William Donald Schaefer S. (gr. III)
(gr. III , 8.5f ,)
BLAME
(B h,
118
lb) $60,000
Arch —Liable , by
Seeking the Gold
B—Adele B. Dilschneider,
KY.;
O—Claiborne Farm and Dilschneider, Adele B.;
T—Albert M. Stall, Jr.
No Advantage
(DK B/ h,
118
lb) $20,000
Posse —Prime Advantage , by
Tactical Advantage
B—Viking Stud, Inc,
KY.;
O—Suarez Racing, Inc.;
T—Stephanie S. Beattie
Timber Reserve
(DK B/ h,
118
lb) $11,000
Forest Camp —Fountain Square , by
Danzig Connection
B—Westwind Farms,
KY.;
O—Circle E Racing and Solondz, Phillip J.;
T—John C. Kimmel
Margins: 1½, ½, neck. Others: Bullsbay 118($6,000) , Flying Private 118($3,000) , Edgewater 118 , Understatement 124 . Winning Jockey, Garrett K. Gomez.
The big campaign mapped out for Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne FarmÕs Blame took its first big step May 15 when the big colt drew off with authority to win the William Donald Schaefer Stakes (gr. III) on the Preakness Day card at Pimlico. Sent off the 6-5 favorite in the seven-horse field, the son of Arch was much the best in the 11Ú6-mile race. He hit the wire under Garrett Gomez in 1:43.40.
Blame came to Maryland off a series of works at Keeneland for trainer Al Stall Jr. In the Schaefer he settled along the inside tracking UnderstatementÕs early pace of :24.00 and :48.38. Still behind horses turning for home, he powered his way between horses in the stretch. No Advantage, the early trailer and longest shot on the board, rallied for second.
ÒHe was tracking well, and we had to wait a bit until things settled,Ó said Gomez. ÒHe went between them and gave me a big finish.Ó
As a late-developing 3-year-old last fall, Blame really came to hand when he was sent around two turns. Following a minor stakes win at Saratoga going nine furlongs, Blame ran second to Regal Ransom in the Super Derby (gr. II). After a score over KeenelandÕs Polytrack in the Fayette Stakes (gr. II), Blame finished the year on a high note with a neck victory in the nine-furlong Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. With the BreedersÕ Cup World Championships being held under the Twin Spires this fall, it was thought Blame could be a Classic (gr. I)-type contender.
ÒWe knew he was ready to run, but that doesnÕt mean anything until you actually see it,Ó Stall said after the race. ÒIt was a perfect race. Garrett had to use him to get through that hole a bit, but he got a lot out of it on a deepish racetrack.Ó
Expect to see Blame resurface at Churchill Downs for the June 12 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).
Liable, the dam of Blame, delivered a filly by Tiznow April 14. The 15-year-old mare is out of Bound, a half sister to champion and leading sire Nureyev; Fairy Bridge, the dam of SadlerÕs Wells and Fairy King; and a full sister to multiple graded winner Number, the dam of top sires Jade Robbery and Numerous (both by Mr. Prospector). Liable is by Mr. ProspectorÕs son Seeking the Gold.
Arch, who raced for Claiborne Farm and Dilschneider, is the sire of 25 other stakes winners including Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale and English champion Les Arcs. The son of Kris S. stands for $25,000 at Claiborne Farm.ÑE.H.
