USA racing news...

[Homer J.]

Champion filly Xtra Heat takes Genuine Risk
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By David Grening
Daily Racing Form
BELMONT, N.Y. -- Allen Jerkens doesn't impress easily. But after watching Xtra Heat hold off his Shine Again to win Sunday's $150,000, Genuine Risk Handicap at Belmont Park, the Hall of Fame trainer had to pay homage to the champion filly and her trainer, John Salzman.
"She's got to be one of the best in a long time," Jerkens said. "She's so used to shipping; it doesn't even bother her. She was so cool and calm in the paddock walking around like another day in the office. Just remarkable, and he's done a remarkable job with her. Got to give him all the credit in the world."
Making her first start since finishing third in the Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad al Sheba in the United Arab Emirates, Xtra Heat (last year's 3-year-old filly champion) picked up right where she left off when last seen in North America, flashing her brilliant speed and carrying it to her 20th victory in 25 starts. Earlier this year, Xtra Heat won the Interborough Handicap and the Barbara Fritchie Handicap.
Under Harry Vega, Xtra Heat outsprinted Dat You Miz Blue and La Galerie to the lead, set fractions of 22.27 seconds, 45.13 and 57.19 and held off Shine Again by one length while covering six furlongs in 1:10.24 over a wet track labeled good. It was 3 3/4 lengths back to La Galerie. Dat You Miz Blue, Home on the Hill and Pleasant County completed the order of finish.
Xtra Heat, spotting her five rivals nine to 14 pounds, returned $3.70 as the 4-5 favorite. A $5,000 purchase, Xtra Heat has now banked $1,733,305.
"The Dubai thing was the main thing that bothered me because there have been some horses run back out of that race and none have run any good," said Salzman, who owns the horse along with Kenneth Taylor and Harry Deitchman.
Caller One, who won the Golden Shaheen, finished last in the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Sprint on Saturday.
"I talked to a lot of people," Salzman said. "I just talked to [Mark] Hennig and he told me he has a horse that's still not right from when he went over year before last. I said `I got to get away from you.' "
Salzman said he is strongly considering running Xtra Heat to the $400,000 Princess Rooney Stakes at Calder on July 13th. He also mentioned the $100,000 Charles Town Dash against males on July 4 and the $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont on June 9 as possible next starts.

[baldric]

SHIBBOLETH RECORD: Danehill's full brother, the five-year-old Shibboleth, equalled the Belmont Park seven-furlong (1400m) track record of 1min 20.08s in a Group3 event when recording his first United States win last Monday. Formerly trained in the United Kingdom by Henry Cecil, Shibboleth won five of his seven European races before being transferred to the US, and had raced twice there for a second and a last before taking on the Jaipur Handicap at the New York track earlier this week. Also successful at the US holiday meeting was Swept Overboard, a tremendous sprinter by Arrowfields' shuttle sire End Sweep, in the Group1 Metropolitan Handicap over 1600m, the horse winning by four lengths and clocking 1:33.34 - the fourth-fastest running in the long history of the feature event. It was Swept Overboard's eighth win from 18 starts, and he has also been placed eight times.

[imaufo]

What a difference three short months have made to the fortunes of the exquisitely bred stallion Our Emblem. The son of Mr. Prospector out of the undefeated Personal Ensign started his stud career at the historic Claiborne Farm in 1997.
From his initial crop of 33 foals just 3 won as two-year olds for end of year earnings of $60,803. It wasn’t until his second crop of 53 foals turned three-years old that things began to happen for Our Emblem. But by that time the son of Mr. Prospector was standing at Murmur Farm in Maryland after being sold for a reported $200,000. Murmur Farm sold 15 shares at $7,500 each and attached a $4,000 fee on the stallion.
Led by Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War Emblem, Our Emblem is sitting on top of the U.S. sires list with earnings of over $3.5 million. Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Private Emblem and Railbird Stakes (G3) winner September Secret are two other second crop three-year olds by Our Emblem to perform with distinction this year.
With his breeding and a Kentucky Derby winner to his credit, Our Emblem was again a target for the big Kentucky Studs. Enter a partnership of Taylor Made Farm and Winstar Farm, who had banded together to acquire a controlling interest in duel Breeders Cup Classic winner Tiznow, and War Emblem was heading back to Kentucky to stand alongside former Arrowfield Stud shuttle stallion Unbridled’s Song at Taylor Made Farm. The price, a cool $10.1 million.
By: Mark Smith - Friday, 31 May 2002