November 26, 2009: CHEROKEE COUNTRY WINS FALL HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP (G3)! Victory Thoroughbreds’ Cherokee Country used a furious late rally to run down Greenspring and longshot pacesetter Hatfield to capture the first graded stakes win of his career in Thursday’s 96th running of the Grade 3, $110,000 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Ramon Preciado and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Cherokee Country sat well off fast early fractions of 21.80 and 44.31 seconds set by Hatfield with favored Go Go Shoot not far behind in second. As the field entered the stretch, Hatfield, the longest shot on the board at 43-1, pulled away from Go Go Shoot and opened up a clear lead. But from back in the pack came Cherokee Country to catapult past the field and hold off Greenspring for second. Cherokee Country, a 5-year-old son of YONAGUSKA (read the rest at NYRA.COM) September 22, 2009: KATALSTA, the 5-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - Regal Charm, by Silver Deputy, won the 9th race at Zia Park going one mile by two lengths. September 21, 2009: AGALIHA, the 5-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - Cherished Trick, by Phone Trick, won the 6th race at Philadelphia Park going five furlongs by three-quarters of a length. BENTBUTNOTBROKEN, the 3-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Moll, by Criminal Type, won the 3rd race at Suffolk Downs by nearly three lengths going five and one-half furlongs. September 20, 2009: CACOUNA, the 4-ear-old son of YONAGUSKA - Belle Affair, by Stalwart, won the 5th race at Fort Erie by five lengths going six furlongs. September 17, 2009: NON COMPETE, the 2-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Higher Earnings, by Corporate report, won at first asking in the 5th race at Belmont Park, a six furlong maiden special weight by a length and three-quarters. September 15, 2009: LINEBACKER, the 3-year-old gelded son of YONAGUSKA - Girton Gate, by Gate Dancer, won the 2nd race at Delaware Park going six furlongs by seven and one-quarter lengths. HERE'STOTEMPERANCE, the 4-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - Cirque View, by Crafty Prospector, won the 5th race at Fort Erie by four and one-half lengths going six furlongs. September 14, 2009: UNSTOPPABLE ME, the 5-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - Athenavega, by Olympio, won the 1st race at Thistledown by more than four lengths going one mile. August 8, 2009: HIDDEN EXPRESSION WINS COLLEEN STAKES AT MONMOUTH PARK! HIDDEN EXPRESSION remained undefeated and became the latest stakes winner for YONAGUSKA with her victory in the $65,000 Colleen Stakes going five and one-half furlongs over the fast main track at Monmouth Park. Tracking two lengths off a swift opening quarter of :21 2/5, she maintained that margin until she began her three wide challenge midway around the turn. Gain ground strongly when jockey Eddie Castro asked, she caught the leader midstretch and drew away to a convincing three length score. “We’re real impressed with her,” said winning trainer Todd Beattie, who owns the filly in partnership with Common Wealth New Era. “She’s still making some mistakes, just trying to figure things out, but we’re excited about this filly. The Sorority is obviously the next logical spot for her.” “We got a nice trip behind the two horses that were dueling for the early lead,” Castro said. “They went pretty quick up front and when I called on her, she caught up to them pretty easily.” Now a winner on both regular dirt and a synthetic surface, she was produced by the Lord Carson mare, The Hess Express. A half-sister to today's Grade I Whitney Handicap winner Bullsbay, HIDDEN EXPRESSION was bred in Kentucky by Richard Reed, Emerald Q Partners, Inc. and Tiffany Zammit. July 25, 2009: GUS WHO, the 3-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Avens, by Briartic, scored the third win of his career in the 6th race at Philadelphia Park, a five furlong allowance over the fast main track by nearly six lengths. GUS WHO races for Premier Stables Unlimited and Gary Randolph and he is trained by Mark Shuman. He was bred in Pennsylvania by Barbara Brown and Henry Crigler. July 25, 2009: TOPAZ LEGACY, the 5-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Amora, by Clever Trick, won the 2nd race at Assinibioa Downs going one mile by a length and one-quarter. July 18, 2009: YONAGUSKA FILLY WINS PRINCESS ELAINE STAKES! MINNESOTA MAFIA, the 4-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - Kitiara, by Tomorrows Cat, closed with bold determination to win the $50,000 Princess Elaine Stakes going a mile and one-sixteenth over the firm turf course at Canterbury Park. Rating five lengths off the lead in early going while saving ground, she moved outside around the far turn. She needed clear running at the top of the stretch and nearing the eighth pole, a narrow seam emerged. She dove through, came away with the elad and drew off to win by a length and one-quarter. MINNESOTA MAFIA is a homebred racing for Camelia Casby and she is trained by Gary Schere. July 18, 2009: Yonaguska Colt Second in his Stakes Debut! GUS WHO, the 3-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Avens, by Briarctic, made his stakes debut and he finished second in the $75,000 Peppy Addy Stakes going seven furlongs over the fast main track at Philadelphia Park. July 18, 2009: DIGGER, the 5-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Da Choice, by Dehere, won the eleventh race of his career, taking the 4th race at Belmont Park, a six furlong allowance over the fast main track by nearly two lengths. July 16, 2009: HIDDEN EXPRESSION, the 2-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA - The Hess Express, by Lord Carson, scored by more than five lengths in her racing debut, the five furlong maiden special weight carded as the 1st race at Presque Isle Downs over the Tapeta Footings surface. June 22, 2009: CACOUNA, the 4-year-old son of YONAGUSKA - Belle Affair, by Stalwart, won the 5th race at Fort Erie going five furlongs by eight and one-half lengths. June 14, 2009: SIX PACK SAMMY, the 4-year-old YONAGUSKA filly, took her career earnings to $129,785 with her victory in the 2nd race at Woodbine going six and one-half furlongs over the Polytrack by two and one-half lengths. June 3, 2009: HERE COMES RAY RAY, the 5-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA-Three Rifle Bride, by El Prado (IRE), won the 7th race at Northlands Park going six furlongs by a neck. June 2, 2009: BLACK NAPKIN, the 3-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA-Countess of Mine, by Geiger Counter, won the 4th race at Fort Erie going six and one-half furlongs by more than four lengths. May 18, 2009: YONAGUSKA COLT SELLS FOR $485,000! The YONAGUSKA juvenile colt who is a half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, was purchased for $485,000 by Dogwood Stable at today's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training! Consigned by Cary Fromer for the account of Paul Saylor, he was purchased earlier this year for $100,000 at the OBSC March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training. Bred in Kentucky by the partnership of Peter Lamantia, James Blackburn and Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds he was produced by the Mining mare, Mining My Own. “I liked the horse, and certainly on Saturday afternoon, Mine That Bird proved that he is the ‘Real McCoy’ and then some; that certainly strengthened my interest in this colt,” Dogwood's Cot Campbell told the Bloodhorse.com. “I loved the way this colt galloped. I know his connections and have confidence in the background of the horse. He passed the vet with flying colors and would, I think, have some residual value. “It’s certainly fine they didn’t breeze him. I thought he extended well when he galloped. He bowed his neck and took hold of the bit and acted like he wanted to get on with it. He reached out with great purpose and had a beautiful way of moving. You could have put a glass of water on his hind end and it wouldn’t have spilled. "He’s a lovely mover, and he has got the right family behind him. You could send him to the races, I think, with a great deal of confidence.” Campbell said the colt will be trained by Todd Pletcher. To see video of the colt galloping at the preview, CLICK HERE.

