
Swain's Gold - G3 Fort Macy HDCP *may be changed
Cajun Sunrise - Allowance (Shenandoah)


KY Derby Preview

Pre-entries:

+Perfect Summer, filly by Perfect Goer x Junebug (Jeune) *FL Derby winner, Top PSR 112 (G2/G3, 8.5) 
+Hagrid's Backhand, filly by Run Missy Run x Causality (Giant's Causeway) *MG1W, TR at 8 and 10f, top PSR=119
+Chaos Thoery, colt by Big N' Rich x Kagura (Sequalo) *Blue Grass winner, MG1W, top PSR 104 (G1, 9.0)
+Flash the Cash, colt by Smart Money x Very Classy (Sky Classic) *No wins at 3, Top PSR=110 (G1 10.5f fin 3/16)
+Om, colt by Dubai Gold x Broken Dream (Stephen Got Even) *MGSW, Top PSR 109 (G3, 8.5)
+Oracle of Omaha, colt by Braveheart x DrivingMissDaisy (Danehill) *UAE Derby winner, Top PSR 109 (G3, 8.5)
+Fanfulla da Lodi, colt by Mr Purler x Borgata Romana (Fields Of Omagh) *dual surface threat, Wood Memorial winner
+Chaos Theory, colt by Bug N' Rich x Kagura (Sequalo) *MG1W, top PSR=104 (G1, 9F)
+Microsecond, colt by Thunder Arctic x Go For Broke (Anees) *G2W, Top PSR=109 (G1 10.5 4/16)
Taco Storm, colt by Taco Bell x Silent Storm (Storm Cat) *Maiden, Top PSR 107 (G2 9.0 2/9), seems immature *Supplemented
Folia a Deux, colt by Machete x Delusional (Montjeu) *winner, Top PSR 101 (Ung, 8.5) *Supplemented
Secret Weapon, colt by Take A Gander x No Secret (Conquistador Cielo) *MGSW, Top PSR 109 (G3, 8.5) *Supplemented
Theorist, colt by Big N' Rich x Visionary (Vision And Verse) *1 win at 2, Top PSR 94 (G2, 9f, 2/15 @ 2) *Supplemented



Eligible, not yet entered:

Random Kindness, filly by Our Differences x Domestic Wildcat (Ecton Park) *Dual surface, top dt PSR=109 (G2 7.5 fin 2/9)

+Molecular, colt by Memcay x Imogen White (Beat Hollow) *Turf Champ, 1 start with win at heavy 10 dt @ 2
+Fast And Furious, colt by Braveheart x Tora Tora Tora (Bertrando) *G3 Louisiana Derby winner, dual surface, top dt PSR=103 (G3, 9.0 fin 2/5)



Supplemental Nominations:

Felix Felix, colt by Felix of France x Pleasant Fionna (Behrens) *No wins @3, Top PSR 100 (G3 Holy Bull 8.5 2/14)


+ indicates both eligible (per earnings leader-board) and that owner stated an intent to start.

The last couple of weeks have been a marked disappointment for us with limited exception.

Week 7: 5:0-0-0

"Sultan" came in 5th, though with an improved speed eval and enough ESR to make us think he can get 6f. He also MUCH prefers Santa Anita to Shenandoah - a slight problem as most 2yo runs are at the latter.

Livewire came back last, though sound. No real excuses except that she was outclassed. Glad she can get 6.5, though. This will, in all likelihood, be her last season at the track. We're seriously considering pairing her with a stud we're currently eying for purchase.

Prince Stephen is the odd duck out this week...AR fail, mayhaps? This "Sprinter" gave his best finish to date with a ESR to make us think Miler. He's doing well on a 1-1.5 month interval, but it looks like 2 months to a 7f will be his next best chance at a check.

"Roo" was never really asked (until just over 1f remained :X) but showed a KILLER closing kick. Her speed went from fair to poor, leaving her connections at a loss, but she handled the slop admirably AND with Stamina to spare. Looks like 8f might just be her niche unless her Stamina improves down the line.

