I've posted on several occasions about this girl; but, to bring everyone quickly up to speed: Applauding, a four year old filly by Congrats out of a Forestry mare, broke the track record at Keeneland in her debut as a two year old; won her second race by a half-dozen lengths at Louisiana's Fair Grounds; and then, despite no noticeable injury, took almost a full year's vacation before winning her third career start at Churchill Downs in November. Three wins in three career starts at three different tracks with three different jockeys.
After her win in November, Trainer Al Stall was quoted as saying that he would take Applauding to Oaklawn Park for their winter meet. So, after a couple of workouts at Keeneland in December, it was off to Arkansas, where Applauding worked four furlongs on January 7.
But competing at Hot Springs was not to be; as Applauding's owner, Ramona Bass, decided to transfer Applauding to Trainer Michael Matz, shipping the filly to South Florida, where she's been working out at Palm Meadows. Since her victory at Churchill Downs back in November, Applauding's public workouts have been:
12/06 - Kee - 4F - 50.20 - 8/9
12/15 - Kee - 5F - 60.80 - 1/8
01/07 - OP - 4F - 49.80 - 4/41
01/24 - PmM - 4F - 50.02 - 19/21
01/30 - PmM - 4F - 48.77 - 2/24
02/04 - PmM - 4F - 47.80 - 1/52
Applauding has now been entered in Sunday's Race 10 at Gulfstream Park, the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes. Presuming that she makes it to the starting gate, it will most likely be the first race of Applauding's career where she will not be the Post Time favorite; that distinction may possibly go to the highweight in the field, Applauding's half-sister Emma's Encore, of whom we posted here last Summer after she won the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at 39-1.
So, Good Lord willing, Applauding will finally get to face graded stakes competition Sunday. Here's hoping that she makes it to post and has a safe trip.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Showing posts with label Applauding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Applauding. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/21/12 CD Race 8 - Horse Watch Follow-Up
Applauding found her way back to the starting gate, and shortly thereafter found her way back to the Winner's Circle, crossing the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of five rivals in Race 8 at Churchill Downs on Wednesday. Making her first start in almost a year, Applauding (Final Odds 0.5-1) drifted out at the start, set the pace, battled into the stretch, and won driving, paying $3.00 / $2.20 / $2.10.
While it wasn't the dominating performance that her first two victories had been, Applauding displayed the heart of a competitor, battling Georgie's Angel (winner of last year's Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes) into the stretch before leaving that one in her wake. Applauding's final time of 1:10.84 for the six furlongs seems somewhat less than impressive, especially when compared to the 1:10.92 Statesboro Blues put up in covering the same distance over the same track three days earlier while winning an $8k NW2L Claiming Race. Of course, those are raw times; I haven't yet seen what Speed Figure (Beyer or otherwise) Applauding earned for her effort; it's possible that they may tell a different tale.
So what's next for this three year old filly? Jennie Rees, in this article in The Courier-Journal, quotes Trainer Al Stall as saying that he'll be taking Applauding to Oaklawn Park for their winter meet (for those who like to speculate, here's Oaklawn's 2013 Stakes Schedule - note the American Beauty Stakes on January 20; again, just speculating). If Applauding runs her next race at Oaklawn, it will make four different tracks for each of her four career starts.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The important thing for now is that this talented filly has made her way back onto the racetrack. Here's hoping she has continued success.
For those interested, the Equibase chart of Wednesday's race is available here, while the Daily Racing Form version of events can be seen here. And be sure to check out the video of Wednesday's contest, which may be viewed here.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
While it wasn't the dominating performance that her first two victories had been, Applauding displayed the heart of a competitor, battling Georgie's Angel (winner of last year's Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes) into the stretch before leaving that one in her wake. Applauding's final time of 1:10.84 for the six furlongs seems somewhat less than impressive, especially when compared to the 1:10.92 Statesboro Blues put up in covering the same distance over the same track three days earlier while winning an $8k NW2L Claiming Race. Of course, those are raw times; I haven't yet seen what Speed Figure (Beyer or otherwise) Applauding earned for her effort; it's possible that they may tell a different tale.
So what's next for this three year old filly? Jennie Rees, in this article in The Courier-Journal, quotes Trainer Al Stall as saying that he'll be taking Applauding to Oaklawn Park for their winter meet (for those who like to speculate, here's Oaklawn's 2013 Stakes Schedule - note the American Beauty Stakes on January 20; again, just speculating). If Applauding runs her next race at Oaklawn, it will make four different tracks for each of her four career starts.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The important thing for now is that this talented filly has made her way back onto the racetrack. Here's hoping she has continued success.
For those interested, the Equibase chart of Wednesday's race is available here, while the Daily Racing Form version of events can be seen here. And be sure to check out the video of Wednesday's contest, which may be viewed here.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Applauding Entered to Race Again
It's the moment we've all been waiting for (OK; it's the moment I've been waiting for): Applauding has been entered in Race 8 at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, November 21.
