MARSHUA'S RIVER S. (gr. III ), Gulfstream Park , January 05, 2013 , $100,000 Guaranteed , value of race $100,000 , 4 yo's & up , 1 1/16 miles , 1:41.70 Turf FM .

There was something to like about Hard Not to Like going into the Marshua’s River Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 5 as well as something not to like. She had finished a close second in last year’s Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland in the spring but then had to undergo knee surgery after suffering a knee chip when finishing sixth in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) in what was her last start of the year. Luckily for her Canadian owner/breeder, Garland Williamson, 4-year-old Hard Not to Like proved special in the Marshua’s River, scoring by a half-length.

“We’re a small breeder, and we like horses,” Williamson said. “We keep from 16-24 horses and three-six of them are mares. That’s the limit I set. Sometimes you can have fun with it, and sometimes you can’t. That’s the way it goes.

“We like the action, and we’ve been in the business 30 something years. I grew up in the country and have always liked horses.”

Williamson’s farm, Hillsbrook Farm, is located an hour west of Toronto near Erin. “It’s a country farm, and it’s a nice community,” Williamson said.

Williamson was represented as breeder by another stakes performer the day of the Marshua’s River. Ruby Lips, who is from the same female family as Hard Not to Like, finished second in the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct but was disqualified and placed third. Three-year-old Ruby Lips, who races for Jay Em Ess Stable, is a half sister to Hard Not to Like’s multiple stakes-winning dam, Like a Gem.

“It would have been a perfect day if Ruby Lips had won too,” Williamson said. “Like Hard Not to Like, Ruby Lips is by Hard Spun.”

“A bloodstock agent did a work-up for me while looking for stallions and came up with Hard Spun,” Williamson added. “We had looked at his races in the (Kentucky) Derby (gr. I) and the Breeders’ Cup (Classic, gr. I) and liked his bloodlines. They did a nice write-up on him and recommended him.”

Like a Gem is in foal to More Than Ready and is booked to Hard Spun.

Hard Spun, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and in the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge, has sired 16 stakes winners. His 13 added-money winners in 2012 included grade I winners Questing and Zo Impressive. Hard Spun, the leading second-crop sire of 2012, stands at Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley near Lexington. His 2013 fee is $60,000.—D.S.

GALLORETTE H. (gr. III ), Pimlico , May 18, 2013 , $150,000 Guaranteed , value of race $150,000 , 3 yo's & up , 1 1/16 miles , 1:40.60 Turf FM .

Hidden Brook Farm and Dan Zucker’s Pianist took control soon after the start and never relinquished her lead, drawing away to a 23/4-length victory in the May 18 Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Pimlico Race Course.

Pianist had won the Given Stakes on the turf at Belmont Park last year. She now holds a career record of 5-1-1 from 10 starts, for earnings of $300,950.

“We had two horses in the race, and the plan was for (jockey) Mike (Smith) to go to the lead,” said trainer Chad Brown, who referred to his other entrant, Samitar. “I thought the fractions were a little strong, but I just left it to the riders. I said, ‘You just judge the pace.’ She looked great, although it looked like (fourth-place finisher) Samitar wasn’t holding the track on the backside. Both horses were training fine coming into the race, so they both deserved a shot.”

Added Smith: “This is the first time I’ve ridden for Chad, and I plan to ride another five years, so I hope to do this again sometime.”

Pianist was bred in Kentucky by Grapestock, the breeding arm of Tom Simon’s Vinery. Several other stakes winners have been bred in the Grapestock name, including grade I victors Western Aristocrat, Regally Ready, and Archarcharch.

Pianist has been raced in all her starts by Zucker, a former New York resident who works in sports media and public relations in Seattle, and the Paris, Ky.-based operation Hidden Brook. Hidden Brook bought the filly as agent for $100,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale from Vinery, agent.

The 4-year-old was produced from the winning Red Ransom mare Red Piano, whose dam, Spinet (by Nureyev), is a half sister to Irish champion miler Prince of Birds (by Storm Bird).

Red Piano was also bred by Vinery but is no longer owned by that operation, which is being sold. The mare was bought for $150,000 by Jayne Johnson, agent, at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February mixed sale. Bred to Exchange Rate, she was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

Red Piano has produced one other winner, Crimson Cabaret (by Speightstown). Her youngest offspring is a yearling Any Given Saturday filly named Sunday Sonnet.

More Than Ready is the sire of 120 stakes winners. Among his 12 added-money winners of 2013 is grade I victor Verrazano. More Than Ready stands for $60,000 at Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.—E.M.