"Goldie" got caught napping, but closed quite well to finish with his best ESR of the season. So much for being an 8.5f specialist as he's shown he can get 9 with the right set-up.


Week 8:

Light Touch came in last..again. Likely outclassed as I'm sure she can get the distance. I already know this is her last season I would just like for her to get another win over 6f.  She will likely be seeing Civil War for a 2016 foal, though that may change if we find someone better suited to her.

Astrapios pulled a shocker...I thought he could get distance, but 5th and closing...wow! Nice clean trip and back sound. Very proud of this first run for Roll of Thunder's firstborn (and so far only colt)! (and do my eyes deceive me, or did he go off as the favorite? O_O)

Congratulations to Round Robin on getting his Blacktype, and a Well Done to Blackfoot for her 3rd over slop!


============================================================================================

                    Making the Winners blanket of Stargazer Lilies ------------->>>>>>>




Week 9: KY Oaks

Pre-entries are in and with just over 6 hours to close they are...

*Blue Streaker - this maiden posted her best PSR's over 8.5 dirt and 11 turf. She has talent, but she's outclassed in this field
*Crown on the Troll - another maiden, this one showing a preference for sprints. Might be a rabbit. Paired entry: Fleeting Glimpse
*Fiery Camena - Santa Anita Oaks winner with a TR in the Davona Dale. Expect her in the money.
*Fleeting Glimpse - 2nd in SA Oaks, looks to be using Crown on the Troll as a rabbit. Paired entrey: CotT
*Frequency - FL Oaks winner. This granddaughter of Cigar, Winning Colors, and Affirmation has talent and the chance to pull an upset. Paired entry: Roman Holiday
*Glitzy Diva - This G3 winner is running a heavy season; hope she has enough gas to match her talent.
*Hagrid's Backhand - MG1W, 2nd in SA Derby with 4 TR. My pick to Win.
*Inane - MGSW. Expect to see her in the money
*Mrs. Rita - This daughter of the great Revenge looks to be having an off season and may just prefer 9.5f+.
*Oprah's Angel - This game filly just missed the 2 y/o Tiara and may prefer Sprints to Classics. No wins at 3 or above 8f. May be a rabbit. Paired entry: Sweet as a Gander
*Rimfire - Silverbulletday winner. Has the class and the pedigree, but may be a little low on speed. Chance to pull an upset.
*Roman Holiday - 2nd in Silverbulletday, 3rd in Ashland. This granddaughter of Silver Charm, Winning Colors, and Seattle Slew has speed and talent, but needs some luck to pull it off. Paired entry: Frequency
*Slipstream - El Camino Real winner. Dual surface threat who was beaten by many of the other entries in last year's BC Juvi Fillies at Churchill - of course a lot can happen between Fall and Spring, but I find this lass unlikely to bring home the Lilies.
*Stigmata - Another maiden. She has the speed, but has been trounced soundly in both the SIlverbulletday and the FL Oaks. Will she be the next Sir Barton?
*Sweet As Gander - An ungraded win at 2 is the only thing separating her from the maidens. She punched her ticket with a 3rd in the FL oaks. Unlikely to be in the money, though probably won't be at the back either. Paired entry: Oprah's Angel.
*White Water - Cicada Stks winner. Her best speed was over 4.5f and she's never run past 7f.

CF Picks: Hagrid's Backhand, Fiery Camena, Inane
Longshot: Frequency
Can Get the Distance, but Needs A Miracle: Mrs. Rita

fwiw Hagrid's Backhand is my pick not just for the 3 y/o Triple Tiara, but also for the NY 3 y/o Fillies Triple...5 races between now and mid-July to get 2 Triples, but I'm sure she can pull it off.


