Atomic Rain at Monmouth, July 29, 2009.
Photo: Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Atomic Rain wins the 2009 Long Branch
Photo: Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Atomic Rain wins the 2009 Long Branch
Photo: Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Atomic Rain at Churchill Downs, April 29, 2009.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Atomic Rain at Churchill Downs, April 29, 2009.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
A sore foot could keep Atomic Rain from taking on BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird in the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.
BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra had her final workout July 27 at Saratoga as she continues to prepare for her next start in the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 2.
Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stable, the new owner of Atomic Rain, has officially decided to take on Preakness Stakes (gr. I)-winning filly Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park Aug. 2.
The Godolphin shopping spree continued July 21 with the purchase of Long Branch Stakes winner Atomic Rain from George and Lori Hall. There are no immediate plans for the son of Smart Strike, who had been pointing for the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 2.
Atomic Rain waited patiently early before moving wide for the drive and sailing to a 4 3/4-length win in the July 11 Long Branch Stakes, the traditional prep for Monmouth Park's Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 2.
Bo Hirsch's Papa Clem, fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I) and sixth in the Preakness Gr. I), is looking to get back on the winning track in the $175,000 Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park July 11
Take the Points will not run in the Derby but Atomic Rain and Advice will.
Despite his troubled trip in the nine-furlong Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct April 4, IEAH Stables and David J. Lanzman's I Want Revenge was feeling no ill effects the morning of April 5.
A field of eight was drawn for the 1 1/8-mile main track test, which is the final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands prep for 3-year-olds in New York.
The top three finishers from the Gotham Stakes (gr. III), headed by runaway winner I Want Revenge, are among the probable starters for the 85th running of the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on April 4.
WinStar Farm's 3-year-old Al Khali rallied through the stretch for a three-quarter length victory under John Velazquez in a 1 1/8 mile allowance test March 6 at Gulfstream Park, moving him up in trainer Todd Pletcher's arsenal of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) candidates.
Lori and George Hall's Atomic Rain and Jayeff B Stable's Chef are prominent in a field of eight 3-year-olds entered in a 1 1/8-mile allowance feature at Gulfstream Park March 6, a race almost certain to yield a contender or two for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) to be run over the track and distance on March 28.
Silver Wing Stable's Free Country, undefeated in two starts including an impressive nine-furlong allowance win at Gulfstream Park last month, makes his highly-anticipated stakes debut in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 14 at Tampa Bay Downs.
It was an excellent weekend on the old trail, with some first-class performances, not only by the winners, but several of the losers as well. The latest Top 15 follows the column.
Two rocket ships will be launched at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, and don't be surprised if a few of the passengers wind up landing in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
Trainer Wesley Ward gave a 'thumbs up' sign Jan. 4 at Gulfstream Park the morning after Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Notonthesamepage rolled to a near-record setting victory in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.
Favored Old Fashioned made sure there wasn't a lot of suspense about the outcome of the $200,000 Remsen Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct Nov. 29. The son of Unbridled's Song grabbed the lead early and then romped to a 7 1/4-length victory in New York.
While the grade I, $300,000 Cigar Mile is the premier feature on the Nov. 29 card at Aqueduct, 2-year-olds will also be in the spotlight with the 87th renewal of the Demoiselle (gr. II) for fillies and the 95th running of the Remsen (gr. II) for juvenile colts and geldings.
| Trainer | Saeed bin Suroor |
|---|---|
| Jockey | David Cohen |
| Owner | Godolphin Stable |
| Breeder | William L. S. Landes III, Laura Landes & Sarah Landes |
| Atomic Rain View Five-Cross Pedigree | Smart Strike | Mr. Prospector |
| Classy 'n Smart | ||
| Paradise Pond | Cox's Ridge | |
| Itstimetocelebrate |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2007 Hip 1937 |
Yearling | Kelly Breen, agent for K&G Stables | Hermitage Farm, agent | $170,000 |
| California Chrome |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| Bodemeister |
| Upstart |
| Calculator |
| International Star |
| Far Right |
| Buddy's Saint |
| Main Sequence |
| Dortmund |