May 16, 2009: MUSKET MAN THIRD IN G1 PREAKNESS STAKES! MUSKET MAN, the son of YONAGUSKA, who was third in the GI Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, proved yet again he is among the best of his generation with his third place finish in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the mile and three-sixteenths, GI Blackberry Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course! MUSKET MAN saved ground and launched his bid three furlongs from home. He had to steady a furlong after launching his bid, but he recovered and kept closing. At the finish, he was a length and one-half away from Rachel Alexandra and only a half-length back of Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird. MUSKET MAN now has five wins and three thirds in his eight career starts and the has earned $893,600.

May 13, 2009: MUSKET MAN DRAWS POST THREE IN PREAKNESS! Kentucky Derby third place finisher MUSKET MAN, the son of YONAGUSKA, drew post three in the field of thirteen for the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness. He will be ridden by Eibar Coa and he is 8-1 on the morning line.

May 9, 2009: MOTION TO COMPEL, the 3-year-old filly out of the Raise a Native mare, Miss Pete, won first time out in the 5th race at Philadelphia Park, a six and one-half furlong maiden special weight by a neck. LADY GUSKA. the 3-year-old filly out of the Riverman mare, Friendly Dame, broke her maiden going six furlongs by nearly two lengths in the 2nd race at Suffolk Downs.

May 6, 2009: THIS KITTY'S MINE, the 3-year-old filly out of the Honour and Glory mare, Kitty Lou, won the 6th race at Delaware Park going six furlongs by nearly five lengths.

May 2, 2009: MUSKET MAN THIRD IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY! YONAGUSKA colt MUSKET MAN finished a determined third, a nose away from second, in the 135th running of the $2,177,200 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I). MUSKET MAN had to run a few strides over the slick surface before his found his rhythm. Placed in a three wide stalking position back in eighth, he was fanned out six wide as the field entered the top of the stretch. He closed strongly, was bumped at the sixteenth pole, but he battled back, never giving up in a great effort. MUSKET MAN has now earned $772,660.