Summer and Sassy have been at our KY branch for the last two weeks and have been seen frolicking like a pair of yearlings in the pasture. Summer clocked a work at the Downs Monday afternoon then vanned back to spend the rest of the week at the farm. They'll ship in Friday afternoon (while everyone is busy watching the Oaks) for Summer's Run for the Roses. With Hagrid's Backhand in the Oaks, we are very confident of Summer's chances. If it rains she'll have an even better shot as she actually prefers slop.

Week 9 will see import Pawn to Queen squaring off against another filly and a colt in the ungraded Ruabon Sprint at Ascot. Contested over 7f turf, we feel she's recovered enough and can get the distance; the small field is gravy. She'll ship with an Assistant Trainer as the senior staff is otherwise engaged stateside - good thing her passport is current!

A last minute entry sees Perfect Charmer also at Ascot. Set to run over 6f turf some 7 days after Queen, Lucky faces 2 other maidens in the ungraded Placid Ark Stakes for a purse of 50,000.

Amaterasu stayed in California to repeat at Santa Anita in the 5f ungraded Cooper Stakes for 2 year-olds. It looks to be a full field, but if she runs as she did last time it won't be an issue. She's currently accompanied by our Senior Assistant Trainer while our Head Trainer is otherwise engaged with Summer's Classics bid.

Livewire is pre-entered in a 4.5f Allowance at Shenandoah on KY Oaks day. She'll ship from our KY base across the Cumberlands and Appalachians with our Head Trainer and a groom, then post race return with the groom as the Head Trainer makes the drive to meet the fillies at Pimlico.

Bluegrass Thorn has been stabled at our KY branch with the fillies and will van up to Churchill Downs ahead of the Oaks crush. He'll square off against 7 other 3 year-olds (including 2 fillies) in the G3 Derby Trial over 1 mile on the dirt track. 1 month layoff is a bit sooner than we were wanting, but the slight drop in distance should compensate nicely for that. The field looks as one that befits a G3 on Derby week, but we feel he is more than up for the task at hand (at hoof?). Owner Tia will watch this one live since she's in KY anyway for Summer's Derby which runs 5 days later.

Derby Bound and Down! Roll on!!!

Perfect Summer earned her blacktype this week with a 1/4 length win in the G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. She topped rival filly War of the Lilies as well as new-gal-to-watch Queen's Carousel to add 450,000 to her winnings. This win puts her squarely in contention for May at Churchill  Downs as well as giving her points for the BC Distaff and Dirt Mile.

Perfect Summer now boasts over a half million in earnings, #2 3 y/o Filly -Season, #4 3 y/o Overall - Season, #3 BC Drt Mile, and #3 BC Distaff rankings. This also elevates Circle F to Top 25 Stables - Season and sire Perfect Goer to #21 Top 100 Stallions - Season. War of the Lilies currently ranks as #1 Top 3 y/o Filly - Season and #3 Top 3 y/o Overall - Season in addition to her various BC points.

"14 lengths back with 4f to go...I about had a heart attack watching that run....O_O What a finish! WOOT!!! KY Derby here we come!!!!" CF Owner Tia was heard to say post-race. "Summer's shipping up this week and will get to play and rest then train at our Bluegrass base before trailering over to the downs...CF's first ever G1 win and it's a homebred...does life get any better?" Perfect Summer will start next in the G1 Kentucky Derby.

This also gives CF stud Perfect Goer his first Blacktype from three crops of racing age. WR setting first crop filly Blackfoot (ex Gorgeous Commander) also won again in the G2 Distaff HDCP at Aqueduct. Blackfoot also has BC Distaff and Dirt Mile points, though she isn't currently in the Top 25 for the Dirt Mile. The fillies first cousin Round Robin (colt by Easy Goer son Big Easy) duked it out this week to finish 2nd in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. When asked about Round Robin Tia stated "Won't be long before he also gets his Black." Round Robin was named by Circle F for breeder Foxies Lodge and is #12 in KY Derby eligability.

