October 2011
McArdle Filly Equals World Record
Big McDeal put in a stunning performance to equal the 2yo pacing fillies world record of 1:50.4 in an International Stallion Stakes division at The Red Mile, Lexington on October 7 - defeating the previously unbeaten American Jewel in the process.
The McArdle filly stalked American Jewel for much of the $84,200 race before going stride for stride with the Jimmy Takter star in the straight, getting the upper hand on the line to score by a nose.
The winner of the Champlain Stakes division the previous month, Big McDeal has earned an impressive $277,281 in her brief career to date.
Big McDeal is the fourth foal, and fourth winner, of the Western Ideal mare Ideal Gal.
It was a terrific weekend for McArdle with the 2yo fillies McSauna and Love You Bye filling the top two spots in the $40,000 Equinox Final at Mohegan Sun Pocono on the same evening - with McSauna running out a comfortable two length winner in 1:53 flat.
Washakie On His Game
Millionaire pacer Washakie (pictured) was back to his brilliant best over the weekend with a sublime win in the $25,000 Listed Lunchbox Lodge Spelling Farm Johnny Be Good Sprint (1,660m) at Albion Park on October 8.
The multiple Grand Circuit winner powered past former Inter Dominion champ Mr Feelgood in the straight to score by 3.9m in a near track record time of 1:52.5.
It was the John McCarthy trained gelding's 38th lifetime win, with Saturday's prize-money improving the pacer's earnings to more than $1.3 million.
By Badlands Hanover, Washakie is the first foal of OK Bye mare Shoshoni Sunrise.
Glowing Reports For Lis Mara's 2YO's
We've been thrilled with all the positive feedback we've been getting in the past couple of months from trainers and owners on their Lis Mara 2yo's, with some tipping their Lis Mara youngsters as their most exciting prospects for the season ahead.
Here's just a small sample of what trainers have to say about their Lis Mara 2yo's:
Mark Jones: "I have a few Lis Mara's and haven't had one I don't like. They have good manners, gait and attitude and I would be happy to have a stable full of them. I have advised my owners to breed to Lis Mara."
Graeme Lang: "My Lis Mara has a lovely nature, a great temperament and is a very good pacer. He feels like he could be a very good horse and I would like another two or three like him. I would be very happy to breed to the stallion again."
Dave Kaa: "I've got two Lis Mara colts - they're perfect pacers; lovely gaited horses. I haven't had one like them before. Everything is a breeze for them and they take everything in their stride. It's absolutely exciting. They have speed to burn and are very clean-winded."
Ben Waldron "I'm very excited about my Lis Mara filly. She shows good stamina and has speed. I'm looking forward to racing her."
Mark Smolenski "I have only educated one Lis Mara - he is a colt that free-legged a mile in 2:40 after two weeks in the cart. I don't recall ever having a colt feel so natural at such an early stage."
Steven McRae "I have a lovely moving Lis Mara colt that has the potential to develop into a classic 3yo."
Western Ideal Lass Tops In Kentucky
Krispy Apple continued her fantastic 3yo season with victory in a $130,000 division of the Glen Garnsey Memorial at The Red Mile on October 8.
The second highest earning North American filly this season behind the superstar See You At Peelers, Krispy Apple was a comfortable winner in Kentucky, clearing out over the final stages to score by a length at the line in 1:50.2.
It was the filly's 10th win of the season and she has now banked just over $600,000 in lifetime earnings.
Krispy Apple is out of the Life Sign mare Apple Krisp.
Changeover's Foals Arrive
Champion pacer Changeover is certainly stamping his foals, with those on farm typically big, strong, athletic looking foals with great conformation - much like Changeover himself!
The handsome fella on the right is out of the three-win Sands A Flyin mare Judy's A Flyin, whilst the picture bottom right is a stunning filly out of the New York Motoring mare Abbeybell, and as such a half-sister to open class pacer Awesome Armbro.
The good looking colt below is out of the two-win Totally Ruthless mare Corzanello and is a half to three winners.
