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Weekend Notables & Quotables (April 29-30)

May 1, 2023

Leading ‘Lady’

Lady in Red, bred by Raffaela Di Paola, trained by Santino Di Paola, and owned by York Tech Racing Stable, broke her maiden in Saturday’s first dash, a one-length win with Gary Boulanger aboard in the 5 ½-furlong Tapeta race.

Lady in Red and jockey Gary Boulanger winning the first race on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Lady in Red and jockey Gary Boulanger winning the first race on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Grey day

Rockcrest, a grey son of Old Forester, pulled off the 9-1 upset in the ninth race on Saturday, notching a half-length score for owner-trainer Nigel Burke. It was the fifth career victory for the 6-year-old gelding.

Rockcrest and jockey Jason Hoyte winning race 9 on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Rockcrest and jockey Jason Hoyte winning race 9 on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Dazzling debut

Trainer and co-owner Michelle Love sent out first-time starter Foolish Games to victory on Saturday. The Ontario-bred daughter of Reload romped to an easy score in the five-furlong race over the Tapeta. The 3-year-old chestnut filly was ridden to victory by Omar Moreno.

Foolish Games and jockey Omar Moreno winning race 10 on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Foolish Games and jockey Omar Moreno winning race 10 on April 29, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Gold, silver, and bronze

Dual hall of fame trainer Mark Casse swept the top three spots in Sunday’s fourth race. Elysian Field was first, Calabrian Queen finished second, a head in front of stablemate Moral Turpitude.

Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning race 4 on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning race 4 on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Four for Kazushi

Champion jockey Kazushi Kimura made four trips to the winner’s circle on Sunday, piloting Give Me My Money, Canyouhearmenow, Old Chestnut and Uncle Joe each to victory.

Give Me My Money and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning race 2 on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Give Me My Money and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning race 2 on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth repeating

“Turning for home, I could feel the company come to me. As soon as he felt it, I asked him a little bit and he took off.” – Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., on New York Thunder’s emphatic Woodstock Stakes win.

New York Thunder and Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. winning the Woodstock Stakes on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
New York Thunder and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. winning the Woodstock Stakes on April 30, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth watching

New York Thunder reigns supreme on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Woodbine.

Worth knowing

Woodbine’s annual Kentucky Derby Day party is set for May 6 from 2-7 p.m. Get all the details here: woodbine.com/events/kentucky-derby-party/

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