Bluegrass Thorn, from PG's 2nd crop, also won this week. Off at even odds he won by 5 1/2 lengths in the UNG Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds. "We've been pointing him to KY as well, but his speed isn't high enough yet for me to think he'd be a serious contender; pity." stated CF's Head Trainer when reached by phone. "Nonetheless, we are very pleased with his win."

CF filly Unforgiv'n bombed in the G3 Louisiana Derby to finish dead last almost 17 lengths off the lead. "Not sure what happened there," said the trainer. "Likely it's due to the track not being Fast, but it may just as be that she's feeling mareish - she tends to forget that she's not in charge here. She'll van up to KY, but only as a pasture buddy for Summer. I know the Boss really wanted to see her run there...ah well." Update- After viewing the footage Tia had this to say: "What was the reasoning behind going 6-wide on the last turn when there was NO ONE in front of her?!?!? I think its time to shop around for a new jockey. As tired as she was coming back that just cements her being Summer's pasture buddy for the rest of Spring. My poor filly..."

2 year old filly Amaterasu brought in a win as well. First foal from either parent, she has a half-brother from Bombed Out's first crop and is also half to Perfect Goer colt Perfect Lad through dam. "1/2 length...will have to watch the replay on that one, but it's always a joy when they win the first time out" said Tia about the filly's maiden race at Santa Anita.

Next week will see Livewire in the Pinon HDCP at Albuquerque, Prince Stephen in the Vulcan Stakes for 3 year-olds at Fair Grounds, Swain's Gold in the G2 El Rincon HDCP over turf and Gangadhar Rao in the William Tell Stks for 2 year-olds both at Santa Anita, and Skip A Roo in a 2 year-old Allowance over a mile of dirt at Shenandoah.



Kentucky Derby/Oaks 2015 Watch-list:

The KY Derby Eligablitiy list shows all 3 y/o's with the necessary Graded earnings to meet the entry regulations regardless of whether those earnings are on dirt or turf. Following find Circle F's Top Derby Contenders as extracted in order from the Eligability list, adjusted for surface and distance preference as reflected by PP, to show the most likely starters at Churchill Downs the first weekend in May.

War of the Lilies, filly by War Machine x Southern Charm (Silver Charm) *2014 BC Juvi, 2014 Top 2 y/o Filly
Perfect Summer, filly by Perfect Goer x Junebug (Jeune) *defeated War of the Lilies in their only matchup to date
Fiery Camena, filly by All For Dansilver x Lady Lava (Tahkodha Hills) *TR at 8.5, Top PSR=115
Hagrid's Backhand, filly by Run Missy Run x Causality (Giant's Causeway) *MG1W, TR at 8 and 10f, top PSR=117
A Photo, colt by A Bus x Polaroid (Affirmation) *Dual Surface, top dirt PSR=100, might not be able to get the distance
Fast And Furious, colt by Braveheart x Tora Tora Tora (Bertrando) *MG3W, top dt PSR=102 (8.5 fin 4/8).
Random Kindness, filly by Our Differences x Domestic Wildcat (Ecton Park) *Dual surface, top dt PSR=100 (G2 8.5 fin 5/9)
Gravedigger, colt by Union Jack x Spiritual (Influent) *Dual, TR on Tf, 1 start on dirt (G2 10 fin 2/11)
Flash the Cash, colt by Smart Money x Very Classy (Sky Classic) *No wins at 3, Top PSR=110 (G1 10.5f fin 3/16)
Microsecond, colt by Thunder Arctic x Go For Broke (Anees) *G2W, Top PSR=109 (G1 10.5 4/16)
The Italian Job, filly by Revenge x Midas Miss (King Midas) *MGSW, Top PSR=112 (G2 8.5 2/9)
Queen's Carousel, filly by Take A Gander x Forest Fae (Ibero) *maiden, 1 start on dt (G1 9f fin 2/9 for career best PSR=106
Inane, filly by Dawn Patrol x Informative (Squirtle Squirt) *top PSR=112 (G3 5.5 1/18 @2) pulled 100 over 9f @3

4 out for a second, 2 fourths, and a fifth with 41,400...I'm ok with this though it would have been nice for Swain's Gold to get his black. Goldy had a nice, clean trip over 8.5 f of yielding Caulfield turf to finish 4th of 7 and came back sound and prancing. He'll start again on the next card in a G2 here in America.