May 2, 2009: CHIEF OF AFFAIRS made a dramatic racing debut, taking the field wire-to-wire and winning by double digits in the 7th race at Lone Star Park, a six furlong maiden special weight over the sloppy sealed main track. Opening his career full of run, the 3-year-old YONAGUSKA colt had some company down the backstretch and around the turn. He shook off the competion two furlongs from home and he drew off as much the best through the stretch to win by twelve and one-half furlongs. CHIEF OF AFFAIRS races for Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch and he is trained by W. Calhoun. Bred in Texas by Dr. Jacquelyn J. Rich DVM, he was produced by the Nureyev mare, Jennifer's Affair. DANCE TO MARKET, the 3-year-old son of YONAGUSKA-Verne's Lady, by Deputy Minister broke his maiden going four and one-half furlongs in the 8th race at Fort Erie.

April 24, 2009: DIGGER, the 4-year-old gelded son of YONAGUSKA-Da Choice, by Dehere, won the 1st race at Aqueduct going six furlongs by nearly four lengths.

April 4, 2009: Courtesy of Hawthorne Race Course MUSKET MAN WINS GII ILLINOIS DERBY! Coming into the 52nd running of the Grade 2, $500,000 Illinois Derby, Eric Fein and Vic Carlson’s MUSKET MAN was the lone entrant with a graded victory. When the 1 1/8 miles race for 3-year-olds had concluded, MUSKET MAN was the only multiple graded stakes winner by virtue of a two-length victory over Giant Oak, stopping the clock in 1:49.91. It was five lengths back to longshot His Greatness who was well clear for third. The win came on the heels of a game score in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby and had the connections, including trainer Derek Ryan and jockey Eibar Coa, thinking the Kentucky Derby is the next stop. “I suppose we have to go to Kentucky now,” said Ryan, tongue in cheek following the race. And Coa certainly sounded pretty sure about a trip to Louisville, as well. “We were very confident going into the race…there’s no doubt he’ll get the distance of the Kentucky Derby.” With the early scratch of Lord Justice, the early lead figured to fall in the lap of Perfect Song…and it did. Essentially unopposed early, Perfect Song reached the first quarter in 23:84. To his outside and a constant presence was His Greatness. The two picked up the pace with Perfect Song holding a slim lead, the half-mile run in 47:67. Meanwhile the eventual winner was biding his time, unhurried but never too far back. When Coa asked MUSKET MAN to commence his rally just before the far turn, the son of YONAGUSKA responded kindly. Moving four wide into the stretch, the duo soared past the embattled leaders and under a drive held off the only possible threat, Giant Oak, for the impressive-looking victory. “He really ran a big race today. Everybody has been questioning his ability to get the distance, but they don’t the horse. I do,” Ryan said. “I know what I’ve got and I knew he would have no trouble getting the distance and he showed it today.” As for the Illinois-bred, Giant Oak, his trainer Chris Block was prudent in his assessment following the second-place finish. “I thought he ran well,” Block said. “MUSKET MAN was obviously the better horse today. My horse ran his heart out, just didn’t catch him.” The connections of MUSKET MAN earned $285,000 for the victory, assuring enough graded stakes winnings should MUSKET MAN, indeed, make his next stop in the Run for the Roses. Sent off as a slight favorite over Giant Oak, MUSKET MAN paid $7.60 to win.

March 17, 2009: A dark bay colt by YONAGUSKA was purchase for $150,000 by Shim Racing, LLC at the OBS 2009 March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training! Hip 98 was consigned by Harris Training Center LLC, Agent I, he is the first foal from the winning Arch mare, Chimera. His winning second dam is a half-sister to G1 winner and top stallion, Indian Charlie.

March 14, 2009: YONAGUSKA COLT MUSKET MAN WINS G3 TAMPA BAY DERBY! A year after celebrating in the winner’s circle after Big Truck’s victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), owner Eric Fein savored a second victory in as many years in Tampa Bay Downs's signature race with MUSKET MAN.   The YONAGUSKA colt reeled in runner-up Join in the Dance in the final strides to win by a neck and rebound from his first career defeat on February 14 in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa.

Read the rest of the story at the Thoroughbred Times Online

February 26, 2009: EARTH LIVING, the daughter of YONAGUSKA who shipped from Japan to contest in the Dubai International Racing Carnival finished second in the listed UAE 1000 Guineas on February 6 and she came right back tonight to finish second in the listed, $250,000 UAE Oaks going 1800 meters (about nine furlongs) over the main track at Nad al Sheba. EARTH LIVING pressed the pace and made a strong run through the stretch. She was a length and one-quarter away from the winner at the finish.

