2/Wk 2, Y15: Workout Report

[Ripley Marsh]

February Week Two - Older Horse Report

In Front
It has become well known that In Front is carrying the joint reputation of Touch Up's breeding success with stable-mates The Devil's Hourglass, Saintly Touch and Awestruck. In Front made a game return to racing in the Clark Handicap over the dirt. He was beaten by the unbelievable longshot Heart of Rio and Intrepid Racing's Ramirez. Word has it the blaze faced stallion is pointing toward an older season campaign over both the dirt and the turf. In Front made a spectacular appearance in a workout against Miss Josephine over the hilly turf course. In Front drew off to a two length victory under wraps with David Carter aboard. The workout was meant for the February Dirt Stakes in an effort to get some foundation into the older horse. Witch Creek has very high hopes for the handsome horse and has always said that they expected him to perform his best at the age of four.


The Devil's Hourglass
The winner of the Unicorn Horn Turf Classic was seen galloping like a fiend over the dirt course with Justin Santiago aboard. Her recent win seemed to have stirred up some of that incredible drive we saw when she was a streaking two year old. The Belmont Turf Classic winner seems to have chemistry with Justin Santiago that Dazzling Dame would be jealous of if she could see the pair. The bay mare is expected to make her next run in the International Stakes. Could this be the year of revitalization for the daughter of Sand Storm?

Supernatural
Supernatural's expected run in the Spring Dawn Treader Cup was put on hold after her third place effort in the Belle Victoire Derby. Reese reported the mare needed an extra week between races and now the gray mare is being pointed toward the Ballerina Stakes over nine furlongs at The Wire. She worked six furlongs in 1:11 and 1/5 seconds, looking a lot like the filly that won the Dirt Mile series. It is more than likely the cut back in distance will be more agreeable with the Dylan Himself mare as she makes her return to form.

Optimus Unstoppable
The bay stallion turned heads in his latest workout, working side by side with Sun King. Held back, the stout bay horse released a scintillating run to nab Sun King by a head over five furlongs in :58 and change. He made a solid comeback finishing second to Ivory Storms, but greater things are expected for this son of Shiver Me Timbers. He is potentially one of the most talented dirt sprinters that stud has produced and Laura DeComte is very high on him. Will DeComte end another season with this horse at grade one? Perhaps she is the lucky charm.

Lethal Dose
The bay daughter of Lethal Knack and Sweet Catomine has reportedly been galloping like an absolute monster. Frustrated by the lack of winning, the once streaking mare is becoming a handful in her workouts. She worked a blistering five furlongs in :59 1/5. While it was not the fastest time, it is completely fast for this long distanced runner. Will the bay mare finally leap into grade three in her next start?

Miss Josephine
The Passionate Class mare was finally able to find a race to run in and she narrowly lost. The grade four mare has been turning in solid workouts, but, like In Front and Supernatural, she seems to become better the more she races. She finished behind In Front in their joint workout, but the bay mare was not under urging to keep up in the last half furlong.

Wishing For A Heroine
Everyone in the Witch Creek family is looking forward to this bay mare's return to racing. Wishing For A Heroine has worked lights out since mid-January. It is reported the filly had a little bit of soreness to get over after her last race in December and that is why she is returning so late. The elegant horse will make her return to racing in a Week Two race and as such has only been put through fast paced gallops since her last workout.

Flashpoint
The son of Flash Limits suffered his first defeat of the season when beaten by Van Guard at Green Horse Fields, but he is expected to run back in Week Two. Fit as a fiddle, Flashpoint has been kept to fast gallops for his next start. His target will be the Spring Cup in Week Four and he could not look any better.

Divided Notion
Divided Notion has made a steady climb since he came to Witch Creek and finally snagged a victory in February Week One. His next start may come over the dirt, but that has yet to be determined. He did return to galloping and looks the perfect picture of muscle and energy.

[Ripley Marsh]

February Week Two - Three Year Old Horse Report

Sun King
Ripley can hardly keep this chestnut colt on the ground so quick and on the muscle is he. The chestnut son of Native Flame is simply doing outstanding, but Ripley can hardly find a race for the ultra talented animal. He was only just outworked by Optimus Unstoppable after doing all of the dirty work in the brilliant fast five furlongs. He galloped out past his older workmate under much restraint by Brookson Wells. Word is the colt will start in an undercard race at The Wire... that is if it fills. Ripley is hoping and praying it does or the colt is bound to explode.