We are vry happy with Cajun Sunrise's first start; 5th of 15 over 2 miles at Shenandoah. She broke well, set up properly, then coasted for most of the race - jockey got caught napping at the top of the stretch, but Sunny showed a powerful closing kick. Taking into account she ran at least 4-wide on all the corners means we are VERY happy, indeed!

Light Touch is being mareish this season; can't seem to decide what distance she wants. 2nd is great for her, especially considereing the winner is a MGSW and most of the rest of field is at least Group placed.

Perfect Charmer picked up yet another 4th place finish...at least it buys the feed. He also pulled his best PSR to date, so I guess I shouldn't complain. He might need a new jockey, though, as he was pushed to a speed duel over the first 7f then got lapped in the stretch. He came back tired, so he'll get a rest.

Bluegrass Thorn was entered with Scratch if No and did just that off of Sam Houston's slow-rated dirt. He'll make another attempt at Fair Grounds in Week 6.

Next week sees races for fillies Perfect Summer, Unforgiv'n, and Amaterasu along with Thorn. Biggest hopes ride with Summer and Sassy at G-level; Amy's is mostly a test run to see where she's at.

If wishes were horses.....we turned a bigger profit this week in the sales ring than we did at the track (ed. Not quite, but close). Perfect Summer had the best finish with a 3rd in the G2 Davona Dale despite being bumped. Equal PSR to her last run, she improved her time for the distance and finished 0.37 behind the winner (who set a new TR in the process). Summer is very "on" and her biggest threat is currently believed to be last year's BC Juvi Fillies winner War of the Lillies. The Eclipse winning daughter of War Machine and Southern Charm is looking very good this season; she is currently ranked as the top 3 year old filly of the season (#2 3 y/o for the season overall).

Next best run was Skip A Roo's 4th in an Allowance at Shendoah. Wanting long and running short, we are very happy with Roo's first start. Unforgiv'n ran her heart out over 8.5 furlongs to finish 5th in the G2 Silverbulletday. Pushed to an early speed duel and run well out of her favored style, she showed her big heart with this game finish and PSR=90. A nice rest then one more shot at G-level before heading up to Kentucky. Prince Stephen finished 7 of 16, but came back sound and with a PSR of 90. He's indicating late bloomer tendencies, not entirely unexpected, so he'll likely van up with the ladies and spend the summer at our KY base then start again in the fall.

Congratulations to Round Robin for his win in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. This elevates PG's nephew (he's by Easy Goer son Big Easy) to MGSW and nearly doubles his career earnings to 390,000. This colt has special meaning for us and it's not just due to bloodlines --  we named him for breeder Foxie!

Fillies Eye Never Sleep and Eighth Heaven have transferred to Touchdown Farms. Copacabana, Roll of Thunder, Leukippe, and Big Tail  have come home to CF. Leukippe will be going to Compass Point at their earliest convenience, though the others will remain available in the Sales Barn.

Week 5 sees pre-entries Light Touch, Swain's Gold, Bluegrass Thorn, Perfect Charmer, and Cajun Sunrise -- 3 Perfect foals all in one week! Goldie is expected to bring something home from Caulfield, Sunny and Lucky will share a card at Shendoah. Light Touch has light competition, and Thorn should be able to stick the distance.

Swain's golden son does it again! Showing his tail to 5 other entrants, "Goldy" won going away over 1 1/16 mile of soft turf at Bay Meadows to post PSR=95. He looked good in the walking ring and amazing on the track as he blew past the field to take the win by almost five lengths. After being blocked twice, bumped, and forced to go four wide at the last corner he was seen prancing and tossing his head on the way back to the barn as if to say "Can I go again?". When asked about his chances in the BC Mile later this year Owner Tia's quick response was "likely not"; after taking some time to realize fully just what her colt had accomplished she acknowledged that she might need to reconsider. Goldie's win puts Circle F into the Top 30 Stables for the Season.