Here's a not-so-brief recap to bring everyone up to speed: Thirteen months ago, Applauding, then a two year old filly, set a new track record at Keeneland in her debut, finishing nine lengths ahead of Sacristy. Applauding made her real dirt debut seven weeks later in her second career start, winning by six lengths at Final Odds of 0.1-1.
Applauding was then entered in the Silverbulletday Stakes in January and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in February (and was the Morning Line favorite in both) but ran in neither. Colic-like symptoms were blamed for her scratch from the former, while she was scratched from the latter because Trainer Al Stall saw something in her workout that he didn't like.
And then came nothing. Applauding spent the next few months just handing out at Clairborne Farm in Kentucky. Quoting Al Stall:
"There's nothing really wrong with her. There was nothing bony, nothing to speak of. We're going to regroup on her in thirty days, and by that time I'll get up to Kentucky, so I can get out and look at her. She was eating everything in sight down here, but I had trouble with her weight."
Applauding returned to track workouts July 28, breezing three furlongs at Keeneland in 38.2 (22/28). She did three furlongs again on August 5, then four furlongs on each of the next five Saturdays. She then took a break, not working again until Columbus Day. Her works have been steady since:
10/08 - Kee - 4F - 49.6 - 16/28
10/14 - Kee - 4F - 48.6 - 17/32
10/20 - Kee - 4F - 47.4 - 1/45
10/28 - CD - 4F - 48.2 - 2/77
11/03 - CD - 4F - 49.6 - 29/80 (from the gate)
11/10 - CD - 5F - 62.4 - 33/48
11/16 - CD - 4F - 49.0 - 12/35
Of course, as her past history shows, the fact that Applauding is entered in a race is no guarantee that she will actually run. And, needless to say, if she does run, there's no guarantee that she'll show the same form that she did when she last competed, nearly one year ago. But I, for one, am thrilled at the prospect of this filly displaying her talent on the track again, and am hopeful that she'll reach the heights that she seemed destined for as a two year old.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Here's a not-so-brief recap to bring everyone up to speed: Thirteen months ago, Applauding, then a two year old filly, set a new track record at Keeneland in her debut, finishing nine lengths ahead of Sacristy. Applauding made her real dirt debut seven weeks later in her second career start, winning by six lengths at Final Odds of 0.1-1.
Applauding was then entered in the Silverbulletday Stakes in January and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in February (and was the Morning Line favorite in both) but ran in neither. Colic-like symptoms were blamed for her scratch from the former, while she was scratched from the latter because Trainer Al Stall saw something in her workout that he didn't like.
And then came nothing. Applauding spent the next few months just handing out at Clairborne Farm in Kentucky. Quoting Al Stall:
"There's nothing really wrong with her. There was nothing bony, nothing to speak of. We're going to regroup on her in thirty days, and by that time I'll get up to Kentucky, so I can get out and look at her. She was eating everything in sight down here, but I had trouble with her weight."
Applauding returned to track workouts July 28, breezing three furlongs at Keeneland in 38.2 (22/28). She did three furlongs again on August 5, then four furlongs on each of the next five Saturdays. She then took a break, not working again until Columbus Day. Her works have been steady since:
10/08 - Kee - 4F - 49.6 - 16/28
10/14 - Kee - 4F - 48.6 - 17/32
10/20 - Kee - 4F - 47.4 - 1/45
10/28 - CD - 4F - 48.2 - 2/77
11/03 - CD - 4F - 49.6 - 29/80 (from the gate)
11/10 - CD - 5F - 62.4 - 33/48
11/16 - CD - 4F - 49.0 - 12/35
Of course, as her past history shows, the fact that Applauding is entered in a race is no guarantee that she will actually run. And, needless to say, if she does run, there's no guarantee that she'll show the same form that she did when she last competed, nearly one year ago. But I, for one, am thrilled at the prospect of this filly displaying her talent on the track again, and am hopeful that she'll reach the heights that she seemed destined for as a two year old.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Horse Watch Follow-Up - Applauding
Having written about the three year old filly Applauding on this blog back in July and then again in September, I don't think I need to repeat her whole story again. However, I do want to report the good news that she is back in training, having breezed four furlongs at Keeneland on Columbus Day (16/28) and then again earlier today, October 14 (19/34).
I still have no idea what caused the one month break in her workout pattern. Maybe she was injured; or maybe she needed the rest; or maybe Trainer Al Stall didn't like the way she was performing on the track. Or maybe she just doesn't like working out on Saturdays, and prefers Sundays and Holidays instead. The bottom line is that she is working over the track again, and that is good news for me and all other racing fans who would like to see this Florida bred return to action and (hopefully) once again demonstrate the form and potential that she showed as a two year old.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
I still have no idea what caused the one month break in her workout pattern. Maybe she was injured; or maybe she needed the rest; or maybe Trainer Al Stall didn't like the way she was performing on the track. Or maybe she just doesn't like working out on Saturdays, and prefers Sundays and Holidays instead. The bottom line is that she is working over the track again, and that is good news for me and all other racing fans who would like to see this Florida bred return to action and (hopefully) once again demonstrate the form and potential that she showed as a two year old.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Horse Watch Follow-Up - Applauding
Back in July I wrote that Applauding, a three year old filly by Congrats out of a Forestry mare, was back on the track after an extended vacation. To briefly recap, Applauding had set a new track record for six furlongs at Keeneland in her debut on Oct 14, 2011; a race which she won by nine lengths. Applauding followed that victory up with a six length win her next time out, this time on a fast dirt track at Louisiana's Fair Grounds on Dec 2, 2011. Applauding has not raced since, despite no noticeable injury.