February 9, 2009:

Deanoguska, the 4-year-old son of YONAGUSKA, won the 8th race at Philadelphia Park by a length and one-quarter going six furlongs over the fast main track.

February 10, 2009:

Sweet and Clear, the 5-year-old daughter of YONAGUSKA, won the 4th race at Mountaineer Park going five and one-half furlongs by eleven lengths.

Friday, January 23, 2009

MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER YONAGUSKA TO LOUISIANA

Grade 1 winner and a Leading Sire YONAGUSKA is relocating for the 2009 breeding season to Elite Thoroughbreds in Folsom, Louisiana. The 11 year- old stallion previously stood at Dr. Tom Simon’s Vinery near Lexington, Kentucky. In his first three crops to race, YONAGUSKA has 155 winners, 73 juvenile winners, and has progeny earnings of over $7.9 million. In 2008 he ranked as the second leading third-crop sire by number of winners with 107. To date, YONAGUSKA has 20 stakes horses to his credit. They include stakes winners Chief’s Lake, Digger, Cherokee Country and undefeated 3 year old Musket Man, winner of the Pasco S. at Tampa Bay on January 17. “We are excited to get a stallion of this quality for our Louisiana program. His percentage of winners from runners is incredible”, said Michelle Rodriquez owner, manager of Elite Thoroughbreds. Tom Ludt, general manager for Vinery said, “I am impressed with Michelle’s operation and she has done very well with Brahms . We just sent Fire Slam to her and we know YONAGUSKA will be very well received by the breeders. The Louisiana program is growing and we are very pleased to be involved with the breeding and racing”. His stud fee will be $4,000 LFSN Saturday, January 17, 2009 UNDEFEATED YONAGUSKA COLT WINS PASCO STAKES! MUSKET MAN, the son of YONAGUSKA is now an undefeated stakes winner! The 3-year-old colt made his seasonal and stakes debut and came away the impressive winner of the $75,000 Pasco Stakes going seven furlongs over the fast main track at Tampa Bay Downs. MUSKET MAN has yet to find a dirt surface he doesn't skip right over. He won his debut by three and one-half lengths on October 25 at Belmont Park and took his first level allowance on November 18 at Philadelphia Park. Making his third career start, MUSKET MAN drew the outside post in the field of seven and went off favored by the Florida crowd. Away sharply, he rated a little more than a length off the early pacesetters in third. He launched his bid with a three wide move around the turn and he had the lead at the top of the stretch, but he was not alone. Challenged almost immediately, he was headed passing the eighth pole, but he wasn't done. Asked for more by jockey Luis Gonzales, he produced a burst of speed and in a few strides he not only had regained the lead, but was a length in front. He maintained that margin to the wire and his final time of 1:23 was just two ticks off the stakes record and 4/5's off the track record. "I had worked the horse in the morning so I knew what I had," said Gonzales. "He outbroke the field like I wanted, but I didn't want to use his speed and he waited for me. We stayed outside the leaders in the turn but and we went by them pretty easily. I was surprised when that other horse (General Quarters) came up outside of me and just for a second I thought we might get beat but I just had to touch him and he showed me more and we were clear. He just doesn't do anything wrong. Do I think he can do a distance? Oh yes!” “We came down here with this race in mind, and as soon as we got here we gave him a little break," said trainer Derek Ryan. "When we were getting him ready for this race, he was working great; I usually have a workhorse with him, but I’m running out of workhorses that can keep up with him!" Ryan said that the Grade III $225,000 Sam F. Davis was next on the colt’s agenda, adding that he doesn’t think that Musket Man will mind the 1 1/16 miles distance of the race. “He’s got an awful lot of talent, and he’s a very laid-back horse. Because of his disposition I don’t think he’ll have any trouble with the distance.” MUSKET MAN races for the partnership of Eric Fein and Vic Carlson. Bred in Kentucky by Jim E. Nelson and Sergio De Sousa, he is out of the Fortunate Prospect mare, Fortuesque. Monday, December 01, 2008 TWENTIETH 2YO WINNER OF THE SEASON FOR YONAGUSKA! DARK CORNER, the 2-year-old son of YONAGUSKA, became his 20TH juvenile winner this season, breaking his maiden by a half-length going a mile and one-sixteenth over the main track in the 1st race at Calder Race Course. Bred in Florida by Padua Stables, was produced by the Hennessy mare, Prestigious Prize. He races for Tom McCrocklin and he is trained by Steve Standridge.