PG colt Perfect Charmer was horribly outclassed at Rosehill to finish almost 17 lengths off the lead. A review of his training and placements is in order and will take place just as son as the exhausted colt has had a chance to recover from his effort.

Week 3 pre-entries sees 4 sent to wave CF's banner in, this, our best season to date. 2 year old filly Skip A Roo sees her first start in an Allowance at Shenandoah. There are 3 other fillies entered including Crista's Wicked Game by BNR. Roo and one other carry "Scratch if No" and the purse is set at 32,000.

Prince Stephen gets another chance later that same day over 4f. He is entered at "No" and is paired with 2 other "No"s and an "OK" as well as 5 additional runners vying for 34,000.

Perfect Summer needs to step up her game as she competes in the G2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream. A top class field of 3 year old fillies should tell us if she can truly handle the Downs come May. One "Scratch if No" and 2 other G-level winners will race for 300,000 in prize money.

It's Big 'N Rich day at the Fairgrounds as Unforgiv'n squares of against her half-sister Laila in the G3 Silverbulletday Stakes. 1 1/16 miles of dirt should be just what the trainer ordered as "Sassy" sets out to earn her berth to Kentucky. We briefly considered the Risen Star, but for now she sticks to other girls (although she did romp over older boys and girls last time out - including 2012 BC Classic Winner Point Taken).  Laila and 2 others sport "Scratch if No", but Sassy will run regardless. One other pre-entrant worth noting is Snowvbank's Amarika - granddaughter to our own Marscay's Princess (RIP) through the Champion race mare Martika. Amarika also sports scratch instructions, but if she runs Owner Tia will likely have a time deciding who to cheer for.

In other news stud Copcabana has failed to meet his reserve at auction and will ship home in a few days. Roll of Thunder, Big Tail,  and Leukippe have also not met reserve though Luke is holding a bid and at least 2 additional stables have made offers on him. Should he fail to sell at auction a deal has been negotiated with new stable Compass Point in Ohio and they may pick him up at their leisure. All remaining CF auctions close in 2 days, though there will likely be more later in the season.

Go, Baby, Go!!

Winning by just over 4 lengths, with a speed rating of 112, 3 y/o filly Perfect Summer becomes the second Graded winner for sire Perfect Goer. Her time of 1:40.45 puts her 0:01.3 behind (PG) filly Blackfoot's WR time for the same distance and 0:00.44 behind the Track Record set by Spanish Midnight in 2003 (both records set at age 3). Summer acomplished this wonderous feat running against a field of older, established, mares - mostly age 4 and 5 with 1 other 3 y/o. Like Sassy, we expect Summer to carry more next time though we are very confident she is up to the task. With this win she gains a spot on numerous leader-boards: KY Derby (14), BC Dirt Mile (10), BC Distaff (8), and Top 3 y/o - Season (10). Summer is our second home-bred to be Graded Placed (with PG colt Perfect Charmer) and our first to be a Graded Winner.

Gangadhar Rao seems to be following sister Unforgiv'n as a later bloomer, though he clearly did not like either Shenandoah or the slow going. He broke well, ran well, and came back sound. He might just need some more time; it'll likely be a bit before he sees his next start. Still very proud of his effort in, this, his maiden start. A review of records confirms that Sassy's TR award is a bit too good to be true, though not by much. Though he was not given credit for it the TR for 11f dirt is actually 2:12.69 and is held by a horse named Faldo (currently at stud for Olmo Dorato). Sassy's 2:13.66 comes within 1 second of that, but close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades. We're sure she'll get it next time as Faldo posted his in May with PSR 117 and Sassy posted hers in January with PSR 111. The current WR for the distance is held by Regal Son with 2:12.01 and PSR 121 (G1, 2010).