On July 28, Applauding returned to the track at Keeneland, working three furlongs in thirty-eight and one-fifth seconds. She had been working at Keeneland every Saturday morning since; breezing three furlongs again on August 5, and then doing four furlongs on each of the next five Saturdays that followed.
However, this Saturday she didn't work at Keeneland. Why that is I can not say, as my limited skills with Google could not turn up any relevant news by searching under her name, nor under the name of her trainer, Al Stall, Jr (who, incidentally, just finished a very productive meeting at Saratoga, where he picked up seven wins, and seventeen in the money finishes, in just twenty-three starts).
So, while this obviously isn't good news, I have no idea if it's bad news; and if so, how bad. It could be that Applauding simply needed a rest; or, it could be that she has suffered an injury. Hopefully, whatever it is, isn't anything serious, and we'll get to see this filly compete again soon. Until then, I'll pass along whatever news I hear, and I ask, if any of you reading this should hear anything, that you share it here as well.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
On July 28, Applauding returned to the track at Keeneland, working three furlongs in thirty-eight and one-fifth seconds. She had been working at Keeneland every Saturday morning since; breezing three furlongs again on August 5, and then doing four furlongs on each of the next five Saturdays that followed.
However, this Saturday she didn't work at Keeneland. Why that is I can not say, as my limited skills with Google could not turn up any relevant news by searching under her name, nor under the name of her trainer, Al Stall, Jr (who, incidentally, just finished a very productive meeting at Saratoga, where he picked up seven wins, and seventeen in the money finishes, in just twenty-three starts).
So, while this obviously isn't good news, I have no idea if it's bad news; and if so, how bad. It could be that Applauding simply needed a rest; or, it could be that she has suffered an injury. Hopefully, whatever it is, isn't anything serious, and we'll get to see this filly compete again soon. Until then, I'll pass along whatever news I hear, and I ask, if any of you reading this should hear anything, that you share it here as well.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Applauding Works Three Furlongs At Keeneland
Last Fall, Applauding created quite a stir when, as a two year old filly, she set a new track record for six furlongs at Keeneland in her debut; defeating, among others, Sacristy, who would go on to win the Grade 3 Old Hat Stakes. Applauding was also victorious in her second career start at Fair Grounds, winning by six furlongs; thus proving that she could win on real dirt as well as the fake stuff.
And then came the scratches. She was removed from the Silverbulletday Stakes in January (where she was the 4-5 Morning Line favorite) when she experienced colic-like symptoms the morning of the race. Applauding was then scratched from the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in February (where she was again the Morning Line favorite) when Trainer Al Stall saw something he didn't like in her workout earlier that week.
Since then, Applauding has just been hanging out at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. Quoting Trainer Al Stall:
“There’s nothing really wrong with her,” Stall said. “There was nothing bony, nothing to speak of. We’re going to regroup on her in 30 days, and by that time, I’ll get up to Kentucky, so I can get out and look at her. She was eating everything in sight down here, but I had trouble with her weight.”
And that's been it from Applauding; that is, until Saturday, when she breezed three furlongs at Keeneland in 38 1/5 (22/28).
Does this mean that Applauding is back? Well, working three furlongs is a long way from being entered in an actual race; and even if Applauding should make it back to the starting gate, there's no guarantee that she'll show her old form. But I've got to admit, I really like the idea that I might get to see this horse show her stuff on the track one more time.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
And then came the scratches. She was removed from the Silverbulletday Stakes in January (where she was the 4-5 Morning Line favorite) when she experienced colic-like symptoms the morning of the race. Applauding was then scratched from the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in February (where she was again the Morning Line favorite) when Trainer Al Stall saw something he didn't like in her workout earlier that week.
Since then, Applauding has just been hanging out at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. Quoting Trainer Al Stall:
“There’s nothing really wrong with her,” Stall said. “There was nothing bony, nothing to speak of. We’re going to regroup on her in 30 days, and by that time, I’ll get up to Kentucky, so I can get out and look at her. She was eating everything in sight down here, but I had trouble with her weight.”
And that's been it from Applauding; that is, until Saturday, when she breezed three furlongs at Keeneland in 38 1/5 (22/28).
Does this mean that Applauding is back? Well, working three furlongs is a long way from being entered in an actual race; and even if Applauding should make it back to the starting gate, there's no guarantee that she'll show her old form. But I've got to admit, I really like the idea that I might get to see this horse show her stuff on the track one more time.
Peace and Love,
Jimbo
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