Vagabond
Vagabond has been doing very well since his third place finish in an undercard race at The Wire. His gallops have been strong over the dirt and he was worked over five furlongs for a planned start in the Coronation Cup. Timed in 1:04 and 2/5 the colt looked mighty impressive in his gallop out, getting the six furlongs in 1:14 as though he was just getting warmed up. He's been knocking at the door for some time and is Witch Creek's main hope if they want to contest all of the legs of the Turf Triple Crown. It wouldn't be the first time the stable sweeps a couple races with an underdog.

Taboo:
The gray filly stunned a crowd when she beat out Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Athena's Desires for third in an undercard race. It is clear that Witch Creek intends to campaign the filly at shorter distances this season, but for now it looks like the filly will be pointed toward some Turf Tiara preps. This line of work has worked very well in the past for Witch Creek with Cross My Heart and Paranormal Hunter both taking turf tiara preps on their way to a win in the Debutante Stakes before turning back to sprints. No one is saying Taboo is quite on their level right now, but she has put in freaky good races before. Her latest workout over four furlongs in :47 represents how on top of things the daughter of Everyday Hero currently is.

Nirvana:
Second behind sprinter filly Siren Call in her three year old debut, Year Fourteen's Two Year Old Filly Champ will be looking to right the ship in the Spring Cup. She will potentially face older horses, but it is becoming more and more clear that the filly is more potent over distances. She's won twice at the ten furlong distance so the Spring Cup will be the first goal. She worked a terrific five furlongs in 1:00, looked stronger on her way out than going in.

Nocturnal Runaway
The silver filly had a minor setback versus buzzsaw Beyond Perfection in the War Admiral Stakes, but got back to work with a sharp three furlong workout in :37.30 seconds. She'll make her next start in the Jumping The Gun Stakes and that will determine whether she goes to the Goldikova Stakes, a prep for the Turf Tiara. Witch Creek has been high on the filly ever since they got her and the light really seems to have clicked on since October of last year. She's one to watch going forward that much is a fact.

[Ripley Marsh]

February Week Two - Two Year Old Horse Report

Coveted Faith
Witch Creek's first maiden breaker, Coveted Faith, was back in business after her second career victory. She heads into the Dark Sunrise Distaff with a tiny win streak, but she is not going in without preparation. A world of talent awaits the dark bay daughter of GS Ultimate Challenge and she will have to meet it with more than sheer physical force. The beautiful filly cruised through five furlongs in 1:01 and notched the last furlong in a fast paced :06.35. She's built to get the distance and has the filly rider Justin Santiago aboard.

Notorious
The colt worked a sensational three furlong time in partnership with Lady Timeah. The Like A Cheetah colt has been absolutely impressive since he arrived. Noted for his bad temper, Note more than makes up for it in talent. His next expected starts are to come in the Test Of Passionate Class Stakes and Silver Goblin Stakes. Brookson Wells was quoted as saying the colt reminds him a lot of Frozen Motion, versatile enough to go from seven to twelve furlongs and maintain a high cruising speed all the while. The work load seems to sit well with the athletic colt who has taken to going for two rides a day, a morning gallop and a small jaunt around the property at night.

Swing Dancer
"She's a lot like Supernatural if you ask me," Ripley stated early to the press. "She lacks a focus, but has a world of talent. Fusillade has done so well in breaking his maiden and I believe I have a filly to match him. She's a trouble maker at home, but I think we'll see the real Danny when she gets into the game." Swing Dancer, a gray daughter of Popcorn Blitz and Foxtrot, stormed through a :36 second blow out. She will be running back in a week for the Skippingodds Maiden and looks more than prepared to attempt a third take down.

Artemis' Glory
Witch Creek Stable is responsible for the success of Positively Precious at stud. Out of three of his offspring, all three broke their maidens first time out quite impressively. Artemis' Glory took off from the start, wiring her first race and returning a with a tough as nails third in the Unicorn Horn Turf Sprint. A light filly, the bay has done little more than gallop two minute miles since her run in that last race. She came out of the last race a little tired, but the final Finale Slew daughter has been showing spark in the last week. Her next run will come in the February Week Two, February Juvenile Turf Faceoff. Malcolm Floyd, the yearling trainer for Witch Creek stated, "She's got a great mind, a quick foot. I expect some fantastic things out of this one. She's just so sharp and she gets the game already."