Livewire surprised, but only mildly, with a 2nd at Tampa. She posted PSR=85 over 6f of fast dirt and was topped by Fin's MGSW colt. I thought she might get a check, but I didn't expect her to perform quite this well! She came back sound and prancing and seemed to enjoy the atmosphere so she'll likely start again sooner rather then later. Livewire has been offered to former owner JD Kayll as a brood prospect and though he is at a loss for space in his mare shed something may yet develop for Livewire on that front.

Next week will see three more starters; it's likely Perfect Charmer or perhaps Light Touch will be among them, though the "official" starters are undecided as yet.  In breeding news we're eying 3 mares currently at EV, plus a stud we've been watching since last season. Ideally they'll ship in for 2016 foals here at Circle F.

Update: Perfect Charmer will be shipping out to Rosehill Gardens for an ungraded Turf Route. Lucky placed in a G3 at 2 and we feel he's ready for the overseas challenge. We hope for the best from this handsome son of Perfect Goer and BC Champion Tout Charmant. Establish MGSW Swain's Gold is also pre-entered on the turf, though he'll be running closer to home in a G3 at Bay Meadows.

After agonizing over entries and fees we decided to go to Shenandoah to watch Sassy's first start of the season. We were anything but disappointed when she blew home in Track Record time! Just shy of 1 1/2 miles and the place horse was 1 1/4 lengths off -- she won handily and will make her next start a G3. She joins Perfect Summer and Perfect Charmer on the Derby/Oaks trail and time will tell which two will be making the 2 hour drive from our Summer quarters.

We received quite a bit of flak when we first launched in PF; riding our hopes with Revotic and Copacabana. Both wanting long, but being short on wind, many established stables encouraged us to dump both. Some owners wnet so far as to call Revotic "that crap mare" with "no hopes of ever doing anything decent". Suffice to say we now feel quite vindicated in our resolve to keep Unforgiv'n's dam.

Close relation Prince Stephen didn't fare as well at Delta Downs. Since he was bred to be a late handicapper and seems to need a bit more growing time his loss isn't that much of a concern. He'll run a light schedule this year in the hopes of a peak at 4. Light Touch also saw a start this week at Calder. Significantly outclassed we already know this will be her last season. She is tentatively booked to our own Civil War for a 2016 foal.

Week 2 pre-entries sees the return of Livewire and Perfect Summer and the inaugural start of Ganghadar Rao. Sultan has been nominated to the 2015 2 yo Tipping series; not something we take lightly. He's training quite well over both dirt and turf and seems to be comming near peak rather early on. Livewire is an experienced runner rated best at Dirt Sprints. A 4.5f Allowance at Shenandoah should be just what the trainer ordered; even if it is against 3  3yo colts (who are all entered with Scratch instructions). Livewire may go either way next season (track or shed), depending on how this season pans out for her, though I am leaning towards shed for her.

Perfect Summer holds many hopes for us this season. Her one start at 2 netted a photo to place at 7f Fast Dirt with a PSR of 85 for this long-running filly. Though she much prefers mud, she's training admirably over dirt. Summer is pre-entered into the 1 1/16m G3 Affectionately Stakes on her Derby/Oaks trail. As of press time she is slated to run against 2 5yo fillies (both with Scratch instructions) and another 3yo. Crista of Rivendell (owner of Sassy's sire Big N' Rich) has agreed to go halfsies on a box as she has a 5yo entered opposite Summer.

Congratulations to all who brought in checks this week and good luck in the races yet to come (though not too good).


Update: Entries close later tonight and upon review of pre-entries it was decided to move Livewire. She'll run over 6f at Tampa Bay instead. A much smaller field (4), with one carrying Scratch if No, and much closer to our Winter Quarters should make for an easier trip for this lovely lady. We've also sent an offer to previous owner JD Kayll regarding a breeding option her. We're a bit limited on compatible studs at present and he has first option if she ever sells; not that we want to sell her, but a breed option is one area to be explored.